Etymologically
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possibilis

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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

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