Etymologically
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iuncus

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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
  • 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