lacero Latin · revision 31000

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=ine-pro *lh₂k-ro-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈɫa.kɛ.roː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈlaː.t͡ʃe.ro]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''lacerō''' (present infinitive lacerāre, perfect active lacerāvī, supine lacerātum); first conjugation^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[m|la|lacer|t=torn, mangled]] with the verb suffix [[m|la|-ō]].^(OLD 2012)^(Etymonline) De Vaan notes that the verb is attested much earlier than the adjective but is still made from it, and traces ⟨lacer⟩ to [[itc-pro|*lak(V)-ro-|t=torn, ragged]] and [[ine-pro|*lh₂k-ro-]], beside a nasal present [[ine-pro|*lh₂-n-k-|t=to tear]].^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[grc|λακίς|tr=lakís|t=rent; tatters]] and [[grc|λακίζω|tr=lakízō|t=to tear]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan gives Plautus as its first author.^(de Vaan 2008) In the ''Mercator'' a father complains that his own property is badly mauled while another's grows.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its literal sense is to tear or mangle bodies and limbs, as in a fragment of Ennius, and in grief to tear the cheeks or hair (Ovid).^(OLD 2012) Of things it is to batter or shatter, and to rend clothes.^(OLD 2012) It is to torment with pain or hunger (Pacuvius) and with mental anguish, as Cicero's wife harassed with every cruelty.^(OLD 2012) Figuratively it is to ravage persons, lands or property, to spoil a day with talk (Plautus) or a song by bad singing (Petronius), and to tear someone to shreds with abuse: Cicero speaks of the envy that usually lacerates people.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “rend, tear, wound, lacerate, mangle”.^(Stelten 1995) English ''lacerate'' (early 15th century) comes from its past participle.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius of a mangled body.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of torment and of attacks by envy.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * before 66 AD – Petronius of “murdering” songs.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * early 15th century – English [[m|en|lacerate]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To tear, [[m|en|mangle]], [[m|en|lacerate]]; to tear (the cheeks or hair, in grief).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # To batter, [[m|en|shatter]]; to rend (clothes).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To [[m|en|torment]], rack; to distress, harass.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(figuratively)'' To ravage (lands, property); to spoil (a day, a song).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To attack with abuse; to tear (a reputation) to shreds.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[dēlacerō]]

+ * [[dīlacerō]]

+ * [[lacerābilis]]

+ * [[lacerātiō]]

+ * [[lacerātor]]

+ * [[lacerātrīx]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[lacer]]

+ * [[lacinia]]

+ * [[lancinō]]

+ * [[en|lacerate]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes ''lacerāre'', to tear by mere force with hands, claws or teeth, from [[laniō|alt=laniāre]], to tear as with a cutting instrument.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}