Etymologically
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tranquillitas

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 15:35. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [traŋˈkʷɪl.lɪ.taːs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [traŋˈkʷil.li.tas][1]

Forms

tranquillitās f (genitive tranquillitātis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from tranquillus “calm, still” with the suffix -tās.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of a calm sea.[2] Köbler's first source is Cicero; he dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant calm of the sea or wind, fair weather, and the gentle flow of a river, as in Plautus.[2] In Cicero it meant a quiet state of affairs or of mind, tranquillity, calm.[2] Döderlein explains that quiēs is absolute rest, as against activity, while tranquillitās is quietness in acting, as against hasty or passionate activity.[5]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant calmness, tranquillity.[6] British Medieval Latin used it of calm weather and still seas.[7] It was borrowed into Italian tranquillità and French tranquillité, and through Old French it gave English tranquility in the late 14th century.[1][3]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a calm sea.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a calm state.[2][4]
  • late 14th century – English tranquility is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Calm weather; a calm sea.[2]
  2. Calm, quiet, tranquility.[2]

Usage notes

Döderlein distinguishes it from quiēs.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h 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. ^ a b Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
  6. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  7. ^ 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