partitivus

Forms

partitīvus (feminine partitīva, neuter partitīvum); first/second-declension adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from Latin partiō (“to divide”) + -īvus on the stem of the past participle ⟨partīt-⟩.^[1][2] The verb comes from pars (“part”).^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates its first record to the 13th century,^[1] where it means expressing a division into parts.^[1][3]

Semantic evolution

The DMLBS and Köbler treat it as a Medieval Latin word,^[3][1] while Etymonline calls it Late Latin.^[2] It belonged to the schools: in logic and philosophy it described what has to do with division into parts, and in grammar a word that refers to only part of a whole, as in genitīvus partitīvus, the partitive genitive.^[3] Thomas Aquinas used it of what requires something from which it is divided.^[4] Grammarians also used it as a noun for a partitive word.^[3] English partitive was taken from it in the late 14th century.^[2]

Timeline

• 13th century – First recorded, according to Köbler.^[1]
• late 14th century – English borrows it, as partitif, as a grammatical term.^[2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (logic, philosophy) Concerned with division into parts.^[3][4]
2. (grammar) Partitive, referring to only part of a whole: genitīvus partitīvus, the partitive genitive.^[3][5]
3. Having a share in something.^[5]

Noun

1. (grammar) A partitive word.^[3]

Related words

• partitio
• English partitive

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
2. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b c d e f g 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
4. ^ a b Schütz, Ludwig (1895), Thomas-Lexikon, 2nd ed., Paderborn: F. Schöningh
5. ^ a b Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl