Etymologically
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argutus

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [arˈɡuː.tʊs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [arˈɡuː.tus][1]

Forms

argūtus (feminine argūta, neuter argūtum, comparative argūtior, superlative argūtissimus, adverb argūtē); first/second-declension adjective[1]

Etymology

It is the participle of arguō “to make clear, prove”.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of a chatterer.[2] Köbler's first source is Naevius, whom he dates c. 235–200 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant producing sharp, clear sounds, of birds and cicadas, as in Varro, and in Horace clear-voiced, melodious.[2] In Pliny the Elder it was used of keen smells, in Plautus of the talkative, in Cicero of expressive eyes or gestures, and in Horace of the quick-witted, shrewd.[2]

It survives in Italian arguto “witty”, and was borrowed as English argute.[1] The verb arguō gave English argue through Old French about 1300.[4]

Timeline

  • c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it.[3]
  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of the talkative.[2][3]
  • 65–8 BC – Horace uses it of the melodious and the shrewd.[2][3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Clear-sounding; chirping.[2]
  2. Melodious.[2]
  3. Pungent.[2]
  4. Talkative.[2]
  5. Expressive.[2]
  6. Quick-witted, shrewd.[2]

Word family

  • argūtia
  • argūtulus

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 l Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com