Etymologically
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magis

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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

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