florens Latin · revision 31234

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=ine-pro *bʰleh₃-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''flōrēns''' (genitive ''flōrentis'', comparative ''flōrentior'', superlative ''flōrentissimus''); third-declension one-termination adjective^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the present participle of [[m|la|flōreō|t=to bloom, flourish]], used as an adjective.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010) ⟨Flōreō⟩ is formed from [[m|la|flōs|t=flower]], which de Vaan traces to [[itc-pro|*flōs-|t=flower]] and [[ine-pro|*bʰleh₃-ōs|t=blossoming]], cognate with [[osc|fluusaí|t=to Flora]], [[sga|bláth|t=flower]] and [[ang|blōwan|t=to bloom]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's first example is Plautus' ''Menaechmi'': “by your good deeds you make me prosperous”.^(OLD 2012) Köbler gives Cicero.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is flowering or flowery, as Virgil's question who would strew the ground with flowering herbs.^(OLD 2012) Of persons and cities it is prosperous or flourishing, as in Plautus, and in the flower of youth, as Catullus' young Iacchus.^(OLD 2012) It is also illustrious or distinguished, as Cicero's Lucius Philippus, “most eminent in eloquence, dignity and honour”, and powerful, as Cicero's “most flourishing army”.^(OLD 2012) Of a speaker or style it is colourful and lively, the same as [[flōridus]].^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “flowering, in flower”.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 81/79–52/50 BC – Catullus of the flower of youth.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of eminence and of a lively style.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil of flowering herbs.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|flowering|alt=Flowering]], blooming; flowery.^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # [[m|en|prosperous|alt=Prosperous]], [[m|en|flourishing]]; in the flower of youth.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Illustrious, distinguished; powerful.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of style) Colourful, lively.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[flōreō]]

+ * [[flōs]]

+ * [[flōridus]]

+ * [[Flōrentia]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}