potissimum Latin · revision 30691

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [pɔˈtɪs.sɪ.mũː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [poˈtis.si.mum]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''potissimum''' (not comparable)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the neuter of [[m|la|potissimus|t=most powerful, chief]], used as an adverb.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) ⟨potissimus⟩ is the superlative of [[m|la|potis|t=able, master]], which de Vaan traces to [[ine-pro|*pót-i-|t=master, lord]], cognate with [[sa|पति|tr=páti-|t=lord, master]], [[grc|πόσις|tr=pósis|t=husband]] and [[lt|pàts|t=husband]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler lists it in the Carmen Saliare.^(Köbler 2010) The OLD's first citations are Plautus, ''Captivi'': it is fitting for an innocent slave to be confident, ''suom apud erum potissimum'', “above all before his master”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Potissimum'' marks one person or circumstance as particularly concerned, “especially, above all”, and one choice as preferred to every other: Plautus' ''haud causificor quīn eam ego habeam potissimum'', “I make no excuse against having her in preference to all”.^(OLD 2012) It also means “in the best way” (Plautus: I'll take my revenge best by kissing).^(OLD 2012) Church Latin glosses it “chiefly, especially, most preferable, above all”.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus in the senses “especially” and “preferably”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # [[m|en|especially]], chiefly, [[m|en|above all]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # In preference to all else, [[m|en|preferably]]; in the best way.^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[potissimus]]

+ * [[potis]]

+ * [[potius]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}