occasionalis

Forms

occāsiōnālis (neuter occāsiōnāle); third-declension two-termination adjective^[1][2]

Etymology

It is from Latin occāsiō (“opportunity”) + -ālis.^[1][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler records it in a charter of 919,^[1] meaning “occasional”.^[3]

Semantic evolution

Medieval Latin used it of what happens by occasion.^[3] In British sources it could mean opportune or timely, and incidental, arising as an indirect effect, also as a philosophical term.^[4] A Polish record of 1437 uses it in theology of venial sins, as opposed to mortal ones.^[2]

Timeline

• 919 – Recorded in a charter.^[1]
• 1437 – A Polish formula of absolution names occasionalia beside mortal sins.^[2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (Medieval Latin) occasional.^[3][1]
2. (Medieval Latin) opportune, timely.^[4]
3. (Medieval Latin) incidental, happening as an indirect effect.^[4]
4. (Medieval Latin, theology) Of a sin: venial.^[2]

Related words

• English occasional

References

1. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
2. ^ a b c d e Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
3. ^ a b c Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
4. ^ a b c 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