taberna

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [taˈbɛr.na]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [taˈbɛr.na]^[1]

Forms

taberna f (genitive tabernae); first declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin *traberna, from trabs “beam” and the suffix -rnus, with the first /r/ lost by dissimilation; it first meant “wooden shed”.^[2][1][3][4] De Vaan finds Ernout and Meillet's doubts unfounded, since dissimilation is irregular.^[2] The Oxford Latin Dictionary compares Oscan trííbúm.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Plautus uses it.^[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[5]

Semantic evolution

In Classical Latin it was a hut or booth, as Horace's poor men's huts, an inn, and a shop or stall, as the butchers' shops in Varro.^[3][4][6] Cicero uses it of a stand at the circus, and Trēs Tabernae was a stopping place on the Appian Way.^[6][3]

In medieval Latin it was a tavern selling wine or beer, and a bakery.^[7] It survives as Italian taverna, and Old French taverne gave English tavern.^[1][8] Its diminutive tabernāculum “tent” gave English tabernacle.^[8]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^[2][5]
• 65–8 BC – Horace speaks of the huts of the poor.^[4][5]
• mid-13th century – English tabernacle is recorded, from tabernāculum.^[8]
• c. 1300 – English tavern is recorded, from Old French taverne.^[8]

Meanings

Noun

1. A hut, booth, shed.^[3][9]
2. An inn, tavern.^[3][1]
3. A shop, stall.^[3][6]
4. (Medieval Latin) A bakery.^[7]

Word family

• tabernāculum
• tabernārius
• tabernula
• contubernālis
• contubernium
• tabernāculārius
• tabernātor
• tabernō

Related words

• trabs
• English tavern
• English tabernacle

Usage notes

Döderlein contrasts dēversōrium, any lodging on a journey, and hospitium, an inn for strangers.^[10]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d 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 Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
4. ^ a b c Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
5. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
7. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
8. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
9. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
10. ^ Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper