Etymologically
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numeratio

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 18:06. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [nʊ.mɛˈraː.ti.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [nu.meˈrat.t͡si.o][1]

Forms

numerātiō f (genitive numerātiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from numerō “to count” with the suffix -tiō, from numerus “number”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Seneca, whom he dates 4 BC–65 AD, and Gaffiot cites his Letters for counting out money.[4][5]

Semantic evolution

It meant a calculation, reckoning, and the paying out of money, as in Columella.[2] Lewis & Short call it post-Augustan and give a counting out, payment.[6]

British Medieval Latin used it for numbering, reckoning, and for a census.[7] It survives in Italian numerazione and Spanish numeración, and gave English numeration in the early 15th century, “method of numbering or calculating”.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it of counting out money.[5][4]
  • 1st century AD – Columella uses it of reckoning and payment.[2][4]
  • early 15th century – English numeration is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A reckoning, calculation.[2]
  2. A paying out, payment.[2]
  3. (Medieval Latin) A census.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c 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 Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  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