contemptus Latin · revision 31089

+ {{homograph|1|despised}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=81–43 BC, Cicero|origins=la contemnō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [kɔnˈtɛmp.tʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [konˈtɛmp.tus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''contemptus''' (feminine contempta, neuter contemptum, comparative contemptior, superlative contemptissimus, adverb contemptim); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The adjective is the past participle of [[m|la|contemnō|t=to despise]], used as an adjective.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Lewis & Short 1879) De Vaan finds that ⟨contemnō⟩ is older than the simple [[m|la|temnō]], a later back-formation; the source of its sense “despise” is disputed, between [[ine-pro|*temh₁-|t=to cut]], the root of [[grc|τέμνω|tr=témnō|t=to cut]], so “cut off”, and a root “to shake, pound”, which he thinks may not be Indo-European.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler gives Cicero as its first author.^(Köbler 2010) In the ''De lege agraria'' Cicero speaks of a ''contemptus et abiectus homō'', a despised and abject man.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is despised, and so despicable, paltry, mean: Cicero's mean and squalid life, and his “what voice could be more contemptible than that of Milo of Croton?”.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) With a dative it is despised by someone, as Tacitus' Trebellius, despised and hated by the army for his greed.^(Lewis & Short 1879) The superlative is common in Cicero (the levity of the most contemptible consuls), Quintilian and Suetonius.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Horace and Seneca use it of things: ''ō quam rēs est contempta homō!'', “how contemptible a thing is man!”.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “despised, contemptible”.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of a despised man and a mean life.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 65–8 BC – Horace of a contemptible thing.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 98–115 AD – Tacitus of a commander despised by his troops.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|despised|alt=Despised]]; [[m|en|despicable]], [[m|en|contemptible]], paltry, mean.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # Valued little, disregarded.^(Wiktionary)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[contemptē]]

+ * [[incontemptus]]

+

+ {{homograph|2|contempt}}

+

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=96–55 BC, Lucretius|origins=la contemnō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [kɔnˈtɛmp.tʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [konˈtɛmp.tus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''contemptus''' ''m'' (genitive contemptūs); fourth declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The noun is formed [[af|la|contemnō|-tus|t1=to despise]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan finds that ⟨contemnō⟩ is older than the simple [[m|la|temnō]], a later back-formation; the source of its sense “despise” is disputed, between [[ine-pro|*temh₁-|t=to cut]], the root of [[grc|τέμνω|tr=témnō|t=to cut]], so “cut off”, and a root “to shake, pound”, which he thinks may not be Indo-European.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Lucretius has it of the state of being despised: ''turpis … contemptus et ācris egestās'', “shameful contempt and bitter poverty”.^(OLD 2012) Köbler's first author is Caesar.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is the act of despising, contempt: in Caesar the Gauls look down on the Romans' short stature, and Tacitus' soldiers fall off from their courage through contempt for their general.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) It is also the state of being despised, ignominy (Lucretius, Livy), and disregard: Livy speaks of contempt for the laws, magistrates and senate, Seneca of contempt for death, and Tacitus of the Jews' contempt for dying.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) Lewis and Short find it common only from Augustus' time, especially in Quintilian, and perhaps never in Cicero.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “contempt, scorn, disdain”.^(Stelten 1995) In Medieval Latin it is also an insult or act of violence, resistance or refusal to obey, and a breach of the law.^(Niermeyer 1976) Köbler adds the medieval legal sense of contumacy.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius of being despised.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar of the Gauls' contempt.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy of contempt for the laws.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian, often.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|contempt|alt=Contempt]], [[m|en|scorn]], disdain;^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995) ''contemptuī esse'', to be despised.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # The state of being despised, [[m|en|ignominy]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Disregard (of something).^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' An insult, outrage; disobedience, [[m|en|contumacy]].^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[contemnō]]

+ * [[temnō]]

+ * [[contemptor]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}