scripturalis

Forms

scrīptūrālis (neuter scrīptūrāle); third-declension adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from Latin scrīptūra + -ālis in Medieval Latin.^[2][1] Köbler refers further to scrībō (“to write”).^[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler records it, after Latham, from before 1250, in the sense “of Scripture, biblical”.^[1]

Semantic evolution

Niermeyer glosses it “scriptural, biblical”.^[3] British sources also use it of what serves for writing, as Peter of Blois's “writing stylus” and Bartholomaeus Anglicus's reed pen, and of what is written down.^[2] English scriptural comes from the Modern Latin word.^[4]

Timeline

• before 1250 – Köbler records it, after Latham.^[1]
• 1389 – A diplomatic letter of Richard II's reign speaks of written evidence.^[2]
• 1640s – English borrows scriptural.^[4]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (Medieval Latin) Scriptural, biblical.^[3][1]
2. (Medieval Latin) Used for writing.^[2]
3. (Medieval Latin) Written down, in written form.^[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 d e 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 Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
4. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com