pallidus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈpal.lɪ.dʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈpal.li.dus]^[1]

Forms

pallidus (feminine pallida, neuter pallidum, comparative pallidior); first/second-declension adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is from palleō “to be pale” with the suffix -idus.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of a pale complexion.^[2] Köbler's first source is Ennius, whom he dates 204–169 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant pale, colourless, of the complexion, from illness or strong emotion, as in Plautus, in Pliny the Elder of a pale colour, and in Virgil of dim light.^[2] Isidore uses it of a kind of building stone that is seldom useful.^[5]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant pale, pallid, wan.^[6] British Medieval Latin used it of pale people, and of death personified.^[7] It survives in Italian pallido, and through Old French paile it gave English pale in the early 14th century; it was borrowed again as English pallid in the 1580s.^[1][3]

Timeline

• 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it.^[4]
• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of the complexion.^[2][4]
• early 14th century – English pale is recorded.^[3]
• 1580s – English pallid is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Pale, pallid.^[2]
2. Of a pale colour.^[2]
3. Of light, dim.^[2]

Word family

• pallidulus
• perpallidus
• subpallidus
• vēpallidus

Related words

• pallēns
• palleō
• pallēscō
• pallor
• English pale
• English pallid

References

1. ^ a b c d e 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 Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
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