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I recently came across the intriguing terms, 'semantician' and 'semanticist', both referring to a specialist in semantics. These words are derived from the Ancient Greek root 'sēmantikós'.

My query is twofold:

  1. Is there a direct Latin equivalent to the English term from this Greek root?
  2. If a direct equivalent does not exist, would it be more appropriate to coin a paraphrase in Latin that captures the same meaning?
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There is the adjective semanticus:

Designating, having an indicative force, Mart. Cap. 9, §§ 985, 988.

Seems as though the only citation is that by 5th-century satirist Martianus Minneus Felix Capella.

There are adjectives like mathematicus which means both "mathematical" and "mathematician", which supports using an adjective like semanticus for "semantician".

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    A correction about the source: 'Mart.' doesn't refer here to Martial. Instead, according to the key to abbreviations at the front of Lewis & Short, 'Mart. Cap.' = the 5th century satirist Martianus Minneus Felix Capella.
    – cnread
    Jul 4 at 20:03
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    Ahh, my mistake - thanks for catching! I edited my answer.
    – Adam
    Jul 5 at 0:33
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    It might be worth mentioning that there are adjectives like mathematicus which mean both "mathematical" and "mathematician". That supports using an adjective similarly for "semantician".
    – Joonas Ilmavirta ♦
    Jul 5 at 8:37
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    Oh, good idea, @JoonasIlmavirta. I edited and added - thanks!
    – Adam
    Jul 5 at 23:34

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