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partitio

Etymology and origin of the Latin word partitio

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Rhetorica ad Herennium
Ultimate origin
Latin (pars)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [parˈtiː.ti.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [parˈtit.t͡si.o][1]

Forms

partītiō f (genitive partītiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from partiō “to share, divide” with the suffix -tiō, from pars “part”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is the Rhetorica ad Herennium, which he dates 86/82 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant sharing out, distribution, division, as in Cicero, and in rhetoric the division of a speech into sections, the enumeration of its parts.[2][5]

British Medieval Latin used it for division, distribution of land, the division of a written work, and in astronomy.[6] Through Old French particion it gave English partition about 1400.[3] Through Old French parçon “share” and parçonier “joint owner” it also gave parcener and English partner.[3]

Timeline

  • 86/82 BC – The Rhetorica ad Herennium uses it.[4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of division.[2][4]
  • c. 1300 – English partner is recorded.[3]
  • c. 1400 – English partition is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Sharing out, division, partition.[2]
  2. (rhetoric) The division of a speech.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ 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

“Partitio.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/partitio. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·