Etymologically
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quieto

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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