magnificentia Latin · revision 32059

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=230/220–168 BC, Caecilius Statius|origins=la magnus, la faciō}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''magnificentia''' ''f'' (genitive magnificentiae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from ⟨magnificent-⟩, a stem of [[m|la|magnificus|t=splendid, grand]], with ⟨-ia⟩.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) The adjective is from [[m|la|magnus|t=great]] and [[m|la|faciō|t=to make, do]]; [[m|la|magnus]] goes back to [[ine-pro|*mǵ-no-|t=great]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler's first source is Caecilius Statius;^(Köbler 2010) Terence uses it of boastfulness, “away with you and your bragging!”^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Cicero it is loftiness of mind, nobility, defined as the conception and carrying out of great and lofty things, and also generosity.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It is the splendour of language, the sumptuousness of things, as Cicero's magnificence of the stage, and the grandeur of nature.^(OLD 2012) In a bad sense it is boastfulness.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Pliny the Elder uses it of artistic greatness in small works.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In medieval texts it is honour or glory, a title of honour, and a wondrous work or miracle.^(Niermeyer 1976) Church Latin glosses it “magnificence, majesty, splendour, glory”.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 230/220–168 BC – Caecilius Statius.^(Köbler 2010)

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

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of nobility of mind and of splendour.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * Middle Ages – A title of honour; a miracle.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Loftiness of mind, [[m|en|nobility]]; generosity.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # [[m|en|splendour|alt=Splendour]], [[m|en|magnificence]], sumptuousness; grandeur.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # [[m|en|boastfulness|alt=Boastfulness]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Honour, glory; a title of honour; a [[m|en|miracle]].^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[magnificus]]

+ * [[magnus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}