robustus Latin · revision 31663

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=234–149 BC, Cato|origins=la rōbur}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [roːˈbʊs.tʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [roˈbus.tus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''rōbustus''' (feminine rōbusta, neuter rōbustum, comparative rōbustior, superlative rōbustissimus); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|rōbur|-tus|t1=oak, hard wood; strength]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan lists it among the derivatives of ⟨rōbur⟩, which he traces to [[itc-pro|*rouþos|t=red substance]] and [[ine-pro|*h₁rewdʰos|alt=*h₁reudʰ-os|t=redness]], cognate with [[grc|ἔρευθος|tr=éreuthos|t=redness]]: the heart of the oak was apparently called “red”.^(de Vaan 2008) He takes its ⟨ō⟩ for a dialectal, non-Roman trait, so that the base was borrowed from a neighbouring dialect.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Cato,^(de Vaan 2008) who in his work on farming prescribes posts “of oak or of pine”.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its first sense is “made of oak, oaken”, used by Cato, Varro and Horace of posts, timber and doors.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It was soon used of people and animals, “strong, robust”: Cicero contrasts the fairly firm with the most robust, and Catullus has a sturdy neck.^(OLD 2012) From there it meant grown up, physically mature, and of style full and vigorous.^(OLD 2012) It was also said of armies, strong food, firm soil and hardy grain, and of qualities that resist change.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “strong, mighty, firm, robust”.^(Stelten 1995) English [[m|en|robust]] (1540s) comes from it, partly through French ''robuste''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato of oak posts.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of strong men, a mature age and a vigorous style.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1540s – English [[m|en|robust]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Made of [[m|en|oak]], oaken.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Physically strong, [[m|en|robust]]; of a voice, powerful; of food, nourishing.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # Grown up, [[m|en|mature]]; of style, full and vigorous.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Strong in arms.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Of materials, firm, solid; of qualities, [[m|en|durable]], hard to change.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[rōbusteus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[rōborārium]]

+ * [[rōborascō]]

+ * [[rōborātus]]

+ * [[rōboreus]]

+ * [[rōborō]]

+ * [[rōbur]]

+ * [[rōburneus]]

+ * [[rōbus]]

+ * [[rōbustē]]

+ * [[en|robust]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes ⟨validus⟩, strong in an active sense (able to do something), from ''firmus'' and ''robustus'', strong in a passive sense (able to endure).^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}