imperiosus
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Pronunciation
Forms
imperiōsus (feminine imperiōsa, neuter imperiōsum, adverb imperiōsē); first/second-declension adjective[1] It is also spelled inperiōsus.[2]
Etymology
It is from imperium “command” with the suffix -ōsus.[2][1][3]
Earliest recorded meaning
The OLD's earliest citation is from Ennius, of commanding authority.[2] Köbler's first source is Cicero; he dates Ennius 204–169 BC.[4]
Semantic evolution
It meant exercising authority, commanding, as in Ennius, and in Plautus domineering, dictatorial.[2]
In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant mighty, powerful, far-ruling, domineering.[5] British Medieval Latin used it of men, women, gods and abstract things commanding obedience.[6] It survives in Italian and Spanish imperioso and French impérieux, and gave English imperious in the 1540s.[1][3]
Timeline
- 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of authority.[2][4]
- c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of the domineering.[2][4]
- 1540s – English imperious is recorded.[3]
Meanings
Adjective
Word family
- imperiōsē
Related words
- imperābiliter
- imperātīvē
- imperātīvus
- imperātōr
- imperātōriē
- imperātōrius
- imperātrīx
- imperātum
- imperātus
- imperiābiliter
- imperium
- imperō
- English imperious
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