scelus Latin · revision 17831

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈskɛ.ɫʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈʃɛː.lus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''scelus''' ''n'' (genitive sceleris); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ According to de Vaan it is [[inh|itc-pro|*skelos]], [[inh|ine-pro|*skel-os|t=curve, bending]], a neuter noun from the root [[m|ine-pro|*skel-|t=to bend]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) The meaning would have shifted from “crooked” to “wicked, bad”.^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[grc|σκέλος|tr=skélos|t=thigh, leg]] and [[m|grc|σκολιός|tr=skoliós|t=crooked, unjust]], [[ang|sceolh|t=oblique, squinting]] and [[de|scheel|t=squinting]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ The OLD calls the origin doubtful and notes that the original idea has been taken to be a religious taboo incurred by guilt.^(OLD 2012) Lewis and Short connected it with the root of [[sa|स्खलति|tr=skhálati|t=stumbles]]; de Vaan assigns that verb to another root, with [[m|grc|σφάλλω|tr=sphállō|t=to trip up]].^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is found from Plautus on,^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) first in the sense “misfortune sent by the gods, curse”: ''quod hoc est scelus?'' “what curse is this?”^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From an affliction sent by the angry gods, ''scelus'' came to mean a wicked or accursed act, a crime, and wickedness as a quality.^(OLD 2012) Lewis and Short call it the strongest general term for a morally bad act.^(Lewis & Short 1879) ''Scelerum caput'' “fount of crimes” is a term of abuse, and ''scelus'' alone, “you villain!”, is common in comedy for a person whose existence is a crime.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In Church Latin it is used for sin.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – First found in Plautus, as a curse or affliction and as a term of abuse (''abin ā mē, scelus?'').^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero speaks of a man endowed with greed, audacity and ''scelus'', wickedness.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|misfortune]] sent by the gods, an affliction, a [[m|en|curse]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # A wicked act, a [[m|en|crime]], a [[m|en|villainy]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''scelerum caput'', “fount of iniquity” (abuse).^(OLD 2012)

+ # Wickedness.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(colloquial)'' A villain, a [[m|en|scoundrel]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' [[m|en|sin]].^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[scelerō]]

+ * [[scelerōsus]]

+ * [[scelerus]]

+ * [[scelestus]]

+ * [[scelio]]

+ * [[scelerātus]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes ''scelus'', an offence against others or the peace of society (robbery, murder, sedition), from ''[[flāgitium]]'', a shameful offence against one's own honour, and ''[[nefās]]'', an offence against the gods or nature.^(Döderlein 1874) ''[[facinus|alt=Facinus]]'' is a crime remarkable for its daring.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}