problema
Pronunciation
Forms
problēma n (genitive problēmatis); third declension[1]
Etymology
It is borrowed from Ancient Greek πρόβλημα (próblēma, “something put forward, a question; obstacle”),[1][2] from προβάλλω (probállō, “to throw before, put forward”).[3][4]
Earliest recorded meaning
Seneca the Elder, in the Controversiae, uses it in the plural.[5][6] Köbler dates Seneca 4 BC–65 AD.[3]
Semantic evolution
It was a question proposed for solution, a problem, puzzle or riddle, a post-Augustan word.[2] Suetonius uses it in his work on grammarians, and Gellius cites the Problēmata physica, a work of Aristotle, with Greek-style plural forms such as problēmatōrum.[2][5][6] Apuleius uses it too.[6]
British medieval writers used it of a difficult question or a riddle, as Aldhelm of riddles explained in verse.[7] English problem is recorded in the late 14th century.[4]
Timeline
- 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca the Elder uses it.[5][3]
- c. 75–c. 150 AD – Suetonius uses it.[2][3]
- c. 165 AD – Gellius cites Aristotle's Problems.[5][3]
- late 14th century – English problem is recorded.[4]
Meanings
Noun
Word family
- problēmaticus
Related words
- English problem
References
- ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
- ^ a b c d e Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
- ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
- ^ a b c d Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
- ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
- ^ 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