superstitio Latin · revision 31422

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=derivation|attested=81–43 BC, Cicero|origins=ine-pro *sth₂-}}

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+ ==Forms==

+ '''superstitiō''' ''f'' (genitive superstitiōnis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

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+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed with the suffix [[m|la|-tiō]] from [[m|la|superstes|t=standing over; surviving]], or from [[m|la|superstō|t=to stand over]] directly.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Lewis & Short 1879) How it came to mean “superstition” is unclear.^(Etymonline) The OLD suggests a first sense such as “state of religious exaltation”, comparing [[m|la|superstitiōsus|t=prophetic; superstitious]];^(OLD 2012) Lewis and Short start from “standing still over a thing”, hence amazement and dread;^(Lewis & Short 1879) Etymonline reports Buck's view of standing stunned in awe and de Vaan's “cause to remain in existence”.^(Etymonline) De Vaan traces ⟨stō⟩ to [[itc-pro|*sta-ē-je/o-|t=to stand]] and [[ine-pro|*sth₂-eh₁-ie/o-|t=to stand]].^(de Vaan 2008)

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+ Isidore of Seville explained it as worship that is superfluous or added on, or from old people who outlive their wits.^(Isidore)

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+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Cicero speaks of gods appeased by right prayers, not by a polluted superstition, in the ''Pro Cluentio'';^(OLD 2012) Köbler gives Virgil.^(Köbler 2010)

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+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is irrational religious awe or credulity, and a particular superstitious belief or practice;^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Cicero says that our ancestors separated superstition from religion, and that superstition holds an empty fear of the gods, while religion is their devout worship.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It is used, more or less scornfully, of foreign or unorthodox cults, as Cicero's “barbarous superstition” for Judaism, Tacitus' Druids, and Suetonius' Christians, “a new and harmful superstition”; later writers use it without blame.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) In Virgil it is the one object of awe for the gods, the Styx, and Quintilian uses it for blind obedience to rules.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Lactantius sets it against ''religiō'': worship of the true God against worship of false gods.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

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+ Church Latin glosses it “superstition, fear, fanaticism”.^(Stelten 1995) In medieval Latin it can also mean excess or luxury, superfluity, and an unjust extra tax.^(Niermeyer 1976) English ''superstition'' is from it, in the early 13th century.^(Etymonline)

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+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of superstition set against religion.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil of the Styx as the gods' object of awe.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian of blind adherence to rules.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 75–c. 150 AD – Suetonius of the Christians.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 560–636 AD – Isidore of Seville explains it as superfluous worship.^(Isidore)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * early 13th century – Borrowed into English as [[m|en|superstition]].^(Etymonline)

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+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Irrational religious awe, credulity; a [[m|en|superstition]], superstitious practice.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # A foreign or unorthodox [[m|en|cult]];^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) ''(later)'' a religious rite, religious awe.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # An object of dread.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Blind adherence to rules, excessive scruple.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Excess, superfluity; an unlawful surtax.^(Niermeyer 1976)

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+ ==Word family==

+ * [[superstitiōsus]]

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+ ==Related words==

+ * [[superstes]]

+ * [[religiō]]

+ * [[stō]]

+ * [[en|superstition]]

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+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}