initio Latin · revision 6964
16 Oct 2026, 12:58 by bogdan “New Latin entry (sources: de Vaan, OLD, Lewis & Short, TLL...)” current version
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+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Varro|origins=la ineō}}
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA (Classical): [ɪˈnɪ.ti.oː]^(Wiktionary)
+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [iˈnit.t͡si.o]^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Forms==
+ '''initiō''' (present infinitive initiāre, perfect active initiāvī, supine initiātum); first conjugation^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is from [[initium]] “beginning, entrance” with the verb suffix [[-ō]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(TLL) ⟨Initium⟩ is from [[ineō]] “to go in, begin”.^(Wiktionary) A deponent ⟨initior⟩ is also found.^(TLL)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Varro, of introducing someone to a practice.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Varro 116–27 BC.^(Köbler 2010)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ It meant to admit to religious rites or an association with introductory ceremonies, initiate, as in Cicero and Livy, of the mysteries.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) Figuratively it meant to introduce to a practice or skill, as in Varro.^(OLD 2012) Tertullian uses it of baptizing, of John the Baptist.^(Gaffiot 2016) In late Latin it meant to begin, originate, as Firmicus' “spring begins”.^(Lewis & Short 1879)
+
+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to initiate, admit to sacred rites, originate.^(Stelten 1995) It survives in Italian ''iniziare'' and Spanish and Portuguese ''iniciar''.^(Wiktionary) [[en|initiate]] comes from its participle ''initiātus'', recorded as a noun from 1732.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * 116–27 BC – Varro uses it of introducing to a practice.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the mysteries.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * c. 160–220 AD – Tertullian uses it of baptism.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 1732 – English ''initiate'' is recorded as a noun.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Verb===
+ # To [[m|en|initiate]] into rites or an association.^(OLD 2012)
+ # To introduce to a practice or skill.^(OLD 2012)
+ # ''(Late Latin)'' To baptize; to begin.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Lewis & Short 1879)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[ininitiatus]]
+ * [[initiāmentum]]
+ * [[initiātiō]]
+ * [[initiator]]
+ * [[initiatrix]]
+ * [[initiātus]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[ineō]]
+ * [[initiālis]]
+ * [[initium]]
+ * [[en|initiate]]
+ * [[en|initiative]]
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}