Etymologically
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admiror

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 16:03. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [adˈmiː.rɔr][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [adˈmiː.ror][1]

Forms

admīror (present infinitive admīrārī, perfect active admīrātus sum); first conjugation, deponent[1] It is also spelled ammīror; a few early writers use it in a passive sense.[2]

Etymology

It is from ad- and mīror “to wonder at”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of wondering at something.[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to be surprised at, to marvel, as in Plautus, and in Terence to admire, respect.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to admire, wonder at.[5] It was borrowed into Italian ammirare, French admirer and Spanish admirar, and gave English admire in the early 15th century, first “to marvel at”.[1][3]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of wondering.[2][4]
  • 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of admiring.[2][4]
  • early 15th century – English admire is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To wonder at, marvel at.[2]
  2. To admire, respect.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson