introduco

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ɪn.troːˈduː.koː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [in.troˈduː.ko]^[1]

Forms

intrōdūcō (present infinitive intrōdūcere, perfect active intrōdūxī, supine intrōductum); third conjugation, irregular short imperative^[1]

Etymology

It is from intrō (“inside”) and dūcō “to lead”; manuscripts sometimes split it as ⟨intrō dūcō⟩.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's first citations are from Plautus, as his bringing in of a gang of slaves for sale.^[2][4] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[5]

Semantic evolution

It meant to lead or bring in, introduce into a place, as Sallust's soldiers brought in by night, to usher someone into another's presence, as in Ennius, to bring onto the stage, and in law to put in possession.^[2][4] It meant to insert into a speech or book, to bring forward a subject or theory, and to establish a custom, as in Cicero; in Gaius it meant to start an action at law.^[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to introduce, bring in.^[6] It survives in French introduire, Italian introdurre and Spanish introducir.^[1] English introduce was borrowed in the early 15th century.^[3]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of bringing in slaves.^[4][5]
• 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of ushering someone in.^[2][5]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of introducing a custom.^[2][5]
• early 15th century – English introduce is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Verb

1. To lead or bring in, introduce.^[2]
2. To usher (into someone's presence).^[2]
3. To insert (into a speech or book).^[2]
4. To bring forward (a subject); to propose (a theory).^[2]
5. To establish (a custom).^[2]

Word family

• intrōductiō
• intrōductor
• subintrōdūcō
• intrōductōrius
• intrōductus

Related words

• dūcō
• English introduce

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 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 Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson