Etymologically
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propalam

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Pronunciation

  • Classical: [ˈproː.pa.ɫãː][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [ˈprɔː.pa.lam][1]

Forms

prōpalam (not comparable)[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin prō (“in front of”) + palam (“openly”).[2][1][3] De Vaan finds the origin of palam uncertain; among Schrijver's explanations is a locative “in the flat of the hand”, related to palma.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Plautus has it first,[5][4] in the Epidicus: “I am less of a thief now: I rob openly”.[6][7]

Semantic evolution

It means in full view, openly, without concealment.[2] Plautus also has prōpalam fierī, to become known, in the Miles gloriosus: “I fear this may become all too public”.[2][7] Cicero has statues set up in public view, Livy speaking and threatening openly, and Tacitus some acting openly, others in secret.[6][7] Terentianus Maurus has prōpalam est, “it is clear”.[6][7] Glosses explain it as “very openly”.[3]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus, of robbing openly.[6][5]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero, of statues displayed in public.[6][5]
  • 59 BC–17 AD – Livy, of speaking openly.[6][5]
  • 98–115 AD – Tacitus, opposed to secret action.[6][5]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. In full view, openly, publicly, without concealment.[2][6][1]
  2. prōpalam fierī: to become known;[2][6] prōpalam est: it is clear.[2][6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  4. ^ a b 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 e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ a b c d Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn