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strenue

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word strenue

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
c. 250–184 BC, Plautus
Ultimate origin
Latin (strenuus,-e)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin strenuus
Latin strenue

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [ˈstreː.nu.eː][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [ˈstrɛː.nu.e][1]

Forms

strēnuē (comparative strēnuius, superlative strēnuissimē)[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin strēnuus (“active, vigorous”) + -ē.[2][1] The OLD compares the adjective with Ancient Greek στρηνής (strēnḗs, “strong, rough”), στρηνύζω (strēnúzō) and English stern;[2] Wiktionary traces it, probably, to Proto-Indo-European *(s)treg- (“to be stiff, rigid, strong”).[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's first examples are in Plautus, where a character cheers “bravo, vigorously done!” and another says “bring it quickly”.[2]

Semantic evolution

It means with energy or vigour, and with spirit or enterprise, dashingly; and with alacrity, promptly or briskly.[2][1] It forms a comparative strēnuius and a superlative strēnuissimē.[1]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus in both the vigorous and the prompt sense.[2][3]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. With energy or vigour, forcefully.[2][1]
  2. With spirit or enterprise, dashingly.[2]
  3. With alacrity, promptly, briskly, quickly.[2][1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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. ^ Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
Cite this entry

“Strenue.” Etymologically, 19 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/strenue. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·