Etymologically
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taberna

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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

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