Etymologically
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crudeliter

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kruːˈdeː.lɪ.tɛr][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [kruˈdɛː.li.ter][1]

Forms

crūdēliter (comparative crūdēlius, superlative crūdēlissimē)[1]

Etymology

It is from crūdēlis “cruel” with the adverb suffix -ter.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Georges and Gaffiot cite Caesar and Cicero.[3][4] Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC.[5]

Semantic evolution

It meant cruelly, savagely, relentlessly, and in Ovid with cruel effect.[2] Caesar uses it of torturing and of giving harsh orders, and Cicero has the comparative crūdēlius and the superlative crūdēlissimē.[3][4]

Aldhelm and other British Medieval Latin writers used it for cruelly and deplorably.[6]

Timeline

  • c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it.[3][5]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.[4][5]
  • 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it of cruel effects.[2][5]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. Cruelly, savagely, relentlessly.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  4. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  5. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ 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