restrictivus

Forms

restrictīvus, restrictīva, restrictīvum; first and second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from Latin restrictus (“drawn back, bound”) + -īvus, restrictus being the past participle of restringō (“to draw back, bind fast”).^[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is a medieval word.^[1] The British sources have it in medicine: Bartholomaeus Anglicus prescribes restrictive medicines when the openings of the veins bleed too much.^[2]

Semantic evolution

Besides “restrictive”, it meant astringent in medicine, and as a neuter noun it named an astringent medicine, laid on the forehead in Gilbertus Anglicus.^[2]

English restrictive appeared in the early 15th century, in Guy de Chauliac, for what staunches the loss of blood, and in the 1570s it took the sense “imposing restriction”.^[3]

Timeline

• early 15th century – English borrows it as restrictive, a medical term.^[3]
• 1570s – English restrictive is used of terms that impose a restriction.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (Medieval Latin) Restrictive.^[2][1]
2. (Medieval Latin, medicine) Astringent, styptic.^[2]
3. (Medieval Latin, medicine, as a noun in the neuter) An astringent medicine.^[2]

Related words

• restrictio
• English restrictive

References

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