Etymologically
Log in

notus

Etymology and origin of the Latin word notus

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Plautus
Ultimate origin
Latin (nōscō)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈnoː.tʊs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈnɔː.tus][1]

Forms

nōtus (feminine nōta, neuter nōtum, comparative nōtior, superlative nōtissimus); first/second-declension adjective[1]

Etymology

It is the participle of nōscō “to get to know”.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Plautus, of someone personally known.[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant known, of a person known to one, as in Plautus, and familiar, accustomed.[2] In Cicero it meant known by experience or report, understood, ascertained, generally known, with nōtum est “it is well known”, and notorious.[2] In Plautus it apparently also meant having knowledge, acquainted.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant known, and as a noun a friend, an acquaintance.[4] It survives in Italian noto.[1] Its derivative nōtitia gave English notice in the early 15th century.[5]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of the known and familiar.[2][3]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the generally known.[2][3]
  • early 15th century – English notice is recorded.[5]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Known; familiar.[2]
  2. Generally known, nōtum est, it is well known.[2]
  3. Notorious.[2]
  4. Acquainted.[2]
  5. (Ecclesiastical Latin) As a noun, an acquaintance.[4]

Usage notes

A different word, Notus or Notos, borrowed from Ancient Greek Νότος (Nótos), is the south wind.[2][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 k l Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  5. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
Cite this entry

“Notus.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/notus. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·