docility etymology

Etymology:

Latin: docilitas (teachability, gentleness) Late Latin: docilis (teachable, pliable)

Meaning:

  • The quality of being easily taught, managed, or controlled.
  • Submissiveness, meekness.

Origin:

The word "docility" originated in Latin as "docilitas," which referred to the quality of being teachable or receptive to instruction. It is derived from the Latin verb "docere," meaning "to teach."

Over time, the meaning of "docilitas" expanded to encompass not only the ability to be taught but also the disposition to be submissive and obedient. This shift in meaning is evident in the late Latin usage of "docilis," which often carried the connotation of meekness or gentleness.

Examples of Usage:

  • "The child's docility made her a joy to teach."
  • "The dog's docility allowed it to be trained easily."
  • "The prisoner's docility surprised the prison guards."
  • "The nation's docility made it easy for the dictator to seize power."
  • "The plant's docility to pruning makes it popular for topiary."

docility relate terms

  • condign

    Etymology The word condign has its origins in Latin con meaning together or wi

  • dainty

    Etymology French daint delicate c 1300 Middle English deyntee dayntee c 1340 O

  • decent

    Etymology Latin decens befitting proper becoming Proto Indo European dek ri

  • decor

    Etymology The word decor comes from the Latin word decorus which means proper fi

  • decorate

    Etymology Latin decorare to adorn beautify Proto Indo European deḱ to grow

  • decorous

    Etymology Latin decorus seemly becoming Proto Indo European dek decency com

  • deign

    Etymology The word deign originates from the Old French word deignier which in turn

  • dignify

    Etymology The word dignify comes from the Latin word dignus meaning worthy or d

  • dignity

    Etymology The word dignity comes from the Latin word dignitas which means worth or

  • diplodocus

    Etymology Name Diplodocus Meaning Double beam Origin Greek words diploos double

  • disciple

    Etymology The word disciple comes from the Latin discipulus which means pupil or

  • discipline

    Etymology Latin disciplina Meaning instruction teaching training Origin discer

  • disdain

    Etymology The word disdain comes from the Old French word desdaignier meaning to

  • docent

    Etymology The word docent is derived from the Latin verb docere which means to teac

  • Docetism

    Etymology The term Docetism derives from the Greek word dokein which means to seem

  • docile

    Etymology Latin docibilis teachable gentle Ultimately from Proto Indo European

  • docimacy

    Etymology Greek δοκιμασία dokimasia testing trial Latin docimare to te

  • doctor

    Etymology The word doctor derives from the Latin word docēre meaning to teach M

  • doctrine

    Etymology The word doctrine originates from the Latin word doctrina which means tea

  • document

    Etymology The word document originates from the Latin word documentum which means p

  • dogma

    Etymology Greek dogma δόγμα meaning opinion belief decree Meaning A

  • dogmatic

    Etymology The word dogmatic originates from the Latin word dogma which means doctr

  • doxology

    Etymology From Late Latin doxologia from Greek δοξολογία doxologia from δ

  • heterodox

  • indignance

    Etymology Late Latin indignatio from Latin indignari to be indignant from Indi

  • indignant

    Etymology Indignus Latin meaning unworthy undeserving ant Suffix denoting a qual

  • indignation

    Etymology Late Latin indignatio from Latin indignus unworthy from in not dign

  • indignity

    Etymology Latin indignitas unworthiness indignity Proto Indo European dheigh

  • orthodox

    Etymology The word orthodox derives from the Greek words ortho meaning right st

  • paradox

    Etymology The word paradox originates from the Greek language para παρά mea

  • synecdoche

    Etymology and Origin The word synecdoche originates from the Greek words syn togethe

  • mudsill

    Etymology The term mudsill is derived from the following roots Mud Earth that is so

  • economy

    Etymology Oikos Greek house or household Nomos Greek law or management

  • justice

    Etymology and Origin of Justice Etymology The word justice derives from the Latin te

  • medicine

    Etymology The word medicine originates from the Latin word medicina which in turn i

  • court

    Etymology The word court originates from the Old French word cort which in turn deri

  • saloon

    Etymology The word saloon is derived from the French word salon which means large

  • diligent

    Etymology Latin diligens present participle of diligere to love to appreciate to f

  • abeyance

    Etymology The word abeyance comes from the Old French word abeance which means cess

  • cemetery

    Etymology and Origin The word cemetery originates from the Greek word koimeterion m