inscriptio Latin · revision 32946

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=204–169 BC, Ennius|origins=ine-pro *skreibʰ-e/o-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''īnscrīptiō''' ''f'' (genitive īnscrīptiōnis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+ The manuscripts of the Theodosian Code often write ''-scribt-''.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|īnscrībō|-tiō|t1=to write on]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(TLL) De Vaan traces [[m|la|scrībō]] to [[itc-pro|*skreif-e/o-|t=to carve]] and [[ine-pro|*skreibʰ-e/o-|t=to carve]], comparing Oscan [[m|osc|scriftas|t=written]] and Umbrian [[m|xum|screhto|t=written]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The TLL finds it first in Ennius,^(TLL) whose tragedy asks what inscription will be given when the spoils of a family have been stripped away.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is the act of writing on something or inscribing, and the branding of slaves: Cicero asks whether putting a name on his property is anything but the plundering of his goods.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It is an inscribed legend or inscription, as on monuments, and the title of a book: Cicero tells Atticus that a fuller title would be ''Dē officiīs''.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It is also the label worn by a slave put up for sale, which Pliny the Younger uses of a slave's chief skill.^(OLD 2012) In law it is the laying of a charge, an accusation.^(OLD 2012) In Medieval Latin it is a bill of indictment, the address of a letter, a subscription, a deed and a description.^(Niermeyer 1976) English ''inscription'' appears in the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius of an inscription for stripped spoils.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of the title of a book.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 14th century – English ''inscription''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A writing on, inscribing; the branding of slaves.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # An [[m|en|inscription]]; the [[m|en|title]] of a book.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # A slave's sale label.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(law)'' An [[m|en|accusation]], charge;^(OLD 2012)^(Niermeyer 1976) ''(Medieval Latin)'' a bill of indictment.^(OLD 2012)^(Niermeyer 1976)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' The address of a letter; a deed.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[inscribo|alt=īnscrībō]]

+ * [[en|inscription]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}