Etymologically
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solacium

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 15 October 2026 at 21:27. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [soːˈɫaː.ki.ũː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [soˈlaː.t͡ʃi.um][1]

Forms

sōlācium n (genitive sōlāciī or sōlācī); second declension[1]

Etymology

The OLD takes it apparently from *sōlax, an adjective in -āx from sōlor “to comfort”, with -ium.[2][1] The variant spelling is sōlātium, which Georges rejects.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates its first use to Plautus, c. 250–184 BC.[4] Lucretius speaks of the comforts of sleep and of life.[5]

Semantic evolution

It meant relief in sorrow or misfortune, comfort, as when Cicero says studies give refuge and solace in adversity.[2][6] It was a consolation for a loss, or something that makes up for a disadvantage, as in Livy.[2] In legal texts it meant compensation, perhaps only in interpolated passages.[2][1]

In medieval Latin it was help and assistance, and Köbler adds military service.[7][4] English solace is recorded around 1300, through Old French solaz.[8]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.[4]
  • 96–55 BC – Lucretius speaks of the comforts of sleep.[5][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero says studies give solace.[2][4]
  • c. 1300 – English solace is recorded.[8]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Comfort, relief, solace.[2][5]
  2. A consolation; something that makes up for a loss.[2]
  3. (law) Compensation.[2][1]
  4. (Medieval Latin) Help, assistance.[7]

Word family

  • sōlāciolum
  • sōlāmen
  • sōlāmentum
  • sōlātor
  • sōlor
  • English solace
  • English console

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 i Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  4. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b c 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 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
  8. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com