Etymologically

affluo

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.

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈaf.fɫu.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈaf.flu.o][1]

Forms

affluō (present infinitive affluere, perfect active afflūxī, supine afflūxum); third conjugation, impersonal in the passive[1] It is also spelled adfluō.[2]

Etymology

It is from ad- and fluō “to flow”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero, of abounding.[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to flow towards or into, as in Pliny the Elder, and in Ovid of the tide to flow in.[2] In Livy it meant to flow past, in Virgil of people to come flocking, and in Cicero to abound, be rich in, and to be present in plenty.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to flow to, abound, be wealthy.[5] It survives in Italian affluire and French affluer.[1] Its participle affluēns gave English affluent in the early 15th century.[3]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of abounding.[2][4]
  • 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of crowds.[2][4]
  • early 15th century – English affluent is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To flow towards; to flow in.[2]
  2. To flow past.[2]
  3. To come flocking.[2]
  4. To abound, be rich (in).[2]

Word family

  • affluentia
  • affluēns
  • affluenter
  • circumfluō
  • cōnfluō
  • dēfluō
  • diffluō
  • effluō
  • fluō
  • īnfluō
  • interfluō
  • perfluō
  • praefluō
  • English affluent

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 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