Etymologically
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queror

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈkʷɛ.rɔr][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈkʷɛː.ror][1]

Forms

queror (present infinitive querī, perfect active questus sum); third conjugation, deponent[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Proto-Italic *kʷes-e/o-.[2] Walde–Hofmann, Pokorny and the LIV derive it from Proto-Indo-European *ḱwes- (“to hiss, sigh”), through “to sigh”, which de Vaan calls possible but not compelling, and Ernout–Meillet were hesitant.[2][1] If so, it is cognate with Sanskrit श्वसिति (śvásiti, “hisses, snorts”) and Old Norse hvæsa (“to hiss”).[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Plautus uses it: “I lament my fortunes, kept from the one I love”.[3][2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

In Classical Latin it was to complain, grumble or protest, to complain that something is so, and to bewail, as Caesar's men bewailing their fate.[3][5] Of birds and other creatures it was to make a plaintive sound.[3]

Its noun querēla “complaint” gave Old French querele and English quarrel, first “ground for complaint”.[6] querulus gave querulous.[2][6]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.[3][4]
  • c. 50 BC – Caesar's soldiers bewail their fate.[5][4]
  • mid-14th century – English quarrel “dispute” is recorded.[6]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To complain, grumble, protest.[3][7]
  2. To bewail, lament.[3][1]
  3. Of birds, to make a plaintive sound.[3]

Word family

  • conqueror
  • dēqueror
  • praequeror
  • querēla
  • queribundus
  • querimōnia
  • queritor
  • querulus
  • questiō
  • questus

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e 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 Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  7. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press