Etymologically
Log in

scaccus

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 24 October 2026 at 18:48. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [ˈskak.kʊs][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [ˈskak.kus][1]

Forms

scaccus m (genitive scaccī); second declension[2][3] Variant spellings include scacus, scachus, scacchus and chacus.[3][2] British sources also have scacca and scaccius.[4]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Arabic شَاه (šāh, “king (in chess)”),[1][4] from Persian شاه (šāh, “king”).[1][5] Köbler compares Old French eschac (“chess”).[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first record is in the writings of Peter Damian in the 11th century,[2] where it is used of chess.[2]

Semantic evolution

The word named a chessman, and in the plural (scaci) the game of chess.[3][2] As a call in the game it meant check, the warning that the opponent's king is attacked: a player says scachum to the king, and with mat it gave checkmate.[1][4] The phrase in scacco ponere meant to put a king in check.[4]

Through Old French it gave English check, and through the Old French plural chess.[5][1]

Timeline

  • 11th century – Peter Damian uses it of chess.[2]
  • 1285 – A tenure is held by a service connected with the king's chessmen on Christmas Day.[4]
  • c. 1300 – English check in chess is first recorded.[5]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin) A chessman, chess piece.[3][2][4]
  2. (Medieval Latin, in the plural) The game of chess.[3][2]
  3. (Medieval Latin) check, the call that the king is attacked; with mat, checkmate.[1][4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  3. ^ a b c d e Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  4. ^ a b c d e f g 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
  5. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com