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constanter

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word constanter

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
81–43 BC, Cicero
Ultimate origin
Proto-Indo-European (*sth₂-eh₁-)

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [kõːˈstan.tɛr][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [konˈstan.ter][1]

Forms

cōnstanter (comparative cōnstantius, superlative cōnstantissimē)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from cōnstāns (“steady, firm”) with the adverb suffix -ter.[2][1] ⟨cōnstāns⟩ is the participle of cōnstō (“to stand firm”), from con- and stō (“to stand”), which de Vaan traces to Proto-Italic *sta-ē-je/o- (“to stand”) and Proto-Indo-European *sth₂-eh₁-ie/o- (“to stand”).[3][4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler gives Cicero as its first author,[4] who has the creator who “remained steadily in his own state” in his Timaeus.[2]

Semantic evolution

It is without change, evenly or steadily, and of conduct in a settled manner; it is continually or persistently, as Cicero's “that you most constantly love those whom others hate most bitterly”.[2][1] It is with firmness of purpose, resolutely, as Cicero's “will you not bear it firmly and calmly?”, and in Apuleius firmly, without ado.[2][1] It is steadfastly or loyally, as Livy's men who held faithfully to an old decree, and consistently or in agreement, as Cicero's conspirators who answered briefly and consistently.[2]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero of steadiness and resolve.[2][4]
  • 59 BC–17 AD – Livy of loyalty to a decree.[2][4]
  • c. 125–175 AD – Apuleius of firm votes.[2][4]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. Steadily, evenly, without change.[2][1]
  2. Continually, persistently.[2][1]
  3. Firmly, resolutely.[2][1]
  4. Steadfastly, loyally.[2]
  5. Consistently; in agreement.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m 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. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
Cite this entry

“Constanter.” Etymologically, 19 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/constanter. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·