Etymologically
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separatio

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Forms

sēparātiō f (genitive sēparātiōnis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from sēparō “to separate” with the suffix -tiō.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant a separation, division.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant separation, severance.[5] British Medieval Latin used it for the division of property, separation in geometry, astronomy and alchemy, and the separation of a married couple.[6] It was borrowed into Italian separazione and French séparation, and through Old French it gave English separation about 1400.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.[4]
  • c. 1400 – English separation is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Separation, division.[2]
  2. (Medieval Latin) The separation of a married couple.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  6. ^ a b 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