taeter Latin · revision 30916

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈtae̯.tɛr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈtɛː.ter]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''taeter''' (feminine taetra, neuter taetrum, comparative taetrior, superlative taeterrimus); first/second-declension adjective (nominative masculine singular in -er)^(Wiktionary)

+ It is also spelled ''tēter''.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is uncertain.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008) De Vaan puts it with [[m|la|taedet|t=it wearies, disgusts]]: it may regularly reflect [[itc-pro|*taid-ro-]], but there is no good etymology for the stem ⟨*taid-⟩.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan gives Plautus as its first author.^(de Vaan 2008) In the ''Mostellaria'' a slave is called ''omnium hominum taeterrume'', “foulest of all men”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Physically it is foul, offensive or horrible, as Accius' grim rocks, Ennius' hideous elephants, and Cicero's most foul smell.^(OLD 2012) Of persons it is morally vile or abominable, already in Plautus, and of deeds and experiences monstrous, as Accius' horrible tortures.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of a vile man.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius of hideous elephants.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 170–c. 90 BC – Accius of horrible tortures.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of a foul smell.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|foul|alt=Foul]], [[m|en|noisome]], offensive, hideous.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(of persons)'' Vile, [[m|en|abominable]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(of actions)'' Monstrous, horrible.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[taedet]]

+ * [[taedium]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein describes ''taeter'' as the ugliness that disturbs one's sense of safety and makes one shudder, as opposed to [[foedus]], which offends natural feeling.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}