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particularis

Etymology and origin of the Latin word particularis

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Pseudo-Apuleius
Ultimate origin
Latin (pars)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin particularis
English particular

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [par.tɪ.kʊˈɫaː.rɪs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [par.ti.kuˈlaː.ris][1]

Forms

particulāris (neuter particulāre); third-declension two-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin particula (“small part”) + -āris,[2][3] a diminutive of pars “part”.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The Pseudo-Apuleian treatise on logic, Peri Hermeneias, divides propositions into universal and particular.[2][5] Köbler dates it to the end of the 4th century AD.[6]

Semantic evolution

It was a post-classical word meaning of or concerning a part, particular, as opposed to universal in logic.[2][5] In the Codes of Theodosius and Justinian it meant partial, as a partial confiscation, and Theodorus Priscianus uses it too.[2][3] The adverb particulāriter meant “in particular”.[2]

In medieval Latin it meant particular and partial.[7] British writers used it of part-payment and of a partial eclipse.[8] English particular is recorded in the late 14th century.[4]

Timeline

  • end of 4th century AD – The Pseudo-Apuleian Peri Hermeneias speaks of particular propositions.[2][6]
  • late 14th century – English particular is recorded.[4]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Of a part, (logic) particular, as opposed to universal.[2][1]
  2. Partial.[5][1]
  3. (Medieval Latin) Of a part-payment; of a partial eclipse.[8]

Word family

  • superparticularis

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  3. ^ a b Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  7. ^ Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  8. ^ 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

Borrowed into

Cite this entry

“Particularis.” Etymologically, 15 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/particularis. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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