theatralis

Forms

theātrālis (neuter theātrāle); third-declension two-termination adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin theātrum (“theatre”) + -ālis.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in Cicero, of gatherings in the theatre and at gladiatorial shows.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

In Classical Latin it means relating to the theatre: Velleius speaks of a riot in the theatre, Tacitus of the hired applauders (theātrālēs operae) and of stage arts, Suetonius of licence in the theatre,^[2] and Pliny the Elder of the law of Roscius on seating there, and of mountains curved like a theatre.^[2][4] Quintilian gives it the sense of stagy, theatrical, of the habit of praising one another indiscriminately.^[2] Sidonius uses it of low, vulgar talk.^[4][5]

Later writers used it of theatrical shows and plays.^[5] In British Medieval Latin it was used of theatrical pomp and spectacles, and of performers.^[6]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero speaks of gatherings in the theatre.^[2][3]
• c. 20 BC–30 AD – Velleius speaks of a riot in the theatre.^[2][3]
• c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it in the sense of stagy.^[2][3]
• 98–115 AD – Tacitus mentions the hired applauders of the theatre.^[2][3]
• 639–709 AD – Aldhelm describes theatrical processions.^[6][3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Of or relating to the theatre.^[2][4]
2. Stagy, theatrical; feigned.^[2][4]
3. (Late Latin) Low, vulgar.^[4][5]

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d e f g Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b c d e Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b c Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
6. ^ 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