Etymologically
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advolvo

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [adˈwɔɫ.woː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [adˈvɔl.vo][1]

Forms

advolvō (present infinitive advolvere, perfect active advolvī, supine advolūtum); third conjugation[1]

Etymology

It is from ad- and volvō “to roll”.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Virgil, of rolling logs to the hearth.[2][3] Köbler dates Virgil 70–19 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to roll to or towards, as in Virgil's rōbora focīs advolvere “to roll oak logs to the hearths”.[2][3] Reflexively or in the passive it meant to throw oneself at someone's feet, grovel, as in Propertius.[2]

It survives in Italian avvolgere “to wrap”.[1]

Timeline

  • 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it.[2][4]
  • 57/46–12 BC – Propertius uses it of prostrating oneself.[2][4]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To roll to or towards.[2]
  2. (reflexive) To prostrate oneself, grovel.[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 Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de