autumnus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [au̯ˈtʊm.nʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [au̯ˈtum.nus]^[1]

Forms

autumnus m (genitive autumnī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

Its origin is unknown, the OLD calling it doubtful and the TLL uncertain.^[2][3][4] Wiktionary reports a derivation from Proto-Indo-European *h₃ewǵ- (“cold”) and a borrowing from Etruscan, comparing Etruscan 𐌀𐌕𐌖𐌍𐌄 (atune, “autumn”), and Etymonline suggests Etruscan too, comparing Vertumnus.^[1][5] The older spelling ⟨auctumnus⟩ was perhaps influenced by auctus “increase”.^[2][5] A neuter ⟨autumnum⟩ is also found.^[2] Isidore derived it from the season when leaves fall and all things ripen.^[6]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Ennius, of autumn, and the TLL dates it from Ennius onwards.^[2][3] Köbler dates Ennius 204–169 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant autumn, the third season of the year, as in Cicero and Caesar, and Tacitus' autumnō adultō “in late autumn”.^[2][7] In Juvenal it stood for a year in counting, and in Ovid for autumn fruits, the harvest.^[2] An adjective autumnus “autumnal” is found in Cato's imber autumnus “autumn rain”.^[2][7]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant autumn.^[8] British Medieval Latin also used it for the harvest and harvest work.^[9] It survives in Italian autunno, French automne and Spanish otoño, and Old French gave English autumn in the late 14th century.^[1][5]

Timeline

• 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of autumn.^[2][4]
• 234–149 BC – Cato uses the adjective.^[7][4]
• 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it of the harvest.^[2][4]
• late 14th century – English autumn is recorded.^[5]

Meanings

Noun

1. Autumn; poetically, a year.^[2]
2. Autumn fruits, harvest.^[2]

Word family

• autumnō
• autumnitās

Related words

• autumnālis
• English autumn

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 Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
4. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
6. ^ Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
7. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
8. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
9. ^ 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