investigatio

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ɪn.wɛs.tiːˈɡaː.ti.oː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [iɱ.ves.tiˈɡat.t͡si.o]^[1]

Forms

investīgātiō f (genitive investīgātiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin investīgō (“to track, search out”) + -tiō,^[2][1] from in- and vestīgō “to track”, from vestīgium “footprint”.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Cicero, in the Academica, says someone devoted himself wholly to the investigation of nature.^[2][4] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^[5]

Semantic evolution

It was a searching or inquiry into something, as Cicero speaks of the investigation of the most hidden things and of the search for truth beside inquīsītiō.^[6][2] It also meant a search for persons: Hyginus tells of someone asking to search for a lost father and sister, and Apuleius of a reward for tracking someone down.^[2] The Vulgate, in Isaiah, says God's wisdom is beyond searching.^[6]

In medieval British records it was the tracking down of stolen cattle and the seeking out of persons.^[7] English investigation is recorded in the early 15th century.^[3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the investigation of nature.^[2][5]
• 390–406 AD – The Vulgate uses it in Isaiah.^[6][5]
• early 15th century – English investigation is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A search.^[2][1]
2. An inquiry, investigation; research.^[2][1]
3. (Medieval Latin) The tracking down of stolen cattle or of persons.^[7]

Related words

• investīgābilis
• investīgātor
• investīgātrix
• investīgō
• vestīgium
• English investigation

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g 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. ^ Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
5. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ a b c Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ a b 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