temporarius

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [tɛm.pɔˈraː.ri.ʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [tem.poˈraː.ri.us]^[1]

Forms

temporārius (feminine temporāria, neuter temporārium); first/second-declension adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is from tempus “time”, stem ⟨tempor-⟩, with the suffix -ārius.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Nepos, of something suited to the occasion.^[2] Köbler dates Nepos c. 100–24 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant suited to the occasion, as in Nepos, and in Pliny the Elder built for the occasion, temporary, appointed for the time being, and transitory.^[2] In Ulpian it was a legal term for what is subject to a time limit.^[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant temporary, changeable, and Alcuin contrasts the Son of God, not temporary but eternal.^[5][6] It was borrowed into French temporaire, and gave English temporary in the 1540s.^[1][3]

Timeline

• c. 100–24 BC – Nepos uses it.^[2][4]
• 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder uses it of the temporary.^[2][4]
• 1540s – English temporary is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Suited to the occasion.^[2]
2. Temporary; appointed for the time being.^[2]
3. Transitory.^[2]
4. (law) Subject to a time limit.^[2]

Related words

• tempus
• English temporary
• English contemporary

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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 c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
6. ^ 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