propitius Latin · revision 31607

+ {{infobox|confidence=disputed|formation=derivation|attested=c. 235–200 BC, Naevius|origins=la prope}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [prɔˈpɪ.ti.ʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [proˈpit.t͡si.us]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''propitius''' (feminine propitia, neuter propitium); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+ Inscriptions at Pompeii spell it ''propyt-''.^(OLD 2012) Juvencus scans the first syllable long.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Its formation is disputed.^(de Vaan 2008)^(TLL) De Vaan follows Dunkel, who derives it from [[prope|t=near]] as ⟨*prope-tio-⟩, and thinks this better than the earlier explanations.^(de Vaan 2008) The OLD and the TLL connect it instead with [[petō|t=to make for, seek]]: ⟨*pro-pet-io-⟩, perhaps from a lost compound with [[m|la|prō-]], originally perhaps “hastening to help”;^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) Köbler also gives ⟨prō⟩ and ⟨petō⟩.^(Köbler 2010) Wiktionary likewise starts from ⟨prō-⟩ and an element perhaps from [[ine-pro|*peth₂-|t=to rush, fly]], first “rushing forward”, then “eager, well-disposed”.^(Wiktionary) The OLD and Wiktionary compare [[grc|προπετής|tr=propetḗs|t=inclined forward]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Naevius,^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) whose comedy has “with my god favourable”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is used first of gods well disposed to a worshipper, as in Plautus and in Cato's prayer to Father Mars to be “willing and propitious” to the household.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It is used of people too, from Plautus and Terence on: a lover is threatened with a beating “unless I make you propitious”.^(OLD 2012) Plautus also uses it of abstract things, announcing a welcome that is “propitious to me and to you”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In Christian Latin it is merciful, forgiving, gracious,^(Stelten 1995) and in Medieval Latin especially of God, merciful, placable.^(Niermeyer 1976) English [[m|en|propitious]] (mid-15th century), first “disposed to pardon”, came through Anglo-French and directly from it.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 235–200 BC – Naevius of a favourable god.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of gods, people and things.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato in a prayer to Mars.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * mid-15th century – English [[m|en|propitious]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of gods, favourably inclined, [[m|en|propitious]], [[m|en|gracious]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Of people, well-disposed, kind.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Of things, favourable.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' [[m|en|merciful]], forgiving, of God.^(Stelten 1995)^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[propitiō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[prope]]

+ * [[petō]]

+ * [[en|propitious]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}