Etymologically
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prope

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈprɔ.pɛ][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈprɔː.pe][1]

Forms

prope (comparative propius, superlative proximē or proxumus or proximus)[1]

Etymology

De Vaan follows Dunkel in deriving it from the iterative preverb Proto-Indo-European *própro (“on and on, ever further”), with dissimilatory loss of the second /r/; its comparative is propior and its superlative proximus.[2] Cognate with Sanskrit प्रप्र (prá-pra, “on and on”) and Ancient Greek πρόπρο (própro).[2] The OLD and Wiktionary derive it instead from ⟨*prokʷe⟩, prō with -que, with the second /p/ assimilated.[3][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

De Vaan's first source is Plautus, whom Köbler dates c. 250–184 BC.[2][4] The OLD's earliest citations are from Plautus, “near by”.[3]

Semantic evolution

As an adverb it meant near, close, as in Plautus, of time near at hand, and of degree, propius vērō est meant it is nearer the truth, as in Sallust.[3] In Horace it meant almost, nearly, all but, and in Livy prope est ut “it is almost the case that”.[3] As a preposition it meant near, by, as in Plautus, and in Livy close to a time or condition.[3]

British Medieval Latin used it for close by.[5] Late Latin appropiāre “to go nearer”, from propiāre, gave English approach about 1300.[6]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.[2][3][4]
  • 86–34 BC – Sallust has propius vērō.[3][4]
  • 65–8 BC – Horace uses it of “almost”.[3][4]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. Near, close by.[3]
  2. Near in time.[3]
  3. Nearly, almost.[3]

Preposition

  1. (with accusative) Near, by.[3]
  2. Close to (in time or condition).[3]

Word family

  • impropē
  • propemodo
  • propemodum
  • propinquus
  • propter
  • *adprope
  • appropiō
  • propior
  • proximus

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d 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 m Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  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. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com