improbe
Forms
improbē (comparative improbius, superlative improbissimē)[1] It is also spelled inprobē.[1][2]
Etymology
It is from Latin improbus (“bad, wicked”) + -ē, the adverb of the adjective.[1][3] The adjective is the negative of probus (“good, upright”), which de Vaan traces to Proto-Italic *pro-f(w)-o- (“favourable”) and Proto-Indo-European *pro-bʰ(h₂)u-o-.[4] Cognate with Umbrian prufe (“correctly”).[4]
Earliest recorded meaning
Its first example in the OLD is in Plautus, “if you know of anything I have done foolishly or wrongly”.[1]
Semantic evolution
It means without moral principle, wrongfully or dishonestly, and in politics with unsound views, as in Cicero's letters to Brutus.[1] It also means shamelessly or insolently, as Cicero's guest who drove them out by his insolent answers and disgusting belching, and immodestly, as Catullus' kisses snatched too wantonly.[1] Seneca uses it of a far-fetched style and Vitruvius of going too far, and in Columella, in a non-moral sense, it means improperly.[1]
Timeline
- c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of acting wrongly.[1][3]
- 81–43 BC – Cicero of insolent answers.[1][3]
- 81/79–52/50 BC – Catullus of wanton kisses.[1][3]
- 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca of a far-fetched style.[1][3]
Meanings
Adverb
- Wrongfully, dishonestly; with unsound political views.[1]
- Shamelessly, insolently, wantonly; in a far-fetched style; excessively.[1]
- Improperly, amiss.[1]
Related words
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
- ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
- ^ 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