multiformis

Forms

multifōrmis (neuter multifōrme); third-declension two-termination adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin multus (“much, many”) + -fōrmis (“having the form of”),^[1] the second part being fōrma (“shape, form”) with an adjectival ending.^[2] De Vaan traces multus to Proto-Italic *molto- and considers its further Indo-European etymology weak.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in Cicero,^[4] who in the Academica describes qualities as varied and, as it were, many-shaped: “variae et quasi multiformes”.^[2][5]

Semantic evolution

In the first century AD it was used of things that take many forms or vary greatly, such as an evil, the varied casting of rays or a garland of many flowers,^[2] and of people of changeable character: Seneca says that we are many-shaped, now thrifty, now wasteful.^[2][6] Quintilian applies it to a wicked mind, and Fronto calls Ennius many-sided.^[2][6] With a plural noun it meant many and of various kinds: Columella has nuts of many sorts, Gellius learning of many kinds.^[2][5]

Christian and medieval Latin kept the senses “manifold, various”;^[7] British writers used it of Proteus, of the many cells of a honeycomb and of varied sounds.^[8] English borrowed it about 1600 as multiform, from French or from Latin.^[9]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero calls qualities “quasi multiformes” in the Academica.^[2][4]
• 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca applies it to the changeable human character.^[2][4]
• 1st century AD – Columella uses it of nuts of many kinds.^[2][4]
• 100–170 AD – Fronto calls Ennius many-sided.^[2][4]
• 639–709 AD – Aldhelm uses it of the many-celled structure of a honeycomb.^[8][4]
• c. 1600 – English borrows it as multiform.^[9]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Having many forms, shapes or aspects; multiform, varying greatly.^[2][5]
2. Of a person or character: changeable, fickle; versatile, many-sided.^[2][6]
3. With a plural noun: many and diverse, of many sorts, manifold.^[2][5][7]

Related words

• English multiform

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m 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 c d e f Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b c d Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ a b c Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
7. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
8. ^ 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
9. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com