legatio Latin · revision 8362

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Cicero|origins=la lēx}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ɫeːˈɡaː.ti.oː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [leˈɡat.t͡si.o]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''lēgātiō''' ''f'' (genitive lēgātiōnis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[lēgō]] “to send with a commission” with the suffix [[-tiō]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline) De Vaan takes ⟨lēgāre⟩ and its compounds to be derivatives of [[lēx]] “law”, since they all involve a task or assignment.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant the sending of a deputation, an embassy, the office of an ambassador, and the body of envoys, all in Cicero.^(OLD 2012) ''Lēgātiō lībera'' was a senator's privilege of free official transport and lodging when travelling on private business.^(OLD 2012) It was also the office of a ''lēgātus'' to a provincial governor.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ British Medieval Latin used it for the act of sending, as of letters.^(DMLBS) Through Old French ''legation'' it gave [[en|legation]] about 1400, “mission of a deputy or envoy”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * c. 1400 – English ''legation'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The sending of envoys, an [[m|en|embassy]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # The office of an ambassador; a commission.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A deputation, [[m|en|legation]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''lēgātiō lībera'', a senator's free journey on private business.^(OLD 2012)

+ # The office of a ''lēgātus''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[lēgātōrius]]

+ * [[lēgātum]]

+ * [[lēgātus]]

+ * [[lēgō]]

+ * [[lēx]]

+ * [[en|legation]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}