theorema

Forms

theōrēma n (genitive theōrēmatis); third declension^[1] Gellius has the dative plural theorematis.^[2][3]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek θεώρημα (theṓrēma, “spectacle; proposition to be proved”),^[3][2][1][4] from θεωρέω (theōréō, “to look at, behold”).^[1][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in Aulus Gellius (c. 165 AD),^[3][5] who describes young men babbling nothing but trifling theoremata, and mentions dialectic and many theorems of that kind.^[3]

Semantic evolution

The OLD defines it as a subject for investigation or a problem.^[3] Martianus Capella uses it of a proposition to be proved, a theorem,^[2] and Ecclesiastical Latin of a theorem or formula.^[6] Medieval Latin also used it for a vision or contemplation and for an example worth following.^[7] English took theorem in the 1550s, from French and directly from Late Latin.^[4]

Timeline

• c. 165 AD – Gellius uses it of philosophical problems.^[3][5]
• 5th century AD – Martianus Capella uses it of a proposition to be proved.^[2][5]
• 1550s – English borrows it as theorem.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. A subject for investigation, a problem.^[3]
2. A proposition to be proved, a theorem.^[2][6]
3. (Medieval Latin) A vision, contemplation.^[7]
4. (Medieval Latin) An example worth following.^[7]

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
3. ^ a b c d e f g Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
4. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
7. ^ a b c Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill