viridis Latin · revision 30711

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=la vireō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈwɪ.rɪ.dɪs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈviː.ri.dis]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''viridis''' (neuter viride, comparative viridior, superlative viridissimus); third-declension two-termination adjective^(Wiktionary)

+ A syncopated form ''virdis'' occurs in Lucilius.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is derived from [[m|la|vireō|t=to be green]], irregularly for an expected ⟨*viridus⟩ with the suffix [[m|la|-idus]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) The etymology of ⟨vireō⟩ is uncertain: de Vaan compares [[lt|veĩsti|t=to breed]], [[ang|wīse|t=sprout, stem]] and [[goh|wīsa|t=meadow]], from a possible [[itc-pro|*weis-]], but doubts that these really belong together.^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler sets up Pokorny's root [[ine-pro|*weis-|t=to sprout, grow]].^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Plautus, ''Menaechmi'', of a man thought to be mad: ''ut viridis exoritur colōs'', “how a greenish colour comes up” on his temples and brow.^(OLD 2012) De Vaan dates it from Cato, who uses it of green olives and fodder.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Viridis'' is the colour of growing plants, the most general Latin word for every shade of green: Cicero's fields are ''nitidissimōs viridissimōsque'', “very bright and very green”.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It was used of the sea and streams, of precious stones (Lucretius' emerald), and, like [[grc|χλωρός|tr=khlōrós]], of pale yellowish shades such as a sick complexion.^(OLD 2012) Of fruit, wood and fodder it means unripe or fresh, not dried (Cato).^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Figuratively it describes youthful vigour: an inscription speaks of a ''viridis aetās'', and the vigour can be that of an old man's green old age.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) As a neuter plural noun ''viridia'' are shrubs planted for greenery.^(OLD 2012) Church Latin glosses it simply “green”.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of a greenish complexion.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato of green olives and fresh fodder.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius of the green light of emeralds.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of green fields.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|green]] (the colour of growing plants); [[m|en|verdant]], grassy.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # Green (in general, of the sea, gems); greenish, pale yellow (of the complexion).^(OLD 2012)

+ # Unripe, young, tender.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Fresh, newly gathered, not dried.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Youthful, [[m|en|vigorous]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(neuter plural)'' Shrubs or greenery planted for decoration.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[viriditās]]

+ * [[viridārium]]

+ * [[viridō]]

+ * [[viridēscō]]

+ * [[viridicātus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[vireō]]

+ * [[virēscō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}