tractatus Latin · revision 7117

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Cicero|origins=la trahō}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''tractātus''' ''m'' (genitive tractātūs); fourth declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[tractō]] “to handle, treat” with the suffix of action nouns [[-tus]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Gaffiot 2016) ⟨Tractō⟩ is the frequentative of [[trahō]] “to draw”.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Cicero, of the management of an activity.^(OLD 2012) Köbler's first source is Livy; he dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its literal sense, a handling, touching, is rare and not in Cicero, as Pliny's handling of nuts and plants tamed by handling like wild beasts.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(OLD 2012) It meant the management or exercise of an activity, as in Cicero and Quintilian, the treatment or discussion of a subject, a method of treatment, and in Ulpian the consideration of a proposal.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a tract, treatise, sermon, homily.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval Latin used it of a treatise or written exposition and of a homily, and British Medieval Latin also of a haul of fish.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(DMLBS) Old French ''traitié'' “agreement, dealings” gave [[en|treaty]] in the late 14th century, and [[en|tractate]] is a learned borrowing.^(Etymonline)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of management.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy has the word.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 23/24–79 AD – Pliny uses it of handling and of treatment of a subject.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 14th century – English ''treaty'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A handling, touching.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Management, practice.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Treatment, discussion of a subject.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Consideration of a proposal.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' A [[m|en|treatise]], [[m|en|homily]].^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[tractō]]

+ * [[trahō]]

+ * [[en|treaty]]

+ * [[en|tractate]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}