fideliter

Forms

fidēliter (comparative fidēlius, superlative fidēlissimē)^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin fidēlis (“faithful”) + -ter.^[2][1] De Vaan explains fidēlis as derived from fidēs (“trust, faith”), which he traces to Proto-Indo-European *bʰidʰ-eh₁- (“faith”), from the root of fīdō (“to trust”), Proto-Indo-European *bʰeidʰ-e/o- (“to trust”).^[3] He reports Hamp's comparison with Ancient Greek πειθώ (peithṓ, “persuasion”).^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Plautus has it first: in the Captivi a man is urged to act faithfully towards another.^[2]

Semantic evolution

It means faithfully, loyally, and also conscientiously or in good faith, as when a character in Plautus asks whether he may dare to speak frankly.^[2] Cicero uses the comparative of letters that will reach their addressee more reliably, which leads to the sense of accurately or with certainty.^[2] Celsus uses it of a broken bone that is held less firmly.^[2]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of faithful service and of frank speech.^[2][4]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero of letters delivered reliably.^[2][4]
• 14–37 AD – Celsus of a bone held firmly.^[2][4]

Meanings

Adverb

1. Faithfully, constantly, loyally.^[2][1]
2. Conscientiously, honestly, in good faith.^[2][1]
3. Reliably, with certainty; accurately.^[2]
4. Securely, firmly.^[2]

Related words

• fidēlis
• fidēs

References

1. ^ a b c d e f 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 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de