Etymologically
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intentio

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 15:35. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ɪnˈtɛn.ti.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [inˈtɛn.t͡si.o][1]

Forms

intentiō f (genitive intentiōnis); third declension[1] It is also spelled intensiō, as in Seneca.[2]

Etymology

It is from intendō “to stretch, direct” with the suffix -tiō.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from the Rhetorica ad Herennium, of the statement of a charge.[2] Köbler dates the Rhetorica 86/82 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

In Celsus it meant stretching, a spasm, and intensity; in Cicero it meant a fixed gaze and mental effort, concentration.[2] In Pliny the Elder it meant an aim, purpose, intention, and in law, from the Rhetorica ad Herennium, the statement of the charge.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant intention, purpose.[5] Medieval Latin used it for an aim, effort, zeal, devotion, and an objection.[6] British Medieval Latin used it for stretching, and in music for the tightening of a string.[7] It was borrowed into Italian intenzione and French intention, and through Old French entencion it gave English intention in the late 14th century.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 86/82 BC – The Rhetorica ad Herennium uses it of a charge.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of attention.[2][4]
  • 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder uses it of a purpose.[2][4]
  • late 14th century – English intention is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Stretching; a spasm; intensity.[2]
  2. A fixed gaze; attention, concentration.[2]
  3. An aim, intention.[2]
  4. (law) The statement of the charge.[2]
  5. (Medieval Latin) Zeal; devotion.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  7. ^ 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