callidus Latin · revision 30973

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=la callum}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈkal.lɪ.dʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈkal.li.dus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''callidus''' (feminine callida, neuter callidum, comparative callidior, superlative callidissimus, adverb callidē); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed [[af|la|calleō|-idus|t1=to be hardened; to be skilled]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Köbler 2010) The verb comes from [[m|la|callum|t=hard skin]], which de Vaan traces to [[itc-pro|*kaln/so-|t=hard]], comparing [[sga|calath|t=hard]] and [[cy|caled|t=hard]]; its Indo-European origin is uncertain.^(de Vaan 2008) Cicero explains ⟨callidī⟩ as people whose minds have grown hard with use, as the hand does with work.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler gives Plautus as its first author.^(Köbler 2010) In the ''Poenulus'' a woman is praised as ''tam callida et docta … et facēta'', “so clever, learned and witty”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is wise from experience, practised or expert, with a genitive or dative of the field, as Columella's men most skilled in farming, and with an infinitive, as Horace's Mercury, clever at hiding anything he likes.^(OLD 2012) It is clever or ingenious, and of things ingeniously made: Cicero says nothing could be cleverer than nature.^(OLD 2012) Very often it is crafty or cunning: Plautus' Mercury says he must be bad, crafty and sly, and a slave drives a crafty old man with crafty tricks.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “crafty, subtle”.^(Stelten 1995) Wiktionary gives Medieval and Church Latin “discreet”.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of cleverness and craft.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of nature's ingenuity.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 65–8 BC – Horace of Mercury's skill.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1st century AD – Columella of skill in farming.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Experienced, practised, [[m|en|expert]] (in something).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # [[m|en|clever|alt=Clever]], [[m|en|ingenious]], resourceful.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # [[m|en|crafty|alt=Crafty]], cunning, sly.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' [[m|en|discreet|alt=Discreet]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[calliditās]]

+ * [[callidulus]]

+ * [[incallidus]]

+ * [[callidē]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[calleō]]

+ * [[callum]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein sets ''callidus'' beside [[astūtus]]: both mean cunning as a mark of cleverness, but ''astūtus'' is sharpness in planning a secret scheme, ''callidus'' the shrewd judgement of a man who knows the world, and in a bad sense crafty; [[vafer]] and [[versūtus]] are cunning as dishonesty.^(Döderlein 1874) He also contrasts [[prūdēns]], natural good judgement, with ''callidus'', worldly knowledge gained by practice.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}