Etymologically
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fere

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈfɛ.reː], [ˈfɛ.rɛ][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈfɛː.re][1]

Forms

ferē̆ (not comparable)[1]

Etymology

According to de Vaan it is inherited from Proto-Italic *fero- (“close by”), inherited from Proto-Indo-European *dʰer-o- (“holding, tight”), from the root *dʰer- (“to hold”) of firmus.[2][1] The OLD calls the etymology doubtful and connects it, perhaps, with ⟨firmus⟩.[3]

fermē, with the same meaning, is an older form that disappears after the Republic; de Vaan takes it as the ablative of a superlative ⟨*feramo-⟩ “very close by”.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

De Vaan dates it from Naevius.[2] Köbler dates Naevius c. 235–200 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant approximately, about, more or less, especially with numbers; virtually, almost, as in Plautus' joke that there are more harlots than flies on a hot day; and, introducing a generalisation, as a rule, usually (ut fere fit “as usually happens”).[3]

In British Medieval Latin it kept the sense approximately, roughly, especially with numbers, as in Bede.[5] Niermeyer records a medieval use “like, for instance”.[6]

Timeline

  • c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it.[2][4]
  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it in the sense “almost”.[3][4]
  • early 8th century – Bede uses it with numbers.[5]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. Approximately, about, roughly.[3]
  2. Almost, nearly, virtually.[3]
  3. As a rule, usually.[3]
  4. (Medieval Latin) Like, for instance.[6]

Word family

  • fermēmodum

Usage notes

Fermē means the same and is the older form; it disappears after the Republic.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e 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 f g Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ 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
  6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill