Etymologically
Log in

satelles

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 13:58. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [saˈtɛl.lɛs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [saˈtɛl.les][1]

Forms

satelles m or f (genitive satellitis); third declension[1]

Etymology

Its origin is uncertain.[1] The OLD calls it probably Etruscan, and Wiktionary names borrowed from Etruscan 𐌆𐌀𐌕𐌋𐌀𐌈 (zatlaθ, “follower, guard”) as one possibility.[2][1][3] Other proposals in Wiktionary connect it with Ancient Greek ἕταρος (hétaros, “comrade”).[1] Döderlein derived it from Ancient Greek στέλλω (stéllō).[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of a henchman.[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant one of the bodyguard or escort of a prince or tyrant, an attendant, often with contempt, as Livy's rēgiī satellitēs.[2][5][6] From Cicero it meant a violent partisan, and with a genitive an accomplice in crime.[2][7] Döderlein explains that satelles is a hired attendant, while stīpātor is a guard.[4]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a guard, servant, companion, officer of the law.[8] Medieval Latin used it for an armed retainer, a vassal, and an esquire or sergeant.[9] English satellite came in the 1540s through French, first of a follower.[7]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a henchman.[2][3]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of an accomplice.[2][3]
  • 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of a king's bodyguard.[5][3]
  • 1540s – English satellite is recorded.[7]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A bodyguard, attendant; a henchman.[2]
  2. A partisan; an accomplice.[2]
  3. (Medieval Latin) An armed retainer; a vassal; an esquire.[9]

Word family

  • satellitium

Usage notes

Döderlein distinguishes it as a hired attendant from stīpātor, a guard.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b c Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
  5. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  7. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  8. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  9. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill