Etymologically
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provolvo

Etymology and origin of the Latin word provolvo

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Compound
First attested
Terence
Ultimate origin
Latin (volvō)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [proːˈwɔɫ.woː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [proˈvɔl.vo][1]

Forms

prōvolvō (present infinitive prōvolvere, perfect active prōvolvī, supine prōvolūtum); third conjugation[1] Lucretius has it in tmesis, prōque volūta.[2]

Etymology

It is from prō- “forward” and volvō “to roll”.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Terence, of rolling forward.[2] Köbler dates Terence 190–159 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant to roll forward, as in Terence, and to topple, bowl over, as in Lucretius.[2] Reflexively or in the passive, with ad pedēs, it meant to throw oneself at someone's feet, as in Livy.[2]

Timeline

  • 190–159 BC – Terence uses it.[2][3]
  • 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of toppling.[2][3]
  • 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of prostrating oneself.[2][3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To roll forward.[2]
  2. To topple.[2]
  3. (reflexive) To prostrate oneself.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
Cite this entry

“Provolvo.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/provolvo. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·