munus Latin · revision 2892

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=inherited|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *mey-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈmuː.nʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈmuː.nus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''mūnus''' ''n'' (genitive mūneris); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+ The older spelling ''moenus'' is used by Lucretius.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*moi-nos-|t=duty, obligation]], perhaps [[inh|ine-pro|*h₂moi-no-|t=exchange]], from the root that Wiktionary gives as [[ine-pro|*mey-|t=to change, exchange]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) Its family is built on two stems meaning “function, obligation”: a [[municeps|alt=mūniceps]] was one who took on an obligation, and [[communis|alt=commūnis]] one who shared in the duties.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ Cognate with [[osc|múíníkú|t=common]], [[xum|muneklu|t=contribution]] and [[got|𐌲𐌰𐌼𐌰𐌹𐌽𐍃|tr=gamains|t=common]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is found from Plautus onwards,^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) whose parasite “easily does the work of eight men”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant a function or task, and a citizen's duty to the state, such as military service, office or taxes.^(OLD 2012) It was an offering owed to gods or the dead, as Catullus' “last gift of death” to his brother.^(OLD 2012) A public show, especially of gladiators, was a ''munus'', perhaps as an obligation of the magistrate who gave it.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ It also meant a [[m|en|gift]] freely given, a service or favour, and a work or product, as Cicero calls the world the work of a god.^(OLD 2012) Frontinus used it for a fountain on the Roman aqueducts.^(OLD 2012) In feudal Latin it meant an investiture and a fief.^(Niermeyer 1976) English ''common'' and ''municipal'' come from its relatives ''communis'' and ''municipalis''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it for a task and a gift.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 180–102 BC – Lucilius uses it for a public show.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81/79–52/50 BC – Catullus uses it for an offering to the dead.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it for shows and favours.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1300 – English ''common'' is first recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A function, task; a [[m|en|duty]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # A public duty (service, office, tax).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # An offering, tribute (to gods, the dead).^(OLD 2012)

+ # A public show, especially of [[m|en|gladiator|alt=gladiators]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A [[m|en|gift]], present.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A service, favour.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A work, product.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' An investiture; a [[m|en|fief]].^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[commūnis]]

+ * [[mūnerālis]]

+ * [[mūnerārius]]

+ * [[mūnerigerulus]]

+ * [[mūnificēns]]

+ * [[mūnificō]]

+ * [[mūnificus]]

+ * [[mūnis]]

+ * [[mūnusculum]]

+ * [[immūnis]]

+ * [[mūnerābundus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[moenia]]

+ * [[en|common]]

+ * [[en|municipal]]

+ * [[en|remunerate]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes ''donum'', a free gift meant to give pleasure, from ''munus'', a gift that rewards a service or shows favour, and ''officium'', a moral obligation, from ''munus'', a public office or charge.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}