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comiter

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word comiter

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
204–169 BC, Ennius
Ultimate origin
Latin (cōmis)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin comis
Latin comiter
Latin comitas

Forms

cōmiter (comparative cōmius, superlative cōmissimē)[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin cōmis (“courteous, kind”) + -ter.[2][1] De Vaan reports the old derivation of cōmis from Proto-Italic *kom-smi-, "smiling along", with the Old Latin spelling ⟨cosmis⟩ of the Duenos inscription, but points out that a root noun *smi- "smile" has no support elsewhere.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD quotes Ennius first: a man who kindly shows a lost traveller the way.[2]

Semantic evolution

It is in a friendly, courteous way, with goodwill.[2][1] Fronto uses it of a good-humoured reply.[2] Köbler dates it from Cicero.[4] The superlative ⟨cōmissimē⟩ is found.[2]

Timeline

  • 204–169 BC – Ennius of showing a traveller the way.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.[4]
  • 100–170 AD – Fronto of a good-humoured answer.[2][4]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. In a friendly way, courteously, with goodwill.[2][1]
  2. Good-humouredly.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
Cite this entry

“Comiter.” Etymologically, 20 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/comiter. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·