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Origin and history of suppository

suppository(n.)

late 14c., suppositorie, "medicinal plug for anal or vaginal insertion," from Medieval Latin suppositorium "a suppository," noun use of neuter of Late Latin adjective suppositorius "placed underneath or up," from Latin suppositus, past participle of supponere "put or place under" (see suppose, which is from a figurative use of the Latin verb). As an adjective from 1590s. If the noun wants a corresponding verb, obsolete suppone is available.

also from late 14c.

Entries linking to suppository

suppose(v.)

c. 1300, supposen, "hold as a belief or opinion; make a hypothesis, assume as the basis of argument" without regard to truth or falsehood, from Old French suposer "to assume" (13c.), probably a replacement (influenced by Old French poser "put, place") of *suppondre, from Latin supponere "put or place under; to subordinate, make subject," from assimilated form of sub "under" (see sub-) + ponere "put, place" (past participle positus; see position (n.)).

The meaning "admit as possible, believe to be true without reflection" is from 1520s. The sense of "infer hypothetically" is from c. 1600. Related: Supposing; supposer.

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