neu

Forms

neu (conjunction)^[1]

Etymology

It is the shortened form of nēve, nē (“not, lest”) with -ve (“or”).^[2][1][3] De Vaan derives both from Proto-Italic *nē-we, with the loss of final /e/, and takes nē as a stressed form of Proto-Indo-European *ne (“not”); he compares a Celtic ⟨*ne-we⟩.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Plautus has nē lacrumā, soror, neu … id … fac, “don't cry, sister, and don't do that”.^[2][4]

Semantic evolution

Neu is the form of nēve used especially before consonants: “and not, nor”, adding a second prohibition or a negative clause (Terence, Cicero).^[2][5] After ut it adds a negative to a positive clause, “and that … not”, and after a command it introduces a prohibition (Virgil: neu sēgnēs iaceant terrae, “and let the lands not lie idle”).^[2] Repeated, neu … neu is “neither … nor” (Virgil: neu struere audērent aciem neu crēdere campō).^[2]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus: nē lacrumā, soror, neu….^[2][4]
• 190–159 BC – Terence: neu mē cupidum eō impulisset.^[2][4]
• 70–19 BC – Virgil: neu sēgnēs iaceant terrae.^[2][4]

Meanings

Conjunction

1. And not, nor (in prohibitions and negative clauses).^[2][5][1]
2. And that … not.^[2]
3. neu … neu, neither … nor.^[2]

Related words

• nē
• seu
• neque

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ 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
4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press