persolvo Latin · revision 31536

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 180–102 BC, Lucilius|origins=ine-pro *leuH-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [pɛrˈsɔɫ.woː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [perˈsɔl.vo]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''persolvō''' (present infinitive persolvere, perfect active persolvī, supine persolūtum); third conjugation^(Wiktionary)

+ Ovid sometimes treats the ''-v-'' as a vowel, so that ''persoluenda'' has five syllables.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[m|la|per-|t=through, thoroughly]] and [[solvō|t=to loosen, pay]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan analyses the verb as ⟨*se-⟩ “away” and [[m|la|luō|t=to loosen]], which goes back to [[itc-pro|*luwe/o-]] and [[ine-pro|*l(é)uH-|t=to cut loose]], cognate with [[grc|λύω|tr=lúō|t=to loosen]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest quotation is Lucilius' definition of virtue, as being able to pay the true price of the things we deal with.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is to pay in full, of money owed or of a debt, and ''dēbitum nātūrae persolvere'', to pay one's debt to nature, is to die.^(OLD 2012) Figuratively it is to give in full what is due, as Terence's master who paid the highest price he could by freeing his slave, and to render honours or thanks to the gods, discharge vows, or pay a penalty.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It is also to carry out a task or duty, as Cicero's duty fulfilled, and in a letter of Cicero to solve a problem.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ Church Latin gives it a wide range: to perform or discharge a duty, recite, explain, offer, solve, pay or unloose.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 180–102 BC – Lucilius of paying the true price.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence of a price paid in freeing a slave.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of thanks to the gods, of vows and of solving a problem.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To pay in full, pay off a [[m|en|debt]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To render what is due: honours, thanks, [[m|en|vow|alt=vows]], a penalty.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To carry out, fulfil a task or duty.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # To unravel, solve a problem.^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[absolvō]]

+ * [[dēsolvō]]

+ * [[dissolvō]]

+ * [[exsolvō]]

+ * [[resolvō]]

+ * [[solvō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}