Etymologically
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pallor

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈpal.lɔr][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈpal.lor][1]

Forms

pallor m (genitive pallōris); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from palleō “to be pale” with the suffix -or.[2][1][3] De Vaan reconstructs Proto-Italic ⟨*palwo-⟩ “pale, grey” and compares Lithuanian pal̃vas (“light yellow”) and Old High German falo (“faded”), but notes that these point to ⟨*polwo-⟩, which does not explain the Latin /a/; the word may be an old loan into the European languages.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Plautus, whom he dates c. 250–184 BC.[5] The OLD's earliest citation for paleness of complexion is from Vitruvius.[2]

Semantic evolution

It meant paleness of the face, which in Mediterranean people had a yellowish or greenish tinge, as in Vitruvius and Cicero, who says that fear brings pallor and trembling.[2][6] In Lucretius it meant paleness of other things, and in Pliny the Elder dimness of light.[2]

British Medieval Latin used it for paleness caused by cold, fear, study, illness or death.[7] It survives in Italian pallore, and through Old French palor it gave English pallor about 1400.[1][3]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.[5]
  • 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of things.[2][5]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero pairs it with fear.[6][5]
  • c. 1400 – English pallor is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Paleness of complexion, pallor.[2]
  2. Paleness of things.[2]
  3. Dimness, faintness of light.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  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. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  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