Etymologically
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reminiscor

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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]

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