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legatio

Etymology and origin of the Latin word legatio

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Cicero
Ultimate origin
Latin (lēx)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ɫeːˈɡaː.ti.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [leˈɡat.t͡si.o][1]

Forms

lēgātiō f (genitive lēgātiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from lēgō “to send with a commission” with the suffix -tiō.[2][1][3] De Vaan takes ⟨lēgāre⟩ and its compounds to be derivatives of lēx “law”, since they all involve a task or assignment.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC.[5]

Semantic evolution

It meant the sending of a deputation, an embassy, the office of an ambassador, and the body of envoys, all in Cicero.[2] Lēgātiō lībera was a senator's privilege of free official transport and lodging when travelling on private business.[2] It was also the office of a lēgātus to a provincial governor.[2]

British Medieval Latin used it for the act of sending, as of letters.[6] Through Old French legation it gave English legation about 1400, “mission of a deputy or envoy”.[3]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of embassies.[2][5]
  • c. 1400 – English legation is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. The sending of envoys, an embassy.[2]
  2. The office of an ambassador; a commission.[2]
  3. A deputation, legation.[2]
  4. lēgātiō lībera, a senator's free journey on private business.[2]
  5. The office of a lēgātus.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
  5. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  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
Cite this entry

“Legatio.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/legatio. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·