actum Latin · revision 30822

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=81–43 BC, Cicero|origins=ine-pro *h₂eǵ-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''actum''' ''n'' (genitive actī); second declension; usually plural, ''acta''^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the neuter of [[m|la|āctus]], the perfect passive participle of [[m|la|agō|t=to do, drive]], used as a noun: “a thing done”.^(OLD 2012)^(Etymonline) De Vaan traces ⟨agō⟩ to [[itc-pro|*ag-e/o-]] and [[ine-pro|*h₂eǵ-e/o-|t=to drive, lead]], cognate with [[osc|acum|t=to act]] and [[grc|ἄγω|tr=ágō|t=to lead]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler's first source is Cicero.^(Köbler 2010) In ''De oratore'' he says that in great matters one looks first for plans, then acts (''ācta''), then outcomes.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The plural ''ācta'' are acts, deeds and transactions, and great exploits, as the labours of Hercules;^(OLD 2012) Sallust's soldiers tell one another of their deeds.^(OLD 2012) In public life they are the official acts and decrees of a magistrate or ruler: Cicero argued that ''ācta Caesaris'', Caesar's acts, should be upheld.^(OLD 2012) They are also written records, especially the official gazette of the business of the senate and people, which Cicero waited to receive.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Church Latin glosses ''ācta'' “things done, acts, records of a process, register of public acts”.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval sources from Aldhelm on use it.^(Köbler 2010) English ''act'' comes from ''āctum'', at first a legal term, as well as from [[āctus]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of deeds, of Caesar's acts and of the gazette.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 86–34 BC – Sallust of soldiers' exploits.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 639–709 AD – Aldhelm.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 14th century – English [[m|en|act]] “a thing done”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(usually plural)'' An [[m|en|act]], [[m|en|deed]], transaction; exploits.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # Official acts, [[m|en|decree|alt=decrees]], enactments.^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # A written record; the official [[m|en|gazette]].^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[agō]]

+ * [[āctus]]

+ * [[āctiō]]

+ * [[en|act]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}