Etymologically
Log in

soleo

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 02:50. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈsɔ.ɫe.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈsɔː.le.o][1]

Forms

soleō (present infinitive solēre, perfect active soluī or solitus sum, supine solitum); second conjugation, optionally semi-deponent, no future, no imperative[1]

Etymology

Its origin is disputed.[2][1] De Vaan derives it from Proto-Italic *solē- (“to occupy”), Proto-Indo-European *sol-eh₁- (“to occupy, inhabit”), the root of solum “ground”.[2] Walde and Hofmann and Pokorny, noting its closeness to suēscō “to grow used” and sodālis “companion”, preferred *swedʰ-ē-, with an irregular change of /d/ to /l/.[2][1] The OLD calls it doubtful.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

De Vaan dates it from Plautus, who speaks of the golden bowl King Pterelas used to drink from.[2][3] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

With an infinitive it meant to be accustomed or used to doing something, and so to be apt or liable to it.[3] With a neuter subject it meant to be the common practice, as in ut solet “as usual”.[3] With cum it also meant to have relations with someone, in Plautus and Catullus.[2][5] Ennius and Cato used an active perfect soluī, which later gave way to solitus sum.[3][2]

It survives in Italian solere and Spanish soler.[1] The participles īnsolēns “unaccustomed, arrogant” and obsolētus “worn out” gave English insolent in the late 14th century and English obsolete in the 1570s.[6]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus speaks of the bowl King Pterelas used.[3][4]
  • 204–169 BC – Ennius uses the perfect soluī.[3][4]
  • late 14th century – English insolent is recorded.[6]
  • 1570s – English obsolete is recorded.[6]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To be accustomed, used (to).[3]
  2. To be apt, liable (to).[3]
  3. (impersonal) To be the custom, ut solet, as usual.[3]
  4. To have relations with.[2][5]

Word family

  • assoleō
  • īnsolēns
  • īnsolitus
  • obsoleo
  • solitaneus
  • solitatim
  • solitō
  • insoleo

Usage notes

Döderlein says that solēre is used of events and actions, while cōnsuēvisse is used only of what a person does by habit.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g 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 h i j 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. ^ Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper