pronus Latin · revision 30811

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''prōnus''' (feminine prōna, neuter prōnum, comparative prōnior, superlative prōnissimus, adverb prōnē); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+ Varro has a feminine ''prōnis''.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[m|la|prō|t=forward]] with the suffix ⟨-nus⟩ of [[m|la|supernus]].^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) The TLL also allows an adverb ⟨*prō-ne⟩, like [[m|la|superne]].^(TLL) Lewis & Short and Wiktionary compare [[grc|πρηνής|tr=prēnḗs|t=face down]].^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler's first source is Terence.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its physical senses are leaning forward, often eagerly, as charioteers bend forward over the reins (Virgil), and bending towards the ground, as a lamb bends to drink (Ovid).^(OLD 2012) It is used of lying face down, and of the horizontal posture of animals, which Sallust says nature made ''prōna atque ventrī oboedientia'', “bent down and obedient to their bellies”.^(OLD 2012) Of ground it means sloping, and of movement downward; poets use it of setting stars and of passing time.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ Figuratively it is inclined or disposed to something, as Cicero speaks of a good form of state inclined towards a most ruinous one, then well-disposed and favourable, and in the Silver age also easy.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) Döderlein says that ''prōnus'' denotes inclination in general, while [[prōclīvis]] is oftener the inclination to good and [[prōpēnsus]] to bad.^(Döderlein 1874) Church Latin glosses it “prone, flat, inclined, bent forward”.^(Stelten 1995) English ''prone'', about 1400, first meant “naturally inclined”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of a state inclining to ruin.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 86–34 BC – Sallust of animals bent to the ground.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil of charioteers bending forward.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1400 – English [[m|en|prone]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Leaning or bending forward;^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) ''(poetic)'' running headlong.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Bending down; lying face down, [[m|en|prostrate]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # ''(of ground)'' Sloping, [[m|en|steep]];^(OLD 2012) ''(of movement)'' downward.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(of stars, time)'' Setting, declining.^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(figurative)'' Inclined, [[m|en|disposed]] (to).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Favourable;^(Wiktionary) ''(post-Augustan)'' easy.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[prō]]

+ * [[prōclīvis]]

+ * [[en|prone]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}