Glossary
History n. Before 1393 histoire story, legend, biography; borrowed from Old French histoire, estoire, estorie; and borrowed from Latin historia narrative, account, tale, story, from Greek historia a learning or knowing by inquiry, history, record, narrative, from historein inquire, from histor wise man, judge; related to idein to see, eidenai to know; for suffix see -Y. The meaning of a record of past events is probably first recorded about 1451, and the spelling historie (about 1425). -historian n. Probably before 1439, borrowed from Middle French historien, from Latin historia; for suffix see -IAN, -AN. -historic adj. 1669, probably a back formation from historical, possibly influenced by French historique. -historical adj. Probably before 1425 historicalle, formed in English from Latin historicus, Greek historikos + English suffix -al or -ical.
[Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (Copyright 1995), Robert K. Barnhart, pp. 354-355]
Astrology - c.1375, from L. astrologia "astronomy," from Gk. astrologia "telling of the stars," from astron "star" + -logia "treating of," comb. form of logon "one who speaks (in a certain manner)." Originally identical with astronomy, it had also a special sense of "practical astronomy, astronomy applied to prediction of events." This was divided into natural astrology "the calculation and foretelling of natural phenomenon" (tides, eclipses, etc.), and judicial astrology "the art of judging occult influences of stars on human affairs" (also known as astromancy, 1652). Differentiation began late 1400s and by the 17th century this word was limited to "reading influences of the stars and their effects on human destiny." (credit: the Online Etymology Dictionary)
*Links: http://www.mayanmajix.com/lab_F1.html
Allegory n. About 1384, probably borrowed from, Latin allegoria, from Greek allegoria, from allegorein speak otherwise than one seems to speak, (allos another, different + agoreuein speak openly, from agora public place); for suffix see -Y(3). -allegorical adj. 1528, from earlier allegoric (about 1395), borrowed from Latin allegoricus, from Greek allegorikos, from allegoria; for suffix see -ICAL.
[Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (Copyright 1995), Robert K. Barnhart, pp. 18-19]
Allegory n. pl -ries : story in which figures and actions are symbols of general truths -al-le-gor-i-cal adj
[Based on: Webster's Vest Pocket Dictionary (Copyright 1981), p. 9]
Incarnate embodied in flesh XIV; flesh coloured XVI. - ecclL. incarnatus, pp. of incarnari be made flesh, f. IN-1 + caro, carn- flesh; see CARNAL, - ATE2. So incarnation embodiment in flesh XIII (concr. XVIII; +flesh-colour XV. - (O)F. - ecclL.
[Based on: Oxford Concise Dictionary of English Etymology, 1996 paperback version, p. 232]
Incorporate put into the body of something XIV; combine or form into one body, adopt into a body XVI. f. pp. stem of late L. incorporare; see IN-1 CORPORATE. So incorporation XIV. - late L.
[Based on: Oxford Concise Dictionary of English Etymology, 1996 paperback version, p. 232]
Incorporate n. Before 1398 incorporaten combine into one body, include; borrowed from Late Latin incorporatus, past participle of incorporare unite into one body (Latin in- into + corpus [genetive corporis] body; for suffix see -ATE1. The meaning of establish a legal corporation is first recorded in the Rolls of Parliament (1461). - incorporation n. 1398, borrowed from Late Latin incorporationem (nominative incorporatio) uniting, from incorporare to incorporate.
[Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (Copyright 1995), Robert K. Barnhart, p 382]
Soul - n. Before 1121 sawle, later sowle, soule (probably before 1200); developed from Old English sawol the spiritual and emotional part of a person, animate existence (about 725, in Beowulf); cognate with Old Frisian sele, Old Low Franconian sela, sila, Middle Dutch siele (modern German Seele), and Gothic saiwala, from Proto-Germanic *saiwalo coming from or belonging to the sea, so related because that was supposed to be a stopping place of the soul before birth and after death. The meaning of a spirit of a (deceased) person is first recorded in Old English in 971, and that of a person, individual (as in every living soul aboard ship), about 1000.
[Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (Copyright 1995), Robert K. Barnhart, p 740]
Soul - +life; spiritual or emotional part of man; disembodied spirit of a man OE.; sawol, saw(e)l = Goth. saiwala, corr. to OS. seola (Du. ziel), OHG se(u)la (G. seele); Gmc. *saiwalo, corr. formally to Gr. aiolos quick-moving, easily moved. [Based on: Oxford Concise Dictionary of English Etymology, 1996 paperback version, p. 450
Soul Generally, the manifesting vehicle or garment in which an ego clothes itself. First in serial order is the monad, on whatever plane and of whatever class; its vehicle or carrier is its efflux, the ego; which in its turn clothes itself in its own vital garment which is soul. Cosmically, therefore, soul is the vehicle or upadhi of spirit. As the monad creates for its manifestation successive vehicles, soul in its widest sense includes all these, even the physical body; but it is usually used in an aggregative sense to designate the intermediate nature, excluding the monad on the one hand and the physical body on the other. Such division produces the triad of spirit, soul, body, where soul is the vehicle of spirit, and body is the vehicle of soul and spirit. The soul is evolved by experiences on different planes. In itself it is merely a vehicle; but, informed by the monad, through the latter's ego, it is a living conscious entity. The broad meaning is particularized with qualifying adjectives such as animal soul, human soul, etc. Saying that every living thing -- animal, vegetable, or mineral - has a soul, refers to the intermediate nature of the being, of which its physical body is the vehicle. Souls, like bodies, are aggregates of innumerable subordinate lives or life-atoms of various orders. Equivalent to the Greek psyche and the Hebrew nephesh.
[Based on: http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/etgloss/son-sq.htm] - [T.D. - 05/24/08]
Soul. Atma. That spark of divine life which God has placed within the human or other forms to give them existence. That which has no form, no movement, no location in the world of time and space, but has the ability to know, see, hear, and perceive; that is, has perception, opinions, and the ability to assume, or claim, a position in life's work, or the SPIRITUAL WORLDS; the creative center of Its own world. See also BEINGNESS.
[Based on: A Cosmic Sea of Words THE ECKANKAR LEXICON, Harold Klemp, Copyright 1998 Eckankar, p. 193]
Spirit - n. About 1250, animating or vital principle,
breath of life; borrowed from Old French espirit, and directly from
Latin spiritus (genetive spiritus) soul, courage, vigor, breath,
related to spirare to breathe.
The original English uses of spirit are mainly derived
from passages in the Vulgate, in which Latin spiritus is used to translate
Greek pneuma and Hebrew ruah. The meaning of a supernatural
being, is first recorded probably before 1350, and the sense of the essential
principle (as in the spirit of independence), before 1382. The plural
spirits volatile substance is first recorded in 1610; and strong alcoholic
liquor, in 1678. -v. 1592, make more lively; from the noun. The meaning
of carry off or away secretly is first recorded in 1666. -spiritual
adj. About 1303 spirituele of, relating to, or consisting of spirit,
relating to sacred or religious matters; borrowed from Old French
spirituel, and directly from Medieval Latin spiritualis of
or pertaining to breath, wind, air, or spirit, from Latin spiritus
spirit; for suffix see -AL1. -n. Probably before 1400,
the church; later, a spiritual person (1532); from the adjective. A spiritual
song, is first recorded in 1870. -spiritualism n. 1796, tendency towards
a spiritual view of things; formed in English from spiritual, adj.
+ -ism, perhaps on the model of French spiritualisme.
-spiritualist n. 1649, formed from English spiritual, adj.
+ -ist, perhaps on the model of French spiritualiste.
[Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (Copyright 1995), Robert K. Barnhart, p 747]
Spirit - A. breath of life; B. vital principle; C. incorporeal being XIII; immaterial element of a human being; D. vital power XIV; E. +any of four substances so named of the alchemists XIV; liquid of the nature of an essence XVII. - AN., aphetic of espirit, OF. esperit (also mod.) esprit - L. spiritus breathing, breath, air, life, soul, pride, courage, (in Chr. use) incorporeal being, f. spirare breathe. Hence spirit vb (arch.) enliven, inspirit XVI; carry away mysteriously XVII. spirited .... [Based on: Oxford Concise Dictionary of English Etymology, 1996 paperback version, p. 450
Spirit Cosmically, the homogeneous emanation from the universal cosmic monad; in man, the direct emanation of his spiritual monad, the immortal element in us which never was born and which retains through the mahamanvantara its own quality, essence, and characteristics. It sends its ray through the laya-centers of all the various sheaths of consciousness-substance, and is itself a ray of the all-spirit is used specifically for the union of the higher part of manas with atma-buddhi.
"The lack of any mutual agreement between writers in the use of this word has resulted in dire confusion. It is commonly made synonymous with soul; and the lexicographers countenance the usage. In Theosophical teachings the term 'Spirit' is applied solely to that which belongs directly to Universal Consciousness, and which is its homogeneous and unadulterated emanation. Thus, the higher Mind in Man or his Ego (Manas) is when linked indissolubly with Buddhi, a spirit; while the term 'Soul,' human or even animal (the lower Manas acting in animals as instinct), is applied only to Kama-Manas, and qualified as the living soul. This is nephesh, is Hebrew, the 'breath of life.' Spirit is formless and immaterial, being, when individualised, of the highest spiritual substance - Suddasatwa [Suddha-sattva], the divine essence, of which the body of the manifesting highest Dhyanis are formed. Therefore, the Theosophists reject the appellation 'Spirits' for those phantoms which appear in the phenomenal manifestation of the Spiritualists, and call them 'shells,' and various other names. (See 'Suksham Sarira [sukshma-sarira].) Spirit, in short, is no entity in the sense of having form; for, as Buddhist philosophy has it, where there is a form, there is a cause for pain and suffering. But each individual spirit - this individuality lasting only throughout the manvantaric life-cycle - may be described as a centre of consciousness, a self-sentient and self-conscious centre; a state, not a conditioned individual. This is why there is such a wealth of words in Sanskrit to express the different States of Being, Beings and Entities, each appellation showing the philosophical difference, the plane to which such unit belongs, and the degree of its spirituality or materiality. Unfortunately these terms are almost untranslatable into our Western tongues" (TG 306-7).
When paired with matter, it denotes the active, positive, or energic side of dual manifestation; and saying that spirit and matter are one means they are one essentially, being different only as aspects of one fundamental unity. In many languages the same word means both spirit and breath or wind; spirit is related to air among the subtle cosmic elements (maha-tattvas or mahabhutas).
Spirit, considered as the cosmic Ens (being) or Brahman is not the cosmic primordial root, but its first manifestation, corresponding to the Greek First Logos - either parabrahman-mulaprakriti, when applied to the galaxy; or Brahman-pradhana when applied to our solar system.
[Based on: http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/etgloss/son-sq.htm] - [T.D. - 05/24/08]
Spirit. The feeling, or the energy, which the SUGMAD gives off to make the worlds function; the sustaining power of the SUGMAD; the ECK, which is not the SUGMAD, Itself, but that which flows out of It, being in the whole of all things, here and now; true reality. See also DIVINE SPIRIT.
[Based on: A Cosmic Sea of Words THE ECKANKAR LEXICON, Harold Klemp, Copyright 1998 Eckankar, pp. 194-195] [Note: SUGMAD is a word for "God" & ECK is a word for "Spirit" (generally speaking) - in Eckankar terminology.]
Mythos - anything delivered by word of mouth, word, speech: as opp. to "ergon", a mere word, without the deed: a speech II. talk, conversation: also, the subject of conversation, the matter itself. III. advice, a command, order. IV. a purpose, design, plan. V. a tale, story: afterwards, "muthos" was the poetic or legendary tale, as opposed to the historical account. 2.) a tale, story, fable, such as Aesop's fables.
