caelestis Latin · revision 30841

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=204–169 BC, Ennius|origins=ine-pro *keh₂i-lo-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [kae̯ˈɫɛs.tɪs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [t͡ʃeˈlɛs.tis]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''caelestis''' (neuter caeleste, comparative caelestior, superlative caelestissimus); third-declension two-termination adjective^(Wiktionary)

+ Ovid has an ablative ''caeleste'' beside the usual ''caelestī''.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[m|la|caelum|t=sky, heaven]] with the suffix ⟨-estris⟩ of local adjectives, as in its opposite [[m|la|terrestris|t=of the earth]], but in the dissimilated form ⟨-estis⟩ of [[m|la|agrestis]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan traces ⟨caelum⟩ to [[itc-pro|*kailo-|t=sky]] and [[ine-pro|*keh₂i-lo-|t=whole]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler's first source is Ennius.^(Köbler 2010) Varro writes of auspices sent from heaven (''auspiciōrum caelestum'').^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is first what is in or comes from the sky: ''aqua caelestis'' is rainwater, ''caelestis arcus'' the rainbow, and Cicero says we are nourished by the air of heaven.^(OLD 2012) Signs sent from the sky are divine, and the gods dwell in heaven: Cicero has ''caelestibus rēbus'', “heavenly matters”, set against human ones.^(OLD 2012) Of people and earthly things it means godlike or divine, as Cicero's heavenly legions, and of emperors deified.^(OLD 2012) As a noun, usually plural, ''caelestēs'' are the gods, and Horace uses it of a godlike victor.^(OLD 2012) The neuter plural ''caelestia'' are heavenly matters.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “heavenly, divine, celestial”, and ''caelestia'' “heavenly things, high places”.^(Stelten 1995) In medieval Latin it could mean sky-blue.^(Niermeyer 1976) English ''celestial'' and French ''céleste'' come from it.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro of auspices from heaven.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of heavenly things and godlike legions.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 65–8 BC – Horace, as a noun, of a godlike person.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of or from the sky;^(OLD 2012) ''aqua caelestis'', rainwater.^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|celestial]], [[m|en|heavenly]]; divine, of the gods.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # Godlike, [[m|en|magnificent]];^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) ''(of emperors)'' deified.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Sky-blue.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(usually plural)'' A god or goddess; a godlike person.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(neuter plural)'' Heavenly matters.^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[caelestīnus]]

+ * [[supercaelestis]]

+ * [[caelestia]]

+ * [[caelestiālis]]

+ * [[intercaelestis]]

+ * [[succaelestis]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[caeles]]

+ * [[caelicola]]

+ * [[caelicus]]

+ * [[caelifer]]

+ * [[caelifluus]]

+ * [[caeligenus]]

+ * [[caeliger]]

+ * [[caeliloquus]]

+ * [[caelipotēns]]

+ * [[caelitēs]]

+ * [[caelum]]

+ * [[terrestris]]

+ * [[en|celestial]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}