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prisonarius

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Forms

prisonarius m (genitive prisonariī); second declension[1] Feminine prisonaria, also the variant prisinarius.[2]

Etymology

It is formed from Medieval Latin prisona + -ārius, compare Old French prisonier and Middle English prisoner.[2] prisona is a form of priso (“seizure; prison”), which the DMLBS takes from Middle English prison and Old French, going back to Latin prēnsiō (“a seizing”).[2] Etymonline traces it back through Vulgar Latin *presiō to the same Latin word, a shortening of prehēnsiō, from prehendō (“to seize”).[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The DMLBS's earliest example is a writ of 1279 to bring the bodies of prisoners before the justices.[2]

Semantic evolution

In British sources it is used as an adjective, “of prison or imprisonment”, and much more often as a noun for a prisoner, including prisoners of war and royal captives.[2] The feminine prisonaria is a woman prisoner, and the masculine could also mean a prison officer or gaoler.[2] The Acts of the English Parliament of 1512 speak of prisoners held in the gaols of London.[1]

English prisoner comes partly from Old French, partly from Medieval Latin prisonarius: it meant a jailer in the mid-13th century and a prisoner from the mid-14th.[3]

Timeline

  • 1279 – A writ orders prisoners to be brought before the justices.[2]
  • 1347 – Two Scottish knights are called the English king's prisoners.[2]
  • 1422 – The feminine is used of a woman taken to York castle as a prisoner.[2]
  • 1512 – The Acts of Parliament mention prisoners in the London gaols.[1]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. (Medieval Latin) Of prison or imprisonment.[2]

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin) A prisoner, a captive.[2][1]
  2. (Medieval Latin, feminine) A woman prisoner.[2]
  3. (Medieval Latin) A prison officer, gaoler.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Ramminger, Johann, Neulateinische Wortliste: Ein Wörterbuch des Lateinischen von Petrarca bis 1700, www.neulatein.de
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m 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 Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com