Etymologically
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occasionalis

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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]

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