Etymologically
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parma

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈpar.ma], [ˈpar.maː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈpar.ma], [ˈpar.ma][1]

Forms

parma f (genitive parmae); first declension[1]

Etymology

The origin is uncertain.[2][3] The OLD suggests a Gaulish word, and Wiktionary also mentions a Celtic borrowing.[2][1] Another view takes it as a back-formation from parmula, dissimilated from *palmula, from palma “palm of the hand”, for a shield held in the hand.[1] Lewis and Short compare Ancient Greek πάρμη (pármē).[4] Isidore of Seville derived it from parvus “small”, as a light shield.[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Ennius, and Gaffiot cites his Annals.[3][6] Köbler dates Ennius 204–169 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant a small, usually round shield carried by light infantry and cavalry, as in Ennius, Sallust and Livy.[2][6] By metonymy it meant the Thracian gladiator who carried one, as in Martial, and poetically any shield.[6] Lucretius has the old genitive parmāī.[4] Döderlein says scūtum is a large shield covering the body, while clipeus and parma are smaller round ones.[7]

In Medieval Latin it was a small shield, also figuratively.[8]

Timeline

  • 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it.[6][3]
  • 96–55 BC – Lucretius has the genitive parmāī.[4][3]
  • 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of a small shield.[6][3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A small round shield.[2]
  2. A Thracian gladiator, (poetic) a shield.[6]

Word family

  • parmātus
  • parmula

Usage notes

Parma was also the town of Parma in Cisalpine Gaul, famous for its wool.[2][4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  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 c d Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
  6. ^ a b c d e f Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  7. ^ Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
  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