Etymologically
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principium

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [priːŋˈkɪ.pi.ũː], [prɪŋˈkɪ.pi.ũː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [prin̠ʲˈt͡ʃiː.pi.um][1]

Forms

prī̆ncipium n (genitive prī̆ncipiī or prī̆ncipī); second declension[1]

Etymology

It is from prīnceps “first, foremost” with the suffix -ium.[2][1][3] Isidore applies it to the Son of God, because all things are from him and nothing before him.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Ennius, whom he dates 204–169 BC, and the OLD's earliest citations are from Plautus and Ennius.[3][2]

Semantic evolution

It meant a beginning, start, principium capere to begin, in principiō at first, and the point of time at which something begins, as Cicero's nec prīncipium nec fīnem habēre “to have neither beginning nor end”.[2][5] It meant an origin, the first part of a thing, the source of a river, and the opening of a speech or book, as in Plautus.[2] In philosophy the plural meant first elements of matter, and it also meant a primary cause, a guiding principle, and a premiss, as in Cicero.[2] In military language the prīncipia were the headquarters of a camp, and the second line of battle.[2] Döderlein explains that initium is the beginning as a mere starting point, opposed to exitus.[6]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant beginning, source, foundation, principality, origin, principle.[7] Medieval Latin used it of a master's inauguration.[8] Through Anglo-French it gave English principle in the late 14th century, first “origin, source”.[9]

Timeline

  • 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of a primary cause.[2][3]
  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a beginning.[2][3]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of principles and of headquarters.[2][3]
  • late 14th century – English principle is recorded.[9]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A beginning, start, in principiō, at first.[2]
  2. An origin, source.[2]
  3. The first part; the opening of a speech.[2]
  4. (philosophy) First elements; a primary cause.[2]
  5. A principle, basis; a premiss.[2]
  6. First place, precedence.[2]
  7. (military, plural) Headquarters; the second line.[2]

Word family

  • prī̆ncipiālis
  • postprincipium

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
  5. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
  7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  8. ^ Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  9. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com