theologicus

Forms

theologicus (feminine theologica, neuter theologicum); first/second-declension adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek θεολογικός (theologikós, “concerning the doctrine of the gods”),^[2][3][4] which Köbler connects with θεός (theós, “god”).^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Ammianus Marcellinus (about AD 390) is the first to use it (16.5.5), speaking of theologica doctrina, the doctrine of the gods.^[2][3][6][5]

Semantic evolution

The grammarian Plotius Sacerdos called the heroic metre metrum theologicum.^[2][3] In Ecclesiastical Latin it is “theological”.^[7] British medieval writers used it of speaking God's word (Bede of the voice of John's Gospel), of the philosophical treatment of the gods and of incorporeal reality, and of Christian theology, also as an academic discipline.^[4]

English theologic (mid-15th century) is from it, while theological is from the Medieval Latin theologicalis.^[8]

Timeline

• c. 390 AD – Ammianus Marcellinus writes of theologica doctrina.^[2][5]
• mid-15th century – English borrows it as theologic.^[8]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Of the doctrine of the gods; theological.^[2][3][7]
2. (grammar) metrum theologicum: the heroic metre.^[2][3]
3. (Medieval Latin) Of speaking God's word.^[4]
4. (Medieval Latin) Of the philosophical treatment of the gods and of incorporeal reality.^[4]
5. (Medieval Latin) Of Christian theology, also as an academic discipline.^[4]

Related words

• theologia
• English theological

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
3. ^ a b c d e Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
4. ^ a b c d e 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
5. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
7. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
8. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com