intentus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ɪnˈtɛn.tʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [inˈtɛn.tus]^[1]

Forms

intentus (feminine intenta, neuter intentum, comparative intentior, superlative intentissimus); first/second-declension adjective^[1] Statius has intens-.^[2]

Etymology

It is the participle of intendō “to stretch, direct”.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Sallust, of the earnest.^[2] Köbler's first source is Cicero; he dates Sallust 86–34 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant intent, with the mind keenly occupied, as in Virgil, and in Sallust earnest, serious; in Celsus of conditions intense, of action strenuous.^[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant attentive, waiting eagerly, intent, intense.^[5] The fourth-declension noun intentus meant a stretching out, and Medieval Latin used it for an intention, a claim, and an accusation.^[2][6] It survives in Italian and Spanish intento, and Old French entente gave English entente.^[1][3] The adjective gave English intent “attentive” in the late 14th century, and the noun English intent “purpose” in the early 13th.^[3]

Timeline

• 86–34 BC – Sallust uses it of the earnest.^[2][4]
• 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of the intent.^[2][4]
• early 13th century – English intent “purpose” is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Intent, attentive.^[2]
2. Earnest, serious.^[2]
3. Intense; strenuous.^[2]

Word family

• intentiō

Related words

• intendo
• English intent

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 Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c 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. ^ Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill