Etymologically
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comiter

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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