sapiens Latin · revision 17873

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Epitaph of Scipio Barbatus|origins=ine-pro *sh₁p-i-}}

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+ ==Forms==

+ '''sapiēns''' (genitive ''sapientis''; comparative ''sapientior'', superlative ''sapientissimus''); third-declension adjective, also a masculine noun^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the present participle of [[sapiō]] “to taste; to be wise”, used as an adjective and a noun.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan derives the verb from [[itc-pro|*sap-i-]], from [[ine-pro|*sh₁p-i-|t=to notice]], though the laryngeal in the root is uncertain.^(de Vaan 2008)

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+ Compare [[osc|sipus|t=knowing]], [[osx|ansebbian|t=to notice]] and [[non|sefi|t=thought]].^(de Vaan 2008)

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+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is found in the epitaph of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus: ''fortis vir sapiēnsque'', “a brave and wise man”.^(OLD 2012) In literature it is found from Plautus on.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Sapiēns'' means “rational, endowed with a mind”, and above all “wise, sensible, of sound judgement”.^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995) It was given as a surname, especially to jurists: Cato and Laelius were both called ''Sapiēns''.^(OLD 2012) As a noun it is “a wise man”, especially one who is also virtuous.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In Medieval Latin the plural ''sapientēs'' was used for the members of the Anglo-Saxon royal council and of town councils.^(Niermeyer 1976) The adverb is ''[[sapienter]]'' and the noun ''[[sapientia]]'' “wisdom”.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * Old Latin – The epitaph of Scipio Barbatus: ''fortis vir sapiēnsque''.^(OLD 2012)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Found in Plautus.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero speaks of ''Gāius Laelius, is quī Sapiēns ūsurpātur'', “Gaius Laelius, who is called the Wise”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Rational, endowed with a mind.^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|wise]], [[m|en|sensible]], of sound judgement.^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # ''(as a surname)'' The Wise (especially of jurists).^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A wise man, a [[m|en|sage]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin, plural)'' Members of the Anglo-Saxon [[m|en|witan]];^(Niermeyer 1976) members of a town council.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[sapienter]]

+ * [[sapientia]]

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+ ==Related words==

+ * [[sapiō]]

+ * [[prūdēns]]

+ * [[sapor]]

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+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein calls the ''sapiēns'' the person who chooses the right ends and pursues them calmly, while ''[[prūdēns]]'' and ''[[callidus]]'' describe one who chooses the right means.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}