castra Latin · revision 17774

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=inherited|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=ine-pro *ḱes-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈkas.tra]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈkas.tra]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''castra''' ''n pl'' (genitive castrōrum); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the plural of [[castrum|t=fort]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) The singular is, according to de Vaan, [[inh|itc-pro|*kastro-|t=part, share]], [[m|ine-pro|*ḱs-tro-]], from the root [[ine-pro|*ḱes-|t=to cut]];^(de Vaan 2008) Walde–Hofmann and Ernout–Meillet took it as “a part cut off”, hence “fenced area, property” and “camp”.^(de Vaan 2008) The same base gives [[m|itc-pro|*kastro-|t=knife]], whence [[castrō|t=to castrate]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ Compare [[osc|castrous]] and [[xum|kastruvuf]], perhaps “land, property”.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is found from Plautus on: ''in castra ex urbe ad nōs veniunt flentēs prīncipēs'' “the chiefs come weeping from the city to our camp”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Castra'' is a fortified military camp; by extension it means one side in a war (''castra Pompeī''), military life and service (Cicero sets ''castra'' against the forum), and a day's march (''quīntīs castrīs'' “in five days' marches”).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) Figuratively it means a sphere of activity, and a philosophical school or sect.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – First found in Plautus.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar reaches Gergovia ''quīntīs castrīs''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero: ''cēdat … forum castrīs''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 57/46–12 BC – Propertius calls elegy his ''castra'', his field.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A military [[m|en|camp]], fortified encampment.^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # A side or army in a war.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Military life, active service.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A night's camp on the march; a day's march.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Field, sphere of activity; a philosophical sect.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[castellum]]

+ * [[castrum]]

+ * [[castrō]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A feminine singular ''castra, -ae'' with the same meaning is recorded by the OLD.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}