testor

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈtɛs.tɔr]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈtɛs.tor]^[1]

Forms

testor (present infinitive testārī, perfect active testātus sum); first conjugation, deponent^[1] Active forms such as testem appear in Maecenas.^[2]

Etymology

It is from testis “witness”.^[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of calling someone to witness.^[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant to call a person or god to witness, as in Plautus, and in Cicero to declare solemnly, testify, and to make a will before witnesses.^[2] In Ovid it meant to give evidence of something by one's actions or condition.^[2]

It survives in Italian testare and Spanish testar “to make a will”.^[1] Its participle testātus gave English testate in the late 15th century, and its noun testāmentum gave English testament in the late 13th century.^[4]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of calling to witness.^[2][3]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of testifying and making a will.^[2][3]
• late 13th century – English testament is recorded.^[4]

Meanings

Verb

1. To call to witness.^[2]
2. To declare solemnly, testify.^[2]
3. To make a will.^[2]
4. To show, demonstrate.^[2]

Word family

• attestor
• contestor
• dētestor
• obtestor
• prōtestor
• testātiō
• testātor

Related words

• testis
• testāmentum
• testimōnium
• English testament

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 k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com