Etymologically
Log in

perceptio

Etymology and origin of the Latin word perceptio

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Rhetorica ad Herennium
Ultimate origin
Latin (capiō)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin perceptio
English perception

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [pɛrˈkɛp.ti.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [perˈt͡ʃɛp.t͡si.o][1]

Forms

perceptiō f (genitive perceptiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from percipiō “to take, gather; to perceive” with the suffix -tiō.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from the Rhetorica ad Herennium, of mental grasp.[2] Köbler dates it 86/82 BC; his first source is Cicero.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant the gathering of crops, and the right to do so, as in Cicero's perceptiō frūgum, and in Ulpian the taking of possession.[2][5] In philosophy it meant mental grasp, perception, cognition.[2][5]

In Medieval Latin it meant taking, receiving.[6] British Medieval Latin used it for receiving food or revenue, and for a tax.[7] It gave English perception in the late 14th century, “understanding”.[3]

Timeline

  • 86/82 BC – The Rhetorica ad Herennium uses it.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of harvest.[5][4]
  • late 14th century – English perception is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A gathering (of crops).[2]
  2. (law) A taking possession.[2]
  3. Perception, comprehension.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  7. ^ 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

“Perceptio.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/perceptio. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·