elegans Latin · revision 32087

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=ine-pro *leǵ-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈeː.ɫɛ.ɡãːs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈɛː.le.ɡans]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''ēlegāns''' (genitive ēlegantis, comparative ēlegantior, superlative ēlegantissimus, adverb ēleganter); third-declension one-termination adjective^(Wiktionary)

+ Some manuscripts spell it ''eligans''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the participle of an unattested verb [[m|la|*ēlegō|alt=*ēlegāre|t=to choose carefully]], related to [[m|la|ēligō|t=to pick out, choose]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) Wiktionary derives that verb from an intermediate noun [[m|la|*ēlegus|t=chooser]], with the formation of [[m|la|occupō]];^(Wiktionary) Lewis & Short call it a by-form of the participle of [[m|la|ēligō]], and Cicero already connected the word with choosing.^(Lewis & Short 1879) The verb [[m|la|ēligō]] is [[m|la|ē-]] with [[m|la|legō|t=to gather, choose]], which de Vaan traces to [[itc-pro|*leg-e-]] and [[ine-pro|*leǵ-|t=to collect]]; cognate with [[grc|λέγω|tr=légō|t=to collect, count, speak]] and [[sq|mbledh|t=to collect]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates it from Plautus,^(Köbler 2010) and the OLD takes a line of the ''Trinummus'' listing a man's vices, “liar, glutton, miser, elegans”, as the bad sense of luxurious;^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Lewis & Short doubt the reading, and the first sure example is Terence, “how fastidious he is!”.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In early Latin it was a term of reproach: Gellius notes that in Cato's time an ''elegans'' man was not praised but blamed, as one too choice and refined in his dress and way of life.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Its first senses are careful in choosing, fastidious, and addicted to luxury.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ In classical Latin it became a word of praise: refined and cultivated in taste, scrupulous in conduct, and of things tastefully attractive, as Cicero's more elegant bronze furniture.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Of speakers and writers it means apt in the choice of words, polished, as Cicero's “a subtle and elegant writer”, and Vitruvius uses it of other arts, of a painter's skilful hand.^(OLD 2012) Gellius applies it to exact learning and fine distinctions.^(OLD 2012) Church Latin glosses it elegant, choice, graceful, beautiful.^(Stelten 1995) English borrowed ''elegant'' in the late 15th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus, perhaps, in the bad sense of luxurious.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence of a fastidious young man and of refined tastes.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of elegant furniture and an elegant writer.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius of a painter's skilful hand.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 165 AD – Gellius on the old bad sense, and of exact learning.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 15th century – Borrowed into English as [[m|en|elegant]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Careful in choosing, [[m|en|fastidious]], particular.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(early Latin, unfavourable)'' Given to luxurious habits.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Refined and correct in taste, cultivated; scrupulous in conduct.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Tastefully attractive, [[m|en|elegant]], fine.^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Of speakers, writers and their style, apt in the choice of words, [[m|en|polished]]; skilful in other arts.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Of learning, exact; of a distinction, fine, subtle.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[ēlegantia]]

+ * [[inēlegāns]]

+ * [[perēlegāns]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[eligo|alt=ēligō]]

+ * [[lego|alt=legō]]

+ * [[en|elegant]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}