nex

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈnɛks]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈnɛks]^[1]

Forms

nex f (genitive necis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Proto-Italic *nek-, inherited from Proto-Indo-European *neḱ-s (“death”).^[2] Its sense presupposes an earlier development from “disappear” to “die”.^[2] Cognates include Sanskrit नश्यति (náśyati, “perishes”) and, according to the OLD, Ancient Greek νέκυς (nékus, “corpse”), and the OLD also compares noceō and noxa.^[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's earliest source is the Twelve Tables, which he dates about 450 BC.^[4] De Vaan dates it from Naevius, and the OLD's earliest citation is from Ennius.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

It meant a violent death, killing, murder, as in Ennius and Cicero; death from any cause, in poets from Virgil on; and in the jurists, as in Ulpian, detriment, injury.^[3][5] Lewis & Short give mors and lētum as synonyms.^[5]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a violent death.^[6] British Medieval Latin used it for violent death, murder, slaughter, and in phrases like necī dare “to put to death”.^[7] The verb necō “to kill” is derived from it.^[2]

Timeline

• c. 450 BC – The Twelve Tables use it.^[4]
• 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of killing.^[3][4]
• 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of death in general.^[3][4]
• before 223 AD – Ulpian uses it of injury.^[3][4]

Meanings

Noun

1. A violent death, killing, murder.^[3]
2. Death (from any cause).^[3]
3. (law) Detriment, injury.^[3]

Word family

• dēnicālis
• necō
• sēminex

Related words

• noceō
• permitiēs
• noxa

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e 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 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. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
7. ^ 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