Etymologically
Log in

obsequens

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 20 October 2026 at 13:23. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Forms

obsequēns (genitive obsequentis; comparative obsequentior, superlative obsequentissimus); third-declension one-termination adjective[1][2] Also spelled opsequēns.[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin obsequor (“to comply with, humour”), its present participle used as an adjective.[1][2][3] That verb is a compound of sequor (“to follow”), which de Vaan traces to Proto-Italic *sekʷ-e/o- and Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ-e/o- (“to follow, accompany”);[4] cognate with Ancient Greek ἕπομαι (hépomai, “to follow”) and Sanskrit सचते (sácate, “follows”).[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Plautus has it first,[3] as in the Casina: “how obliging I have proved to you! I gave you what you wanted most”.[1]

Semantic evolution

It is compliant with the wishes of others, obliging or indulgent, in Plautus, Terence and Caecilius,[1] and the superlative is used of a daughter-in-law in the declamations ascribed to Quintilian, of a husband in Apuleius, and in inscriptions.[2][1] It is responsive to something, as Terence's man given to pleasure while he lived.[1] As an epithet of gods it means gracious: Plautus has Fortūna Obsequēns, and inscriptions Venus and Jupiter Obsequens.[1][2] Of persons and animals it is obedient: Terence has a son less obedient to his father, Plancus five legions obedient to him, Seneca horses obedient to one rider and stubborn with another, and Celsus an obedient patient.[1][2] Of things it is favourable or pliant: Seneca has a calm sea and a favourable wind, and the mind more pliant than any liquid, and Columella calls Italy most responsive to human care.[1][2] Church Latin has “dutiful, obedient, yielding”.[5] It was also a Roman name, as Iulius Obsequens.[6]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus, “obliging”, and Fortūna Obsequēns.[1][3]
  • 190–159 BC – Terence, of an obedient son.[1][3]
  • 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca, of obedient horses and a favourable wind.[1][3]
  • 1st century AD – Columella, of Italy responsive to care.[1][3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Responsive, given to.[1]
  2. Obliging, compliant, indulgent; of gods, gracious.[1][2]
  3. Of things, favourable.[1]
  4. Obedient, docile.[1][2][5]
  5. Pliant, tractable; responsive to treatment.[1][2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  3. ^ a b c d e f Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ 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
  5. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  6. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press