Etymologically
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plene

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Pronunciation

  • Classical: [ˈpɫeː.neː][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [ˈplɛː.ne][1]

Forms

plēnē (comparative plēnius, superlative plēnissimē)[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin plēnus (“full”) + -ē.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates it from Cicero,[3] who writes to his brother, if you cannot avoid this entirely.[2]

Semantic evolution

It means entirely, completely, as in Cicero, and in full measure, abundantly: Horace speaks of baths that a man praises as making a life fully happy.[2] It is also lavishly, as an inscription records games given most generously, and of sound with a fuller tone, as Horace's Alcaeus sounding more fully on his golden plectrum.[2] In law the jurist Javolenus says an emperor's favour should be interpreted as widely as possible.[2]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero of doing something completely.[2][3]
  • 65–8 BC – Horace of a full life and a fuller sound.[2]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. Entirely, completely, fully.[2][1]
  2. In full measure, abundantly; lavishly; with a full sound.[2]
  3. (law) Widely, in a wide sense.[2]

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 Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de