sancte

Forms

sanctē (comparative sanctius, superlative sanctissimē)^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin sānctus (“sacred, inviolable”) + -ē.^[1][2] sānctus is the past participle of sanciō (“to make sacred, ratify”), which de Vaan traces to Proto-Italic *sa-n-k-je- (“to sanctify”) and Proto-Indo-European *sh₂-n-k- (“to make sacred”), from the root of sacer.^[3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates it from Plautus.^[2] In the OLD's earliest quotation, from Plautus, someone asks whether the other will still have doubts when he swears solemnly.^[1]

Semantic evolution

It is in a way secured by religious sanction, inviolably: Cicero says that a law is written more strictly and more inviolably than the ancient laws.^[1] It is also religiously, in keeping with sacred duty, as of a city's ornaments most religiously guarded, and with integrity, virtuously: Cicero speaks of one who had lived virtuously and with dignity.^[1] Köbler also finds it in the Bible and medieval texts.^[2]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of swearing solemnly.^[1][2]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero of inviolable laws, religious care and a virtuous life.^[1][2]

Meanings

Adverb

1. Inviolably, by religious sanction; with verbs of swearing, solemnly.^[1]
2. In keeping with religious duty, religiously.^[1]
3. With integrity, virtuously, innocently.^[1]

Related words

• sānctus
• sanciō

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
2. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
3. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon 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