Etymologically
Log in

methodus

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 15 October 2026 at 23:54. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈmɛ.tʰɔ.dʊs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈmɛː.to.dus][1]

Forms

methodus f (genitive methodī); second declension[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek μέθοδος (méthodos, “pursuit; method of inquiry”),[1][2][3] from μετά (metá, “after, in pursuit of”) and ὁδός (hodós, “way”).[4] The form methodos is also found.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Vitruvius, at the beginning of On Architecture, uses it in medicine.[2][5] Köbler dates Vitruvius c. 84–c. 25 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It was a systematic procedure according to rules, a method of teaching or proceeding, and especially a method in medicine.[2][6][5] Celsus still writes it as Greek, while Vitruvius, Ausonius and Caelius Aurelianus use the Latin form.[2]

British medieval writers used it of a mode of proceeding and in logic, and John of Salisbury explains that the Greeks call an art a methodos, a short way that avoids nature's detours.[7] English method is recorded in the early 15th century as a systematic treatment of disease.[4]

Timeline

  • c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it.[2][3]
  • c. 310–394 AD – Ausonius uses it.[2][3]
  • 5th century AD – Caelius Aurelianus uses it in medicine.[2][3]
  • early 15th century – English method is recorded.[4]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A method, systematic procedure; a way of teaching.[2][1]
  2. (medicine) A method of treatment.[5][4]
  3. (Medieval Latin, logic) A method.[7]
  • methodicē
  • methodicus
  • methodium
  • English method

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  3. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  7. ^ a b 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