ample

Forms

amplē (comparative amplius, superlative amplissimē)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from Latin amplus (“large, ample”) + -ē, the adverb of that adjective; for the comparative see amplius.^[2][1] De Vaan derives amplus from Proto-Italic *am-lo- (“seizable”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃mh₃- (“to grab”), the root of emō, but notes that the change of ⟨*-ml-⟩ to ⟨-mpl-⟩ is hard to date.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler first records it in Cicero.^[4] Cicero has exōrnat amplē magnificēque triclīnium, “he decks out the dining room lavishly and splendidly”.^[2]

Semantic evolution

Amplē is “liberally, generously”, and with verbs of praising “handsomely, in complimentary terms”.^[2][1] In rhetoric it describes a copious and dignified style, “impressively”, as Cicero contrasts orators who speak plainly and concisely with those who speak sublātē amplēque, “loftily and amply”.^[2]

Church Latin glosses it “richly, amply”.^[5]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero: exōrnat amplē magnificēque triclīnium.^[2][4]

Meanings

Adverb

1. generously, liberally, richly;^[2][1][5] handsomely (of praise).^[2]
2. (rhetoric) Copiously and with dignity, impressively.^[2]

Related words

• amplus
• amplius

References

1. ^ a b c d 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. ^ 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson