Etymologically
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subdo

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Pronunciation

  • Classical: [ˈsʊb.doː][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [ˈsub.do][1]

Forms

subdō (present infinitive subdere, perfect active subdidī, supine subditum); third conjugation[1]

Etymology

It is formed from sub- (“under”) and the verb ⟨-dō⟩ found in compounds such as abdō (“to hide”).[2][1] Latin compounds in ⟨-dō⟩ can continue either Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- (“to put”) or *deh₃- (“to give”); following Walde–Hofmann and Ernout–Meillet, de Vaan counts it among those that may go back to “put”, through the present Proto-Italic *-þō.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

De Vaan gives Livius Andronicus as its first author.[3] In a tragedy of his a woman says she will put the child to her maid's breast (puerum … ancillae subdam lactantem meae).[2][4]

Semantic evolution

It is to place or insert below, as Cato's topsoil put under a planted tree and fire set under a cauldron, and to apply spurs (Livy).[2] It is to append, to place something under another's action, to expose to winds, as Seneca's Acharnian fields under warm south winds, and to subject to a person's rule (Propertius).[2][1] It is also to supply or implant qualities, as honours that put pride into a man (Livy).[2]

Often it is to introduce or substitute fraudulently, as a man put up as the accused and a rumour spread on purpose (Tacitus), and to pass off a supposititious child, as in Terence, where a young man suspects he is not his parents' son.[2][1] A law preserved in an inscription uses it of appointing a deputy in place of an official.[2] Church Latin glosses it “subdue, subject, put under, supply”.[5]

Timeline

  • 280/260–before 200 BC – Livius Andronicus of putting a child to the breast.[2][3][6]
  • 234–149 BC – Cato of putting earth and fire under things.[2][6]
  • 190–159 BC – Terence of a supposititious child.[2][6]
  • 98–115 AD – Tacitus of a planted defendant and rumour.[2][6]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To put or place under; to apply (fire, spurs) underneath.[2][1][4]
  2. To append, attach.[2]
  3. To place under (an influence); to expose; to subject.[2][1][5]
  4. To supply, implant (qualities).[2][1]
  5. To introduce (a person, a charge) fraudulently.[2]
  6. To substitute; to appoint in another's place.[2][1]
  7. To substitute falsely, pass off (a child); to forge.[2][1]

Word family

  • subdita
  • subditīcius
  • subditīvus
  • subditus

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
  4. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  6. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de