habitus Latin · revision 7764

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Lucretius|origins=la habeō}}

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+ ==Forms==

+ '''habitus''' ''m'' (genitive habitūs); fourth declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[habeō]] “to have, hold” with the suffix of action nouns [[-tus]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(TLL)^(Etymonline) Isidore says it is named from having, as having knowledge in the mind or clothing on the body.^(Isidore)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Lucretius, of the condition of the body.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Lucretius 96–55 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant a state, condition, of the body, as in Lucretius, and in Cicero of other things and of circumstances.^(OLD 2012) In Cicero it meant expression, bearing, as ''ōris habitus'' “the features”, and in Celsus posture.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) From Virgil it meant dress, attire proper to a class or occasion.^(OLD 2012) From the ''Rhetorica ad Herennium'' it meant physical character, and in Cicero constitution, build.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein explains that ''vestis'' is the general word for clothing, while ''habitus'' is dress as part of one's appearance.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant habit, garb, dress, appearance, condition, disposition.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval Latin used it for a mode of life, manners, and life under a monastic rule.^(Niermeyer 1976) It was borrowed into Italian as ''abito'' and Spanish ''hábito'', and Old French ''habit'' gave [[en|habit]] in the early 13th century, first of a religious order's attire.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of bodily condition.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of dress.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * early 13th century – English ''habit'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # State, condition.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Bearing, demeanour; posture.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Dress, attire.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Character, constitution; build.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' A religious [[m|en|habit]].^(Stelten 1995)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A way of life.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[habitūdō]]

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+ ==Related words==

+ * [[habeō]]

+ * [[en|habit]]

+ * [[en|habitus]]

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+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes it from [[vestis]], the general word for clothes.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}