ulciscor Latin · revision 30686

+ {{infobox|confidence=disputed|formation=inherited|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=ine-pro *h₃elh₁-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ʊɫˈkiːs.kɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ul̠ʲˈt͡ʃis.kor]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''ulcīscor''' (present infinitive ulcīscī, perfect active ultus sum); third conjugation, deponent^(Wiktionary)

+ Ennius has an active form, ''ulcīscerem''.^(OLD 2012)

+ The participle ''ultus'' is sometimes passive, “avenged” (Livy).^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is disputed.^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012) De Vaan sets up [[itc-pro|*ol-k-|t=to destroy, take revenge]] and links it, as a ⟨k⟩-extension, with the root [[ine-pro|*h₃elh₁-|t=to perish]] of [[m|la|dēleō]], comparing [[grc|ὀλέκω|tr=olékō|t=to destroy]], which he finds the best option semantically.^(de Vaan 2008) The traditional derivation from [[m|la|ulcus|t=sore, ulcer]], through “to grow sores against someone”, which the OLD still mentions, seems to him uncompelling, and so does LIV's root ⟨*h₂elk-⟩ “to ward off” of [[m|grc|ἀλκή|tr=alkḗ|t=strength, defence]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Plautus, ''Amphitruo'': ''illum ulcīscar hodiē Thessalum venēficum'', “I'll have my revenge today on that Thessalian sorcerer”.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Ulcīscor'' is to take revenge on a person and to avenge a wrong (Plautus), or simply to take vengeance (Pacuvius).^(OLD 2012) It is also to avenge someone, to take vengeance on their behalf: Ennius' Alcmaeon could not avenge his father except by shedding his mother's blood;^(OLD 2012) ''sē ulcīscī'' is to revenge oneself (Cicero).^(OLD 2012) Lewis & Short give [[vindicō]], [[pūniō]] and [[persequor]] as synonyms.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “take vengeance on, avenge, punish”.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of revenge on a sorcerer.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius of avenging a father.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 220–130 BC – Pacuvius of taking vengeance.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To take [[m|en|revenge]] on, punish.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # To [[m|en|avenge]] (a wrong or a person).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # ''sē ulcīscī'': To revenge oneself.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[ultor]]

+ * [[ultrīx]]

+ * [[ultiō]]

+ * [[ultōrius]]

+ * [[inultus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}