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pariter

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word pariter

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
c. 250–184 BC, Plautus
Ultimate origin
Latin (pār)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin par
English par
English umpire
Latin impar
Latin pariter

Forms

pariter (comparative parius, superlative parissimē or parissumē, adjective pār)[1] A comparative parius and a superlative parissimē are recorded.[1]

Etymology

It is formed from Latin pār (“equal”) + -ter.[2][1] The origin of pār itself is disputed, and de Vaan finds no good etymology for it.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates it from Terence,[4] but the OLD cites Plautus: sī quō hīc gradiētur, pariter prōgredīminō, “if he walks anywhere, walk alongside him”.[2]

Semantic evolution

Pariter is “together, side by side”;[2][1] “equally, as much”, and in Cato “evenly, level”;[2][1] “in the same manner, alike” (Terence: germānu's pariter animō et corpore, “you are a true brother in mind and body alike”); and “at the same time”, as in Virgil, where a spear takes voice and life pariter, both at once.[2][1]

Church Latin glosses it “at the same time, with one accord, together, similarly, equally”.[5]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus: pariter prōgredīminō.[2][4]
  • 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of setting something level.[2][4]
  • 190–159 BC – Terence: pariter animō et corpore.[2][4]
  • 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of two things at the same moment.[2][4]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. together, side by side.[2][1][5]
  2. Equally, as much; evenly.[2][1][5]
  3. In the same manner, alike; likewise.[2][1]
  4. At the same time, simultaneously.[2][5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
  4. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b c d Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
Cite this entry

“Pariter.” Etymologically, 18 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/pariter. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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