utensilis

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [uːˈtẽː.sɪ.lɪs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [uˈtɛn.si.lis]^[1]

Forms

ūtēnsilis (neuter ūtēnsile); third-declension two-termination adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is from ūtor “to use” with ⟨-ēnsilis⟩, perhaps an ending taken over from other adjectives; compare ūtilis.^[2][1] De Vaan traces ⟨ūtor⟩ to Proto-Italic ⟨*oit-e/o-⟩, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *h₃eyt- (“to take along”), cognate with Oscan ⟨úíttiuf⟩ “use”.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's earliest source is Varro, and Gaffiot cites his Rēs rūsticae.^[4][5] Köbler dates Varro 116–27 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant that can be used, fit for use, useful, as in Varro, and the neuter plural ūtēnsilia meant necessaries, utensils, implements.^[2][6][5]

British Medieval Latin used the neuter as a noun for a tool, utensil, and in the plural gear, equipment.^[7]

Timeline

• 116–27 BC – Varro uses it.^[5][4]
• 354–430 AD – Augustine uses it.^[5][4]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Usable, useful.^[2][6]
2. (neuter plural, noun) Necessaries, utensils.^[5][7]

Word family

• ūtēnsilia
• utensilitas

Related words

• ūtor
• ūtilis
• ūsus
• English utensil

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b c d e Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
6. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ a b 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