sacramentum Latin · revision 8113

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Varro|origins=la sacer}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [sa.kraːˈmɛn.tũː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [sa.kraˈmɛn.tum]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''sacrāmentum''' ''n'' (genitive sacrāmentī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[sacrō]] “to consecrate”, from [[sacer]] “sacred”, with the suffix [[-mentum]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline) Isidore explains it as a pledge, so called because breaking a promise is perfidy.^(Isidore)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Varro, of the sum staked in a lawsuit.^(OLD 2012) Köbler's first source is Cicero; he dates Varro 116–27 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In classical Latin it was a legal and military term.^(Lewis & Short 1879) In law it was the sum each party to a suit deposited with the pontiffs, the loser's stake going to religious uses, and the suit itself, as in Varro and Cicero.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016) In Cicero it meant the soldier's oath of allegiance, in Petronius a solemn obligation, and in Apuleius perhaps an initiation.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein explains that ''iūsiūrandum'' is a civil oath, ''sacrāmentum'' a soldier's oath.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In Christian Latin it meant a hidden truth, a mystery, sacred doctrine, a profession of faith, a Christian rite or sacrament, a religious feast, the Mass and the Eucharist.^(Niermeyer 1976) Ecclesiastical Latin uses it for a symbol, rite, mystery and sacrament.^(Stelten 1995) Isidore names baptism, chrism and the Eucharist as sacraments.^(Isidore) British Medieval Latin used it for a formal oath, as the corporal oath sworn touching a sacred object.^(DMLBS) It survives in Italian and Spanish ''sacramento'', and as French ''serment'' “oath”; through Old French it gave [[en|sacrament]] in late Old English.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro uses it of the stake in a lawsuit.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+ * c. 560–636 AD – Isidore defines the sacraments.^(Isidore)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late Old English – English ''sacrament'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(law)'' The sum deposited by each party to a suit; the suit.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # A military [[m|en|oath]] of allegiance.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A solemn obligation.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Initiation.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' A [[m|en|mystery]]; a [[m|en|sacrament]]; the [[m|en|Eucharist]].^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A formal oath.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[sacrāmentālis]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[sacer]]

+ * [[sacerdōs]]

+ * [[sacerdōtālis]]

+ * [[sacerdōtium]]

+ * [[sacerdōtula]]

+ * [[sacrārium]]

+ * [[sacrārius]]

+ * [[sacrātē]]

+ * [[sacrātiō]]

+ * [[sacrātor]]

+ * [[sacrō]]

+ * [[en|sacrament]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes it from [[iūsiūrandum]].^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}