1550s, "an index, list, catalogue," from Late Latin repertorium "inventory, list," from Latin repertus, past participle of reperire "to find, get, invent," from re-, intensive prefix (see re-), + parire, archaic form of paerere "produce, bring forth," from PIE root *per- "attempt" (see parent, n.). Meaning "list of performances" is first recorded 1845, from Anglicized use of repertoire; repertory theater is attested from 1896. Related: Repertorial.