persuasivus

Forms

persuasivus (feminine persuasiva, neuter persuasivum); first/second-declension adjective^[1][2]

Etymology

It is a Medieval Latin word,^[3][4] formed from Latin persuādeō (“to persuade”) + -īvus on the stem ⟨persuās-⟩ of its past participle.^[4][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The DMLBS cites it from Richard Knapwell, who says that some preaching is more credible and more persuasive.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant having the power to persuade,^[1][2] also with a genitive of what one is persuaded to.^[3] The commentator Benvenuto distinguishes a cause that compels from one that persuades: non quod fuerit causa compulsiva, sed persuasiva “not that it was a compelling cause, but a persuasive one”.^[2] Polish preachers spoke of persuasive laws and of words both persuasive and ornate.^[1] In Neo-Latin rhetoric it was set beside the demonstrative kind of speech.^[2]

Timeline

• 1580s – English persuasive comes from French persuasif, from Medieval Latin.^[4]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (Medieval Latin) persuasive, having the power to persuade.^[3][1][2]

Related words

• persuadeo
• English persuasive

References

1. ^ a b c d e Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
2. ^ a b c d e Ramminger, Johann, Neulateinische Wortliste: Ein Wörterbuch des Lateinischen von Petrarca bis 1700, www.neulatein.de
3. ^ a b c d 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 c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com