definitio Latin · revision 7931
16 Oct 2026, 14:48 by bogdan “New Latin entry (sources: de Vaan, OLD, Lewis & Short, TLL...)” current version
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+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Rhetorica ad Herennium|origins=la fīnis}}
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA (Classical): [deː.fiːˈniː.ti.oː]^(Wiktionary)
+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [de.fiˈnit.t͡si.o]^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Forms==
+ '''dēfīnītiō''' ''f'' (genitive dēfīnītiōnis); third declension^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is from [[dēfīniō]] “to bound, define” with the suffix [[-tiō]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline) Manuscripts often write ⟨diff-⟩.^(OLD 2012)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ The OLD's earliest citations are from the ''Rhetorica ad Herennium'', of an argument from definition, and Cicero, of a definition.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates the ''Rhetorica'' 86/82 BC.^(Köbler 2010)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ In an inscription it meant the marking of a boundary.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) From Cicero it meant a precise description, definition, and a specification, classification, and in rhetoric an argument from the definition of a term.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) In Gellius and Pliny it meant an authoritative ruling.^(OLD 2012) Isidore calls it the philosophers' tool for explaining what a thing is.^(Isidore)
+
+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a definition, determination, measure.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval Latin used it for fixing a time, a resolution, and a definition.^(Niermeyer 1976) It survives in Italian ''definizione'' and French ''définition'', and [[en|definition]] came in the late 14th century, “decision, setting of boundaries”.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * 86/82 BC – The ''Rhetorica ad Herennium'' uses it in rhetoric.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a definition.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * c. 165 AD – Gellius uses it of a ruling.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * late 14th century – English ''definition'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Noun===
+ # The marking of a boundary.^(OLD 2012)
+ # A [[m|en|definition]]; a specification.^(OLD 2012)
+ # ''(rhetoric)'' An argument from definition.^(OLD 2012)
+ # A ruling.^(OLD 2012)
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[dēfīniō]]
+ * [[fīnis]]
+ * [[en|definition]]
+ * [[en|define]]
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}