amice

Forms

amīcē (comparative amīcius, superlative amīcissimē)^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin amīcus (“friendly”) + -ē, an adverb.^[2][1] ⟨amīcus⟩ is from amō (“to love”), which de Vaan traces to Proto-Italic *ama- (“to take, hold”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃mh₃- (“to take hold of”).^[1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its earliest source is Cicero.^[4][5] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant in a friendly manner, amicably, with goodwill, as in Cicero, who also uses the superlative amīcissimē, and Fronto has the comparative amīcius.^[2][5]

British Medieval Latin used it for in a friendly fashion.^[6]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.^[5][4]
• 100–170 AD – Fronto uses amīcius.^[5][4]

Meanings

Adverb

1. In a friendly manner, amicably.^[2]

Related words

• amīcus
• amīcitia
• amō

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b c d Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
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