sciens Latin · revision 31553

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=la sciō}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''sciēns''' (genitive scientis, comparative scientior, superlative scientissimus); third-declension one-termination adjective^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the present participle of [[sciō|t=to know]], used as an adjective.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan derives ⟨sciō⟩ from [[itc-pro|*skije/o-|t=to know]], perhaps a back-formation from [[nesciō|t=not to know]], and traces it to [[ine-pro|*skh₁-i(e/o)-|t=to incise]], “to know” having developed from “to distinguish, decide”; he compares [[grc|σχάω|tr=skháō|t=to slit open]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest example is from Plautus, where a character asks why he should threaten the other for not having informed him (literally, not having made him ''sciēns'', aware).^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means aware of a fact.^(OLD 2012) Usually in the nominative, with the force of an adverb, it is “knowingly, deliberately”, as in an early law on a sacred grove: “if anyone knowingly violates it with malicious intent”.^(OLD 2012) It also means knowledgeable, expert: Varro says vines should be stripped of leaves, but by someone who knows how.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Church Latin has it for knowing, expert, wise, skilful.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus in the sense “aware”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro in the sense “expert”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|aware]] of a fact, cognizant.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Knowing what one is doing;^(OLD 2012) ''(adverbial)'' knowingly, [[m|en|deliberately]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Knowledgeable, [[m|en|expert]], skilful.^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[sciō]]

+ * [[scientia]]

+ * [[īnsciēns]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The adverb is ''scienter'', knowingly, expertly.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}