Etymologically
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duellum

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [duˈɛl.lũː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [duˈɛl.lum][1]

Forms

duellum n (genitive duellī); second declension[1]

Etymology

It is the Old Latin form of bellum “war”.[2][3][4] De Vaan notes that it is two syllables in Plautus but three in later poets, perhaps through a popular link with duo “two”, and finds the best etymology so far Pinault's: a diminutive *duenelo- of bonus, first “quite brave”, used euphemistically of deeds of valour and so of war.[2] Georges compares Ancient Greek δήιος (dḗios, “hostile”).[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Plautus uses it in the phrase domī duellīque “at home and in war”.[5][3] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[6]

Semantic evolution

It meant war, and after Plautus survived in poetry, as in Horace, and in old legal formulas quoted by Cicero and Livy.[5][3][1] Varro discusses it in On the Latin Language.[3] Derivatives such as perduellis “public enemy” kept the old form.[2]

In medieval Latin it took the meaning of a combat between two persons, a duel, and especially a judicial combat.[1][7] Etymonline attributes this to a fancied link with duo.[4] It also named the right to exact fines for judicial combats promised but not fought.[8] British writers used it of conflict and figuratively of a game of chess.[9] English duel is recorded in the late 15th century.[4]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses domī duellīque.[5][6]
  • 65–8 BC – Horace uses it of war.[5][6]
  • late 13th century – The Latin form is used in England of single combat.[4]
  • late 15th century – English duel is recorded.[4]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (Old Latin, poetic) War.[1][5]
  2. (Medieval Latin) A duel, single combat; a judicial combat.[1][7]
  3. (Medieval Latin) A conflict; a game of chess.[9]

Word family

  • duellātor
  • duellis
  • duellō
  • perduellis

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ a b c d e Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  4. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ a b c d e Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  7. ^ a b Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  8. ^ Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  9. ^ a b 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