optatus Latin · revision 31604

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=190–159 BC, Terence|origins=la optō}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''optātus''' (feminine optāta, neuter optātum, comparative optātior, superlative optātissimus); first/second-declension adjective^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis 1890)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the past participle of [[optō|t=to choose; to wish]], used as an adjective.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan derives ⟨optō⟩ from [[itc-pro|*opeje-|t=to choose, grab]] and [[ine-pro|*h₁op-eie-]], cognate with [[xum|upetu|t=let him choose]]; he compares [[hit|epp-|t=to take, grab]] and perhaps [[apīscor|t=to reach, get]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Terence has an ''occāsiō optāta'', a longed-for opportunity,^(Lewis 1890) and Köbler dates it from Cicero.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means wished for, desired, welcome: Cicero has welcome rumours, Horace the banquets of Jupiter, and Caesar a most welcome favour.^(Lewis 1890)^(Simpson 1959) Its neuter ''optātum'' became a noun, a wish, from Terence on, as “may the gods grant you all you wish”, Cicero's ''praeter optātum meum'', against my wish, and ''mihi in optātīs est'', it is my wish.^(Lewis 1890)^(OLD 2012) In the language of ritual the ''hostia optāta'' was the victim the aedile chose from three that were set out.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence of a longed-for opportunity and of wishes.^(Lewis 1890)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of welcome news.^(Lewis 1890)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar of a most welcome favour.^(Lewis 1890)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Wished for, [[m|en|desired]], longed for; [[m|en|welcome]], pleasing.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis 1890)^(Simpson 1959)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''optātum'': a [[m|en|wish]], the object of one's desire.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis 1890)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[optō]]

+ * [[optātiō]]

+ * [[optiō]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Optātus'' was also a Roman cognomen.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}