Etymologically
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invitatio

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Forms

invitātiō f (genitive invitātiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

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

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero, of the invitation to drink and to a meal.[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant doing the honours at a meal, especially the invitation to drink, and an invitation to a meal or other hospitality, as in Cicero.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant invitation, challenge, incitement.[5] British Medieval Latin used it for an invitation to food or lodging, and to a course of action.[6] It survives in Italian invitazione and Spanish invitación, and gave English invitation in the mid-15th century.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of invitations.[2][4]
  • mid-15th century – English invitation is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. The invitation to drink at a meal.[2]
  2. An invitation.[2]
  3. (Ecclesiastical Latin) A challenge, incitement.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  6. ^ 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