relicta

Forms

relicta f (genitive relictae); first declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin relinquō (“to leave behind”), the feminine of its perfect participle used as a noun.^[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler lists it in Pseudo-Augustine, in church councils and in charters, and dates its first record in the capitularies to 758–768, if the date is right.^[1]

Semantic evolution

Its usual sense was a widow.^[2][3] Du Cange cites it from many church councils, among them those of Epaone, Agde, Clermont, Orléans and Auxerre, as well as a letter of Lupus of Ferrières;^[3] an Old English glossary renders its synonym derelicta with laf.^[3] Niermeyer also gives the sense of the divorced wife of a priest.^[2]

Timeline

• 758–768 – It is recorded in the capitularies.^[1]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Late Latin, Medieval Latin) A widow.^[2][3][1]
2. (Medieval Latin) The divorced wife of a priest.^[2]

Related words

• relictus¹
• relinquo
• vidua

References

1. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
2. ^ a b c d e Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
3. ^ a b c d du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre