Etymologically
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practica

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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]

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