instrumentum Latin · revision 7504
16 Oct 2026, 13:58 by bogdan “New Latin entry (sources: de Vaan, OLD, Lewis & Short, TLL...)” current version
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+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Cato|origins=la īnstruō}}
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA (Classical): [ĩː.struːˈmɛn.tũː]^(Wiktionary)
+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [in.struˈmɛn.tum]^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Forms==
+ '''īnstrūmentum''' ''n'' (genitive īnstrūmentī); second declension^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is from [[īnstruō]] “to build, equip” with the suffix [[-mentum]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(TLL) Isidore defines it as that with which we build something, as a knife, a pen or an adze.^(Isidore)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Cato, of the equipment for a trade.^(OLD 2012) Köbler's first source is Cicero; he dates Cato 234–149 BC.^(Köbler 2010)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ It meant equipment, tools, apparatus, collectively, as in Cato, a single tool, as in Varro, and the outfit or chattels of a person or place.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) In Cicero it meant the means for a purpose, an instrument, and a person's mental equipment, and Verres' furniture.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) In Quintilian it meant evidence on which a case rests, and a legal document, deed.^(OLD 2012)
+
+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a tool, document, record, means.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval Latin used it for a holy book, a part of Scripture, and teaching.^(Niermeyer 1976) It survives in Italian ''strumento'' and Spanish ''instrumento'', and [[en|instrument]] came in the late 13th century, first of a musical instrument.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of equipment.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a means.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it of a legal document.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * late 13th century – English ''instrument'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Noun===
+ # Equipment, tools, apparatus; a tool.^(OLD 2012)
+ # Outfit, chattels, stock.^(OLD 2012)
+ # A means, [[m|en|instrument]]; mental equipment.^(OLD 2012)
+ # ''(law)'' Evidence; a document, [[m|en|deed]].^(OLD 2012)
+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A book of [[m|en|Scripture]].^(Niermeyer 1976)
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[īnstructē]]
+ * [[īnstructiō]]
+ * [[īnstructor]]
+ * [[īnstructūra]]
+ * [[īnstrūctus]]
+ * [[īnstruō]]
+ * [[en|instrument]]
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}