tata

Forms

tata m (genitive tatae); first declension^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Proto-Italic *tata, inherited from Proto-Indo-European *tata-, a word of children's speech, ultimately imitating baby talk.^[1][2] Compare the similar atta.^[1] Cognate with Ancient Greek τέττα (tétta) and Sanskrit तात (tāta), and with Breton tad.^[1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Varro, as quoted by Nonius, gives it as the word with which small children, not yet speaking clearly, call their father.^[3][4][2]

Semantic evolution

Beside “daddy” it could also mean “grandpa”.^[5] Martial uses it for a man who brought someone up, as a counterpart to mamma,^[3][4] and it appears in inscriptions.^[3][4]

Timeline

• 116–27 BC – Varro records it as a child's word for “father”.^[3][2]
• AD 40–102/103 – Martial uses it for a man who raised someone.^[3][2]

Meanings

Noun

1. (familiar) Dad, daddy: a child's word for its father.^[5][3][4]
2. (familiar) Grandpa.^[5]
3. One who brings up a child, a foster father.^[3][4]

Word family

• tatula

Related words

• atta
• pater
• mamma

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
3. ^ a b c d e f g h Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
4. ^ a b c d e Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
5. ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press