peta

Forms

peta f (genitive petae); first declension^[1] Pelta and petra are also found.^[1][2]

Etymology

The DMLBS gives it as borrowed from Middle English pete, also peth, and sets Cornish peyth beside it.^[2] Köbler calls the origin unexplained.^[1] Etymonline, on English peat, also calls it of unknown origin, probably from the root Celtic *pett- that is also the source of Welsh peth (“quantity, part, thing”).^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The DMLBS's first quotation is from a Scottish royal charter of 1159, granting the right to dig petae on a moor, the same document saying turvae (turves).^[2]

Semantic evolution

It named a piece of peat, a cut turf, and is mostly found in Scottish and northern English charters, often beside turba “turf”.^[2][4] Niermeyer glosses it as peaty soil.^[5] According to Etymonline, the cut piece was the earlier sense of the English word too.^[3]

Timeline

• 1159 – A Scottish royal charter grants the right to dig petae.^[2]
• c. 1230 – A charter of Melrose names petae and turves needed for houses.^[2]
• 1545 – A bailiff's account in the Rutland papers records peats dug and carried off a moor.^[2]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin) A piece of peat, a turf.^[2][4]
2. (Medieval Latin) Peaty soil.^[5]

Related words

• English peat

Usage notes

Unrelated is Peta, a goddess of petitions named by Arnobius, from petō.^[6][7] Köbler also lists peta as a form of pecia.^[1]

References

1. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
2. ^ a b c d e f g h 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
3. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre
5. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
6. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn