meditor Latin · revision 2948

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *med-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈmɛ.dɪ.tɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈmɛː.di.tor]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''meditor''' (present infinitive meditārī, perfect active meditātus sum); first conjugation, deponent^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably a verb built on a participle *meditos of [[medeor]], in its older sense “to judge”, so that it meant “to judge constantly, to ponder”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)^(Gaffiot 2016) The OLD and the TLL connect it with [[modus]] and compare [[osc|meddíss|t=magistrate]], [[grc|μέδομαι|tr=médomai|t=to think of, care for]], [[sga|midiur|t=I think, judge]] and [[got|𐌼𐌹𐍄𐌰𐌽|tr=mitan|t=to measure]].^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is found from Plautus onwards,^(de Vaan 2008) whose schemers ask whether they are carrying out the plan “we thought out indoors”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant to think about something constantly, to [[m|en|ponder]], as Cicero speaks of always having the forum and the senate on one's mind.^(OLD 2012) It meant to have in mind or intend, as in Cicero's “that you should be thinking of flight or exile”, and to devise or plan words and actions.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Used alone it meant to prepare a speech.^(OLD 2012) It also meant to rehearse or practise, as Plautus' “let us go in and rehearse this”, and of a singer to work at a song, as Virgil's Tityrus “practising a woodland song on a slender pipe”.^(OLD 2012) Medieval Latin used it for meditation and study.^(NGML) It survives as Italian ''meditare'' and Spanish and Portuguese ''meditar'', and English ''meditate'' is from the 1580s.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it for planning and rehearsing.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it for pondering and intending.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it for practising a song.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1580s – English ''meditate'' is first recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To think about, [[m|en|ponder]], reflect on.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # To intend, have in mind.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To devise, plan.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To prepare (a speech).^(OLD 2012)

+ # To [[m|en|rehearse]], practise.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To work at (a song).^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' To [[m|en|meditate]].^(NGML)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[commeditor]]

+ * [[ēmeditor]]

+ * [[immeditātus]]

+ * [[meditābundus]]

+ * [[meditamen]]

+ * [[meditāmentum]]

+ * [[meditātiō]]

+ * [[meditatiuus]]

+ * [[meditator]]

+ * [[meditatorium]]

+ * [[meditātus]]

+ * [[permeditātus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[meditātiunculā]]

+ * [[medeor]]

+ * [[modus]]

+ * [[en|meditate]]

+ * [[en|premeditate]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes ''cogitare'', the ordinary activity of thinking, from ''meditari'', sustained and intense thought aimed at some end.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}