reminiscor

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [rɛ.mɪˈniːs.kɔr]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [re.miˈnis.kor]^[1]

Forms

reminīscor (present infinitive reminīscī); third conjugation, deponent, no perfect or supine stems^[1]

Etymology

It is from re- “again” and ⟨-miniscor⟩, an inchoative formed to the root of meminī “to remember”, as in comminīscor.^[2][1] Wiktionary calls the precise formation uncertain.^[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Terence, of recalling something.^[2] Köbler dates Terence 190–159 BC.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant to recall to mind, recollect, as in Terence, and in Nepos, perhaps, to conceive.^[2] Döderlein explains that meminisse is remembering as a state, keeping something in mind, while reminīscī and recordārī are acts of recalling what had been forgotten.^[4]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to remember, recollect, be mindful of.^[5] Late Latin reminīscentia, a translation of Greek anamnēsis, gave English reminiscence in the 1580s, and English reminisce was formed from it in 1829.^[6]

Timeline

• 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of recollecting.^[2][3]
• c. 100–24 BC – Nepos uses it perhaps of conceiving.^[2][3]
• 1580s – English reminiscence is recorded.^[6]

Meanings

Verb

1. To recall, recollect.^[2]
2. To conceive.^[2]

Related words

• meminī
• comminīscor
• English reminiscence
• English reminisce

Usage notes

Döderlein distinguishes it from meminī and recordor.^[4]

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com