Etymologically
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positus

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈpɔ.sɪ.tʊs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈpɔː.s̬i.tus][1]

Forms

positus m (genitive positūs); fourth declension[1]

Etymology

It is from pōnō “to put, place” with the suffix -tus.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source for the noun is Sallust, whom he dates 86–34 BC.[3] The OLD's earliest citations are from Ovid.[2]

Semantic evolution

It meant position, site, and arrangement, as in Ovid, the laying of the dead to rest, and in Gellius the giving of a name.[2]

British Medieval Latin used it for the manner of laying out, arrangement.[4] Medieval Latin used the participle positus for located, residing, and being in a condition.[5] The related positiō gave English position in the late 14th century.[6]

Timeline

  • 86–34 BC – Sallust uses it.[3]
  • 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it of position and arrangement.[2][3]
  • late 14th century – English position is recorded.[6]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Position, site.[2]
  2. Arrangement.[2]
  3. The laying to rest (of the dead).[2]
  4. The giving (of a name).[2]

Usage notes

It is also the participle positus “placed” of pōnō.[7]

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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ 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
  5. ^ Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson