lex Latin · revision 2780

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=itc-pro *lēg-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈɫeːks]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈlɛks]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''lēx''' ''f'' (genitive lēgis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+ Inscriptions have ''lexs'' and the spellings ''leegei'' and ''leigibus''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*lēg-|t=law]], a root noun which de Vaan interprets as a “collection” of rules, from [[ine-pro|*leǵ-|t=to gather]], the root of [[lego|alt=legō]] “to gather, read”; he finds its existence in Proto-Indo-European uncertain for lack of exact cognates.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) Cognate with [[umc|lixs]] and [[osc|ligud]] “law”.^(de Vaan 2008) The Oscan word for envoys, [[m|osc|lígatús]], is probably borrowed from Latin.^(de Vaan 2008) Wiktionary also reports Palmer's derivation from [[ine-pro|*legʰ-|t=to lie]], on the model of [[en|law]].^(Wiktionary) Lewis and Short connected it with [[ligo|alt=ligāre]] “to bind”,^(Lewis & Short 1879) and Georges, like Isidore of Seville, took it as a “word-formula” from [[m|la|legere]] in the sense “to read, say”.^(Georges 1913) De Vaan derives the verb meaning “to send as an envoy, bequeath”, with its compounds [[ablego|alt=ablēgāre]], [[delego|alt=dēlēgāre]] and [[relego|alt=relēgāre]], from the noun itself, since they all involve a task or assignment.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is attested from Plautus onwards,^(de Vaan 2008) who has a character accused of taking money against the [[m|en|law]];^(OLD 2012) Ennius too says that no law ever ordered anything harsher.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Gaffiot and Georges treat the original sense as a bill proposed by a magistrate to the people (''legem ferre'', ''rogare''), which when passed became a [[m|en|statute]].^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Georges 1913) The OLD puts first the law as an active force, then the individual enactment, named after its subject (''lex agraria'') or its proposer (''lex Porcia''), the laws as a body or constitution, and legal title.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ It was extended to any rule or regulation, to the rules of an art, especially of versification, to laws of nature, of war and of fate, to an inherent condition of existence, to due measure, and to control (''sine lege'', in disorder).^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) In contracts it meant the terms of an agreement (''lex operi faciundo''), a condition (''hac lege'', on these terms), and the terms of peace.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In medieval Latin ''lex Romana'' was Roman law and ''leges'' the Germanic tribal codes, and the word also meant an [[m|en|ordeal]], a judicial duel, a wergeld, customary dues and a person's legal status.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Köbler 2010) Church writers used it for the law of God and for ecclesiastical law.^(Stelten 1995) The Romance languages keep it as Italian ''legge'', French ''loi'', Spanish ''ley'', Portuguese ''lei'' and Romanian ''lege''.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of the law and of the terms of a bargain.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of a statute.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence has ''lege agere'', to go to law.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro speaks of a ''lex poetica'', a rule of poetry.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero formulates ''salus populi suprema lex esto'' and the law of nature.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 802 – The Lorsch annals use it in the medieval sense.^(NGML)

+ * c. 560–636 AD – Isidore defines ''lex'' as a written constitution of the people.^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The [[m|en|law]] as the legal machinery of a state.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # A bill proposed to the people; an enacted law, a [[m|en|statute]].^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # ''(plural)'' The laws as a body, the constitution.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Legal right or title.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A rule or regulation made by any authority; a rule of an art, especially of versification.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # A law established by divine authority or accepted by all; a law of nature; a decree of fate.^(OLD 2012)

+ # An inherent condition of existence; due measure, propriety.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(plural)'' Rule, control.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A [[m|en|contract]], a condition or term, and in the plural the terms of peace.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Roman law; a Germanic tribal code; an [[m|en|ordeal]] or judicial duel; a wergeld; legal status.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Köbler 2010)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' The law of God; ecclesiastical law.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[exlēx]]

+ * [[illex]]

+ * [[lēgālis]]

+ * [[legarium]]

+ * [[lēgerupa]]

+ * [[lēgifer]]

+ * [[lēgislātiō]]

+ * [[lēgislātor]]

+ * [[lēgisperītus]]

+ * [[lēgitimus]]

+ * [[lēgumlātor]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[dēcrētum]]

+ * [[ēdictum]]

+ * [[fās]]

+ * [[iūs]]

+ * [[scītum]]

+ * [[legō]]

+ * [[en|legal]]

+ * [[en|law]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Isidore of Seville distinguished ''lex'', a written constitution, from [[mos|alt=mōs]], a custom proved by age, and explained the word as “what is read” (''a legendo'').^(Georges 1913) Döderlein likewise separates [[consuetudo|alt=cōnsuētūdō]], a custom that grows of itself, from ''mōs'', a habit grounded in reason.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}