Etymologically
Log in

muliebriter

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 20 October 2026 at 13:02. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [mʊ.liˈɛ.brɪ.tɛr][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [mu.liˈɛː.bri.ter][1]

Forms

muliebriter (not comparable)[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin muliebris (“womanly”) + -ter.[2][1] De Vaan takes muliebris to show that mulier (“woman”) was originally an s-stem; the further origin of the noun is disputed.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates it from Cicero,[4] who in the Tusculan Disputations urges that we do nothing in a slavish or womanish way: ne quid serviliter muliebriterve faciamus.[2]

Semantic evolution

It means in the manner of a woman, like a woman,[2] and, of the conduct of a man, in a way thought more fitting for a woman, effeminately,[2][1] as in Cicero's warning against bearing pain in a womanish way.[2]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero, of conduct unworthy of a man.[2][4]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. In the manner of a woman, like a woman.[2][1]
  2. Of a man's conduct: effeminately, in a womanish way.[2][1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g 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. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de