tyrannus Latin · revision 30791

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=220–130 BC, Pacuvius|origins=grc τύραννος}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [tyˈran.nʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [tiˈran.nus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''tyrannus''' ''m'' (genitive tyrannī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+ It is also spelled ''turannus''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|grc|τύραννος|tr=túrannos|t=absolute ruler]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Etymonline) The OLD and Köbler (after Frisk) take the Greek word as probably of Asian origin, from Asia Minor or the Aegean.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler first records it in Pacuvius.^(Köbler 2010) Accius uses it of a monarch: ''nē cum tyrannō quisquam epulandī grātiā accumbat mēnsam'', “let no one recline at table with the tyrant to feast”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Tyrannus'' is a monarch or sovereign in general, mostly in poetry.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) In a Greek city it is the absolute ruler who governs outside the law and has usually taken power without a legal right, Nepos says that Miltiades was called ''tyrannus'' but was just, since all who hold lasting power in a free state are so called.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Transferred, it is any ruler who uses power cruelly, a tyrant.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Church Latin also uses it for the devil.^(Stelten 1995) In medieval Latin it could mean a mighty lord, without blame.^(Niermeyer 1976) English [[m|en|tyrant]] (c. 1300) comes from it through Old French.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 220–130 BC – Pacuvius uses it.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 170–c. 90 BC – Accius: ''nē cum tyrannō quisquam epulandī grātiā accumbat''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 100–24 BC – Nepos on Miltiades as a just ''tyrannus''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1300 – English [[m|en|tyrant]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|monarch]], ruler, sovereign.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Greek history)'' An absolute ruler, a [[m|en|tyrant]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # A cruel or oppressive ruler, a [[m|en|despot]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' The devil.^(Stelten 1995)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A mighty lord.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[tyranna]]

+ * [[tyrannicīda]]

+ * [[tyrannicus]]

+ * [[tyrannicē]]

+ * [[tyrannicīdium]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[tyrannis]]

+ * [[tyrannoctonus]]

+ * [[tyrannopolīta]]

+ * [[en|tyrant]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}