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metor

Etymology and origin of the Latin word metor

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Livy
Ultimate origin
Latin (mēta)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈmeː.tɔr][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈmɛː.tor][1]

Forms

mētor (present infinitive mētārī, perfect active mētātus sum); first conjugation, deponent[1] Occasionally used in a passive sense; the Culex has an active mētō.[2]

Etymology

It is a denominative of mēta “turning post, boundary mark”; compare mētior.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is Livy, of marking out.[2] Köbler dates Livy 59 BC–17 AD.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant to measure off, mark out a line or area, as in Livy; to lay out, plan; to take the measure of, scrutinize; and in Seneca to traverse, pass through, and Lewis & Short note it is not in Cicero.[2][4]

Timeline

  • 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it.[2][3]
  • 23/24–79 AD – Pliny uses it of laying out.[2][3]
  • 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it of traversing.[2][3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To measure off, mark out.[2][4]
  2. To lay out, plan.[2]
  3. To scrutinize.[2]
  4. To traverse.[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 k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
Cite this entry

“Metor.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/metor. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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