Etymologically
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miraculum

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [miːˈraː.kʊ.ɫũː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [miˈraː.ku.lum][1]

Forms

mīrāculum n (genitive mīrāculī); second declension[1] Lucilius perhaps has mīrāclum.[2]

Etymology

It is from mīror “to wonder at” with the suffix -culum.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Cato, of an amazing event.[2] Köbler dates Cato 234–149 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant an amazing event, as in Cato, and in Cicero a marvel, an amazing sight.[2] In Pliny the Elder it meant remarkable quality, and in Livy wonder, amazement.[2]

In Church Latin it meant a miracle, and Medieval Latin used it for a miracle play.[5][3] British Medieval Latin used it for any remarkable deed or phenomenon.[6] It survives in Spanish milagro and Portuguese milagre, and through Old French it gave English miracle in the mid-12th century, a wondrous work of God.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of an amazing event.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a marvel.[2][4]
  • mid-12th century – English miracle is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A marvel.[2]
  2. An amazing event.[2]
  3. Remarkable quality; wonder.[2]
  4. (Ecclesiastical Latin) A miracle; a miracle play.[5]

Word family

  • miraculosus

Usage notes

A Late Latin mīrāculum from mīrārī “to look at” meant a mirror, whence Catalan mirall, and Wiktionary distinguishes it from the classical word.[1]

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