proverbium

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [proːˈwɛr.bi.ũː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [proˈvɛr.bi.um]^[1]

Forms

prōverbium n (genitive prōverbiī or prōverbī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from prō-, verbum “word” and -ium.^[2][1] Etymonline renders it literally “words put forward”.^[3] Verbum is *werþo- (“word”), from Proto-Indo-European *uerh₁-dʰh₁-o- (“making a statement”).^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero (81–43 BC).^[5] Cicero writes of “that proverb now worn with use”.^[6][7]

Semantic evolution

It meant a proverb, saying, maxim or adage.^[2][1] Phrases include Cicero's in proverbii consuetudinem venire and Livy's in proverbium venire, “to become proverbial”, and Pliny's in proverbium cedere.^[7][8] Cicero also notes what was a proverb among the Greeks.^[8]

In Christian and medieval Latin it also meant a parable, riddle or simile.^[9][5] The Old Testament book of Proverbs gave English proverb around 1300.^[3]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a worn proverb.^[6][5]
• 59 BC–17 AD – Livy has in proverbium venire.^[8][5]
• c. 1300 – English proverb is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. A proverb, saying, maxim, adage.^[2][1]
2. (Christian Latin) A parable, riddle, simile.^[9][5]

Related words

• verbum
• English proverb

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ 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 Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ a b Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
8. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
9. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill