syngraphus

Pronunciation

• Classical: [ˈsyŋ.ɡra.pʰʊs]^[1]
• Ecclesiastical: [ˈsiŋ.ɡra.fus]^[1]

Forms

syngraphus m (genitive syngraphī); second declension^[1] It is also spelled ⟨sungraphus⟩.^[2][3][4]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek σύγγραφος (súngraphos, “written document, contract”).^[5][6][4][1] Köbler connects the Greek noun with συγγράφω (sungráphō, “to write down, compose”), from σύν (sún, “together”) and γράφω (gráphō, “to write”).^[4] Wiktionary calls it an unadapted borrowing and gives the Greek word as ⟨συγγραφός⟩.^[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is found in Plautus,^[4] who in the Asinaria uses it of a written contract: one character asks to be shown the syngraphus drawn up between himself, his girlfriend and the procuress.^[5]

Semantic evolution

Besides a written contract or agreement,^[5][2] Plautus uses it in the Captivi for a written pass or safe-conduct, obtained from the praetor so that its bearer may go home.^[5][2][3] The dictionaries quote it only from these two plays.^[5][2][3]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it for a contract in the Asinaria and for a pass in the Captivi.^[5][4]

Meanings

Noun

1. A written contract or agreement.^[5][2]
2. A written pass, safe-conduct, passport.^[5][2][3]

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
3. ^ a b c d 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 d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
6. ^ Saalfeld, Günther Alexander (1874), Index Graecorum vocabulorum in linguam latinam translatorum, Berlin: Weidmann