metaphysicalis

Forms

metaphysicālis (neuter metaphysicāle); third-declension two-termination adjective^[1][2] The spellings methaphysicalis and methafisicalis also occur.^[3][2]

Etymology

It is a medieval formation^[4] from Latin metaphysica (“metaphysics”) + -ālis.^[1][3][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates its first record, from Latham's word list of British medieval Latin, to 1267; it means “metaphysical”, belonging to metaphysics.^[1][6]

Semantic evolution

It was a term of scholastic philosophy, set beside natural and moral philosophy: Bradwardine speaks of metaphysicalis sapientia.^[4] The neuter plural metaphysicalia was used as a noun for metaphysical matters or writings.^[4][2] It appears in the medieval Latin of Poland and the Czech lands,^[3][7] and in Neo-Latin: Lorenzo Valla says that Damascenus wrote “logical and almost metaphysical” works.^[2]

Timeline

• 1267 – First record in British medieval Latin.^[1]
• early 15th century – English metaphysical comes partly from it.^[5]
• 15th century – It is used in Polish medieval Latin, as in nulla est logica metaphysicalis.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. metaphysical, belonging to metaphysics.^{[6][4][7][3][2]}
2. (neuter plural as noun) Metaphysical matters; metaphysics.^[4][2]

Related words

• English metaphysical

References

1. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
2. ^ a b c d e f Ramminger, Johann, Neulateinische Wortliste: Ein Wörterbuch des Lateinischen von Petrarca bis 1700, www.neulatein.de
3. ^ a b c d e Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
4. ^ a b c d e 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
5. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
7. ^ a b Latinitatis medii aevi lexicon Bohemorum / Slovník středověké latiny v českých zemích (1977–), Prague: Academia; electronic version, Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences