magis

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈma.ɡɪs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈmaː.d͡ʒis]^[1]

Forms

magis (not comparable)^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Proto-Italic *magis (“more”), from the root of magnus “great” with the zero grade ⟨*-is⟩ of the comparative suffix, Proto-Indo-European ⟨*mǵ-is-⟩.^[2][3][1] De Vaan calls the suffix very archaic, like that of satis.^[2] Cognate with Oscan mais (“more”).^[3][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from the Twelve Tables, “rather, more correctly”.^[3] Köbler dates them about 450 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to a greater extent, more, as in Ennius, and in Plautus it formed periphrastic comparatives.^[3] Magis magisque meant more and more in Terence, nōn magis … quam “as much as” in Cicero, and it also meant rather, instead, more correctly, with better reason, and sooner.^[3]

It survives in Spanish más, Portuguese mais, Romanian mai and Old French mais, and in French mais “but”.^[1] Its derivative magister gave English master.^[5]

Timeline

• c. 450 BC – The Twelve Tables use it.^[3][4]
• 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it, “more”.^[3][4]
• 190–159 BC – Terence has magis magisque.^[3][4]

Meanings

Adverb

1. More, to a greater extent.^[3]
2. (forming comparatives) More.^[3]
3. magis magisque, more and more.^[3]
4. Rather, instead.^[3]
5. More properly; sooner.^[3]

Word family

• dēmagis
• magister
• māvolō
• mālō

Related words

• magnus
• maior
• maximē
• English master

Usage notes

A rare unrelated magis (genitive magidis), a dish or plate, is borrowed from Ancient Greek μαγίς (magís).^[3][4]

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c 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 f g h i j k l m n Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
4. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com