plus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈpɫuːs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈplus]^[1]

Forms

plūs (comparative, neuter plūs); third declension^[1] The Senatus consultum de Bacchanalibus has plous.^[2][3]

Etymology

It is inherited from Proto-Italic *ple/o(H)is (“more”), the comparative of Proto-Indo-European *pélh₁us (“much, many”), from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₁- (“to fill”).^[2][1] The many old spellings make it uncertain whether it reflects *plous- or *plois-.^[2] Cognate with Old Irish lia (“more”), Ancient Greek πλέων (pléōn, “more”) and Avestan frāiiah- (“more”).^[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is found in the Twelve Tables.^[2] Plautus asks whether taking from great riches makes more or less.^[3]

Semantic evolution

In Classical Latin it was the comparative of multus: a greater amount or number, more, with numerals more than, as Cicero's “more than once”, and something more important.^[3][4] As an adverb it was to a greater degree, as Plautus' “I love no young man more”, and furthermore.^[3] Plūris was at a higher price.^[3]

In medieval Latin plūs minus was “more or less”.^[5] English plus came into use in arithmetic in the 1570s, and its genitive gave plūrālis and English plural.^[6]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^[3][7]
• late 14th century – English plural is recorded.^[6]
• 1570s – English plus is recorded.^[6]

Meanings

Noun

1. A greater amount or number, more.^[3][4]
2. More than (with numerals).^[3]
3. Plūris, at a higher price.^[3]

Adverb

1. More, to a greater degree.^[3]
2. Furthermore.^[3]

Word family

• plūrālis
• plūrātīuus
• plūriēs
• plūrifārius
• plūrimus
• plūsculus
• plūsquamperfectum
• plusscius
• quamplūrēs

Related words

• multus
• English plus
• English plural

Usage notes

Isidore calls a war “more than civil” when kinsmen fight each other.^[8]

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
4. ^ a b Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
5. ^ 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
6. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
7. ^ Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
8. ^ Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).