clarus Latin · revision 2760

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 235–200 BC, Naevius|origins=ine-pro *kelh₁-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈkɫaː.rʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈklaː.rus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''clārus''' (feminine clāra, neuter clārum, comparative clārior, superlative clārissimus, adverb clārē); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*klāro-|t=loud]], [[inh|ine-pro|*kl̥h₁-ro-|t=loud, sonorous]], a derivative in *-ro- of the root [[ine-pro|*kelh₁-|t=to call, shout]] seen in [[calo|alt=calāre]] and [[clamo|alt=clāmāre]], so that it is a doublet of [[classis]] and [[concilium]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) The suffix is the same as in [[gnarus|alt=gnārus]].^(OLD 2012) Cognate with [[grc|καλέω|tr=kaléō|t=to call]].^(Wiktionary) The shift from “loud” to “bright” has a parallel in [[goh|hel|t=loud]], which became [[de|hell|t=bright]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) Isidore of Seville derived it from [[caelum]], “because it shines”.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Naevius uses it of the [[m|en|loud]] sound with which Jupiter thundered,^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008) and Köbler dates it from Plautus,^(Köbler 2010) who has it both of a loud voice and of a shield brighter than the sun's rays.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From “loud” (''clara voce'') it passed to [[m|en|bright]] light and shining objects, gems, gold, marble and sunlit places, then to clear sight (Cato's remedy for eyes that are “not clear enough”) and to what is plain and unambiguous, ''luce clarior'', “clearer than daylight”.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Of persons and deeds it meant well-known or notorious, and then famous, often with the field of renown in the ablative.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ''Vir clarissimus'' was an honorific that in the Empire came to be restricted to men of senatorial rank, so that the jurists speak of ''clarissimae personae''.^(OLD 2012) Medieval accounts use it for a net sum, Köbler records medieval senses “pure, unadulterated” and a noun meaning a white stone or a noble, and in England ''clara historia'' was a [[m|en|clerestory]].^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Köbler 2010)^(DMLBS) Luther still writes ''clarum est'' for “it is evident”.^(Ramminger) It survives as Italian ''chiaro'', Spanish and Portuguese ''claro'', Old French ''cler'' and Romanian ''chiar''.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it of thunder.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a loud voice and a bright shield, and of a man wishing to be famous.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of clear eyesight.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of plain statements, of famous orators and in ''vir clarissimus''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 140–180 AD – Gaius uses ''clara persona'' of a senator.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 7th–8th century – Niermeyer's earliest medieval citation, of a net account.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|loud|alt=Loud]], sonorous, clear to the ear.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # [[m|en|bright|alt=Bright]], shining, clear; gleaming; sunlit.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # (of the eyes) Seeing clearly.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Distinct, plain, unambiguous.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Well-known, notorious.^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|famous|alt=Famous]], celebrated, illustrious, as in ''vir clarissimus'', a man of senatorial rank.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Net, of accounts; pure, unadulterated.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[clāricō]]

+ * [[clārificō]]

+ * [[clārigō]]

+ * [[clārisonus]]

+ * [[clarissimatus]]

+ * [[clāritās]]

+ * [[clāritūdō]]

+ * [[clārō]]

+ * [[inclārus]]

+ * [[praeclārus]]

+ * [[speculoclārus]]

+ * [[clārē]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[acclārō]]

+ * [[clārescō]]

+ * [[clārificātiō]]

+ * [[clārigātiō]]

+ * [[clāror]]

+ * [[dēclārātiō]]

+ * [[dēclārātīvus]]

+ * [[dēclārātor]]

+ * [[dēclārō]]

+ * [[exclārō]]

+ * [[calō]]

+ * [[clāmō]]

+ * [[en|clear]]

+ * [[en|clarinet]]

+ * [[en|declare]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes ''clarus'', renowned for services to one's country, from [[illustris|alt=illūstris]], renowned for rank and virtue, and [[nobilis|alt=nōbilis]], belonging to a family already honoured with office, while [[celeber]] and [[inclitus|alt=inclutus]] express celebrity in general.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}