trappa
Forms
trappa f (genitive trappae); first declension[1]
Etymology
It is a borrowing from Germanic, found as early as the Lex Salica.[1] Köbler traces it, with a query, to Lombardic *trappa (“trap, snare”),[2] and Wiktionary compares Old English træppe (“snare, trap”).[1] The DMLBS refers the British medieval word to Middle English trappe (“trap”).[3]
Earliest recorded meaning
Köbler finds it first in the Lex Salica, which he dates to 507–511 with a query, and in the Frankish formularies and charters,[2] as a word for a trap or snare.[2][1]
Semantic evolution
Niermeyer records four senses in early medieval Latin: a trap for birds, a trapdoor, a hidden oven and a cellar.[4] In British records it is a snare set for game in the royal forests and parks, and a trapdoor, also one in a prison.[3] It lives on in Old French trape and French trappe.[1]
Timeline
- 507–511? – The Lex Salica has the word.[2][1]
- 1241 – An English royal order provides for a new porch before the queen's chamber with a trapdoor.[3]
- 1251 – English forest records tell of foresters who found a trap set in the king's park.[3]
Meanings
Noun
- (Late Latin, Medieval Latin) A trap or snare, especially one for birds or game.[4][3][1]
- (Medieval Latin) A trapdoor.[4][3][1]
- (Medieval Latin) A hidden oven.[4]
- (Medieval Latin) A cellar.[4]
Related words
- English trap
Usage notes
Medieval spellings include trapa and treppa.[4][2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
- ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
- ^ a b c d e f 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
- ^ a b c d e f Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill