observantia Latin · revision 33471

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=81–43 BC, Cicero|origins=la servō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ɔp.sɛrˈwan.ti.a]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ob.serˈvan.t͡si.a]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''observantia''' ''f'' (genitive observantiae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+ Manuscripts also spell it ''observancia'', and an edict of Diocletian has ''ubservantia''.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|observāns|-ia|t1=observing]], the present participle of [[m|la|observō|t=to watch, heed, respect]],^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)^(TLL) which is a compound of [[m|la|ob-]] and [[m|la|servō|t=to keep, watch]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler records it first in Cicero,^(Köbler 2010) who defines it as the virtue by which we respect and honour those who surpass us in age, wisdom, rank or other distinction.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Cicero it is the respectful regard shown to elders and superiors and the attentions by which friends are kept;^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Livy has it towards a king, and Quintilian of freedmen towards their patrons.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Velleius uses it of watching or observing the seasons.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Valerius Maximus and the jurists use it of keeping laws, customs and rules,^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) and in Late Latin it came to mean religious observance and worship, as in the Theodosian Code and the Vulgate.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Medieval Latin used it of obeying the law, of a regulation or law itself, and of keeping divine law, religious duties and rites;^(Niermeyer 1976) in Ecclesiastical Latin it also meant abstinence and practice.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero defines it as respect for superiors.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of respect towards a king.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 20 BC–30 AD – Velleius uses it of observation.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * Late Latin – The Theodosian Code and the Vulgate use it of religious observance.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ * Medieval Latin – It is used of a regulation or law.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|observation|alt=Observation]], attention, watching.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Respectful regard, [[m|en|deference]], [[m|en|reverence]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # [[m|en|observance|alt=Observance]] of laws, customs or rules.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(Late Latin)'' Religious observance, worship.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Niermeyer 1976)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A regulation, law.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[observō]]

+ * [[servō]]

+ * [[observātiō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}