propius Latin · revision 30677

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=ine-pro *própro}}

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+ ==Forms==

+ '''propius''' (adverb and preposition; comparative of ''prope'')^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the comparative of [[m|la|prope|t=near]], the adverbial neuter of [[m|la|propior|t=nearer]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) De Vaan, after Dunkel, explains ⟨prope⟩ from an iterative preverb [[ine-pro|*própro|t=on and on, ever further]], “very much in front, near”, with the second /r/ lost by dissimilation; ⟨propior⟩ is its regular comparative.^(de Vaan 2008) Cognates are [[sa|प्रप्र|tr=prá-pra|t=on and on]] and [[grc|πρόπρο|tr=própro|t=before; on and on]].^(de Vaan 2008) The OLD instead sets up ⟨*proqʷe⟩, comparing [[m|la|proximus]].^(OLD 2012)

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+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Plautus, ''Poenulus'': ''adeāmus propius'', “let's go nearer”.^(OLD 2012)

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+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Propius'' is “nearer” in space, both of motion (Plautus) and of position, and with ''multō'' “much nearer” (Terence: ''hāc multō propius ībis'', “you'll go much more directly this way”).^(OLD 2012) With verbs of seeing or hearing it means “more closely”, and with verbs of favour “more kindly” (Virgil: ''propius rēs aspice nostrās'').^(OLD 2012) It is used of nearness in time and in degree: ''propius vērō est'', “it is nearer the truth, more likely” (Sallust, Livy), ''propius est ut'', “it is more reasonable that” (the jurist Proculus), and ''nihil propius factum est quam ut'', “nothing came closer to happening than that” (Plautus).^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) As a preposition with the accusative it means “nearer to”: ''propius fidem est'', “it is closer to belief, more credible”.^(OLD 2012)

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+ Church Latin glosses the adjective “nearer”.^(Stelten 1995)

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+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus: ''adeāmus propius''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+ * 86–34 BC – Sallust: ''propius vērō est''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # ''(comparative of [[prope]])'' [[m|en|nearer]], closer.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # More closely; more kindly.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Nearer in time or degree;^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) ''propius vērō est'', it is more [[m|en|probable]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

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+ ===Preposition===

+ # ''(with accusative)'' Nearer to.^(OLD 2012)

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+ ==Related words==

+ * [[propior]]

+ * [[proximus]]

+ * [[propinquus]]

+ * [[propter]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}