decens

Forms

decēns (genitive decentis, comparative decentior, superlative decentissimus); third-declension one-termination adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is the present participle of decet (“it is fitting”), used as an adjective.^[1][2] De Vaan traces decet to Proto-Italic *dek-ē- (“fits, is right”) and Proto-Indo-European *deḱ-eh₁-.^[3] Cognate with Umbrian tiçit (“ought to”).^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates it from Horace,^[2] who writes in the Epistles that his care is for what is true and fitting.^[1]

Semantic evolution

It means conforming to an approved standard, seemly, fitting or appropriate.^[1] It also means having a pleasing appearance, becoming or graceful, of movement and colour, as Horace asks where the becoming movement has gone, and of persons, as his graceful Graces joined with the Nymphs.^[1] Church Latin glosses it becoming, decent, suitable, proper, seemly.^[4]

Timeline

• 65–8 BC – Horace of what is fitting and of the graceful Graces.^[1][2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Seemly, fitting, appropriate, decent, proper.^[1][4]
2. Having a pleasing appearance, becoming, graceful.^[1][4]

Related words

• decet
• decor
• decōrus

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
2. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
3. ^ a b de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
4. ^ a b c Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson