delicatus Latin · revision 31189

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''dēlicātus''' (feminine dēlicāta, neuter dēlicātum, comparative dēlicātior, superlative dēlicātissimus); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Its origin is uncertain; the OLD calls it doubtful.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) Wiktionary, judging from the meaning, derives it from the root of [[m|la|dēliciae|t=delight, pleasure]] with the suffix [[m|la|-ātus]], and Lewis and Short also take it from ⟨dēliciae⟩; the TLL thinks of [[m|la|dēlicus|t=weaned]] and holds that ⟨dēliciae⟩ shaped its meaning.^(Wiktionary)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(TLL) The noun belongs with [[m|la|dēliciō|t=to allure]] and [[m|la|laciō|t=to entice]], which de Vaan derives from [[itc-pro|*laki-|t=to draw, pull]].^(Köbler 2010)^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Plautus is its first author,^(Köbler 2010) with ''nimium ego tē habuī dēlicātam'', “I have kept you too much in luxury”, in the ''Menaechmi''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is addicted to pleasure or ease, luxurious or self-indulgent, and of things giving comfort, as Varro's “too luxurious clothing”;^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Cicero has “that most delightful shore”.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Of animals it is pampered, as Pliny the Elder's mules shod with gold, and as a noun a favourite or lover, as Suetonius' Domitilla.^(OLD 2012) It is also wanton or frivolous, as in Plautus, and hard to please, fastidious or squeamish.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ It is said of refinement, elegant or foppish, as Seneca's Maecenas, and of manners effeminate, as Phaedrus' “mincing and languid gait”.^(OLD 2012) Of form it is dainty or pretty, of sound and taste delicate, as Cicero's softer and more delicate turns in song.^(OLD 2012) Church Latin glosses it “delightful”, and in medieval Latin it is delicate in health, of weak constitution.^(Stelten 1995)^(Niermeyer 1976) English [[m|en|delicate]] comes from it, from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of a woman kept in luxury.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of a delightful shore and of delicate song.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca of Maecenas' refinement.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 14th century – English [[m|en|delicate]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Given to pleasure, [[m|en|luxurious]], self-indulgent;^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995) (of things) comfortable, sumptuous; delightful.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # (of animals) Pampered;^(OLD 2012) ''(as a noun)'' a favourite, lover.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Wanton, frivolous.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Hard to please, [[m|en|fastidious]], squeamish.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Elegant, foppish; effeminate.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Dainty, pretty;^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) (of sound, taste) [[m|en|delicate]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Of weak health.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[dēliciae]]

+ * [[dēliciō]]

+ * [[dēliciolae]]

+ * [[dēliciōsus]]

+ * [[lascīvus]]

+ * [[mollis]]

+ * [[en|delicate]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The OLD also has a rare ''dēlicātus'', the participle of ''dēlicō'' “to make clear”.^(OLD 2012) The TLL records ''Dēlicātus'' as a cognomen of men and women.^(TLL)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}