Etymologically
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originalis

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 15:35. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ɔ.riː.ɡɪˈnaː.lɪs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [o.ri.d͡ʒiˈnaː.lis][1]

Forms

orīginālis (neuter orīgināle, adverb orīgināliter); third-declension two-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from orīgō “origin”, from orior “to rise”, with the suffix -ālis.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Apuleius.[2] Köbler dates Apuleius c. 125–175 AD.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant existing at the beginning, and that from which something derives, originative, as in Apuleius.[2]

In Christian Latin it meant primitive, and above all original, of sin, peccātum orīginale.[5][6] Ecclesiastical Latin uses it for original, of origin.[7] British Medieval Latin also used the neuter as a noun for original sin and for an original text.[6][3] It survives in Italian originale and French originel, and through Old French it gave English original in the early 14th century.[1][3]

Timeline

  • c. 125–175 AD – Apuleius uses it.[2][4]
  • early 14th century – English original is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Existing at the beginning, original.[2]
  2. Originative.[2]
  3. (Ecclesiastical Latin) Of original sin.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  6. ^ 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
  7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson