eminens Latin · revision 32155

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=81–43 BC, Cicero|origins=ine-pro *m(e)n-eh₁-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈeː.mɪ.nẽːs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈɛː.mi.nens]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''ēminēns''' (genitive ēminentis, comparative ēminentior, adverb ēminenter); third-declension one-termination adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the present participle of [[m|la|ēmineō|t=to stand out, project]], used as an adjective.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan analyses that verb as [[m|la|ē-]] with a stative [[itc-pro|*men-ē-|t=to stick out]], from [[ine-pro|*m(e)n-eh₁-]], a root [[m|ine-pro|*men-|t=to stick out, protrude]] also seen in [[m|la|mentum|t=chin]] and [[m|la|mōns|t=mountain]]; [[m|la|minae|t=threats]], first “projecting parts”, belongs to the same root.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates it from Cicero;^(Köbler 2010) the OLD's first example is in Caesar's ''Civil War'', of beams made longer and projecting further than the outer walls.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its first sense is standing out above a surface, projecting or prominent, and of height towering;^(OLD 2012) Quintilian uses it of figures in a painting that stand out against the background.^(OLD 2012) From this it means outstanding in merit or importance, eminent, distinguished, of things, as Vitruvius' “outstanding excellence of art”, and of persons, as Velleius' “the most eminent generals of the enemy”.^(OLD 2012) ''Ēminentissimus vir'', abbreviated ⟨e. v.⟩, was an honorific title of praetorian prefects and officials of similar rank.^(OLD 2012) Church Latin glosses it excellent.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ Döderlein groups it with ''[[excellens|alt=excellēns]]'', ''[[praeclarus|alt=praeclārus]]'' and ''[[praestans|alt=praestāns]]'', which acknowledge superiority quietly, against ''[[egregius|alt=ēgregius]]'', said with enthusiasm, and ''[[eximius]]'', said with admiration.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar of projecting beams.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius of outstanding excellence in art.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 20 BC–30 AD – Velleius of the most eminent generals.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian of figures standing out in a painting.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Standing out above a surface, projecting, [[m|en|prominent]]; towering.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Standing out against a background, [[m|en|conspicuous]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Outstanding in merit or importance, [[m|en|eminent]], distinguished.^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''ēminentissimus vir'': an [[m|en|honorific]] title of praetorian prefects and others of similar rank.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[ēminentia]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[emineo|alt=ēmineō]]

+ * [[mons|alt=mōns]]

+ * [[minae]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}