cautus Latin · revision 31167

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=ine-pro *kewh₁-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''cautus''' (feminine cauta, neuter cautum, comparative cautior, superlative cautissimus, adverb cautē or cautim); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the past participle of [[m|la|caveō|t=to beware]], used as an adjective.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan derives ⟨caveō⟩ from [[itc-pro|*kawē-]] and [[ine-pro|*kouh₁-éye-|t=to perceive]], with ⟨cautus⟩ from ⟨*kawitos⟩; cognates are [[grc|κοέω|tr=koéō|t=to perceive]] and [[sa|कवि|tr=kaví-|t=seer, poet]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler gives Plautus as its first author;^(Köbler 2010) the OLD also cites an elogium calling a man “the most cautious general of his age”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of persons it is wary, cautious or prudent, as in Plautus and Terence;^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Ovid has a man in the dark holding out “careful hands”.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It is used of qualities, as Cicero's “more careful integrity”, and of plans that err on the safe side.^(OLD 2012) Of loans and property it is secured, as Cicero's dowry placed in an estate so that the woman's property was safer, and with ''ab'' it is safe from.^(OLD 2012)

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+ The TLL records a rare late noun ''cautus'', “a guarantee”, in Ennodius.^(TLL) Köbler finds the adjective in Augustine and in medieval glossaries.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of secured property and careful plans.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid of careful hands.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|wary|alt=Wary]], [[m|en|cautious]], circumspect, prudent.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # (of plans, actions) Cautious, erring on the safe side.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of loans) Secured; safe (from).^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[cautim]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[caveō]]

+ * [[cautiō]]

+ * [[incautus]]

+ * [[prūdēns]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}