Etymologically
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timide

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 19 October 2026 at 16:43. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • Classical: [ˈtɪ.mɪ.dɛ], [ˈtɪ.mɪ.deː][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [ˈtiː.mi.de], [ˈtiː.mi.de][1]

Forms

timidē (comparative timidius, superlative timidissimē)[2][1]

Etymology

It is from Latin timidus (“fearful”) + -ē,[2] from timeō (“to fear”).[3] The origin of timeō is unclear: de Vaan finds the hesitant link with words for “stiff” hardly possible.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its first example in the OLD is Cato's speech on censors who would work for the state more fearfully and slowly.[2]

Semantic evolution

It means fearfully, apprehensively or nervously, and also with hesitation, diffidently or cautiously, as in Cicero's good men who come down to that course step by step and timidly.[2][1]

Timeline

  • 234–149 BC – Cato of censors acting fearfully.[2][3]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero of cautious men.[2][3]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. Fearfully, timidly, nervously.[2][1]
  2. With hesitation, cautiously.[2][1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill