Etymologically
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maledictum

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ma.ɫɛˈdɪk.tũː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ma.leˈdik.tum][1]

Forms

maledictum n (genitive maledictī); second declension[1]

Etymology

It is the neuter participle of maledīcō “to speak ill of”, from male “badly” and dīcō “to say”, used as a noun.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant an insult, a reproach, a taunt.[2] Döderlein explains that maledictum is any injurious utterance, whether a curse to bring ill luck or an insult to bring disgrace, while probrum is a reproach that charges someone with a shameful act.[4]

Medieval Latin used it for a condemnation.[5] Its noun maledictiō gave English malediction in the mid-15th century, a curse.[6]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of insults.[3]
  • mid-15th century – English malediction is recorded.[6]

Meanings

Noun

  1. An insult, reproach, taunt.[2]
  2. (Medieval Latin) A condemnation.[5]

Usage notes

Döderlein distinguishes it from probrum and convīcium.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
  5. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com