regenerativus

Forms

regenerātīvus, regenerātīva, regenerātīvum; first and second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from Latin regenerō (“to bring forth again”) + -īvus, according to the DMLBS;^[2] Etymonline derives it from regenerātus, the past participle of the verb.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Bede uses it in his commentary on Luke, in the sense “giving new birth”: Christ's touch gave the waters the power of baptism.^[2][4][1]

Semantic evolution

Bede's phrase about the regenerating power given to the waters was quoted by later writers, such as the Neo-Latin authors Spina and Pepin.^[4] In medieval medicine it described a remedy that makes flesh grow again over a wound or ulcer, and was then used as a noun for such a remedy.^[2] English borrowed regenerative in this medical sense in the late 14th century, from Old French or directly from Medieval Latin.^[3]

Timeline

• 700–733 – Bede uses it of the waters of baptism.^[1][2]
• late 14th century – English borrows it as regeneratif, of a medicine that makes flesh grow again.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Causing to be born again, renewing; used of baptism.^[2][4]
2. (medicine) Causing flesh to grow again, regenerative;^[2] (as a noun) a remedy that does so.^[2]

Related words

• English regenerative

References

1. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
2. ^ a b c d e f g 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 c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c Ramminger, Johann, Neulateinische Wortliste: Ein Wörterbuch des Lateinischen von Petrarca bis 1700, www.neulatein.de