Etymologically
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professio

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Forms

professiō f (genitive professiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from profiteor “to declare publicly” with the suffix -tiō.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero, of an open declaration.[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant an open declaration, avowal, as in Cicero, and a formal return made to an official.[2] In Celsus it meant one's avowed calling, profession.[2]

In Christian Latin it meant a profession of faith, a creed, and monastic vows.[5] Ecclesiastical Latin uses it for profession, declaration, acknowledgment.[6] British Medieval Latin used it for a public avowal of faith and for registration in a census.[7] It was borrowed into Italian professione and French profession, and gave English profession about 1200, first of the vows taken on entering a religious order.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a declaration and a return.[2][4]
  • 14–37 AD – Celsus uses it of a calling.[2][4]
  • c. 1200 – English profession is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A declaration, avowal.[2]
  2. A formal return (to an official).[2]
  3. A calling, profession.[2]
  4. (Ecclesiastical Latin) A profession of faith; monastic vows.[5]

Word family

  • professionarius

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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 c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  6. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  7. ^ 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