possibilis

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [pɔsˈsɪ.bɪ.lɪs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [posˈsiː.bi.lis]^[1]

Forms

possibilis (neuter possibile); third-declension two-termination adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin possum (“to be able”) + -bilis.^[2][1][3] Quintilian says that what the Greeks call Ancient Greek δυνατόν (dunatón), “our writers” call it by this word, and Georges equates it with Greek δυνατός (dunatós).^[4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Quintilian, in a discussion of deliberative oratory, uses it as the Latin for Greek dunatón.^[4][6] Köbler dates Quintilian c. 35–95/96 AD.^[7]

Semantic evolution

It meant able to exist or be done, possible, and Lewis & Short call it post-Augustan.^[2][4] The jurists use it of conditions that can be fulfilled, and the Vulgate says all things are possible with God.^[4][5] Priscian uses possibile in a grammatical question.^[5]

In medieval Latin it was a term of logic and philosophy, able to come into being, potential, and as a neuter noun a possible thing.^[8] English possible is recorded in the mid-14th century.^[9]

Timeline

• c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it.^[4][7]
• 533 AD – The Digest uses it of possible conditions.^[4][7]
• 390–406 AD – The Vulgate says all things are possible with God.^[5][7]
• mid-14th century – English possible is recorded.^[9]

Meanings

Adjective

1. possible, that may exist or be done.^[2][4]
2. (Medieval Latin, logic) Potential, (neuter as noun) a possible thing.^[8]

Word family

• impossibilis
• possibilitās

Related words

• possum
• English possible

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
4. ^ a b c d e f g Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b c d Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
6. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
7. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
8. ^ a b 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
9. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com