Etymologically
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patens

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 19 October 2026 at 19:25. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • Classical: [ˈpa.tẽːs][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [ˈpaː.tens][1]

Forms

patēns (genitive patentis, comparative patentior, superlative patentissimus); third-declension one-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is the present participle of pateō (“to be open”), used as an adjective.[2][1][3] De Vaan calls pateō an inner-Italic formation, Proto-Italic *patē-, on the base of pandō (“to spread out”).[4] Cognate with Oscan pat (“is open”).[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates it from Cicero,[3] who speaks of the Egyptians living on wide open plains.[2]

Semantic evolution

Of gates it means standing open, as Virgil's open gates through which comrades are let in; of eyes and mouths wide open, of holes gaping.[2] Of spaces it is open, unconfined, and of routes clear, and also wide or spacious, as Ovid's broad lands.[2] It also means clearly visible or obvious, and figuratively manifest; exposed or bare, as Ovid's shoulder left uncovered.[2] Cicero uses it of things easily accessible, as to the gods all things should be open.[2] Church Latin glosses it open, wide, manifest, clear.[5] In Medieval Latin litterae patentes are letters sent open rather than closed with a seal,[6] the source of English patent (late 14th century, through Anglo-French lettre patent).[7]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero of open plains and of accessible things.[2][3]
  • 70–19 BC – Virgil of open gates.[2][3]
  • late 14th century – English patent comes from litterae patentes, through Anglo-French.[7]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Standing open; wide open, gaping.[2][1]
  2. Of spaces, open, unconfined; of routes, clear; wide, spacious.[2][1]
  3. Clearly visible, obvious; figuratively, manifest; exposed, bare.[2][5]
  4. Easily obtainable, readily accessible.[2][1]
  5. (Medieval Latin) In litterae patentes, sent open, letters patent.[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 g h i j k l Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
  5. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  7. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com