contemplor Latin · revision 32096

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 235–200 BC, Naevius|origins=ine-pro *temp-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [kɔnˈtɛm.pɫɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [konˈtɛm.plor]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''contemplor''' (present infinitive contemplārī or contemplārier, perfect active contemplātus sum); first conjugation, deponent^(Wiktionary)

+ Early Latin also has the active ''contemplō''.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)

+ Plautus has the old infinitive ''contemplārier''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|con-|templum|t2=sacred area marked out for taking auspices]], with a verbal suffix, as Varro already saw.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) Lewis & Short take it to belong first to the language of augury, for the augur observing a marked-out space of sky.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Etymonline) Festus explained that it was named after the augurs' sacred space, a place that can be seen from every side or from which every side can be seen.^(TLL) De Vaan traces [[m|la|templum]] to [[itc-pro|*t(e)mp-lo-]] and [[ine-pro|*t(e)mp-lo-]], probably from a root [[ine-pro|*temp-|t=to stretch]], so first “a stretching”, then “a measured space”.^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[lt|tem̃pti|t=to pull, stretch]] and [[non|þǫmb|t=bow]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates the active ''contemplāre'' from Naevius;^(de Vaan 2008) the first example the OLD quotes is Ennius' “look at the wealthy town”, in the sense to look at hard.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means first to look at something hard, gaze at or examine it with the eyes, and then to observe or study, as in Plautus' “see whether this dress suits me”.^(OLD 2012) From this it passes to the mind: to ponder or consider, a use Plautus already has, and to take into consideration or have regard for.^(OLD 2012) Lewis & Short note that Cicero uses the mental sense several times.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ Döderlein contrasts it with [[considero|alt=cōnsīderō]]: that verb is an act of the understanding trying to form a judgment, while ''contemplari'' is a feeling absorbed in its object.^(Döderlein 1874) Church Latin glosses it to consider carefully, regard.^(Stelten 1995) English borrowed ''contemplate'' from its past participle in the 1590s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 235–200 BC – Naevius has the active form.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius of looking hard at a town.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of observing and of pondering.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of considering a matter in the mind.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1590s – Borrowed into English as [[m|en|contemplate]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To look at hard, [[m|en|gaze]] at, examine visually.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To be a living spectator of.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To [[m|en|observe]], notice, study.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To ponder, consider, [[m|en|contemplate]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Stelten 1995)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To take into consideration, have regard for.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[contemplābilis]]

+ * [[contemplābiliter]]

+ * [[contemplābundus]]

+ * [[contemplātim]]

+ * [[contemplātiō]]

+ * [[contemplātīvus]]

+ * [[contemplātor]]

+ * [[contemplātōrius]]

+ * [[contemplātrīx]]

+ * [[contemplātus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[templum]]

+ * [[extemplo|alt=extemplō]]

+ * [[en|contemplate]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}