erus Latin · revision 30725

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=inherited|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=ine-pro *h₁esh₂-ó-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈɛ.rʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈɛː.rus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''erus''' ''m'' (genitive erī, feminine era); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+ It is also spelled ''herus'', but ''erus'' is the spelling of the best manuscripts.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*eso-|t=master]], [[inh|ine-pro|*h₁esh₂-ó-|t=master]], according to de Vaan and Wiktionary.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) The best match in form and meaning is [[hit|išhā-|t=master, lord]]; de Vaan also mentions the Gaulish god Esus, and Pokorny's link with [[grc|ἐύς|tr=eús|t=good, noble]], “the good one”, which he finds less convincing.^(de Vaan 2008) The OLD calls the origin doubtful.^(OLD 2012) Lewis & Short proposed a connection with [[m|la|hērēs|t=heir]] and [[m|la|hirūdō|t=leech]] and a root meaning “to seize”.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Plautus, ''Pseudolus'': ''sī quis erum servos spernit'', “if any slave scorns his master”.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Erus'' is a man seen in relation to his slaves and servants, the master, especially the head of a household;^(OLD 2012) Plautus distinguishes ''maior erus'', the master of the house, from ''minor erus'', his son: ''maior apud forumst, minor hic est intus'', “the elder is at the forum, the younger is in here”.^(OLD 2012) Catullus uses it of the gods and of the owner of a property, greeting Sirmio: ''erō gaudē'', “rejoice in your master”, and Statius of the master a horse obeys.^(OLD 2012) Wiktionary adds husband, ruler and god.^(Wiktionary) The feminine is [[era]], “mistress”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of masters and slaves.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81/79–52/50 BC – Catullus of the gods and of Sirmio's owner.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 45–96 AD – Statius of a horse's master.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The [[m|en|master]] of a household; a master (of slaves).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(poetic)'' A lord, god; a ruler.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The owner (of property or an animal); a husband.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[era]]

+ * [[erifuga]]

+ * [[erīlis]]

+ * [[eritūdō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[dominus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}