perspicuus Latin · revision 31342

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=86/82 BC, Rhetorica ad Herennium|origins=ine-pro *speḱ-ie/o-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [pɛrˈspɪ.ku.ʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [perˈspiː.ku.us]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''perspicuus''' (feminine perspicua, neuter perspicuum); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[m|la|perspiciō|t=to see through]] with [[m|la|-uus]].^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Etymonline) The verb is [[m|la|per-|t=through]] and [[m|la|speciō|t=to look]], which de Vaan derives from [[itc-pro|*spekje/o-]] and [[ine-pro|*speḱ-ie/o-|t=to look]], cognate with [[sa|पश्यति|tr=páśyati|t=sees]] and [[grc|σκέπτομαι|tr=sképtomai|t=to look around]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The ''Rhetorica ad Herennium'' speaks of having a clear method for introductions;^(OLD 2012) Köbler gives Cicero.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is transparent or clear, as Ovid's clear waters and Mela's cave clear at first, then darker, and visible through something, as in Statius.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It is clearly visible or conspicuous, as Cicero's man who threw himself among the enemy to certain death for the army's safety.^(OLD 2012) Above all it is clear to the mind, plain or evident, as Varro's festivals with a self-explaining name, and of style lucid.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “evident, visible, plain”.^(Stelten 1995) In Medieval Latin it is also clear-sighted, and outstanding.^(Niermeyer 1976) English ''perspicuous'' in the late 15th century meant “that can be seen through”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 86/82 BC – The ''Rhetorica ad Herennium'' of a clear method.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro of self-explaining names.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of a visible death.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 43/44 AD – Mela of a clear cave.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 15th century – Borrowed into English as [[m|en|perspicuous]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|transparent|alt=Transparent]], clear; visible through something.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Clearly visible, [[m|en|conspicuous]].^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # Plain, [[m|en|evident]]; lucid.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Clear-sighted; outstanding.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[imperspicuus]]

+ * [[perspicuitās]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[perspiciō]]

+ * [[conspicuus]]

+ * [[speciō]]

+ * [[en|perspicuous]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}