The etymology of proscribe

[Jupiter]

Hi teachers,

As far as I know, in Latin, pro = before and scribe = write.
My question is why the meaning of proscribe is not the same as its root word?

Thanks in advance

Jupiter

[Mister Micawber]

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From the Online Etymological Dictionary:

proscribe

1387 (implied in proscription) "decree of condemnation, outlawry," from L. proscribere "publish in writing" (lit. "write in front of"), including senses of "publish as having forfeited one's property, condemn, outlaw before the world," from pro- "before" + scribere "to write". Meaning "prohibit as wrong or dangerous" first recorded 1622.

Does that help?
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Jupiter]

Hi Mister Micawber,

Thanks for your help. Actually, I have checked that dictionary too, but I didn't fully understand it yet. I don't know why proscribe means "prohibit as wrong or dangerous". I expect it to mean "write something in advance"

What do you think?

Jupiter

[Mister Micawber]

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Judging from the etymology entry, Jupiter, I would presume that 14th-century jurists adopted 'proscription' from Latin proscribere, which already had two senses in Latin-- (1) write in front of = publish; and (2) publish (=publicly proclaim) as an outlaw-- but they only chose the second meaning.

There were two meanings already in Latin, of which only one was chosen for the English derivation (which has naturally evolved slightly during the last 600 years); how the second meaning came originally to pass will probably remain a secret of Latin idiom.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's