Etymologically
Log in

mobiliter

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 20 October 2026 at 20:20. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Forms

mōbiliter (comparative mōbilius, superlative mōbilissimē)[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin mōbilis (“movable, quick”) + -ter.[2][3] The adjective is formed from moveō (“to move”) with -bilis;[2][1] de Vaan derives it from Proto-Italic *mowe-bli- and traces the verb to Proto-Indo-European *m(i̯)euh₁- (“to move”).[4] Cognate with Lithuanian máudyti (“to bathe”).[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates it from Lucretius,[3] who uses it of things that are carried along swiftly because of their great lightness.[2][5]

Semantic evolution

Its main sense is with rapid motion, quickly or nimbly.[2][5] Cicero writes of a heart torn out that went on beating rapidly, and of the mind stirred in motion;[2][6] Lucretius uses the comparative of something returning more quickly.[2][6] The Bellum Alexandrinum has five warships guarding a strait nimbly and skilfully, and Seneca uses the comparative of things flowing more swiftly.[2]

Caesar says that the Gauls are roused to war mobiliter celeriterque, which the OLD takes as fickly, inconstantly, and Conte as easily and quickly.[2][6] The grammarian Pompeius used it for changeably, as the opposite of immobiliter.[5] Osbern of Gloucester lists it as the adverb of moveō, meaning with movement or change.[7]

Timeline

  • 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of things carried along swiftly.[2][3]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a heart beating rapidly.[2][3]
  • c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it of the Gauls roused to war.[2][3]
  • 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses the comparative of flowing more swiftly.[2][3]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. With rapid motion, actively, quickly.[2][5]
  2. In a fickle manner, inconstantly.[2]
  3. Changeably; with movement or change.[5][7]

References

  1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ a b c d e f Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
  5. ^ a b c d e Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  6. ^ a b c Conte, Gian Biagio; Pianezzola, Emilio; Ranucci, Giuliano (2010), il Latino: Vocabolario della lingua latina, 3rd ed., Florence: Le Monnier
  7. ^ 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