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quieto

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word quieto

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Priscian, 6th century AD
Ultimate origin
Latin quiētus
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin quietus
Latin quieto
From the same root
Latin quiete ← quietus

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [kʷiˈeː.toː][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [kʷiˈɛː.to][1]

Forms

quiētō (present infinitive quiētāre, perfect active quiētāvī, supine quiētātum); first conjugation[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin quiētus (“quiet, at rest”) + -ō.[1][2][3] A deponent ⟨quiētor⟩ is recorded beside it.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The grammarian Priscian cites it, without an example, in the sense “to calm, give rest to”;[2][3][4] an inscription has the perfect quietavit.[2]

Semantic evolution

Classical Latin hardly knew it, but medieval law made much use of it.[2][5] In charters it meant to warrant a thing, to renounce a claim and to release a person from an obligation, to quit or discharge.[6] British sources have it for acquitting a person, settling a debt and giving up a claim, as well as for putting to rest in philosophy, where Duns Scotus and Wyclif use it of the will or the appetite coming to rest.[5]

Timeline

  • 6th century AD – Priscian records it.[2][4]
  • 1086 – Domesday Book, of a man who never acquitted himself before the king.[5][4]
  • 1189 – A charter gives up the agreements that the king's father Henry had extorted.[5]
  • 1200 – The rolls of the king's court, of settling debts.[5]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To calm, give rest to;[2][3][5] (Medieval Latin) to bring to rest.[2][3][5]
  2. (Medieval Latin) To acquit, release a person from an obligation.[5][6]
  3. (Medieval Latin) To settle a debt or payment.[5]
  4. (Medieval Latin) To renounce, give up a claim; to quit.[5][6]
  5. (Medieval Latin) To warrant.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  3. ^ a b c d e Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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
  6. ^ a b c d Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
Cite this entry

“Quieto.” Etymologically, 23 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/quieto. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·