flexibilis

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [fɫɛkˈsɪ.bɪ.lɪs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [fleɡˈziː.bi.lis]^[1]

Forms

flexibilis (neuter flexibile); third-declension two-termination adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is from flectō “to bend” with the suffix -bilis.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero, of adaptable things and of the voice.^[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant easily bent, pliant, as in Ovid, and in Cicero adaptable, and of the voice varying in pitch.^[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant flexible, supple.^[5] British Medieval Latin used it for easily bent, as the finger is through its joints.^[6] It was borrowed into Italian flessibile and French and Spanish flexible, and gave English flexible in the early 15th century.^[1][3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the adaptable.^[2][4]
• 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it of the pliant.^[2][4]
• early 15th century – English flexible is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Easily bent, pliant.^[2]
2. Adaptable, flexible.^[2]
3. Of the voice, varying in pitch.^[2]

Word family

• flexibilitās
• inflexibilis

Related words

• flectō
• flexanimus
• flexilis
• flexiō
• flexuōsē
• flexuōsus
• flexūra
• flexus
• English flexible

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
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