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praeferentia

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word praeferentia

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1062, charter of Conques
Ultimate origin
Latin praeferō

Forms

praeferentia f (genitive praeferentiae); first declension[1][2] Also spelled prēferentia and preferencia.[1][3]

Etymology

It is a Medieval Latin formation,[2] from Latin praeferēns + -ia, the present participle of praeferō (“to carry before; to prefer”).[2][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

A glossary explains it by grātia “favour”.[4][1] The earliest dated use is in a charter of 1062 from the cartulary of Conques, which lists praeferentiae among the rights given with a manse.[5] Du Cange's editors took it there for a due owed to the priest besides the tithes.[5]

Semantic evolution

In British Medieval Latin it meant precedence or rank, as that of an abbot in the cloister.[2] In Polish Medieval Latin it meant favour or goodwill.[3] English took preference from Old French, which had it from Medieval Latin.[6]

Timeline

  • 1062 – A charter of Conques lists praeferentiae among the rights given with a manse.[5]
  • 1431 – A Polish document uses it for mutual goodwill.[3]
  • mid-15th century – English preference is first recorded, for advancement in status.[6]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin) Favour, goodwill.[4][3]
  2. (Medieval Latin) Precedence, rank.[2]
  3. (Medieval Latin) A due or right attached to a church.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  2. ^ a b c d e 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
  3. ^ a b c d Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
  4. ^ a b c Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  5. ^ a b c d 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
Cite this entry

“Praeferentia.” Etymologically, 24 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/praeferentia. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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