constans

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈkõː.stãːs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈkɔn.stans]^[1]

Forms

cōnstāns (genitive cōnstantis, comparative cōnstantior, superlative cōnstantissimus, adverb cōnstanter); third-declension one-termination adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is the present participle of cōnstō “to stand together, stand firm”, used as an adjective.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Lucretius, whom he dates 96–55 BC, and Lucretius says honey is of a firmer nature.^[4][5]

Semantic evolution

It meant standing firm, stable, of firm consistency, as Lucretius' honey and in Horace, and in Cicero mentally settled, steady.^[2][5] In the Rhetorica ad Herennium it meant definite, and unchanging.^[2] In Cicero it meant resolute, steadfast in principles, consistent, loyal, constant, and of things self-consistent.^[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant steady, firm, constant.^[6] English constant came in the late 14th century, “steadfast”, and as a mathematical noun in 1832.^[3] As a name, Cōnstāns was borne by a son of Constantine.^[5]

Timeline

• 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of firm consistency.^[5][4]
• 86/82 BC – The Rhetorica ad Herennium uses it of the unchanging.^[2][4]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the steadfast.^[2][4]
• late 14th century – English constant is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Standing firm, stable; firm; settled; definite.^[2]
2. Unchanging.^[2]
3. Resolute, persistent.^[2]
4. Consistent; loyal, constant.^[2]
5. Self-consistent.^[2]

Related words

• constanter
• cōnstō
• cōnstantia
• English constant

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b c d Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
6. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson