ergo Latin · revision 17776

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=compound|attested=c. 450 BC, Twelve Tables|origins=ine-pro *h₃reǵ-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈɛr.ɡoː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈɛr.ɡo]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''ergō''' ^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably from ⟨*ē rogō⟩ or ⟨*ē regō⟩ “from the direction of”, with the middle vowel lost; the noun [[m|itc-pro|*rogo-|t=direction]] belongs to the root of [[regō]] and [[regiō]], [[inh|ine-pro|*h₃reǵ-|t=to straighten, direct]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) “Corgō” “forward” (in Festus) comes in the same way from ⟨*com rogō⟩.^(de Vaan 2008) The OLD compares the development of [[de|wegen|t=because of]].^(OLD 2012) Since no other language has the noun, de Vaan suggests an inner-Italic formation.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is found as a preposition in the Twelve Tables (''ergō'' + genitive, “on account of”).^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The oldest use is the postposition with the genitive, “on account of, for the sake of”.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) The particle ''ergō'' “therefore, so, then” draws a conclusion, asks in consequence (“then why …?”), introduces an emotional question, and resumes (“well then”).^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ Its final vowel is long in early Latin and short in Ovid and later poets.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) The related preposition ''[[ergā]]'' “towards” is found from Plautus on.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 450 BC – The preposition in the Twelve Tables.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus: ''cūr ergō quod scīs mē rogās?'' “then why do you ask me what you know?”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 43 BC–AD 18 – Ovid shortens the final vowel.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # [[m|en|therefore]], so, consequently, accordingly.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(in questions)'' Then, in that case.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Well then, well now (resuming).^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ===Preposition===

+ # ''(with genitive, placed after the noun)'' On account of, for the sake of.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[ergā]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[regō]]

+ * [[regiō]]

+ * [[igitur]]

+ * [[itaque]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}