atrociter

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [aˈtroː.kɪ.tɛr]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [aˈtrɔː.t͡ʃi.ter]^[1]

Forms

atrōciter (comparative atrōcius, superlative atrōcissimē)^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin ātrōx (“fierce, cruel”) + -ter.^[2][1] De Vaan thinks ⟨ātrōx⟩ is probably from āter (“black”) and the root Proto-Indo-European *h₃ekʷ- (“to look”), “having a black aspect”.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its earliest source is Cicero.^[4][2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant with great ferocity, violently, bitterly, as in Sallust; with bitterness of feeling, acrimoniously; cruelly, savagely, as in Cicero's aliquid atrōciter fierī vidēmus “we see something cruelly done”; and severely, harshly.^[2][5]

British Medieval Latin used it for atrociously, savagely, as in Aldhelm.^[6]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.^[2][4]
• 86–34 BC – Sallust uses it of violence.^[2][4]

Meanings

Adverb

1. With great ferocity, violently, bitterly.^[2]
2. Acrimoniously.^[2]
3. Cruelly, savagely.^[2]
4. Severely, harshly.^[2]

Related words

• ātrōx
• ātrōcitās
• āter

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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. ^ 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