simplus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈsɪm.pɫʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈsim.plus]^[1]

Forms

simplus (feminine simpla, neuter simplum); first/second-declension adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is from the root ⟨sem-⟩ “one” of semel “once” and the suffix -plus “-fold” of duplus “double”.^[2][1] The root goes back to Proto-Indo-European *sem- (“one, together”).^[1][3] Compare simplex and Ancient Greek ἁπλοῦς (haploûs, “single”).^[1][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's earliest source is Plautus, whom he dates c. 250–184 BC.^[3]

Semantic evolution

In Classical Latin it was used mostly as a noun, simpla pecūnia or simpla, the simple sum, and simplum, the single amount, as opposed to the double that a penalty might require, as in Cicero and Livy.^[2][4] As an ordinary adjective, “simple, single”, it is post-classical: Prudentius uses it of death.^[5][4]

British Medieval Latin used it for single, made of one thing, and of the single death of Christ.^[6] The related ⟨simplex⟩, not ⟨simplus⟩, is the source of English simple.^[7]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^[3]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses simplum “the single amount”.^[4][3]
• 348/49–c. 413 AD – Prudentius uses it as an adjective.^[5][3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (Late Latin) Simple, single.^[5][4]

Noun

1. (simpla, simplum) The simple amount, the single sum (not the double).^[2][4]

Word family

• simpla
• simplaris
• simplārius
• simpliciī
• simplium

Related words

• simplex
• semel
• duplus

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c 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 d e f Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
5. ^ a b c Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
7. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com