laureola

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ɫau̯ˈre.ɔ.ɫa]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [lau̯ˈrɛː.o.la]^[1]

Forms

laureola f (genitive laureolae); first declension^[1] It is also spelled lōreola.^[2]

Etymology

It is a diminutive of laurea “laurel, laurel wreath” with the suffix -ola, from laurus “bay tree”.^[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero, whom he dates 81–43 BC.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant a small laurel branch, a sprig of bay, especially as used to announce a victory, and so a little triumph.^[2][4] Cicero's proverb laureolam in mustāceō quaerere “to look for a bay leaf in a wedding cake” meant to seek glory in trifles.^[5][2]

British Medieval Latin used it for the spurge laurel, Daphne laureola.^[6] English laurel comes from the same Latin word laurus through Old French laurier.^[7]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.^[3][5]
• mid-14th century – English laurel is recorded.^[7]

Meanings

Noun

1. A sprig of laurel; a small triumph.^[2][4]
2. (Medieval Latin) The spurge laurel.^[6]

Related words

• laurea
• laureātus
• laurus
• English laurel

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
6. ^ a b 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
7. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com