coniunx

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈkɔn.juːŋks]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈkɔn.juŋks]^[1]

Forms

coniūnx m or f (genitive coniugis); third declension^[1] The form coniux is also common, and inscriptions have coiux and coius.^[2][3]

Etymology

It is from con- “together” and the root of iugum “yoke” and iungō “to join”.^[2][1] Its root is Proto-Indo-European ⟨*yewg-⟩ “to join”.^[4] The OLD and Wiktionary compare Ancient Greek σύζυγος (súzugos, “yoked together; spouse”).^[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation for “husband” is from Plautus, whom Köbler dates c. 250–184 BC.^[2][4]

Semantic evolution

It meant a marriage partner, a husband or a wife, and Accius uses it of a wife or bride, and it was also used of a concubine.^[2] Ovid uses it of the mate of an animal, Columella of the elm that partners a vine, and Apuleius of a fellow worker.^[2]

Bede and other British Medieval Latin writers used it for a husband or wife.^[5] It was borrowed into Italian coniuge and Spanish cónyuge.^[1] Its adjective coniugālis gave English conjugal in the 1540s.^[6]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a husband.^[2][4]
• 170–c. 90 BC – Accius uses it of a wife.^[2][4]
• 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it of animals.^[2][4]
• 1540s – English conjugal is recorded.^[6]

Meanings

Noun

1. A spouse, husband or wife.^[2]
2. (of animals) A mate.^[2]
3. A fellow worker.^[2]

Related words

• iungō
• iugum
• coniugium
• English conjugal

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l 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. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ 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
6. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com