vexillum Latin · revision 31339

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=81–43 BC, Cicero|origins=itc-pro *wekslo-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [weːkˈsɪl.lũː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [veɡˈzil.lum]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''vēxillum''' ''n'' (genitive vēxillī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the diminutive of [[m|la|vēlum|t=sail, cloth]].^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan derives ⟨vēlum⟩ from [[itc-pro|*wekslo-]], perhaps [[ine-pro|*ueg-slo-]], and notes that the diminutive shows a stem with a consonant before ⟨-slo-⟩; the root may be “to weave”, as in [[cy|gwëu|t=to weave]] and [[ang|wice|t=wick]], or less likely “to convey”.^(de Vaan 2008) The OLD also compares the Welsh verb.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler gives Cicero as its first author,^(Köbler 2010) who asks “do you think desperate citizens will ever lack a standard to rally to?”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is a military standard, a piece of cloth hanging from a crossbar on a pole, as in Cicero and Caesar;^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary) Tacitus uses ''apud vexillum'' of veterans kept in service under the standard, and Cicero of the banner set up at the founding of a colony.^(OLD 2012) It is a banner given for distinguished service, as Suetonius' sea-blue banner that Augustus gave Agrippa after his naval victory, and a detachment of troops, as Livy's rank made up of three ''vexilla''.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ In Christian Latin it is the standard of the Cross, ''vexillum crucis'', the sign of the Cross;^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Stelten 1995) Stelten describes the ''Vexillum'' as the Roman cavalry standard bearing a cross instead of an eagle.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Stelten 1995) In Medieval Latin it is also the banner that stands for the power of military command.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of a standard to rally to.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy of a detachment.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 75–c. 150 AD – Suetonius of a banner given to Agrippa.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A military [[m|en|standard|alt=standard]], [[m|en|banner]], flag.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # A banner awarded for distinguished service.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A detachment of troops.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' ''vexillum crucis'', the sign of the [[m|en|cross|alt=Cross]].^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[vēlum]]

+ * [[vexillārius]]

+ * [[signum]]

+ * [[aquila]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}