precatio Latin · revision 34185

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''precātiō''' ''f'' (genitive precātiōnis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+ The spelling ''praecatio'' occurs in inscriptions and in old manuscripts.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|precor|-tiō|t1=to pray, ask]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(TLL) De Vaan lists [[m|la|precor]] among the derivatives of [[m|la|prex|t=prayer, request]], which goes back to [[itc-pro|*prek-]] and [[ine-pro|*preḱ-|t=question]], a root noun from the root of [[m|la|poscō|t=to demand]] and [[m|la|procus|t=suitor]].^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[cy|rheg|t=gift; curse]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The TLL finds it in prose from Cicero on, apart from an uncertain instance in some annals;^(TLL) Cicero speaks of ''sollemnis comitiorum precatio'', “the solemn prayer of the elections”.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means an act of supplication or prayer,^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) and also a set form of words used in praying:^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) Livy mentions books of prophecies or prayers, Cicero the prayer of the augurs that names the Tiber and nearby rivers, and Gellius old prayers that contain the divine names Diovis and Vediovis.^(OLD 2012) In Pliny the Elder it is a magic formula of the magi for driving away locusts.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010) The TLL notes that it is far rarer than [[prex]], seldom used of private life, and found in verse only in Dracontius.^(TLL) Valerius Maximus distinguishes it from [[votum]]: in religious rites one commends something with a ''precatio'' and asks for something with a vow.^(TLL)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it is prayer, entreaty and supplication.^(Stelten 1995) In Medieval Latin it also meant a petition, a precarial contract and a tallage,^(Niermeyer 1976) and in English manors the boon-work, the day's work a tenant did at the lord's request.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero speaks of the solemn prayer of the elections.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it some sixteen times, also for written prayer formulas.^(TLL)^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder reports a prayer of the magi against locusts.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 165 AD – Gellius quotes old prayers naming Diovis and Vediovis.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 484 AD – Dracontius has its only use in verse.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 789 – It appears in a charter.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1270 – An English cartulary uses it of boon-work.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An act of [[m|en|supplication]]; a [[m|en|prayer]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+ # A set form of words used in praying; a prayer [[m|en|formula]], also a magic one.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Conte 2010)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A [[m|en|petition]].^(Niermeyer 1976)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A precarial contract.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A [[m|en|tallage]].^(Niermeyer 1976)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Boon-work owed by a tenant to the lord of the manor.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[prex]]

+ * [[precor]]

+ * [[precātor]]

+ * [[dēprecātiō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}