integre

Forms

integrē (comparative integrius, superlative integerrimē)^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin integer (“untouched, whole”) + -ē, an adverb.^[2][1] De Vaan derives integer from Proto-Italic *ntagro- (“untouched”), a negated adjective from the root of tangō (“to touch”), Proto-Indo-European *teh₂g- (“to touch”);^[3] Umbrian antakres, probably “untouched”, is its cognate.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler and the OLD record it first in Cicero,^[4][2] who says of his work in defending private citizens that it was done caste integreque, “purely and honestly”.^[2]

Semantic evolution

Its main classical sense is morally sound: honestly, irreproachably, without self-interest, as when Valerius Maximus says someone behaved integerrime and Quintilian has a province governed most honestly.^[2][5] Cicero also has nature judging incorrupte atque integre, impartially.^[2][5] Of language it means faultlessly, in pure style: Cicero glosses speaking in the Attic manner as speaking sicce et integre, and Gellius uses it of writing and speaking correctly.^[2][6] Medieval British writers use it chiefly for completely, wholly, in full, often of gifts, payments and property, from Gildas onwards.^[7]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of honest conduct and of a pure Attic style.^[2][4]
• c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian has the superlative of a province governed with integrity.^[2][4]
• c. 165 AD – Gellius uses it of correct speech and writing.^[2][4]
• c. 510–570 AD – Gildas uses it for wholly, completely.^[7][4]

Meanings

Adverb

1. Honestly, irreproachably, with integrity; impartially.^[2][5]
2. Of style, faultlessly, purely, correctly.^[2][6]
3. (Medieval Latin) Completely, wholly, in full.^[7]

Related words

• integer
• integritās
• tangō

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
4. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b c Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
6. ^ a b Conte, Gian Biagio; Pianezzola, Emilio; Ranucci, Giuliano (2010), il Latino: Vocabolario della lingua latina, 3rd ed., Florence: Le Monnier
7. ^ a b c Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press