blandus Latin · revision 30690

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|attested=c. 235–200 BC, Naevius}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈbɫan.dʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈblan.dus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''blandus''' (feminine blanda, neuter blandum, comparative blandior, adverb blandē or blanditer); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is uncertain.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) De Vaan rejects the link with [[m|la|mollis|t=soft]] made by Walde–Hofmann and Pokorny as phonetically impossible; others have compared [[grc|μαλακός|tr=malakós|t=soft]] and [[sga|mláith|t=soft]], and on that basis Schrijver proposed ⟨*mlh₂-d-no-⟩, perhaps from a root “to grind”.^(de Vaan 2008) Ernout and Meillet suggested an original meaning “with a flattering voice”, which would point to [[m|la|balbus|t=stammering]] and [[m|la|blatiō|t=to babble]].^(de Vaan 2008) Wiktionary follows the older derivation from a nasalised ⟨*mland-⟩ of the root of ⟨mollis⟩.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan records it from Naevius on; the TLL from Ennius and Plautus.^(de Vaan 2008)^(TLL) Ennius, ''Annals'': ''quamquam … blandā vōce vocābam'', “though I called with a coaxing voice”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Blandus'' describes someone who wins others over by coaxing and flattery, charming and seductive: Plautus' ''experiēmur nostrum uter sit blandior'', “we'll see which of us is more charming”.^(OLD 2012) Of words and prayers it is winning and persuasive, of feelings alluring (Lucretius' Venus strikes ''blandum amōrem'' into every heart), and in a bad sense deceptively flattering, insincere.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) Of animals it is fawning and affectionate (Lucretius of puppies), of eyes and faces gentle and calm, and of things pleasant to the senses, sweet, soothing, as of perfumes and of soothing medicines (Pliny).^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “soothing, soft, smooth, fondling”.^(Stelten 1995) English ''bland'' (1660s) came from Italian ''blando'' or Old French.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 235–200 BC – Naevius, its first recorded use.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of being more charming.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius of alluring love and fawning puppies.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1660s – English [[m|en|bland]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Coaxing, charming, [[m|en|ingratiating]], seductive.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(of words)'' Winning, [[m|en|persuasive]]; alluring.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # [[m|en|flattering]], fawning, insincere.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(of animals)'' Fawning, gentle, affectionate.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Gentle, calm; pleasant, sweet, [[m|en|soothing]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[blandifluus]]

+ * [[blandiloquus]]

+ * [[blanditiēs]]

+ * [[blandulus]]

+ * [[perblandus]]

+ * [[blanditia]]

+ * [[blandē]]

+ * [[blandiō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[blatiō]]

+ * [[blandior]]

+ * [[blandīmentum]]

+ * [[en|bland]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}