ast Latin · revision 31849

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=compound|attested=c. 450 BC, Twelve Tables|origins=la at}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈast]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈast]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''ast''' ^(Wiktionary)

+ Inscriptions write ''astu'' for ''ast tu''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is an amplified form of [[at|t=but]].^(OLD 2012) De Vaan suspects that it hides ⟨*at-est⟩ “but is”, contracted to ⟨*atst⟩, and Wiktionary also takes it as [[af|la|at|est|t1=but|t2=is]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) The Thesaurus calls its origin unknown.^(TLL) Grammarians note that its syllable is long by position, not by nature.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from the Twelve Tables;^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) a law ascribed to the kings has “if a boy beats his parent, and the parent cries out, let the boy be accursed to the gods of the parents”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In old laws and formulas it introduces a further condition, “but if, and if”, as in the archaic laws Cicero composes for his ''De legibus'' and in Plautus.^(OLD 2012) In a vow it introduces the consequence, “then”, as in Livy's prayer: “Bellona, if you give us victory today, then I vow you a temple”.^(OLD 2012) From Ennius on it is a poetic word for “but, however, whereas”, usually before a vowel, and in a weaker sense “while, and”.^(OLD 2012) Virgil also uses it for “and then”, as at the end of the ''Aeneid'' where Aeneas buries his sword and Turnus' limbs grow slack with cold.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it “but, and, on the other hand”.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 450 BC – The Twelve Tables use it in a condition.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it for “but”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy quotes it in a vow formula.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil of “and then”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Conjunction===

+ # In laws, but if, and if.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # In vows, in that event, then.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(poetic)'' [[m|en|but|alt=But]], however, whereas; and, while.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # And then, forthwith.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[at]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}