Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[BMO]

Hi,

How would you explain from its Latin root (in-, on, + cumbere, to lie) to mean an office holder?

Thanks.

bmo

[iitimone7]

incumbent is a Middle English word, taken from Medieival English begininning in the early 1400's.

imcumber: 'obtinere, possidere, ut est apud Jurisconsultos'...that is Latin copied straight from the OED (Oxford English Dictionary).
1. the holder of ecclesiastical benefice
2. in a general sense: a holder of an office

for more information, you can also check the online version of the American Heritage Dictionary (this one is free!!) at www.bartleby.com

hope that's what you're looking for...iitimone7

[BMO]

I had checked American Heritage Dictionary, www.etymonline.com and still can't get the association between the root and its present day meaning - an office holder.

bmo

[iitimone7]

a holder of an office and an office holder are the same thing...

iitimone7

[BMO]

Thanks. But how do you explain how someone leaning on something, or lying on something, becomes an office holder?

bmo

[bud]

BMO, according to American Heritage Dictionary, the Latin root means:

"Middle English, holder of an office, from Medieval Latin incumbns, incumbent-, from Latin, present participle of incumbere, to lean upon, apply oneself to : in-, on; see in�2 + -cumbere, to recline."

So office holder seems like the definition that is less like the Latin root. Maybe that definition has come to be because we rely on (=lean upon) our office holders (at least in theory!). Or maybe because they apply themselves to the duties of their offices (again, in theory!)?

[BMO]

Thanks Bud, first explanation seems possible.

bmo

[iitimone7]

sorry, BMO...i can get easily carried away with technical definitions when someone asks about the history of a word. i should have explained it a little better...iitimone7

[BMO]

Hey, don't be silly, I can't thank you enough, really.

Actually I am into the root thing, and it is not easy. For one thing, not everyone is interested, and secondly, you may not always be able to explain away based on word roots developed many centuries ago. I think incumbent is one of these words.

I would say incumbent comes from someone already lying in the office, i.e., occupying an office. Therefore an incumbent president is a sitting president who may run for re-election.

BMO

[bud]

Wow, I like it, BMO!

Iitimone, none of us are completely on target every time. I, for one, very much enjoy your responses!

[iitimone7]

thanks, bud!!

[clonc]