Etymologically
Log in

cupio

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 02:20. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈkʊ.pi.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈkuː.pi.o][1]

Forms

cupiō (present infinitive cupere, perfect active cupīvī or cupiī, supine cupītum); third (-iō variant) conjugation[1]

Etymology

The origin is doubtful.[2] De Vaan reconstructs Proto-Italic *kup-i-, from Proto-Indo-European *kup-(e)i- (“to tremble, desire”), and compares Umbrian cupra-, an epithet of a goddess, and Sabine ciprus (“good”), cited by Varro.[3] The LIV, as reported by Wiktionary, derives it from *kwep- “to smoke, boil, move violently”, with a parallel in Sanskrit कुप्यति (kúpyati, “is angry”).[1][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

De Vaan dates it from Naevius.[3] Köbler dates Naevius c. 235–200 BC.[5]

Semantic evolution

It meant to wish for or desire something, to long for someone as a lover, and with a dative to be well disposed to someone, as in alicuius causā cupere “to have someone's interests at heart”.[2]

Döderlein contrasts volō and optō, acts of calm reason, with cupere, aveō and gestīre, acts of passion.[6] Its derivatives include cupīdō “desire”, the name of the god Cupid, cupidus “eager” and cupiditās “greed”, the source of English cupidity.[7] Through Vulgar Latin *cupiditāre it led to Old French coveitier and English covet.[7]

Timeline

  • c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it.[3][5]
  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus says the citizens would not want a kingdom.[2][5]
  • mid-13th century – English covet is recorded.[7]
  • mid-15th century – English cupidity is recorded.[7]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To desire, wish for, want.[2]
  2. To long for (as a lover).[2]
  3. (with dative) To be well disposed to, favour.[2]

Word family

  • concupiō
  • cupīdō
  • cupidus
  • cupīscō
  • cupītor
  • discupiō
  • percupiō
  • concupiscō
  • cupiditās
  • cupiēns
  • cupiēnter
  • cuppēdia
  • English cupidity
  • English covet

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
  4. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
  7. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com