Etymologically
Log in

lepos

Etymology and origin of the Latin word lepos

History Permalink
Confidence
Uncertain
First attested
Plautus

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈɫɛ.poːs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈlɛː.pos][1]

Forms

lepōs m (genitive lepōris); third declension[1]

Etymology

Its origin is uncertain.[1] It has been compared with Ancient Greek λέπω (lépō, “to peel”) and Ancient Greek λεπτός (leptós, “peeled; fine, delicate”), from Proto-Indo-European *lep- (“to peel”).[2][3] De Vaan finds the semantic link not compelling, though the Greek shift from “peeled” to “refined” makes a Latin shift from “what is peeled” to “refinement” conceivable.[2] Whether it is the base of lepidus “charming” or derived from it is uncertain.[2] Döderlein also derived it from lépō, leptós.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

De Vaan dates it from Plautus, who speaks of a thing without charm or sweetness.[2][5] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant charm, grace, attractiveness, and then charm or cleverness of language, wit, humour, as Plautus' prologue that promises wit and play in the comedy.[5] Cicero speaks of speaking leporis causā, for the sake of charm.[6] The words of this family fall out of use after Cicero.[2] Döderlein calls it the lightest wit, the gift of a kindly mind, contrasted with facētiae and fēstīvitās.[4]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus promises wit in his comedy.[5][3]
  • 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of charm.[6][3]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero speaks for the sake of charm.[6][3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Charm, grace, attractiveness.[5]
  2. Charm of language, wit, humour.[5]
  • lepidē
  • lepidus

References

  1. ^ a b c d 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
  5. ^ a b c d e Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  6. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
Cite this entry

“Lepos.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/lepos. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·