symbolum

Forms

symbolum n (genitive symbolī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek σύμβολον (súmbolon, “token, sign”).^[1][2][3][4] Etymonline explains the Greek word as “that which is thrown together”, from σύν (sún, “together”) and βολή (bolḗ, “a throw”).^[4] Latin also has the masculine symbolus, from σύμβολος (súmbolos).^[5][6][7] Isidore of Seville explains the Greek word as a sign or a means of recognition.^[8]

Earliest recorded meaning

Georges cites it from Plautus (c. 250–184 BC) for a token by which someone is recognised,^[6][3] but Gaffiot takes the manuscript reading simbolum in the Pseudolus as the masculine symbolus.^[9]

Semantic evolution

Cato uses it for a kind of pass,^[6] and Apuleius as an equivalent of symbolus.^[9] Christian writers made it the creed, the summary of the faith: Cyprian and Prudentius have it,^[10] and Augustine writes tota ecclesia in symbolo confitetur, “the whole Church confesses in the creed”.^[6] In the Vulgate it is a share of the cost of a meal, like symbola.^[9][10] Medieval Latin kept the creed and the symbol,^[11] and also used it for a heraldic device,^[7] for the pyx in which the host was kept and for a banner.^[12] English symbol first meant “creed”, in the mid-15th century.^[4]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus has it, or the masculine symbolus, for a token of recognition.^[6][9][3]
• 234–149 BC – Cato uses it for a pass.^[6][3]
• beginning of the 3rd century–258 AD – Cyprian uses it for the creed.^[10][3]
• 354–430 AD – Augustine speaks of the creed of the whole Church.^[6][3]
• 390–406 AD – The Vulgate uses it for a share of the cost.^[9][10][3]
• 1354 – A ruling of the Parlement of Paris uses it for a pyx.^[12]
• mid-15th century – English borrows it as simbal, “creed”.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. A token or mark of recognition.^[6][1]
2. A pass or identity token.^[6]
3. (Ecclesiastical Latin) The creed, the summary of the articles of faith.^{[9][10][13][11]}
4. A share of the cost of a meal, a contribution.^[9][10]
5. (Medieval Latin) A symbol, sign.^[11][7]
6. (Medieval Latin, heraldry) A device or charge on a shield.^[7]
7. (Medieval Latin) A pyx in which the host is kept.^[12]
8. (Medieval Latin) A banner, standard.^[12]

Related words

• symbolus
• English symbol

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ Saalfeld, Günther Alexander (1874), Index Graecorum vocabulorum in linguam latinam translatorum, Berlin: Weidmann
3. ^ a b c d e f g Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
7. ^ 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
8. ^ Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
9. ^ a b c d e f g Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
10. ^ 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
11. ^ a b c Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
12. ^ a b c d du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre
13. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson