magnificus Latin · revision 30689

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=ine-pro *mǵ-no-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [maŋˈnɪ.fɪ.kʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [maɲˈɲiː.fi.kus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''magnificus''' (feminine magnifica, neuter magnificum, comparative magnificentior, superlative magnificentissimus, adverb magnificē); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+ It is also spelled ''magnuficus''.^(OLD 2012)

+ Its comparison is ''magnificentior'', ''magnificentissimus'';^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Festus reports older ''magnificior'' and ''magnificissimus'', and Accius has the latter.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|la|magnus|-ficus|t1=great|t2=making, doing]], from [[m|la|faciō]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan traces ⟨magnus⟩ to [[itc-pro|*magno-|t=great]] and [[ine-pro|*mǵ-no-|t=great]], cognate with [[sga|maige|t=large]] and [[sa|महि|tr=máhi-|t=great]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Plautus, ''Asinaria'': ''faciō facētum mē atque magnificum virum'', “I make myself out a witty and splendid man”.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Magnificus'' is splendid and excellent, of persons, deeds (Cicero: what is so powerful and magnificent as to sway the people by speech?), ideas, and a grand style of oratory.^(OLD 2012) Of behaviour it is lavish, as Terence's mistress who is “powerful, forward, lavish, extravagant”; of things it is sumptuous, of vessels and games.^(OLD 2012) Plautus also uses it for boastful and bragging, of persons and of words: ''tua magnifica verba'', “your grand words”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “glorious, sublime, rich”.^(Stelten 1995) In medieval Latin ''vir magnificus'' is a well-born freeman.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of a splendid man and of boasting.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence of a lavish mistress.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of great deeds, a grand style and sumptuous games.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|magnificent]], splendid, excellent; noble, [[m|en|eminent]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # Lavish; [[m|en|sumptuous]], costly.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(of style)'' Grand, lofty.^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|boastful]], bragging.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' ''vir magnificus'': a well-born freeman.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[permagnificus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[magnus]]

+ * [[magnificentia]]

+ * [[magnificē]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}