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