Etymologically
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progressivus

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Pronunciation

  • Classical: [proː.ɡrɛsˈsiː.wʊs][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [pro.ɡresˈsiː.vus][1]

Forms

prōgressīvus (feminine prōgressīva, neuter prōgressīvum); first/second-declension adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin prōgredior (“to go forward”), formed on the stem ⟨prōgress-⟩ of its participle with the suffix -īvus.[1] The DMLBS derives it from prōgressiō (“advance”) with the same suffix.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is a medieval word, recorded before 1200,[3] meaning “moving forward”.[2]

Semantic evolution

In astronomy it described the direct, not retrograde, course of a planet, and with motus it meant forward movement.[2] Thomas Aquinas speaks of an animal progressivum, an animal that moves forward from place to place,[4] and Polish scholastic texts say that imperfect animals have the power to move but not the power of forward motion.[5] Polish sources also used it for successive, for originating, and in law for what concerns proceedings.[5] English progressive (about 1600) comes from progress with -ive or from French progressif.[6]

Timeline

  • before 1200 – The word is recorded in medieval Latin.[3]
  • late 15th century – A Polish source tells of a man who lost forward motion and speech through paralysis.[5]
  • c. 1600 – English progressive appears.[6]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. (Medieval Latin) Moving forward, progressive.[2][7][4]
  2. (Medieval Latin, astronomy) In direct, not retrograde, motion.[2]
  3. (Medieval Latin) Following one after another, successive.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b Schütz, Ludwig (1895), Thomas-Lexikon, 2nd ed., Paderborn: F. Schöningh
  5. ^ a b c d Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
  6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson