nam Latin · revision 17730
18 Oct 2026, 18:31 by bogdan “Latin la10k: iam, neque, tamen, quod, tuus, iste, nos, nunc, quidem, nam”
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+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=inherited|attested=c. 280–200 BC, Livius Andronicus|origins=itc-pro *nām}}
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈnãː]^(Wiktionary)
+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈnam]^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Forms==
+ '''nam''' ^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*nām]], the accusative singular feminine of a pronominal stem ⟨*no-⟩ “that”, formed like [[tam]] and [[quam]].^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)^(TLL)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan and the TLL trace the stem to [[m|ine-pro|*h₂en-|t=that]], found in [[sa|अनेन|tr=anéna|t=by this]] and [[cu|онъ|tr=onŭ|t=he]]; de Vaan also considers a link with the particle [[m|ine-pro|*ne|t=like]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(TLL)^(Wiktionary) The same stem may be in [[num]] and [[enim]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ It is found from Livius Andronicus on.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ In early dialogue ''nam'' is assenting (“certainly, yes”); its main use is explanatory and causal, “for”, giving a reason or proof.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It also marks a transition (“again, moreover”), an exposition (“well then”), and in lively questions it is put before the interrogative (''nam quamobrem?'' “why ever?”).^(OLD 2012) In prose it always begins the sentence.^(Lewis & Short 1879)
+
+ In Medieval Latin it could mean “on the other hand” or “but”.^(Niermeyer 1976)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 280–200 BC – First found in Livius Andronicus.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius: ''melius est virtūte iūs: nam saepe virtūtem malī nancīscuntur''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus: ''nam quamobrem?''^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * c. 550–1150 – Medieval Latin uses it for “but, on the other hand”.^(Niermeyer 1976)
+
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Conjunction===
+ # [[m|en|for]], because.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)
+ # ''(assenting)'' Certainly, yes.^(OLD 2012)
+ # Again, moreover; now, well then.^(OLD 2012)
+ # ''(before an interrogative)'' Why, ever?^(OLD 2012)
+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' But, on the other hand.^(Niermeyer 1976)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[namque]]
+ * [[utinam]]
+ * [[numnam]]
+ * [[quianam]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[num]]
+ * [[enim]]
+ * [[nempe]]
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}