Etymologically
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iuncata

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Forms

iuncāta f (genitive iuncātae); first declension.[1][2]

Etymology

It is a Medieval Latin word, probably from Latin iuncus (“rush”).[3] Du Cange explains the first sense with the verb ⟨iuncare⟩ “to strew with rushes”.[4] Köbler refers it to ⟨iunceta⟩.[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The earliest dated use is in a Paris account register of 1273: Amanevus de Brana was to put strewn rushes, iuncata, in the boat in which the king crossed the Dordogne from Easter to Martinmas, and straw for the rest of the year.[4]

Semantic evolution

Du Cange records three senses: rushes, herbs or flowers strewn on a floor; a fish trap made of rushes; and curdled milk wrapped in rushes, glossed by the French jonchée.[4] The Bohemian glossaries know the last sense, curd wrapped in rushes.[2] Constantinus Africanus compares a kind of swelling to the iuncata made from milk.[4]

Etymonline gives the sense “rush basket” and derives English junket from it, first a basket for fish, later a feast; it compares Italian giuncata, a dish like cream cheese.[3]

Timeline

  • 1273 – A Paris account register uses it of rushes strewn in a boat.[4]
  • late 14th century – English has jonket, a basket for catching or carrying fish.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin) Rushes, herbs or flowers strewn on a floor.[4]
  2. (Medieval Latin) A fish trap made of rushes.[4]
  3. (Medieval Latin) Curds or soft cheese wrapped in rushes.[4][2]
  4. (Medieval Latin) A rush basket.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  2. ^ a b c Latinitatis medii aevi lexicon Bohemorum / Slovník středověké latiny v českých zemích (1977–), Prague: Academia; electronic version, Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences
  3. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre