Etymologically
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submissio

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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