iuncus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈjʊŋ.kʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈjuŋ.kus]^[1]

Forms

iuncus m (genitive iuncī); second declension^[1] Also spelt juncus.^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Proto-Italic *joiniko-, with the suffix *-ko- on a stem *ioini-, through *ioinko- and *iūnko-.^[2][3] De Vaan says the stem looks non-Indo-European.^[2] Cognate with Middle Irish aín (“reeds, rushes”) and Old Norse einir (“juniper”), and perhaps with iūniperus “juniper”.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Plautus speaks of binding myrtle groves round with rushes.^[4][2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[5]

Semantic evolution

In Classical Latin it was a rush or similar plant, especially used for plaiting, as Ovid's marsh rushes, and by extension a rush-like stem.^[6][4]

In medieval Britain rushes were plaited, strewn on beds and floors, used for thatch, wicks and pens, and served as a type of worthlessness.^[7] Through Spanish junquillo it gave English jonquil, Medieval Latin iuncāta “rush basket” probably gave junket, and junk may come from Old French junc.^[3] It survives as Italian giunco, French jonc and Spanish junco.^[1]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^[2][5]
• 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid writes of marsh rushes.^[4][5]
• late 14th century – English junket “rush basket” is recorded.^[3]
• 1660s – English jonquil is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A rush, reed.^[6][4]
2. A rush-like stem.^[6][4]

Word family

• iuncētum
• iunceus
• iuncinus
• iuncōsus

Related words

• iūniperus
• English jonquil
• English junket
• English junk

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
3. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c d e Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
7. ^ 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