oppressivus

Forms

oppressīvus (feminine oppressīva, neuter oppressīvum); first/second-declension adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is a medieval adjective formed from Latin opprimō (“to press down, crush”) + -īvus on the stem of the participle oppressus.^[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates its first record to about 1250,^[1] and the DMLBS has it in Matthew Paris, under the year 1251, of papal letters that were unjustly harsh or burdensome.^[3]

Semantic evolution

Its main sense stayed that of unjust harshness: a register of Canterbury of 1304 speaks of oppressive injuries.^[3] It could also be physical: an account of the fall of Acre, quoted by Du Cange, tells of men killing one another with wounds of every kind and crushing blows.^[4] English oppressive (1640s) is from Medieval Latin oppressivus.^[2]

Timeline

• c. 1250 – First recorded, according to Köbler.^[1]
• 1304 – A Canterbury register speaks of oppressive injuries.^[3]
• 1640s – English takes it as oppressive.^[2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (Medieval Latin) Oppressive, unjustly harsh or burdensome.^[3][1]
2. (Medieval Latin) Crushing, pressing down.^[4]

Related words

• oppressiō

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 Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b c d 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
4. ^ a b du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre