practicabilis

Forms

practicabilis (neuter practicabile); third-declension adjective^[1][2]

Etymology

It is from Latin practicō (“to practise”) + -bilis, formed in Medieval Latin; the verb itself is formed on practicus (“active, practical”).^[1][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources quotes it from Duns Scotus, who speaks of knowing all things, both those that can be contemplated and those that can be put into practice.^[1] Köbler dates the first record Latham gives to about 1444.^[2]

Semantic evolution

It belongs to the language of the scholastic philosophers, where it is paired with ⟨speculābilis⟩ for what can be done as against what can only be thought about;^[1] the Polish medieval Latin dictionary labels it a philosophical term.^[3] English practicable came later, through French, not from this word.^[4]

Timeline

• c. 1444 – The first record Latham gives, according to Köbler.^[2]
• 1670s – English takes practicable from French pratiquable.^[4]

Meanings

Adjective

1. That can be put into practice, practicable.^[1][2]
2. (philosophy) Concerned with action rather than contemplation.^[1][3]

Related words

• practicus
• English practicable

References

1. ^ a b c d e f 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
2. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
3. ^ a b Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
4. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com