Etymologically
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superbe

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Forms

superbē (comparative superbius, superlative superbissimē)[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin superbus (“proud, haughty”) + -ē, the adverb of the adjective.[2][1] The OLD analyses superbus as super- with the suffix of probus, from the root Proto-Indo-European *bʰeu- (“to grow”) seen in fuī,[2] while Wiktionary derives it from Proto-Italic *superiðos, that is super (“above”) and -idus.[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero,[3] who has the comparative of envoys being addressed too haughtily.[4]

Semantic evolution

It means proudly, haughtily or disdainfully.[2] Caesar joins it with cruelty of ruling, and Livy and Tacitus use it of insolent speech and conduct;[4] Tacitus has the comparative of receiving someone's prayers too haughtily.[4] Cicero has the superlative of rejecting decrees and prayers most disdainfully, and it is still used in Lactantius.[4] Wiktionary also gives the good sense “proudly, splendidly, magnificently”.[1]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero of envoys addressed haughtily.[4][3]
  • c. 50 BC – Caesar of ruling proudly and cruelly.[4][3]
  • 59 BC–17 AD – Livy of insolent mockery.[4][3]
  • 98–115 AD – Tacitus of prayers haughtily received.[4][3]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. Proudly, haughtily, disdainfully.[2][5][1]
  2. In a good sense, splendidly, magnificently.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d 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 g h Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  5. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press