Etymologically
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interpretatio

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ɪn.tɛr.prɛˈtaː.ti.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [in.ter.preˈtat.t͡si.o][1]

Forms

interpretātiō f (genitive interpretātiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from interpretor “to explain” with the suffix -tiō.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is the Rhetorica ad Herennium, which he dates 86/82 BC, and the OLD cites it for the use of synonyms.[4][2]

Semantic evolution

It meant expounding, explaining, as Cicero's interpretātiō iūris and the interpretation of omens and lightning, and in Varro an exposition.[2][5][6] In rhetoric it meant explaining one word by another, using synonyms.[2] In Cicero it meant a construction put on an act, an interpretation, and the meaning of a word.[2] In Pliny the Elder it meant a translation.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant interpretation, translation, and in canon law the meaning of a law.[7] British Medieval Latin used it of dreams and omens.[8] It survives in Italian interpretazione, and Old French interpretacion gave English interpretation in the mid-14th century, first “a translation”.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 86/82 BC – The Rhetorica ad Herennium uses it of synonyms.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of interpreting law.[5][4]
  • 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder uses it of translation.[2][4]
  • mid-14th century – English interpretation is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Explanation, exposition.[2]
  2. (rhetoric) The use of synonyms.[2]
  3. An interpretation, construction.[2]
  4. Meaning.[2]
  5. A translation.[2]

Word family

  • interpretatiuncula

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 m 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. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  8. ^ 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