praeceptor

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [prae̯ˈkɛp.tɔr]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [preˈt͡ʃɛp.tor]^[1]

Forms

praeceptor m (genitive praeceptōris); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from praecipiō “to take beforehand; to instruct” with the agent suffix -tor; ⟨praecipiō⟩ is from prae- and capiō “to take”.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's earliest source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It was one who instructs, a teacher, tutor, master, as in Cicero, and Gaffiot also gives one who commands, and in Paulinus of Nola one who takes something beforehand.^[2][5][6]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it was an instructor, master, teacher.^[7] In Medieval Latin praeceptor palātiī was the count palatine, and it was also used for an archchancellor and the steward of a monastery.^[8] English preceptor (early 15th century, “tutor, instructor”) is from it.^[3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.^[4]
• early 15th century – English preceptor is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A teacher, tutor, preceptor.^[2]
2. One who commands.^[5]
3. (Medieval Latin) praeceptor palātiī count palatine; a steward.^[8]

Related words

• praecipiō
• praeceptum
• magister
• English preceptor

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. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
6. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
8. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill