arbitrium Latin · revision 30639

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 450 BC, Twelve Tables|origins=la arbiter}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [arˈbɪ.tri.ũː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [arˈbiː.tri.um]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''arbitrium''' ''n'' (genitive arbitriī or arbitrī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+ Good manuscripts and inscriptions sometimes have ''arbiterium''.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|la|arbiter|-ium|t1=witness, judge]], as [[m|la|adulterium]] is from [[m|la|adulter]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Lewis & Short 1879) The origin of [[m|la|arbiter]] is uncertain: de Vaan considers ⟨*ad-biteros⟩, with ⟨ad-⟩ turned to ⟨ar-⟩ before a labial, and a link with [[m|la|baetō|t=to go]], and compares [[xum|ařputrati|t=by the judgement]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler record it in the Twelve Tables.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) The TLL finds it only twice before Cicero, in Terence and the ''Rhetorica ad Herennium''.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Arbitrium'' is arbitration, the settling of a dispute by an arbiter (Cicero: ''quid est in arbitriō?''), then any decision or judgement, the power to decide, and control or authority: ''meī arbitriī esse'', “to be in my power”, ''suō arbitriō'', “on one's own initiative”, ''līberum arbitrium'', “freedom of action”.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It is also the verdict itself, the sum allowed for a funeral, and one's wishes or pleasure (''meō arbitriō'', “as I choose”).^(OLD 2012) In post-Augustan poets it is also presence, the witnesses present (from ''arbiter'' “witness”).^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ In Church Latin it is free choice and free will (''līberum arbitrium'').^(Stelten 1995) The TLL notes that it is rare in poetry except in Horace and Ovid.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 450 BC – In the Twelve Tables.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of arbitration.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy: ''līberum arbitrium''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|arbitration]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A decision, judgement; verdict, opinion.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # The power to decide; [[m|en|discretion]]; free will.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # Control, authority, [[m|en|dominion]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Wish, pleasure, inclination.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(post-Augustan poetry)'' Presence; witnesses.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[arbiter]]

+ * [[arbitror]]

+ * [[arbitrātus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}