lector

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈɫeːk.tɔr]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈlɛk.tor]^[1]

Forms

lēctor m (genitive lēctōris, feminine lēctrīx); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from legō “to read” with the suffix -tor.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Lucilius, whom he dates c. 180–102 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant a reader, and in Cicero a slave employed to read aloud.^[2]

In Christian Latin it was a cleric of the second of the minor orders, who read the lessons, and a monk charged with reading.^[5][6] British Medieval Latin used it for a reader.^[7] It survives in Italian lettore, and Late Latin lector gave English lector in the late 14th century, a cleric appointed to read.^[1][3]

Timeline

• c. 180–102 BC – Lucilius uses it.^[4]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a reader slave.^[2][4]
• late 14th century – English lector is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A reader; a professional reader.^[2]
2. (Ecclesiastical Latin) A lector, one of the minor orders.^[6][5]

Related words

• legō
• lēctiō
• English lector

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d 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 c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
6. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
7. ^ 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