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submissio

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word submissio

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
81–43 BC, Cicero
Ultimate origin
Latin submittō
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin submitto
English submit
Latin submissio
From the same root
Latin submissus ← submitto

Forms

submissiō f (genitive submissiōnis); third declension[1] Also spelled summissio.[2][3]

Etymology

It is from Latin submittō + -tiō, from the verb meaning to let down, lower or subject.[1][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Cicero (81–43 BC) uses it for the lowering of the voice and the subdued tone of a speech (Orator 85), and in the Topica (71) for the making of one thing inferior to another.[1][3][5]

Semantic evolution

Arnobius used it for humble, submissive behaviour.[2][3] In British medieval Latin it meant a letting down or lowering, Bede applying it to the sheet let down from heaven in Acts and to baptism, and the act of submitting to authority, a show of obedience.[6] Niermeyer records a medieval sense “covert intrigue, contrivance”.[7]

English submission (late 14th century) is from Old French or directly from the Latin.[4]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the voice and of subordination.[1][5]
  • 297–310 AD – Arnobius uses it for humble behaviour.[2][3]
  • 798 – An English charter speaks of accepting office “with all submission of humility”.[6]
  • late 14th century – English borrows it as submission.[4]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A lowering of the voice; a subdued tone of speech.[1][3]
  2. The making of something subordinate or inferior.[1][2]
  3. Humble behaviour, submission.[2][3][8]
  4. (Medieval Latin) A letting down, lowering.[6]
  5. (Medieval Latin) Submission to authority, obedience.[6]
  6. (Medieval Latin) A covert scheme, intrigue.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  3. ^ a b c d e f Conte, Gian Biagio; Pianezzola, Emilio; Ranucci, Giuliano (2010), il Latino: Vocabolario della lingua latina, 3rd ed., Florence: Le Monnier
  4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ a b c d 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
  7. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  8. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
Cite this entry

“Submissio.” Etymologically, 24 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/submissio. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·