Etymologically
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obiectum

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Pronunciation

  • Classical: [ɔbˈjɛk.tũː][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [obˈjɛk.tum][1]

Forms

obiectum n (genitive obiectī); second declension[1] Medieval Latin also objectum.[2][1]

Etymology

It is from Latin obiciō (“to throw before, put in the way; to reproach”), the neuter of its perfect passive participle used as a noun.[3][1][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Cicero (81–43 BC) uses it in De fato for something presented to sight, which stamps its likeness on the mind as if with a seal.[3][2]

Semantic evolution

In classical Latin the usual sense was “a charge, an accusation”, in Ovid, Quintilian and Tacitus.[3][4][5] The scholastic philosophers made it the object of the mind or will, “a thing put before” it,[5][2][6] and Köbler also records “objection, evasion”.[2] It is the source of Italian oggetto,[4] and of English object, borrowed in the late 14th century through Old French and directly from Medieval Latin.[5]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it for something presented to the senses.[3][2]
  • 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it for charges or accusations.[3][2]
  • c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it for charges to be denied or answered.[3][4][2]
  • late 14th century – English borrows it as object.[5]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A charge, accusation, reproach.[3][4]
  2. (philosophy) Something presented to the senses, an object.[3]
  3. (Medieval Latin) An object of the mind or will; a thing.[6][5][2]
  4. (Medieval Latin) An objection.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  4. ^ a b c d e Conte, Gian Biagio; Pianezzola, Emilio; Ranucci, Giuliano (2010), il Latino: Vocabolario della lingua latina, 3rd ed., Florence: Le Monnier
  5. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  6. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson