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monitum

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word monitum

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
81–43 BC, Cicero
Ultimate origin
Proto-Indo-European (*mon-eie-)

Forms

monitum n (genitive monitī); second declension[1]

Etymology

It is formed from moneō (“to remind, warn”).[1][2][3] De Vaan traces moneō to Proto-Italic *moneje- and Proto-Indo-European *mon-eie- (“to make think of, remind”), comparing Sanskrit मानयति (mānáyati, “to honour, respect”).[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates it from Cicero,[2] who writes of his counsels and admonitions in his letters.[1]

Semantic evolution

It is an admonition, advice, counsel;[1] Lewis & Short call it rare but classical.[1] Cicero says his ears were open to the precepts and warnings of all, and the Vulgate also uses it.[1] It is also a prophecy or warning from the gods: Cicero speaks of the warnings of the gods, and Virgil of those of the nymph Carmentis.[1]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero of advice and of the warnings of the gods.[1][2]
  • 70–19 BC – Virgil of Carmentis' prophecies.[1][2]
  • 390–406 AD – The Vulgate.[1][2]

Meanings

Noun

  1. An admonition, advice, counsel.[1]
  2. A prophecy, warning (of the gods).[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  2. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  3. ^ Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  4. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
Cite this entry

“Monitum.” Etymologically, 20 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/monitum. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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