insigne Latin · revision 7776
16 Oct 2026, 14:34 by bogdan “New Latin entry (sources: de Vaan, OLD, Lewis & Short, TLL...)” current version
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+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Cicero|origins=la signum}}
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA (Classical): [ĩːˈsɪŋ.nɛ]^(Wiktionary)
+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [inˈsiɲ.ɲe]^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Forms==
+ '''īnsigne''' ''n'' (genitive īnsignis); third declension^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is the neuter of [[īnsignis]] “marked, distinguished”, from [[in-]] and [[signum]] “mark”, used as a noun.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero, of a badge of rank and of a token.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^(Köbler 2010)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ It meant something worn or carried as a mark of rank or identity, a badge of office, as in Cicero, and in Caesar on things such as ships.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) In Caesar it meant a decoration, and in Cicero a mark of honour, distinction.^(OLD 2012) In Pliny the Elder it meant a distinguishing mark, and in Cicero a token, symbol, as ''īnsigne vērī'' the mark of truth, and outward trappings.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)
+
+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a badge, distinctive sign, insignia, uniform.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval Latin used it for a banner, a blazon and a royal charter.^(Niermeyer 1976) It survives in Italian ''insegna'' and French ''enseigne'', which gave [[en|ensign]] in the early 15th century; its plural gave [[en|insignia]] in the 1640s.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a badge and a token.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it of decorations.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder uses it of a distinguishing mark.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * early 15th century – English ''ensign'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Noun===
+ # A badge of rank or office.^(OLD 2012)
+ # A decoration; a distinction.^(OLD 2012)
+ # A distinguishing mark.^(OLD 2012)
+ # A token, [[m|en|emblem]]; trappings.^(OLD 2012)
+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A banner; a [[m|en|blazon]].^(Niermeyer 1976)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[īnsigniārius]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[īnsignis]]
+ * [[signum]]
+ * [[en|ensign]]
+ * [[en|insignia]]
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}