Etymologically
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investigatio

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 15 October 2026 at 23:22. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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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]

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