Humanitext Reader

Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §50.16.31.pr

Legal Definition and Etymology of Meadow

Passage 8845 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

Ulpian defines 'meadow' (pratum) and explains its etymology as being derived from the word meaning 'ready' (paratum) for gathering fruit.

[ULPIANUS libro octauo decimo ad edictum. ] §50.16.31.pr'Pratum' est, in quo ad fructum percipiendum falce dumtaxat opus est: ex eo dictum, quod paratum sit ad fructum capiendum.
[ULPIAN, in the eighteenth book on the Edict.] 'Meadow' is that in which, for the purpose of gathering the fruit, there is need only of a scythe: it is so called from this, because it is ready for taking the fruit.

Notes

  1. §50.16.31.prex eo dictum, quod paratum sit — This is based on the ancient folk etymology that 'pratum' (meadow) derives from 'paratum' (ready). Syntactically, the demonstrative 'eo' is explained by the appositive or causal 'quod' clause ('because it is ready'). The subjunctive 'sit' indicates a reported or subjective reason.

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §50.16.31.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:50.16.31.pr

Please note the AI-draft status of the translation and the date accessed.

Translation, notes and summary are AI-generated drafts, revised through reader feedback.