testificatio Latin · revision 34772

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [tɛs.tɪ.fɪˈkaː.ti.oː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [tes.ti.fiˈkat.t͡si.o]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''testificātiō''' ''f'' (genitive testificātiōnis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|testificor|-tiō|t1=to bear witness]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) [[m|la|testificor]] is formed from [[m|la|testis|t=witness]] and [[m|la|faciō|t=to make]].^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Its first author is Cicero,^(Köbler 2010) who in the Verrines uses it of testimony given in court: ''si eius rei testificatio tolleretur'', “if the testimony to that fact were removed”.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Conte 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Lewis and Short call it Ciceronian, while the jurists and Quintilian say [[testatio]] instead.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Besides attesting a fact in court, Cicero uses it of showing something by an action: in a letter saying that someone pleaded his correspondent's case with full acknowledgement of his services, and in the ''Philippics'' of honours that would be an everlasting proof that Antony had rejected the embassy.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ In medieval Latin it meant attestation and testimony, an oath and, after Exodus, the covenant placed in the ark.^(DMLBS) Niermeyer also gives “invocation”.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of testimony and of proof by an action.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * early 8th century – Bede uses it of the covenant placed in the ark.^(DMLBS)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * ca. 763–766 – Willibald uses it of the testimony of martyrdom.^(DMLBS)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The [[m|en|attestation|alt=attesting]] or solemn affirming of a fact, especially in court; [[m|en|testimony]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Proof or demonstration of a fact by some action.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' An [[m|en|oath]]; a [[m|en|covenant]].^(DMLBS)

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

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}