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pulchre

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word pulchre

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
280/260–before 200 BC, Livius Andronicus
Ultimate origin
Latin (pulcher)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin pulcher
Latin pulchre

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [ˈpʊɫ.kʰreː][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [ˈpul.kre][1]

Forms

pulchrē (comparative pulchrius, superlative pulcherrimē)[1] It is also spelled pulcrē.[2]

Etymology

It is from Latin pulcher (“beautiful”) + -ē.[3][1] De Vaan finds no etymology for pulcher: an older spelling polcher is reported by Priscian and in inscriptions, the ⟨ch⟩ is a Hellenizing spelling, and the old link with Proto-Indo-European *perk- (“variegated”) would need an unlikely dissimilation.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates it from Livius Andronicus.[5] In Plautus it is already common: in the Aulularia someone has never seen firewood supplied more generously.[3][2]

Semantic evolution

It means beautifully or attractively, as of a finely panelled ceiling in Cicero, and of style, as when Cicero speaks of speaking beautifully and like an orator.[3][2] In Plautus and Terence it is often “finely, splendidly”, and pulchrē est mihi, “I am doing well”, is found in Cicero, Catullus and Horace.[3][2] Ironically it means “nicely” of a disaster, as Plautus' “you are finely done for”.[3][2] It is also thoroughly or perfectly, and as an exclamation, “well done!”, in Terence and Horace.[3][2] Wiktionary adds the sense rightly or correctly.[1]

Timeline

  • 280/260–before 200 BC – Livius Andronicus uses it.[5]
  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of generous supply, comfortable living and utter ruin.[3][2][5]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero of a beautiful ceiling and of fine speaking.[3][5]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. Beautifully, attractively; of style, pleasingly.[3][2][1]
  2. Finely, splendidly, excellently; pulchrē est mihi, I am well off.[3][2]
  3. Ironically, nicely, finely.[3][2]
  4. Thoroughly, perfectly, very well; as an exclamation, well done![3][2][1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  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 Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
Cite this entry

“Pulchre.” Etymologically, 19 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/pulchre. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·