progressus

Forms

prōgressus m (genitive prōgressūs); fourth declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin progredior (“to go forward”) + -tus.^[2][1] prōgredior is from prō- and gradior “to step”.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Cicero, in the Philippics, says Brutus blocked Antony's advance and checked his return.^[2][4] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^[5]

Semantic evolution

It was a forward movement, an advance, and Cicero uses it of the regular advances and retreats of the planets.^[2][4] Vitruvius uses it of a projecting structure such as a jetty.^[2][6] Figuratively it was progress or development, as in Cicero's man so advanced in Stoic studies that he was compared with Greeks, and an increase in age.^[2] Cicero's prīmō prōgressū means at the very start.^[6]

In medieval Latin it was a path or means of advance, and an expedition or tour.^[7] English progress is recorded in the early 15th century.^[3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of Antony's advance and of progress in study.^[2][5]
• c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it of a jetty.^[2][5]
• early 15th century – English progress is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. An advance, forward movement.^[2][4]
2. A projecting structure, jetty.^[2][6]
3. progress, development; increase in age.^[2][1]
4. (Medieval Latin) An expedition, tour.^[7]

Related words

• prōgredior
• English progress

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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 Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
7. ^ a b 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