ceterum

Forms

cēterum (not comparable)^[1]

Etymology

It is the neuter singular of cēterus “the rest, the other”, used as a noun and as an adverb.^[2][1][3] De Vaan explains ⟨cēterus⟩ as the particle -ce “here” with Proto-Italic *etero- (“other”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁e-tero- (“the other (of two)”).^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Plautus uses the adverb: cēterum quantum lubet mē poscitōte aurum, “for the rest, ask me for as much gold as you like”.^[2] Köbler dates it from Terence.^[5]

Semantic evolution

As a noun cēterum is “the rest, what remains” (cēterum cūrā “see to the rest”).^[2][1] As an adverb it means “for the rest”, then “moreover, besides”, moving to another point, and in a slightly adversative sense “however that may be, but”.^[2][1] Wiktionary also gives “certainly”.^[1]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus: ēlocūta sum convīvās, cēterum cūrā, “I have told the guests, see to the rest”.^[2][5]
• 190–159 BC – Found in Terence.^[5]
• 86–34 BC – Sallust: cēterum vōs, patrēs cōnscrīptī, quid in aliōs statuātis, cōnsīderāte, “but you, senators, consider what you decide against others”.^[2][5]

Meanings

Adverb

1. For the rest, as for the rest.^[2][1]
2. moreover, besides, in addition.^[2][1]
3. However that may be, but.^[2]
4. Certainly.^[1]

Noun

1. The rest, what remains.^[2][1]

Related words

• cēterus
• cēterōquī
• sed

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
4. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
5. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de