absurdus Latin · revision 31915

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=190–159 BC, Terence|origins=la surdus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [apˈsʊr.dʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [abˈsur.dus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''absurdus''' (feminine absurda, neuter absurdum, comparative absurdior, superlative absurdissimus, adverb absurdē); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|ab-|surdus|t2=deaf; not heard]].^(OLD 2012)^(Etymonline) De Vaan explains it as “unheard of”, since ⟨surdus⟩ can mean both “not hearing” and “not heard”; the derivation of the adjective from [[ine-pro|*suer-|t=to sound]], proposed by Walde and Hofmann, leaves the meaning unexplained.^(de Vaan 2008) Wiktionary takes it as a blend of [[m|la|absonus|t=discordant]] and ⟨surdus⟩,^(Wiktionary) and Etymonline suggests the prefix may be intensive.^(Etymonline) The TLL compares [[m|la|susurrus|t=whisper]].^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates it from Terence,^(Köbler 2010) who calls a plan silly and absurd.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its literal sense is out of tune, discordant, as in Cicero's soft, womanish voice “out of measure, discordant and absurd”.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Of persons it is awkward or uncouth, without talent for something, and in general preposterous, ridiculous or absurd.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) In litotes it means not out of place: Sallust's “to speak well for the state is not absurd either”.^(OLD 2012) English took ''absurd'' through French in the 1550s, in the sense plainly illogical.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence of an absurd plan.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of a discordant voice and an awkward man.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 86–34 BC – Sallust in litotes.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1550s – English [[m|en|absurd]] through French.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Out of tune, [[m|en|discordant]], harsh.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Of persons, awkward, uncouth.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Preposterous, [[m|en|ridiculous]], [[m|en|absurd]], senseless.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''haud absurdus'', not out of place, appropriate.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[absurditās]]

+ * [[perabsurdus]]

+ * [[subabsurdus]]

+ * [[absurdē]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[surdus]]

+ * [[absonus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}