Etymologically
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falsus

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈfaɫ.sʊs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈfal.sus][1]

Forms

falsus (feminine falsa, neuter falsum, superlative falsissimus); first/second-declension participle[1]

Etymology

It is the participle of fallō “to deceive”.[2][1][3] De Vaan derives fallō from Proto-Italic *fal-s-e/o-, Proto-Indo-European *sgʷʰh₂(e)l-n- (“to stumble”), cognate with Ancient Greek σφάλλω (sphállō, “to bring down”) and Sanskrit स्खलते (skhalate, “stumbles”), and thinks the participle may be formed by analogy with salsus.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

De Vaan records it from the Twelve Tables onwards.[3] Köbler dates the Twelve Tables c. 450 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

Its main sense was false, untrue, of opinions and reports, as Terence speaks of false rumour, and of persons deceived or mistaken, as in Terence's falsus es “you are wrong”.[2] It also meant sham or spurious, as Cicero's false accuser, counterfeit, as Catullus' false tears, and fictitious or unreal.[2] Of statements it meant lying, of persons treacherous, and of things deceptive, as Plautus uses it repeatedly.[2]

Medieval Latin kept the senses false, incorrect and deceitful.[5][6] Through Old French fals it gave English false, recorded in late Old English.[7] Its descendants also include French faux and Italian falso.[1]

Timeline

  • c. 450 BC – The Twelve Tables use it.[3][4]
  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of lies and deceits.[2][4]
  • 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of false rumour.[2][4]
  • late Old English – English false is recorded.[7]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Untrue, erroneous, false; wrong.[2][1]
  2. Deceived, mistaken.[2][1]
  3. Not genuine, sham, spurious; counterfeit.[2]
  4. Unreal, fictitious, imaginary.[2]
  5. Lying; deceitful, treacherous.[2]
  6. Misleading, deceptive.[2]

Noun

  1. A liar, deceiver.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d 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 d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  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
  7. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com