mitigo Latin · revision 31216

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=2nd century BC, Turpilius|origins=ine-pro *meh₁i-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈmiː.tɪ.ɡoː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈmiː.ti.ɡo]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''mītigō''' (present infinitive mītigāre, perfect active mītigāvī, supine mītigātum); first conjugation^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[m|la|mītis|t=mild, soft]] with the suffix [[m|la|-igō]], as in [[m|la|pūrgō|t=to cleanse]];^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) Lewis and Short and Etymonline see in the ending the verb [[m|la|agō|t=to drive, do]].^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Etymonline) De Vaan derives ⟨mītis⟩ from [[itc-pro|*mīti-]] and [[ine-pro|*m(e)h₁i-ti-|t=soft]], cognate with [[sga|mín|t=soft]], [[lt|miẽlas|t=dear]] and [[cu|милъ|tr=milŭ|t=pitiable]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest example is the comic poet Turpilius;^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010) Cicero has the summer heat that ripens some fruits and scorches others.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is first to make fruit soft and mellow, as Mela's Thrace that does not ripen or soften fruit, then to make wine less strong by diluting it and a season less severe.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It is to lighten distress, as Cicero's “our labours are softened by great glory”, to make laws less harsh, and to tone down a statement.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ It is also to soothe or reconcile people, as Cicero's people roused against good men, to assuage feelings such as hatred, and to make people milder, civilize or tame, as Cicero's “time will soften you, age will mellow you”.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Church Latin glosses it “mitigate, subdue, diminish, weaken, give rest, soften”.^(Stelten 1995) English [[m|en|mitigate]] comes from its past participle, from the early 15th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 2nd century BC – Turpilius.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of soothing people and making laws milder.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 43/44 AD – Mela of ripening fruit.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make soft or [[m|en|mellow]], ripen; to soften.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To make less potent; to make (a season) less severe.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To lighten, [[m|en|alleviate]] (distress); to make (laws) gentler; to tone down.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To soothe, [[m|en|appease]], reconcile; to moderate (emotions).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To make milder, civilize; to [[m|en|tame]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[commītigō]]

+ * [[mītigātiō]]

+ * [[mītigātōrius]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mītēscō]]

+ * [[mītificō]]

+ * [[mītificus]]

+ * [[mītis]]

+ * [[lēniō]]

+ * [[en|mitigate]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}