suspensio

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [sʊsˈpẽː.si.oː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [susˈpɛn.si.o]^[1]

Forms

suspēnsiō f (genitive suspēnsiōnis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from suspendō “to hang up” with the suffix -tiō.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Vitruvius, whom he dates c. 84–c. 25 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

In classical Latin it was the same as suspēnsūra, a raised floor over a hypocaust.^[2][5]

In Christian Latin it meant an interruption, suspension from office, and suspense, expectation.^[6] In canon law suspēnsiō ā dīvīnīs was a censure forbidding a cleric his sacred functions.^[7] British Medieval Latin used it for hanging, also as a method of execution.^[5] It gave English suspension in the early 15th century, of a temporary deprivation of office.^[3]

Timeline

• c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it.^[4]
• early 15th century – English suspension is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A raised floor over a hypocaust.^[2]
2. (Ecclesiastical Latin) Interruption; suspension from office.^[6][7]
3. (Medieval Latin) Hanging.^[5]

Related words

• suspendō
• English suspension

References

1. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b c 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
6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
7. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson