aeque

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈae̯.kʷeː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈɛː.kʷe]^[1]

Forms

aequē (comparative aequius, superlative aequissimē)^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin aequus (“level, even, equal”) + -ē, an adverb.^[2][1] De Vaan finds no convincing etymology for ⟨aequus⟩, probably from ⟨*aikwos⟩.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its earliest source is Plautus.^[4][2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

Its commonest use was to an equal degree, as much, equally, alike, as in Plautus, Ennius and Terence; it also meant level, in a level manner, and in the same proportion, uniformly, as in Vitruvius; likewise, also, aequē ut “just as”, as in Seneca; and equitably, justly, fairly, as in Cicero.^[2][5]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant equally, in like manner, and aequē ac as well as.^[6] British Medieval Latin also used it for at an equal distance, on equal terms, and in balance in accounts.^[7]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^[2][4]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of fairness.^[2][4]
• c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it of levelness.^[2][4]

Meanings

Adverb

1. To an equal degree, as much, equally, alike.^[2]
2. Level, in a level manner; uniformly.^[2]
3. Likewise, also, aequē ut, just as.^[2]
4. Equitably, justly, fairly.^[2]

Related words

• aequābilis
• aequābilitās
• aequābiliter
• aequālis
• aequālitās
• aequāliter
• aequātiō
• aequātus
• aequitās
• aequiter
• aequus
• aequō

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
4. ^ a b c d e 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. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
7. ^ 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