ambitiose

Forms

ambitiōsē (comparative ambitiōsius, superlative ambitiōsissimē)^[1][2]

Etymology

It is from Latin ambitiōsus (“eager for favour, ambitious”) + -ē.^[1][3] The adjective comes from ambitiō (“canvassing, ambition”), from ambiō (“to go round; to solicit”), a compound of ambi- and eō¹ (“to go”).^[3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The earliest quotation in the OLD is from a letter of Cicero, who writes that one cannot deal at the same time ambitiously about a triumph and freely about the state: et dē triumphō ambitiōsē et dē rē pūblicā līberē.^[1]

Semantic evolution

In Cicero's letters it means seeking favour or showing too much regard for others, as when he is asked to correct a speech without polite scruples, nē ambitiōsē.^[2][5] Livy uses it of canvassing for the kingship and of favour-seeking conduct,^[1][2] and Tacitus of friendships cultivated for advantage.^[1][2] In Petronius and Quintilian it means importunately, earnestly,^[1] and in Martial, Quintilian and Tacitus “with a view to show, ostentatiously”.^[1][2] Ammianus uses it of someone dressed with display.^[5] In Britain it is found in Gerald of Wales in the sense “ingratiatingly”.^[6]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it in his letters.^[1][2][7]
• 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of canvassing for the kingship.^[1][7]
• before 66 AD – Petronius has the superlative in the sense “earnestly”.^[1][7]
• 98–115 AD – Tacitus uses it of friendships cultivated for gain.^[1][7]
• c. 390 AD – Ammianus uses it of showy dress.^[5][7]

Meanings

Adverb

1. With a desire to win favour, ingratiatingly, compliantly; by canvassing.^[1][2]
2. Importunately, earnestly.^[1][2]
3. With a desire for advancement or glory, ambitiously, presumptuously.^[1][5]
4. For show, ostentatiously.^[1][5]

Related words

• ambitiōsus
• ambitiō
• ambiō

References

1. ^ 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
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Conte, Gian Biagio; Pianezzola, Emilio; Ranucci, Giuliano (2010), il Latino: Vocabolario della lingua latina, 3rd ed., Florence: Le Monnier
3. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
4. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
5. ^ a b c d e Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
6. ^ 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
7. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de