Etymology and origin of the Latin word partionarius
- Confidence
- Probable
- Formation
- Derivation
- First attested
- 742
- Ultimate origin
- Latin partiō
Etymology tree
From the same root
Forms
partionarius (feminine partionaria, neuter partionarium); first/second-declension adjective, also used as a masculine noun[1] Niermeyer records the spellings portionarius, parcinarius and parcenarius for the noun.[1]
Etymology
It is from Latin partiō (“to share, divide”), with the suffix ⟨-ārius⟩.[2] The DMLBS labels it a Medieval Latin word.[3]
Earliest recorded meaning
Köbler's earliest source is a charter of 742.[2] Niermeyer's first sense is “concerning a division of property”.[1]
Semantic evolution
As an adjective it also described property held in common.[1] Used as a noun, it meant a joint owner, a parcener.[1][3] British records use it for co-owners and joint tenants of land, for example those holding a castle undivided, or owing one knight's service together.[3]
Timeline
- 742 – A charter uses it.[2]
- 1200 – A British charter names an abbot, a prior and all their partionarii as holders of villages.[3]
- 1304 – A British register speaks of one knight's service done for a man and his co-owners.[3]
Meanings
Adjective
Noun
Related words
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
- ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
- ^ 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
Cite this entry
“Partionarius.” Etymologically, 23 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/partionarius. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.
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