Etymologically
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perceptio

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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