segnis Latin · revision 30813

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈseːŋ.nɪs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈsɛɲ.ɲis]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''sēgnis''' (neuter sēgne, comparative sēgnior, superlative sēgnissimus, adverb sēgniter); third-declension two-termination adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is uncertain.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan sets up [[itc-pro|*sēk-ni-]] or ⟨*sēg-ni-⟩, an adjective in ⟨-ni-⟩ like [[m|la|lēnis]] and [[m|la|omnis]], and compares the root of [[grc|ἦκα|tr=êka|t=slightly, softly]] and [[m|grc|ἥσσων|tr=hḗssōn|t=weaker, lesser]]; that root has been traced to [[ine-pro|*sek-|t=to dry out]] or to ⟨*seh₁k-⟩, but neither fits the meaning well.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) Lewis & Short report the older derivation from [[m|la|sequor|t=to follow]], “one who lags behind”.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Plautus.^(de Vaan 2008) Accius has men ''sēgnīs somnō et tarditūdine'', “sluggish with sleep and slowness”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means unwilling to exert oneself, without energy, slothful, as Cicero urges his hearers not to become slacker or shrink from bold counsel;^(OLD 2012) Virgil uses it of idle, untilled land.^(OLD 2012) Of movement it is slow and sluggish, of actions slack (Virgil: no delay holds Turnus back), and of water and wind slow-moving: Curtius has rivers that carry ''sēgnēs aquās''.^(OLD 2012) Lewis & Short note that the positive was not common until after the Augustan period, though the comparative is.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “slow, slothful, sluggish”.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 170–c. 90 BC – Accius of men sluggish with sleep.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of slackness of spirit.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil of idle land.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|slothful]], [[m|en|inactive]], lazy;^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995) ''(of land)'' idle, untilled.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # Slow, [[m|en|sluggish]] (in movement).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(of actions)'' Slack, dilatory.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(of water, wind, processes)'' Slow-moving, slow.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[persegnis]]

+ * [[segnesco]]

+ * [[sēgnipēs]]

+ * [[sēgnitās]]

+ * [[sēgnitia]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[sēgniter]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}