blandior Latin · revision 32000

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈbɫan.di.ɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈblan.di.or]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''blandior''' (present infinitive blandīrī, perfect active blandītus sum); fourth conjugation, deponent^(Wiktionary)

+ An active form ''blandiō'' is also found.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|blandus|-iō|t1=flattering, charming]].^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Wiktionary) The origin of [[m|la|blandus]] is uncertain: de Vaan finds the link with [[m|la|mollis|t=soft]] phonetically impossible, and reports a comparison with [[grc|μαλακός|tr=malakós|t=soft]] and [[sga|mláith|t=soft]], from which Schrijver posits [[ine-pro|*ml̥h₂-d-no-]].^(de Vaan 2008) Ernout and Meillet suggested an original sense “having a flattering voice”, which would bring in [[m|la|balbus|t=stammering]] and [[m|la|blatiō|t=to babble]].^(de Vaan 2008) Etymonline gives the root [[ine-pro|*mel-|t=soft]] as possible.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Plautus,^(de Vaan 2008) who says that a prostitute flatters only while she sees something to snatch.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means to speak or behave ingratiatingly, to flatter, and to coax someone into something, as in Livy's young Hannibal coaxing his father Hamilcar to take him to Spain.^(OLD 2012) Seneca uses it of soothing a horse with the hand, and with a reflexive pronoun it is to flatter or delude oneself.^(OLD 2012) Of dogs and other animals it is to fawn, as Ovid's she-wolf fawning on her nurslings with her tail.^(OLD 2012) It is also to smile on or favour, to make something seem better than it is, as in Frontinus, and of things to allure or charm, as the elder Seneca's “alluring leisure”.^(OLD 2012) Church Latin glosses it “coax, caress, flatter”.^(Stelten 1995) English [[m|en|blandish]] comes from it through Old French, recorded from the mid-14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of a flattering prostitute.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy of Hannibal coaxing his father.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid of a fawning she-wolf.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca of soothing a horse.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * mid-14th century – English [[m|en|blandish]], through Old French.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|flatter]], use [[m|en|blandishment|alt=blandishments]]; to coax; to soothe.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # With a reflexive pronoun, to flatter or delude oneself.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Of animals, to [[m|en|fawn]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # To favour, smile on.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To represent too favourably, exaggerate.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Of things, to [[m|en|allure]], please, charm.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[blandīmentum]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[blandus]]

+ * [[blanditia]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}