umquam Latin · revision 17837

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=compound|attested=c. 235–200 BC, Naevius|origins=ine-pro *kʷom}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈʊŋ.kʷãː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈum.kʷam]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''umquam''' (not comparable)^(Wiktionary)

+ It is also spelled ''unquam''.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ De Vaan explains it as probably ⟨*kʷum⟩ with [[-quam]] “any”, where ⟨*kʷum⟩ replaced the old accusative [[ine-pro|*kʷom|t=when]] (see [[cum]]) on the model of [[ubi]]; the OLD likewise derives it from ⟨cum⟩ and ⟨quam⟩.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) The initial ⟨c-⟩ was lost as in ⟨ubi⟩.^(Wiktionary) Lewis and Short call the origin doubtful.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is found from Naevius on:^(de Vaan 2008) ''secus sī umquam quicquam fēcī'', “if I have ever done anything otherwise”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Umquam'' means “at any time, ever”, chiefly in negative clauses (''nōn … umquam'' “never”), and in conditions, questions, relative clauses, comparisons (''plūs quam umquam'' “more than ever”) and with superlatives.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It is very rare in plain affirmations.^(Lewis & Short 1879) With weakened time sense it means “ever, at all”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Its negative is ''[[numquam]]'' “never”.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 235–200 BC – First found in Naevius.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus: ''plūs … amat quam tē umquam amāvit'', “he loves her more than he ever loved you”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it with a superlative.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # At any time, [[m|en|ever]] (chiefly in negative, conditional and interrogative clauses);^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) ''nōn … umquam'', [[m|en|never]].^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(with superlative or after quam)'' Ever.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Ever, at all.^(OLD 2012)

+ # At some time.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[numquam]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[cum]]

+ * [[usquam]]

+ * [[quisquam]]

+ * [[aliquandō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}