calumniose

Forms

calumniōsē (comparative calumniōsius, superlative calumniōsissimē)^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin calumniōsus (“tricky, vexatious”) + -ē, an adverb.^[2][1] ⟨calumnia⟩ is from ⟨*kalwomnia⟩, from calvor (“to deceive”), which de Vaan traces to Proto-Italic *kalwe/o-, from Proto-Indo-European *ḱh₂l-u- or, with the LIV, ⟨*ḱlh₁-u-⟩ “to call”.^[3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's earliest sources are inscriptions, and Gaffiot cites the Digest.^[5][6]

Semantic evolution

It meant by false pretences, vexatiously, without foundation, as in the Digest; in Augustine by way of accusation; and Symmachus has the superlative calumniōsissimē.^[2][6]

British Medieval Latin used it for vexatiously, by sharp practice, and slanderously.^[7]

Timeline

• 354–430 AD – Augustine uses it.^[6][5]
• 1128 – British records use it.^[7]

Meanings

Adverb

1. By false pretences, vexatiously.^[2][6]
2. (Medieval Latin) Slanderously.^[7]

Related words

• calumniōsus
• calumnia

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c 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. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ a b c d Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
7. ^ 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