numerose

Forms

numerōsē (comparative numerōsius, superlative numerōsissimē)^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin numerōsus (“numerous; rhythmical”) + -ē, an adverb, from numerus (“number”).^[2][3] De Vaan traces ⟨numerus⟩ to Proto-Italic *nomeso-, from Proto-Indo-European *nem-os (“apportioning”).^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its earliest source is Cicero, of rhythmical prose.^[3][2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant rhythmically, in cadence, as in Cicero, and in large numbers, plentifully, as in Columella, Pliny and Quintilian.^[2][5]

British Medieval Latin used it for in large numbers, as in Henry of Huntingdon.^[6]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of rhythm.^[2][3]
• 1st century AD – Columella uses it of numbers.^[2][3]

Meanings

Adverb

1. In large numbers, plentifully.^[2]
2. Rhythmically.^[2]

Related words

• numerābilis
• numerālis
• numerārius
• numerātiō
• numerātor
• numerātus
• numerius
• numerō
• numerōsitās
• numerōsiter
• numerōsus
• numerus

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
5. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
6. ^ 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