Etymologically
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constans

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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]

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