[Based on: Liddell & Scott's Greek-English Lexicon 1891 (17th edition), p. 454]
Myth n. 1380, in part borrowed through French mythe (1818), and directly from New Latin mythus, from Greek mythos speech, thought, story, myth; and in part probably a back formation from earlier mythology and perhaps mythical. The earlier form mythus, never became established in English but gave way to the popular myth. -mythical adj. 1687, formed in English from Late Latin mythicus legendary, from Greek mythikos, from mythos myth + English -AL(1). -mythological adj. 1614, formed from English mythology + -ical. -mythology n. Before 1420 methologie the exposition or interpretation of myths; later mythologie (about 1450); borrowed through Middle French mythologie, and directly from Late Latin mythologia, from Greek mythologia legendary lore, from mythos myth; for suffix see -LOGY. The meaning of a body of myths, is first recorded in 1781.
[Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (Copyright 1995), Robert K. Barnhart, p. 497]
Myth n. 1 : legendary narrative explaining a belief or phenomenon 2 : imaginary person or thing -myth-i-cal adj
[Based on: Webster's Vest Pocket Dictionary (Copyright 1981), p. 210]
Legend n. Probably before
1325, story of the life of a saint; borrowed from Old French legende,
and directly as a learned borrowing from Medieval Latin legenda legend,
story; originally, (things) to be read (on certain days in church, etc.),
from Latin, neuter plural gerundive of legere to read, gather,
select.
The extended sense of a nonhistorical or mythical story is first
recorded in 1386, and that of an inscription in 1611. -legendary adj.
1563-87 legendarie of the nature of a legend, celebrated in legend;
borrowed directly from Medieval Latin legendarius, from legenda
(things) to be read; for suffix see - ARY..
[Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (Copyright 1995), Robert K. Barnhart, p. 427]
Legend n. 1 : story handed down from the past 2 : inscription -leg-end-ary adj
[Based on: Webster's Vest Pocket Dictionary (Copyright 1981), p. 181]
Gestalt - n. 1922, in compounds Gestalt-psychologists and Gestalt theory; earlier, as part of a German compound Gestaltqualitat the quality of a Gestalt (1909), from Middle High German gestalt form, configuration, appearance, abstracted from ungestalt deformity, noun use of the adjective ungestalt misshapen (un- UN- + gestalt, obsolete past participle of stellen to place, arrange).
[Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (1995 Edition), Robert K. Barnhart, p. 315]
Church .... from Greek kyriakon [kurikon] doma the Lord's house, from kyrios [kurios] master, from kyros [kuros] power .... [my brackets]
[Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (1995 Edition), Robert K. Barnhart, p. 125]
Corpus pl. corpora body XIV; body of writings XVIII. - L. 'body'. In XIV-XVI perh. a var. of corpes, CORPSE
[Based on: Oxford Concise Dictionary of English Etymology, 1996 paperback version, p. 98]
Corpse +body, person; lifeless body. XIV. orig. graphic var. of cors (mod. corps):- L. corpus body (see CORPUS). The inserted p had infl. the pronunc. before 1500; the sp. corpse (with final e), though appearing as early as XVI, did not become general before XIX.
[Based on: Oxford Concise Dictionary of English Etymology, 1996 paperback version, p. 98]
Corporal (1) linen cloth on which the host and chalice are placed at the Eucharist XIV. - (O)F. corporal or medL. corporale. sb. use of corporalis CORPORAL2.
[Based on: Oxford Concise Dictionary of English Etymology, 1996 paperback version, p. 98]
Corporal (2) bodily; + corporeal, material XIV - OF. (mod corporel) - L. corporalis, f. corpus body; see -AL1. So corporality XIV. - late L.
[Based on: Oxford Concise Dictionary of English Etymology, 1996 paperback version, p. 98]
Corporal (1) adj. of the body, bodily. About 1390 corporel secular, temporal (probably before 1400) of the body, physical; borrowed from Old French corporal, learned borrowing from Latin corporalis of the body, from corpus (genetive corporis) body; for suffix see -AL1.
[Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (Copyright 1995), Robert K. Barnhart, p. 163]
Corporeal adj. Probably before 1425; formed in English from Latin corporeus belonging to the body (from corpus, genetive corporis body) + English - al1.
[Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (Copyright 1995), Robert K. Barnhart, p. 163]
Corporate forming a corporation XV; corporeal, belonging to the body politic XVII. - L. corporatus, pp. of corporare fashion into or with a body, collect. f. corpor-; see CORPUS, - ATE2. So corporation + incorporation XV; body of persons, esp. one formally incorporated XV; (large) abdomen XVIII (cf. the obs. use of corporate for 'corpulent').
[Based on: Oxford Concise Dictionary of English Etymology, 1996 paperback version, p. 98]
Corporate adj. 1425 corporat, borrowed from Latin corporatus, past participle of corporare form into a body, from corpus (genetive corporis) body; for suffix see - ATE1. - corporation n. 1439, a legal corporate body, the governing body of an incorporated town; borrowed from Late Latin corporationem (nominative corporatio), in Classical Latin, an embodying, physical makeup, from corporare form into a body; for suffix see -TION.
[Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (Copyright 1995), Robert K. Barnhart, p. 163]
Fictile - XVII. - L. fictilis, f. fict-, pp. stem of fingere fashion; see -ILE. [Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (Copyright 1995), Robert K. Barnhart, p. 170]
Fiction - something feigned, invention XIV; composition dealing with imaginary events XVI. (O)F. - L. fictio, -on-, f. fict-; see prec. and -TION. So Ficticious XVII. f. L. ficticius. [Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (Copyright 1995), Robert K. Barnhart, p. 170]
Fable n. Probably before 1300, a falsehood, lie, pretense; later, a ficticious or imaginative story (before 1325); borrowing of Old French fable, from Latin fabula discourse, story, play, fable, from fari, speak, tell. Before 1400 fablen tell fables; borrowed from Old French fabler, from Latin fabulari to talk, from fabula.
[Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (Copyright 1995), Robert K. Barnhart, p. 267]
Fable n. 1 : legendary story 2 : story that teaches a lesson -fa-bled
[Based on: Webster's Vest Pocket Dictionary (Copyright 1981), p. 112]
Fabulous adj. Probably before 1425, mythical, legendary; borrowed, probably through Middle French fabuleux, learned borrowing from Latin, and directly as a fabulosus celebrated in fable, from fabula fable; see FABLE; for suffix see -OUS. The sense of incredible, is first recorded in English in 1609.
[Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (Copyright 1995), Robert K. Barnhart, p. 267]
Fabulous adj. 1 : like, told in, or based on fable 2 : incredible or marvelous -fab-u-lous-ly adv
[Based on: Webster's Vest Pocket Dictionary (Copyright 1981), p. 112]
Trivia n. pl. 1902, borrowing of Latin trivia, plural of trivium place where three roads meet, common place, gutter, a meaning reinforced by influence of English trivial.
[Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (Copyright 1995), Robert K. Barnhart, p. 833]
Trivial adj. Before 1425 trivialle of the trivium; borrowed from Medieval Latin trivialis, from trivium first three of the seven liberal arts, in Latin from trivium place where three roads meet (tri- three + via road); for suffix see -AL. The meaning of ordinary (1589) and of not important, insignificant, in 1593 were borrowed from Latin trivialis commonplace, vulgar; originally, of or belonging to the crossroads, from trivium. -triviality n. 1598, trivial quality; later, trivial matter (1611); formed from English trivial + ity.
[Based on: The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology (Copyright 1995), Robert K. Barnhart, p. 834]
Last updated 03/27/10