temporal etymology

Etymology

The word "temporal" is derived from Latin "temporalis", which in turn comes from "tempus", meaning "time".

Meaning

The primary meaning of "temporal" refers to:

  • Time-related: Pertaining to or relating to time.
  • Secular: Related to worldly affairs, as opposed to spiritual or religious matters.

Origin

  • Latin: tempus (time)
  • Proto-Indo-European: *tempos (to stretch, extend)

Historical Usage

The term "temporal" has been used since ancient times to describe things related to time and earthly matters. In the Middle Ages, it was often used to distinguish between the temporal power of the state and the spiritual power of the Church. The distinction between temporal and spiritual power was a key aspect of medieval political theory.

Modern Usage

Today, the term "temporal" is used in a variety of contexts, including:

  • Time: Referring to events or phenomena that occur within a specific period of time.
  • Secularity: Describing societies or institutions that are not based on religious principles.
  • Biology: Referring to structures or processes that are transient or non-permanent.
  • Cognition: Describing memory that is explicitly encoded in relation to a particular time or context.

Related Words

  • Temporality: The quality or condition of being temporal.
  • Temporization: The act of delaying or prolonging something in order to gain time.
  • Temporal lobes: Regions of the brain associated with memory and language processing.

temporal relate terms

  • temple

    Etymology The English word temple is derived from the Latin word templum which in t

  • temporary

    Etymology The word temporary comes from the Late Latin temporarius meaning of time

  • temporal

    Etymology The word temporal is derived from Latin temporalis which in turn comes fro

  • temp

    Etymology The word temp is a shortened form of the word temporary Meaning A temp

  • contretemps

    Etymology French contretemps Latin contra against tempus time Meaning An u

  • extempore

    Etymology The word extempore comes from the Latin phrase ex tempore meaning out of

  • pastime

    Etymology Middle English pastime from Old French passetemps pastime recreation O

  • tidy

    Etymology From Middle English tidy meaning timely seasonable Ultimately derived f

  • secularism

    Etymology The term secularism is derived from the Latin word saeculum meaning worl

  • blessing

    Etymology Old English blēdsian from Proto Germanic blōdisōn Cognate with Old High G

  • theology

    Etymology and Origin The word theology is derived from two Greek roots Theos Meanin

  • secular

    Etymology The word secular derives from the Latin word saecularis which means perta

  • role

    Etymology The word role originates from the Old French word rolle which in turn com

  • reparation

    Etymology The word reparation comes from the Latin word reparātiō meaning restor