Etymologically
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decens

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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]

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