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supervisus

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word supervisus

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1230 Patent Rolls More words from the 13th century
Ultimate origin
Latin supervideō
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin supervīsus
English supervise
From the same root
English supervisory ← supervise

Forms

supervīsus m (genitive supervīsūs); fourth declension[1][2]

Etymology

It is formed from Latin supervideō (“to oversee, inspect”) + -tus.[2][1] Etymonline analyses supervideō as super “over” and videō “to see”.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The DMLBS's earliest example is from the Patent Rolls of 1230, where the manuscript has super visum suum, of a matter put off until an inspection at the Exchequer.[2]

Semantic evolution

It is a word of medieval administration in Britain: first an examination, inspection or survey, as of grain taken by a sheriff or of felling done under the eye of the verderers;[2] then the oversight of works, a park or a warren, and a judgement or assessment made by the overseers of a will.[2] Köbler dates it from about 1322.[1] English supervise goes back to this Medieval Latin family.[3]

Timeline

  • 1230 – The Patent Rolls have super visum suum, of an inspection at the Exchequer.[2]
  • c. 1322 – Köbler's earliest record, for an inspection or examination.[1]
  • 1335 – The Scottish rolls speak of grain restored under the sheriff's inspection.[2]
  • 1378 – The Patent Rolls use it for the supervision of works.[2]
  • 1408 – The Foedera speak of felling under the supervision of the verderers.[2]
  • late 15th century – English forms supervise from the Medieval Latin.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin) examination, inspection, survey.[2][1]
  2. (Medieval Latin) supervision, oversight.[2]
  3. (Medieval Latin) Judgement, assessment, of the executors of a will.[2]

Usage notes

Etymonline takes the English verb from supervīsus as the past participle of supervidēre.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l 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 c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com

Borrowed into

Cite this entry

“Supervisus.” Etymologically, 7 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/la/supervisus. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

Last edited on . ·