Etymologically
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iustus

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈjuːs.tʊs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈjus.tus][1]

Forms

iūstus (feminine iūsta, neuter iūstum, comparative iūstior, superlative iūstissimus); first/second-declension adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from Archaic Latin ⟨iovestos⟩, the oblique stem of iūs “law, right” with the suffix ⟨-tos⟩, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂yew-.[1][2] The ablative ⟨iouestod⟩ appears in the Forum inscription (CIL 1.1).[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is the Law of the Twelve Tables, which he dates about 450 BC.[3] The OLD's earliest literary citations are from Plautus, of what is due and of fair judges.[2]

Semantic evolution

It meant lawful, legitimate, as in dies iustī, the period allowed by law, rightful, due, and of rewards and punishments deserved.[2] Of persons it meant just, fair, impartial, as Plautus' fair judges and Cicero's iūstissimus iūdex.[2] Of actions it meant equitable, of feelings justified, and of reasons sound or valid.[2] It also meant proper, correct, of the right size, full, complete, as Cato's ploughs of the prescribed size, and in military use at full strength, regular, as Livy's armies.[2] From Plautus onwards it could mean properly so called, and in Pliny normal, ordinary.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant just, righteous, and Lewis and Short cite the Vulgate's vir iustus of Noah.[4][5] In British Medieval Latin it kept the legal sense, lawful, legally appointed.[6] It survives in Italian giusto, French juste, Spanish and Portuguese justo.[1]

Timeline

  • c. 450 BC – The Law of the Twelve Tables has the word.[3]
  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of what is due and of fair judges.[2][3]
  • 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of the proper size.[2][3]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses iūstissimus iūdex.[2][3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Recognized by law, lawful, legitimate; legally appointed.[2]
  2. Rightful, due; deserved, merited.[2]
  3. Of persons, just, fair, impartial.[2][5]
  4. In accordance with justice, equitable; based on equity.[2]
  5. Justified; of reasons, sound, valid.[2]
  6. Proper, correct; of the right size or amount, full, complete.[2]
  7. (military) At full strength; regular, formal.[2]
  8. Properly so called; normal, ordinary.[2]
  9. (Ecclesiastical Latin) Righteous.[4]

Word family

  • iniūstus
  • iūstificō
  • iūstificus
  • iūstitia
  • iustum

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  5. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  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