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maiestas

Etymology and origin of the Latin word maiestas

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

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [majˈjɛs.taːs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [maˈjɛs.tas][1]

Forms

maiestās f (genitive maiestātis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from ⟨maies-⟩, the stem of māior “greater”, with the suffix -tās, continuing Proto-Italic ⟨*magjes⟩, perhaps influenced by honestās.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero, of the majesty of the gods.[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant the dignity of a god or an exalted person, majesty, as in Cicero, and in the Rhetorica ad Herennium the majesty of the people or state, sovereignty.[2][1] In Cicero, short for māiestās laesa or imminūta, it meant high treason, and in Lucretius and Livy grandeur of things and of appearance.[2]

Medieval Latin used it as a title of honour for an emperor, king or pope, for sovereignty, for an image of Christ enthroned, and for a reliquary.[4] British Medieval Latin used it for authority, dignity, and worldly might.[5] It survives in Italian maestà, French majesté and Spanish majestad, and through Old French it gave English majesty about 1300.[1][6]

Timeline

  • 86/82 BC – The Rhetorica ad Herennium uses it of the state's sovereignty.[2][3]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the gods and of treason.[2][3]
  • c. 1300 – English majesty is recorded.[6]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Majesty, dignity.[2]
  2. The majesty of the people, sovereignty.[2]
  3. Treason.[2]
  4. Grandeur.[2]
  5. (Medieval Latin) A royal title; an image of Christ enthroned; a reliquary.[4]

Word family

  • māiestus
  • maiestātīvus

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  5. ^ 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
  6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
Cite this entry

“Maiestas.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/maiestas. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·