cuspis Latin · revision 31697

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|attested=116–27 BC, Varro}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''cuspis''' ''f'' (genitive cuspidis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is uncertain.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Wiktionary) Szemerényi explained it as ⟨*kuri-spid-⟩, a compound of [[curis|t=spear]] and an Italic noun ⟨*spis⟩ “lance”, related to [[goh|spiz|t=spit, point]] and [[ang|spitu|t=spit]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) Köbler hesitantly compares the root [[ine-pro|*spey-|t=pointed]].^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Varro,^(de Vaan 2008) who uses it of reeds tied in bundles and let down into clay pipes, which are called ''cuspidēs''.^(OLD 2012) Caesar has planks tipped with iron points.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is a sharp point or tip, especially of a spear, and the spike at the butt of a standard, in Suetonius.^(OLD 2012) In the poets it is a spear or lance, ''cuspis triplex'' is Neptune's trident, and Ovid uses it of a scorpion's curved sting.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) It can also be any pointed rod or stake.^(OLD 2012) Lewis and Short call it frequent, especially in the poets.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “sharp point, point of a nail or spear”.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro of pointed reed rods.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar of iron-tipped planks.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid of Neptune's trident and a scorpion's sting.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1580s – Borrowed into English as [[m|en|cusp]], first in astrology.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A sharp [[m|en|point]], tip, especially of a spear.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # A [[m|en|spear]], [[m|en|lance]]; a trident; a [[m|en|sting]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A pointed rod or stake; a spit.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[cuspidō]]

+ * [[tricuspis]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[curis]]

+ * [[en|cusp]]

+ * [[en|cuspid]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}