practica

Forms

practica f (genitive practicae); first declension^[1] The eLexicon Polonorum also has the spelling pratica.^[2]

Etymology

It is from Latin practicus (“practical”), its feminine used as a noun.^[3][2] The DMLBS compares the Greek noun πρακτική (praktikḗ, “practical science”), from the adjective πρακτικός (praktikós, “effective”), the source of the Latin adjective.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler, following Niermeyer, dates the first records to the 13th century,^[3] when it meant method, procedure and practice.^[3]

Semantic evolution

In scholastic writing practica was practice or action as opposed to theorica, theory;^[4][2] it was also the practice of a profession, above all medicine,^[4][3] and the title of practical handbooks.^[4][2] In law it was the conduct of cases.^[5][2]

From the sense of dealings and negotiations it came to mean scheming, intrigue and conspiracy;^[2][5][4] the DMLBS also records a military stratagem and a practical example.^[4] Du Cange adds “familiarity” in a saint's life.^[5] English practic, “practice as opposed to theory”, was borrowed from Old French and directly from this word in the late 14th century.^[6]

Timeline

• 13th century – First records, according to Köbler.^[3]
• before 1350 – The Oxford statutes speak of masters famous in practica of medicine.^[4]
• 1364 – A document quoted by the eLexicon Polonorum speaks of students passing from lectures ad practicam.^[2]
• late 14th century – English borrows it as practic.^[6]
• 1432 – A letter speaks of the practica of the art of music shown on various instruments.^[4]
• 1456 – A charter uses the plural for intrigues.^[5]
• c. 1500 – A Scottish chronicle uses it for a military stratagem.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin) Practice, action, performance.^[4][3][1]
2. Practice as opposed to theory.^[4][2]
3. (medicine) The practice of medicine.^[4][3]
4. A practical handbook (as a book title).^[4][2]
5. (law) The conduct of lawsuits.^[5][2]
6. Negotiation;^[2][5] (in a bad sense) intrigue, conspiracy.^[2][5]
7. (military) A stratagem.^[4]

Related words

• practicus
• English practice

References

1. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
3. ^ a b c d e f g Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n 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. ^ a b c d e f g du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre
6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com