defensor Latin · revision 30858

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=190–159 BC, Terence|origins=la dē-, ine-pro *gʷʰen-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [deːˈfẽː.sɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [deˈfɛn.sor]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''dēfēnsor''' ''m'' (genitive dēfēnsōris, feminine dēfēnstrīx or dēfēnsātrīx); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[m|la|dēfendō|t=to ward off, defend]] with the agent suffix [[m|la|-tor]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) ⟨dēfendō⟩ is [[m|la|dē-]] with an unattested ⟨*fendō⟩ “to strike”, from [[itc-pro|*fendō]] and [[ine-pro|*gʷʰen-|t=to strike]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Terence, ''Andria'': ''aliquem esse amīcum et dēfēnsōrem eī'', “that she should have some friend and protector”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ With a genitive it is one who wards off something, as Cicero calls himself the averter of the Sicilians' disasters.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Usually it is a protector or defender, and in the plural a garrison (Caesar); Caesar also uses it of stakes set to protect a bridge.^(OLD 2012) It is a champion or supporter of a person or cause (Cicero: as he should have been the defender of Caesar's acts), and in law the advocate for the defence, or the defendant.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In Late Antiquity the ''dēfēnsor cīvitātis'' was an official of Roman cities, and the ''dēfēnsōrēs regiōnāriī'' were officials of the city of Rome.^(Niermeyer 1976) Gregory of Tours and the early medieval laws use the word.^(Köbler 2010) Church Latin glosses it “defender”.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence of a protector.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar of a garrison.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of a supporter and of an advocate.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 538/539–594 AD – Gregory of Tours.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # One who wards off (a danger).^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # A [[m|en|defender]], [[m|en|protector]];^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995) ''(plural)'' a [[m|en|garrison]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # A supporter, champion; an [[m|en|apologist]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(law)'' An advocate for the defence; a [[m|en|defendant]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Late Latin)'' An official of a city (''dēfēnsor cīvitātis'').^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[defensorius]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[dēfendō]]

+ * [[dēfēnsiō]]

+ * [[en|defender]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}