ambitio Latin · revision 9469
16 Oct 2026, 18:48 by bogdan “New Latin entry (sources: de Vaan, OLD, Lewis & Short, TLL...)” current version
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+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=la ambi-, la eō}}
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA (Classical): [amˈbɪ.ti.oː]^(Wiktionary)
+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [amˈbit.t͡si.o]^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Forms==
+ '''ambitiō''' ''f'' (genitive ambitiōnis); third declension^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is from [[ambiō]] “to go round” with the suffix [[-tiō]]; ⟨ambiō⟩ is from [[ambi-]] “around” and [[eō]] “to go”.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of canvassing for votes.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ It was the going round of candidates soliciting votes, canvassing, by lawful means, as distinct from ''ambitus'', canvassing by illegal means; candidature, as in Cicero; a striving after popularity, currying favour, as in Cato; desire for advancement, ambition, as in Cicero; partiality, favouritism, as in Livy; and vain display, ostentation, as in Seneca.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)
+
+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it was ambition, strong desire, flattery, canvassing.^(Stelten 1995) British Medieval Latin used it for a retinue and for the boundary of a place.^(DMLBS) [[en|ambition]] came through Old French ''ambicion'' in the mid-14th century, “eager desire for honour”.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of canvassing.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of currying favour.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of ambition.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * mid-14th century – English ''ambition'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Noun===
+ # [[m|en|canvassing|alt=Canvassing]] for votes; candidature.^(OLD 2012)
+ # Currying favour; desire for advancement, [[m|en|ambition]].^(OLD 2012)
+ # [[m|en|partiality|alt=Partiality]], favouritism.^(OLD 2012)
+ # [[m|en|ostentation|alt=Ostentation]], show.^(OLD 2012)
+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A retinue; a boundary.^(DMLBS)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[ambitiōsus]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[ambiō]]
+ * [[ambitiōsē]]
+ * [[ambītor]]
+ * [[ambitūdō]]
+ * [[ambitus]]
+ * [[abitiō]]
+ * [[circumitiō]]
+ * [[cōitiō]]
+ * [[interitiō]]
+ * [[praeteritiō]]
+ * [[en|ambition]]
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}