sempiternus Latin · revision 31267

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [sɛm.pɪˈtɛr.nʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [sem.piˈtɛr.nus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''sempiternus''' (feminine sempiterna, neuter sempiternum); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[m|la|semper|t=always]] with the suffix ⟨-ternus⟩, like [[m|la|hesternus|t=of yesterday]] from ⟨herī⟩ and [[m|la|aeternus|t=eternal]] from ⟨aevum⟩.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan derives ⟨semper⟩ from [[itc-pro|*sm̥-per|t=once and for all]], from [[ine-pro|*sm-|t=one]] in compounds, cognate with [[sa|सकृत्|tr=sakṛ́t|t=once]] and [[grc|ἅπαξ|tr=hápax|t=once]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler gives Plautus as its first author,^(Köbler 2010) who has “he will be your friend for ever” in the ''Mostellaria''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is lasting for ever or for the whole of the period in question, perpetual, everlasting or permanent, and of people with respect to their role, as Plautus' lasting friend and Cicero's perpetual enemies;^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary) Lewis and Short find it very frequent.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “everlasting, eternal”, with ''in sempiternum'', for ever.^(Stelten 1995) Köbler finds it in the Bible, councils and law codes.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of perpetual enemies.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|everlasting|alt=Everlasting]], [[m|en|eternal]], perpetual, permanent;^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995) ''in sempiternum'', for ever.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[sempiternitās]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[semper]]

+ * [[aeternus]]

+ * [[perpetuus]]

+ * [[en|sempiternal]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes ''continuus'', what hangs together without a break, from ''perpetuus'', what goes on to its end without stopping short.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}