lacca

lacca¹ swelling

Pronunciation

• Classical: [ˈɫak.ka]^[1]
• Ecclesiastical: [ˈlak.ka]^[1]

Forms

lacca f (genitive laccae); first declension^[1]

Etymology

The word for the swelling is of unknown origin.^[2] Walde suggested a link with lacertus “upper arm” and Old Norse leggr (“leg”), but thought it very doubtful;^[3] Wiktionary likewise mentions a possible source in Proto-Indo-European *lēk- (“leg”).^[1] It survives in Italian dialects (Venetian, Emilian, Tuscan) as Italian lacca.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

It occurs in the veterinary Mulomedicina Chironis and in Vegetius, who took it from there, for a swelling on the legs of draught animals.^[2]

Timeline

• 4th century AD – The Mulomedicina Chironis names the swelling.^[2][4]
• c. 400 AD – Vegetius uses it in his veterinary work.^[5][4]

Meanings

Noun

1. A swelling or tumour on the shins of draught animals.^[5][6][7]

lacca² plant

Pronunciation

• Classical: [ˈɫak.ka]^[1]
• Ecclesiastical: [ˈlak.ka]^[1]

Forms

lacca f (genitive laccae); first declension^[1]

Etymology

The plant name is Greek according to the TLL.^[2] Köbler and the NGML give the Greek source as borrowed from Ancient Greek λακχά (lakchá), a plant name,^[4][8] which Köbler thinks may come from India.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Pseudo-Apuleius' herbal names a plant lacca, otherwise unknown;^[5][9] the TLL identifies it with the plant also called anchūsa.^[2]

Timeline

• end of 4th century AD – Pseudo-Apuleius names the plant in his herbal.^[5][4]

Meanings

Noun

1. A plant, the same as anchūsa, alkanet.^[2][10][11]

lacca³ lac, resin

Pronunciation

• Classical: [ˈɫak.ka]^[1]
• Ecclesiastical: [ˈlak.ka]^[1]

Forms

lacca f (genitive laccae); first declension; also laca and lacis^[12]

Etymology

The word for the resin is borrowed from Arabic, which took it from Persian.^[12][4] Köbler and Etymonline trace it further back to Sanskrit.^[4][13]

Earliest recorded meaning

The NGML quotes the Genoese annals of Ogerius Panis, under the year 1204, for sacks of pepper and lac among captured goods.^[8]

Semantic evolution

It named lac, the resinous gum of certain trees in southern Asia,^[12][11][13] which Latin texts also describe as the gum of the tree Aleurites laccifera.^[14] Through Medieval Latin it reached English: Etymonline records lacca in early 15th-century medical texts, as an ingredient of pills.^[13]

Timeline

• 1204 – The Genoese annals of Ogerius Panis list lac among merchandise.^[8]
• early 15th century – English medical texts use lacca for an ingredient of pills.^[13]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin) lac, a resinous gum.^[12][4][11]

lacca⁴ shortfall

Pronunciation

• Classical: [ˈɫak.ka]^[1]
• Ecclesiastical: [ˈlak.ka]^[1]

Forms

lacca f (genitive laccae); first declension; also neuter laccum^[15][12]

Etymology

The word for the shortfall is borrowed from Middle English lak,^[15] a word that Niermeyer and Köbler call Old English.^[12][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler finds it first in the Leges Henrici Primi, of about 1115,^[4] and the DMLBS quotes the Quadripartitus on merchants who bring false and deficient goods to port.^[15]

Semantic evolution

In English records it meant a shortfall in the weight or fineness of coins and metal, and a deficiency or loss in a commodity.^[15] The related verb laccare, from Middle English lakken, meant to fall short in weight.^[15]

Timeline

• c. 1115 – The Leges Henrici Primi use it of deficiency in weight or quality.^[4]
• 1189 – A Pipe Roll uses it of a shortfall in a sum of money.^[15]
• 1205 – The Patent Rolls speak of a shortfall of an eighth part of a penny.^[15]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin) A shortfall or defect in weight or quality, especially of coin or metal; a loss in a commodity.^[12][15]