Etymologically
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restrictus

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Pronunciation

  • Classical: [rɛsˈtrɪk.tʊs][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [resˈtrik.tus][1]

Forms

restrictus (feminine restricta, neuter restrictum, comparative restrictior, superlative restrictissimus); first/second-declension adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin restringō (“to bind tightly, draw back”), its past participle, used as an adjective.[2][1][3]

It is the source of English restrict.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first author is Cicero,[3] who calls certain men restrictōs et tenācēs, “close-fisted and tight”.[2]

Semantic evolution

The literal sense, drawn tight, is rare: Suetonius uses it of a tight toga and of the short or contracted toes of Domitian.[5][6][2] The figurative senses are commoner: sparing or stingy, as Cicero says of one careful with others' money;[2][6] austere or strict, as when Tacitus speaks of supreme power that is not strict;[2][6] modest or reticent, in Pliny the Younger;[2][5] and, of judgement, exacting, in Apuleius.[2]

An Old High German gloss renders it with unlang.[3] In British Medieval Latin a noun restrictus meant a legal restriction (1448).[7][3] English made the verb restrict from the participle in the 1530s.[4]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of stingy men.[2][3]
  • c. 75–c. 150 AD – Suetonius uses it of a tight toga.[5][6][3]
  • 98–115 AD – Tacitus uses it of strict rule.[2][6][3]
  • 1448 – A noun restrictus “restriction” appears in a register in British sources.[7]
  • 1530s – English restrict is formed from it.[4]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Drawn tight, tight; contracted, short.[2][5][6]
  2. stingy, niggardly, sparing.[2][5][6]
  3. austere, strict.[2][6]
  4. modest, reticent.[2][5]
  5. (of judgement) Rigorously exact.[2]

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin, law) A restriction.[7][3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ a b c d e f Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Conte, Gian Biagio; Pianezzola, Emilio; Ranucci, Giuliano (2010), il Latino: Vocabolario della lingua latina, 3rd ed., Florence: Le Monnier
  7. ^ a b c 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