prohibitivus

Forms

prohibitīvus (feminine prohibitīva, neuter prohibitīvum); first/second-declension adjective^[1][2]

Etymology

It is formed from Latin prohibitus + -īvus, prohibitus being the perfect participle of prohibeō (“to hold back, prevent”).^[2][3] The DMLBS treats it as a Medieval Latin word.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates it to the 13th century, after Latham's word list.^[1]

Semantic evolution

In scholastic writers it meant what prevents or hinders something, with a genitive of the thing prevented, as in Roger Bacon,^[4] and in medicine a remedy that prevents disease.^[4] In law and theology it described what forbids: divine law may be preceptive or prohibitive, and prohibitive precepts bind always because they forbid an act that is wrong in itself.^[2] Polish church Latin also used it of a time during which something was forbidden or under interdict.^[2]

English took it over as prohibitive.^[3]

Timeline

• 13th century – It is recorded in Medieval Latin.^[1]
• 1519 – A Polish document uses it.^[2]
• early 15th century – English borrows it as prohibitive.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. That forbids, prohibitive (of a law or precept).^[2][1]
2. That prevents or hinders (with a genitive).^[4]
3. (medicine) Preventive, warding off disease.^[4]
4. (Ecclesiastical Latin) Of a time: during which something is forbidden, under interdict.^[2]

Related words

• prohibeō
• English prohibitive

References

1. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
2. ^ a b c d e f g Lexicon mediae et infimae Latinitatis Polonorum (1953–), Kraków: Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN; electronic ed. elexicon.scriptores.pl
3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ 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