autem

Forms

autem ^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from the base of aut with a particle ⟨-em⟩, as in item and quidem: ⟨*auti⟩ + ⟨-m⟩.^[2][3][1] De Vaan considers the ⟨-em⟩ either the particle of īdem and ⟨item⟩ or the regular outcome of PIE ⟨*-im⟩.^[3] The base goes back to Proto-Indo-European *h₂eu (“away”).^[3]

Compare Oscan avt (“but”) and Ancient Greek αὖ (aû, “again”).^[4][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is found from Livius Andronicus on.^[3][5]

Semantic evolution

Autem sets one thing beside another (“on the other hand, while”), opposes it (“but”), adds to it (“moreover, also”), explains it (“and in fact”), or moves to a new point (“now”).^[2][6] In questions and exclamations it expresses surprise or indignation (quid tū autem? “and what about you?”).^[2]

It is never placed first in its clause; it normally stands second.^[6][2] Scribes wrote it with special abbreviations, studied by Traube.^[4]

Timeline

• c. 280–200 BC – First found in Livius Andronicus.^[3][5]
• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus: quī autem auscultāre nōlet exsurgat forās “but whoever won't listen, let him get up and go out”.^[2][5]
• 234–149 BC – Cato uses it to bring in a new point about the merchant.^[2][5]

Meanings

Conjunction

1. On the other hand, while, however.^[2][6]
2. but.^[2][1]
3. Moreover, also, furthermore.^[2][1]
4. And in fact, and indeed (explaining).^[2]
5. Now (introducing a new point).^[2]
6. (in questions) And, then, indeed.^[2]

Related words

• aut
• sed
• at
• vērō

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d e 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 Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
5. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ a b c Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press