nimius Latin · revision 18003

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 235–200 BC, Naevius|origins=la nimis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈnɪ.mi.ʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈniː.mi.us]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''nimius''' (feminine nimia, neuter nimium); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ De Vaan takes it for a recent adjective made from the adverb [[m|la|nimis|t=too much]];^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) the OLD compares that word.^(OLD 2012) For the origin of [[m|la|nimis]], explained by Meiser as ⟨*ne meis⟩ “not too little”, see that entry.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from Naevius.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) Plautus has ''nē nimiō opere sūmat operam'', “that he should not take too much trouble”, and ''nimia memorās mīra'', “you tell of very great wonders”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Nimius'' is “excessive, too great, immoderate” of qualities and conditions, and of things “too much, superabundant” (Terence: ''quor … vestītū nimiō indulgēs?'', “why do you indulge in too much finery?”).^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary) Of persons it is “intemperate, going too far”, as Statius calls himself ''nimius … avidusque dolōris'', “excessive and greedy in grief”.^(OLD 2012) Without any idea of excess it means “very great, extraordinary”, as in early Latin (Plautus: ''dīvitiās nimiās'', “enormous wealth”).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “excessive, too great”, and the neuter as a noun “excess”.^(Stelten 1995) In Medieval Latin it often means “great, rich, eminent”.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus: ''nimia memorās mīra''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence: ''vestītū nimiō''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 45–96 AD – Statius: ''nimius … avidusque dolōris''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|excessive]], too great, [[m|en|immoderate]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # Too much, superabundant; redundant (of writings).^(OLD 2012)

+ # Intemperate, extravagant (of persons).^(OLD 2012)

+ # Very great, extraordinary.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nimietās]]

+ * [[nimiopere]]

+ * [[nimium]]

+ * [[pernimius]]

+ * [[nimiō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[nimis]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}