scandalosus

Forms

scandalōsus (feminine scandalōsa, neuter scandalōsum); first/second-declension adjective^[1][2]

Etymology

It is formed from Latin scandalum (“stumbling block, offence”) + -ōsus, from the Late Latin noun.^[3][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is Medieval Latin.^[1] Its first dated use in the DMLBS is from 1332, in a letter from Canterbury, of an excess that would cause offence.^[3] Gaffiot also cites a glossary for the sense “abominable”.^[2]

Semantic evolution

In British sources it describes what causes someone to do wrong or brings disgrace; it was also used as a noun.^[3] Words could be scandalosa, “insulting, slanderous”, and John Colet used it in 1497 for one disgraced or abused.^[3] French scandaleux and German skandalös continue it,^[1] and English borrowed scandalous in the late 15th century through Old French.^[4]

Timeline

• 1332 – A Canterbury letter has it of an offensive excess.^[3][1]
• late 15th century – English borrows scandalous through Old French.^[4]
• 1497 – John Colet uses it for one disgraced or abused.^[3]
• 1549 – A Scottish council has scandalosa vituperia, slanderous abuse.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (Medieval Latin) Causing offence or disgrace, scandalous.^[3][1]
2. (Medieval Latin) Insulting, slanderous.^[3]
3. (Medieval Latin) Disgraced, abused.^[3]
4. (Late Latin glossary) Abominable.^[2]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
2. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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 Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com