molliter Latin · revision 31627

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈmɔl.lɪ.tɛr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈmɔl.li.ter]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''molliter''' (comparative mollius, superlative mollissimē)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the adverb of [[mollis|t=soft]], formed with [[m|la|-ter]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan traces ⟨mollis⟩ to [[itc-pro|*moldwis|alt=*moldu-(i-)]] and [[ine-pro|*mel-|alt=*ml̥d-u-|t=soft]], cognate with [[sa|मृदु|tr=mṛdú-|t=soft, delicate]] and [[cy|blydd|t=soft]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler's first source is Plautus,^(Köbler 2010) in whom someone asks to be held gently.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means “softly”, of a soft feel (Cicero's reclining softly and luxuriously) or a gentle movement, and of a slope rising gently.^(OLD 2012) Horace uses it of supple movement and of smoothly flowing verse, Pliny the Elder of soft light.^(OLD 2012) It is also “easily, without distress”, as Seneca's “no kind of death is easier”, “luxuriously”, and “mildly, calmly”: Cicero says he acted sparingly and gently.^(OLD 2012) In a bad sense it is “weakly, without courage”, as Sallust's bearing grief too weakly.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “gently”.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of holding someone gently.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of soft reclining and of mildness.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 86–34 BC – Sallust of weakness.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 65–8 BC – Horace of smooth verse.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # [[m|en|softly|alt=Softly]], gently; with a gentle slope.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # With a supple movement; of sound, smoothly; of light, softly.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Easily, without pain; quietly.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # [[m|en|luxuriously|alt=Luxuriously]], delicately.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Mildly, without severity; calmly, [[m|en|patiently]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Weakly, faint-heartedly.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[molle]]

+ * [[mollēscō]]

+ * [[mollicellus]]

+ * [[mollicīna]]

+ * [[mollicomus]]

+ * [[molliculus]]

+ * [[mollificō]]

+ * [[mollificus]]

+ * [[mollīmentum]]

+ * [[molliō]]

+ * [[mollis]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}