adventus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [adˈwɛn.tʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [adˈvɛn.tus]^[1]

Forms

adventus m (genitive adventūs); fourth declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from adveniō “to arrive” with the action suffix -tus.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's first citations are from Plautus, of arrival and of a homecoming.^[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant an approach, arrival, as Cicero's adventū tuō “at your arrival”, a coming on the scene, a homecoming, and of gods an epiphany, as in Lucretius.^[2][5] In war it meant a hostile advance, invasion, as in Cicero, and of pests an incursion.^[2] It meant a visit, a governor's entry into a province, an emperor's official visit, and arrival as a settler.^[2] Of seasons, stars and misfortunes it meant onset, rising, approach, as in Catullus and Cicero, of fruit ripening, and an accession.^[2] Terence has the genitive adventī.^[2][6]

In Christian Latin it meant the coming of Christ and the season of Advent.^[7][8][3] In Medieval Latin it also meant a casual profit, and the coming of justices in eyre.^[8][9] It survives in Italian avvento and Spanish adviento.^[1] English Advent was borrowed in late Old English for the season before Christmas, and English advent “important arrival” is attested from 1742.^[3]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of arrival.^[2][4]
• 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of a god's epiphany.^[2][4]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of an invasion and of a governor's visit.^[2][4]
• 1742 – English advent “important arrival” is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. An arrival, approach; a homecoming.^[2]
2. (of gods) An epiphany.^[2]
3. A hostile advance, invasion.^[2]
4. A visit; an official visit.^[2]
5. Onset, beginning (of a season or misfortune).^[2]
6. (Christian Latin) Advent.^[7]

Related words

• adventor
• adveniō
• veniō
• English advent

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
6. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
8. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
9. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press