Two Latin Word Studies

Etymology (word origin): from the Frankish féhu (German: Vieh) = cattle, means of exchange, chattel. The original form of the word was fevum , with v (cf. English fief). To give somebody something in fevum meant to grant a property or any other source of revenue instead of an allowance of means of subsistence, by way of a salary. By itself fevum or feodum can mean an allowance of means of subsistence in money or kind, especially in recompense of services; wages. To hold a feodum meant to hold a property or any source of revenue by a grant equivalent to an allowance of means of subsistence. It then comes to mean the tenure of land or of sources of revenue based on a grant accorded in return for services, as well as the holding granted. It can be used to refer to any possession, even in full property, but in this context it usually refers to a freehold or lease at an annual rent. Individuals who are not legally free can hold a feodum : the tenancy of a ministerialis or the holding of a serf. A priest can hold a fief, i.e. the property appointed to the subsistence of the priest who administers the church. It can also be an endowment of a church.

Source: J.F. Niermeyer, Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus (1984)

In classical Latin, this word signified "oath", probably derived from the oath that accompanied the payment of a sum of money in a court case as sign of good will, kept in the care of the gods. This deposit is the original meaning of sacrament. The word itself is a noun related to sacer = sacred (belonging to the gods), the opposite of profane (human). Specifically, the word came to be used for military oath in classical Latin, and, metaphorically for the oath taken by the soldiers of Christ in Christian Latin. It is extended to mean (moral) obligation, engagement, duty, as well as for oath of invitation , profession of the faith and creed . In terms of ritual, it is used to refer to rites , of any religion, for example the rites of initiation into the (pagan) mystery religions. By extension, it can stand for religion (Jewish or Christian), and for religious teaching, faith, truth and doctrine. Its meaning can also approach that of the Greek word mystery or sacred secret. In this sense it is extended to the text of the Bible, meaning a hidden meaning of Scripture, i.e. allegory. In the Catholic Church, it stands for sacrament (e.g. baptism, marriage) and specifically, for the sacrament of the Eucharist.

Source: Blaise, Dictionnaire latin-français des auteurs chrétiens and Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue latine , 4th ed. (1967)

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