bilanx

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈbɪ.ɫaŋks]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈbiː.laŋks]^[1]

Forms

bilanx (genitive bilancis); third-declension one-termination adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is from bi- (“two”) and lanx “dish, scale pan”: having two scale pans.^[1][2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Lewis and Short and Gaffiot cite Martianus Capella, who speaks of a libra bilanx, a balance with two pans.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

In Late Latin it meant having two scales, of a balance, and as a noun a balance with two pans.^[2][3][4]

In Medieval Latin, also as bilancia, it meant a balance, weighing scales, and figuratively balanced judgement.^[5][6] Through a Vulgar Latin *bilancia it survives in Italian bilancia, French balance and Spanish balanza.^[1][7] English balance came through Old French in the early 13th century, first meaning “scales”.^[4]

Timeline

• 5th century AD – Martianus Capella uses libra bilanx.^[2][7]
• 639–709 AD – Aldhelm uses it.^[7]
• early 13th century – English balance is recorded.^[4]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Having two scale pans.^[2]

Noun

1. A balance, scales.^[3][5][6]
2. (Medieval Latin, figurative) Balanced judgement.^[6]

Related words

• lanx
• lībra
• English balance

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
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 Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
6. ^ a b c 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de