clementia Latin · revision 30788

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=190–159 BC, Terence|origins=la clēmēns}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [kɫeːˈmɛn.ti.a]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [kleˈmɛn.t͡si.a]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''clēmentia''' ''f'' (genitive clēmentiae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|la|clēmēns|-ia|t1=mild, merciful]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(TLL)^(Etymonline) The origin of [[m|la|clēmēns]] is uncertain.^(de Vaan 2008) Walde and Hofmann followed Bréal and Osthoff in deriving it from ⟨*klejomenos⟩ “leaning”, which de Vaan rejects on phonetic grounds; he finds more attractive Ernout and Meillet's idea that it is the opposite of [[m|la|vehemēns|t=violent]], both being compounds of [[m|la|mēns|t=mind]].^(de Vaan 2008) Etymonline reports the usual link with [[ine-pro|*ḱley-|t=to lean]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from Terence.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Clēmentia'' is the disposition to spare or pardon, clemency, leniency (Cicero: ''aut saevitiam aut clēmentiam iūdicis'').^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Cicero defines it as one of the parts of temperance, by which a mind provoked to hatred is restrained by kindness.^(TLL) Caesar's clemency was honoured as ''Clēmentia Caesaris'', and Clementia was worshipped as a goddess.^(TLL) From the post-Augustan period it is also the mildness of weather or climate (Columella: if the mildness of the winter allows).^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ Döderlein contrasts it with ''[[mānsuētūdō]]'', the mildness of a private person who does not avenge an insult, and ''clēmentia'', the mercy of a ruler or judge who does not inflict the punishment deserved.^(Döderlein 1874) In Late and medieval Latin ''Clēmentia'' became a title of emperors and kings, “Your Clemency”.^(Wiktionary) English [[m|en|clemency]] (1550s) comes from it.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero: ''aut saevitiam aut clēmentiam iūdicis''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 44 BC – The senate honours the ''Clēmentia Caesaris''.^(TLL)

+ * 1st century AD – Columella of a mild winter.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1550s – English [[m|en|clemency]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|clemency|alt=Clemency]], [[m|en|mercy]], leniency.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # Gentleness, mildness.^(Wiktionary)

+ # Mildness (of weather or climate).^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Late Latin)'' A title of rulers: ''Clēmentia vestra'', Your Clemency.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[clēmēns]]

+ * [[mānsuētūdō]]

+ * [[misericordia]]

+ * [[en|clemency]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}