anomalus

Forms

anōmalus (feminine anōmala, neuter anōmalum); first/second-declension adjective^[1] The Greek-type form anōmalos (neuter anōmalon) is also used.^[2][3]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek ἀνώμαλος (anṓmalos, “uneven, unequal”).^[2][3][4][5] Köbler analyses the Greek word as the negative prefix ἀ- (a-) with a form related to ὁμός (homós, “same”).^[4] The DMLBS notes that in medieval Latin it was influenced by norma (“rule”).^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in the grammarian Diomedes, who says that genders of nouns often change in the plural and are then anomala, irregular.^[7][2][4]

Semantic evolution

It remained a technical term of the grammarians, for nouns and verbs that do not follow the regular pattern, in Priscian, Probus and Martianus Capella.^[7][2] The glosses render it as “unlawful” and “unlike”.^[7]

In medieval Latin it was used in grammar and music for whatever departs from the rule, and more widely for something irregular or rough; as a noun it could mean an unjust person.^[5][6] Aldhelm calls the verb faxo anomalous.^[5][6] Niermeyer glosses it as abnormal or exceptional.^[8]

Timeline

• 2nd half of the 4th century AD – Diomedes uses it of irregular genders of nouns.^[7][2][4]
• 5th century AD – Martianus Capella uses it.^[7][3][4]
• 6th century AD – Priscian uses it of irregular verbs.^[7][4]
• 639–709 AD – Aldhelm calls faxo anomalous.^[5][6][4]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (grammar) Irregular, not following the rule of analogy.^[7][2][3]
2. (Medieval Latin) Anomalous, abnormal, exceptional; also uneven or rough.^[5][6][8]
3. (Medieval Latin, as a noun) An unjust person; something that breaks the rule.^[5]

Related words

• analogia
• English anomalous

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
3. ^ a b c d Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
4. ^ a b c d e f g Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b c d e f Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
6. ^ a b c d e 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 f g Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
8. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill