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parlamentum

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word parlamentum

Confidence
Probable
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
from 1070, Bernard of Cluny
Borrowed from
Italian parlamento
Ultimate origin
Medieval Latin parabolō

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [par.ɫaːˈmɛn.tũː][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [par.laˈmɛn.tum][1]

Forms

parlāmentum n (genitive parlāmentī); second declension[1]

Etymology

Wiktionary takes it from the Romance words for a talk or meeting: it is borrowed from Italian parlamento and Old French parlement,[1] which the DMLBS compares.[2] These are formed from Medieval Latin parabolō (“to speak”) with the suffix -mentum.[1] Niermeyer and Köbler derive the Latin noun directly from that verb,[3][4] which Köbler traces to Latin parabolē.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates its first use to the customs of Cluny written by Bernard of Cluny, from 1070;[4] Niermeyer's first sense is a parlour.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant a conversation or conference, a meeting of the citizens in the Italian towns, and a session of the royal council, a parliament.[3][4][5] In Britain the DMLBS records it from the early 13th century, often spelled parliamentum, for a conference or a parley and then for the council summoned by the king, Parliament.[2][6]

Humanist Latin used it for a meeting or negotiation and for an assembly of citizens or deputies.[7]

Timeline

  • from 1070 – It appears in the customs of Cluny of Bernard of Cluny.[4]
  • before 1214 – A Colchester charter uses parliamentum for a conference held by the abbot.[2]
  • 1375 – Coluccio Salutati uses it of a meeting with ambassadors.[7]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin) A parlour, a room for conversation.[3][4]
  2. (Medieval Latin) A talk, conference, meeting; a parley.[3][2][1]
  3. (Medieval Latin) An assembly of the citizens of an Italian town.[3]
  4. (Medieval Latin) A session of the royal council; a parliament.[3][2][1]

Word family

  • parlamentārius

Usage notes

In British sources the usual spelling is parliamentum,[2] and Etymonline notes that English parlement was respelled after it around 1400.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f 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
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  4. ^ a b c d e f Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre
  6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  7. ^ a b Ramminger, Johann, Neulateinische Wortliste: Ein Wörterbuch des Lateinischen von Petrarca bis 1700, www.neulatein.de

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Parlamentum.” Etymologically, 24 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/parlamentum. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·