optime Latin · revision 30749

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈɔp.tɪ.meː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈɔp.ti.me]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''optimē''' (superlative)^(Wiktionary)

+ It is also spelled ''optumē''.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|la|optimus|-ē|t1=best]], and serves as the superlative of [[bene]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) The origin of the adjective is debated: Cowgill, Leumann and Sihler, whom de Vaan follows, take it as a superlative of [[m|la|ob|t=towards]], “uppermost” or rather “foremost”, while Walde–Hofmann's ⟨*opi-tVmo-⟩ “most powerful”, connected with [[m|la|ops|t=power]], seems to him much less likely; the OLD gives the link with ⟨ops⟩ as a possibility.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Plautus, ''Pseudolus'': ''ōrnātus hic mē satin condecet? – optimē habet'', “does this outfit suit me well enough? – perfectly”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Optimē'' means “best, most satisfactorily”, and Plautus already has the colloquial ''factum optimē!'', “well done!”, and ''optimē!'', “excellent!”, often ironic or simply agreeing.^(OLD 2012) It is also used of knowing or seeing most clearly (''meās nōvī optimē'', “I know my daughters very well”), of things happening most opportunely (''quem quaerō optimē eccum obviam mihist'', “just the man I'm looking for, coming towards me”), and of conduct, in the phrase ''optimē merērī dē aliquō'', “to deserve best of someone”.^(OLD 2012) Classical writers use it of dress and style, of what sounds best (Cicero), and of the best outcome, as ''quam optimē vendere'', “to sell at the best price”.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus: ''optimē habet'' and ''factum optimē''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 86/82 BC – The ''Rhetorica ad Herennium'' of a lyre player dressed in the best style.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of the best-sounding word and the best price.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # ''(superlative of [[bene]])'' Best, very well, [[m|en|excellent|alt=excellently]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''optimē factum!'', ''optimē!'': Well done! [[m|en|bravo]]! excellent!^(OLD 2012)

+ # Most clearly or accurately; [[m|en|thorough|alt=thoroughly]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Most [[m|en|opportune|alt=opportunely]], just in time; most fittingly.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Most commendably, most kindly;^(OLD 2012) ''optimē merērī dē aliquō'', to deserve best of someone.^(OLD 2012)

+ # In the best style; most agreeably; with the best result.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[optimās]]

+ * [[optimitās]]

+ * [[optimus]]

+ * [[bene]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}