obsequium

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ɔpˈsɛ.kʷi.ũː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [obˈsɛː.kʷi.um]^[1]

Forms

obsequium n (genitive obsequiī or obsequī); second declension^[1] Also spelled opsequium.^[2]

Etymology

It is from Latin obsequor (“to comply with”) + -ium, from ob- and sequor “to follow”.^[2][1] De Vaan traces ⟨sequor⟩ to Proto-Italic *sekʷ-e/o- (“to follow”), from Proto-Indo-European *sekʷ-e/o- (“to follow, accompany”).^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is Plautus, of compliance.^[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant compliance, yielding, indulgence, as in Plautus and Terence; deference, attentive service, consideration for others' wishes, as in Cicero; from Seneca the obedience and discipline of soldiers and subjects; in Apuleius fērālia obsequia funeral rites; and following a movement.^[2][5]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it means homage, service, worship, deference, and ready, respectful allegiance.^[6] Medieval Latin used it for a client's service to his patron, service to the state, and other services.^[7] British Medieval Latin used obsequia pedum for gait.^[8]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^[2][4]
• 190–159 BC – Terence uses it.^[5][4]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of deference.^[2][4]
• 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it of obedience.^[2][4]

Meanings

Noun

1. Compliance, indulgence.^[2][9]
2. Deference, attentive service.^[2]
3. Obedience, allegiance.^[2][6]
4. (plural) Funeral rites.^[2]
5. (Medieval Latin) A client's or vassal's service.^[7]

Word family

• obsequialis
• obsequiōsus

Related words

• obsequor
• sequor
• English obsequious

Usage notes

Lewis & Short give indulgentia and obsequentia as synonyms.^[9]

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 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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
6. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
7. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
8. ^ 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 Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press