loculus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈɫɔ.kʊ.ɫʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈlɔː.ku.lus]^[1]

Forms

loculus m (genitive loculī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is a diminutive of locus “place” with the suffix -ulus.^[2][1] De Vaan finds the further origin of ⟨locus⟩ (Old Latin ⟨stlocus⟩) unclear.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of a small space: “a little too slippery a spot in the cellar”.^[2][4] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[5]

Semantic evolution

It meant a small space, a spot, as in Plautus, and a compartment, as in Pliny the Elder, who also uses it of a coffin.^[2][6] In the plural loculī was a box with compartments for valuables, a money box, as in Plautus and Horace.^[2][6] Vegetius used it for a stall in a stable.^[6]

In the Vulgate it is the bier of the widow's son at Nain (Luke 7:14).^[6]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a small space.^[2][5]
• 65–8 BC – Horace uses loculī of a money box.^[6][5]
• 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder uses it of a coffin.^[6][5]

Meanings

Noun

1. A small space, spot.^[2]
2. A compartment.^[2]
3. (plural) A box with compartments, a money box.^[2]
4. A coffin; a bier.^[6]

Word family

• loculāmentum
• locularis
• loculātus
• loculōsus

Related words

• locellus
• locus

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
4. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ a b c d e f g Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.