renta

Forms

renta f (genitive rentae); first declension^[1]

Etymology

According to Etymonline it is, like Old French rente, from Vulgar Latin *rendita, the noun use of the feminine past participle of *rendō (“to give back, render”).^[2] Köbler likewise refers it to rendita.^[1] The DMLBS gives Middle English and Old French rentes as its source,^[3] and Du Cange equates it with renda and reditus.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The DMLBS's first record is a charter of Chester of about 1180, which speaks of the donor's rent at Chester; it means income received as rent.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant income or revenue received as rent, or a similar regular payment.^[3] Du Cange defines it as an annual due, glossed with French rente, and cites a register of the revenues of the bishopric of Auxerre from the end of the 13th century.^[4] English rent comes both from Old French rente and directly from this word.^[2]

Timeline

• c. 1180 – A charter of Chester has it for rent.^[3]
• 1182 – A pledge of land at Oxford excepts six pence of rent.^[3]
• end of the 13th century – A register of the bishopric of Auxerre uses it of annual dues.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin) rent, revenue from property; an annual due.^[3][4]

Related words

• rentale
• English rent

References

1. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
2. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b c d e f 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
4. ^ 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