introductio

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ɪn.troːˈdʊk.ti.oː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [in.troˈduk.t͡si.o]^[1]

Forms

intrōductiō f (genitive intrōductiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from intrōdūcō “to lead in” 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.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant an introduction, a bringing in, as in Cicero's intrōductiō adulēscentulōrum nōbilium “the bringing in of young nobles”.^[2][5][6]

In Medieval Latin it meant seizin, putting someone in possession of land.^[7] British Medieval Latin used it for bringing a person into a place and for a character's entrance in a play.^[8] Through Old French introduccion it gave English introduction in the late 14th century, “act of bringing into existence”.^[3]

Timeline

• 86/82 BC – The Rhetorica ad Herennium uses it.^[4]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.^[5][4]
• late 14th century – English introduction is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A bringing in, introduction.^[2]
2. (Medieval Latin) Seizin.^[7]

Related words

• intrōdūcō
• dūcō
• English introduction

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c 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 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. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
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