Corrigendum, (/ˌkɔːrɪˈdʒɛndəm/), is a Latin-derived term that refers to an error or mistake that needs correction in a previously published document. The spelling of "corrigendum" follows the typical English pronunciation pattern, with the first syllable having the vowel sound /ɔː/, and the second syllable pronounced with a double consonant /rr/ and the short vowel sound /ɪ/. The final syllable is pronounced with the short vowel sound /əm/. Corrigendum is commonly used in academic publishing and legal documents to denote corrections to previously made errors.
A "corrigendum" is a noun that refers to an official document or notice used to acknowledge and correct an error or mistake made in a previous publication, document, or communication. It is typically issued by the original author or organization responsible for the initial publication, highlighting the erroneous information and providing the accurate or revised information to rectify it. The primary purpose of a corrigendum is to ensure that recipients or readers of the original document are informed of the mistake and are aware of the correct information, thus minimizing any potential confusion or misunderstanding that may arise.
Corrigenda are commonly used in various fields, including academic journals, legal documents, official reports, books, and even newspapers. They are particularly important in academic publishing to maintain the integrity of research and ensure accuracy in scientific studies. A corrigendum is often formatted as a separate document that is appended at the end of the original publication or provided as an addendum alongside the original document. It typically includes a clear statement acknowledging the mistake, a description or reference to the erroneous information, and a succinct correction or clarification to replace or supplement the incorrect material.
Overall, a corrigendum serves as a means of presenting an authentic and accurate version of information, serving as an acknowledgment of an error and providing the necessary correction to ensure the dissemination of correct and reliable information.
The word corrigendum originated from the Latin word corrigendum, which is the gerundive form of the verb corrigere. In Latin, corrigere means to correct. The suffix -endum is a gerundive ending indicating necessity or obligation. Thus, corrigendum can be translated as that which is to be corrected or something that must be corrected.