Monition Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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monition

[məˈnɪʃən ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

warning signal

Monition is a noun that refers to a formal warning or admonition, often issued before some action is taken. It serves as a preemptive notice to alert someone about a potential issue or consequence. In legal contexts, it may refer to a notification of a court's proceedings or an official notice of impending action. The term is not commonly used in everyday conversation but may be encountered in more formal, literary, or historical texts.

Synonyms

admonition, alert, caution, notice, warning.

Examples of usage

  • The teacher issued a monition before the exam began.
  • He received a monition about his reckless driving.
  • The court served a monition regarding the upcoming trial.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Legal Context

  • In law, a monition can refer to a formal warning given by a court, often in matters of civil procedure.
  • It is commonly used in ecclesiastical law, where a church authority may issue a monition to a member for misconduct.
  • Monitions serve critical functions in ensuring compliance and protecting rights within legal frameworks.

Psychology

  • Monition can play a role in behavioral psychology, where reminders help reinforce good habits or deter negative behaviors.
  • The effectiveness of a warning often relies on the individual's ability to recall the monition when faced with a decision.
  • Understanding the psychological impact of warnings can enhance effective communication in education and interpersonal relationships.

Literature

  • Writers often use monition as a narrative device to foreshadow events, alerting readers to potential danger or moral lessons.
  • Classics like Greek tragedies feature monitions as warnings from characters that highlight inherent flaws in the protagonists.
  • The use of monition in poetry can invoke feelings of urgency and reflection, often prompting deeper thought about human experiences.

Cultural References

  • Monitions are sometimes depicted in movies and books as prophetic warnings from wise characters, emphasizing their importance.
  • Folklore often includes stories where ignoring a monition leads to adverse outcomes, reinforcing its significance in community values.
  • In various cultures, the concept of a monition resonates with traditions of respect for elders who provide guidance through warnings.

Origin of 'monition'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from the Latin word 'monere', which means 'to warn' or 'to advise.'
  • Its usage became popular in English during the late Middle Ages, reflecting the growing importance of communication in society.
  • Monition is closely related to other words like 'admonition,' which also implies a warning or reprimand.

The word 'monition' originates from the Latin term 'monitio', which means 'a warning' or 'an admonition'. This Latin root derives from 'monere', meaning 'to warn' or 'to remind'. The transition of the term into English occurred during the late Middle Ages when it began to appear in law and ecclesiastical writings. Historically, monition has been used in formal contexts, especially within the realms of law, where it implies a need for a notification prior to executing a judgment or enforcement action. Over time, the usage of 'monition' has waned in everyday language but remains relevant in specific legal and formal discussions.


Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,103 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.