probe Latin · revision 32053

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=itc-pro *profo-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''probē''' (comparative probius, superlative probissimē)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|probus|-ē|t1=good, upright]], the adverb of the adjective.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan traces [[m|la|probus]] to [[itc-pro|*profo-|t=favourable]], from [[ine-pro|*pro-bʰ(h₂)u-o-]], a compound of “forward” and the root “to be, grow”.^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[xum|prufe|t=correctly]], [[osc|amprufid|t=incorrectly]] and [[sa|प्रभु|tr=pra-bhú-|t=excelling, excellent]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Its first example in the OLD is Plautus' “see that you write it plainly and properly”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means in a way worthy of approval, correctly or well, and of rites and legal acts validly or properly, as in Livy's “if the man who has been devoted dies, the thing seems duly done”.^(OLD 2012) Of conduct it is respectably or decently: Tacitus says of a man who acted in mimes that he did it more skilfully than decently.^(OLD 2012) From “well” it also came to mean thoroughly, as Plautus' gold “so well hidden” that nobody will find it, and in conversation it answers a question, “certainly”, with ''haud probe'' “not really”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of writing properly and of a well-hidden treasure.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it as an answer, “certainly”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy of a duly performed rite.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 98–115 AD – Tacitus of decent conduct.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # [[m|en|well|alt=Well]], rightly, [[m|en|properly]], correctly.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # In due form, validly; respectably, decently.^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|thoroughly|alt=Thoroughly]], very well; as an answer, certainly;^(OLD 2012) ''haud probe'', not really.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[probus]]

+ * [[probo|alt=probō]]

+ * [[improbus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}