languor Latin · revision 32167

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈɫaŋ.ɡʷɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈlaŋ.ɡʷor]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''languor''' ''m'' (genitive languōris); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|langueō|-or|t1=to be faint, weary]].^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan takes the basis to be an adjective ⟨*lang-u(o)-⟩ faint, a nasalized variant of the root of [[m|la|laxus|t=loose]], from [[itc-pro|*(s)lā̆ng-u-]] and perhaps [[ine-pro|*sl-n-ǵ-u-|t=weak, faint]].^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[grc|λαγαρός|tr=lagarós|t=slack, thin]] and [[ang|slæc|t=weak]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates it from Plautus,^(Köbler 2010) whose ''Asinaria'' speaks of a man whose toughness often wore out eight strong lictors.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is faintness, exhaustion or weariness, as Terence's “this walk has tired me”, and specifically sickness, as Horace's watery languor in a pale body.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Of the sea it is stillness, as in Seneca, and of gems a dullness of colour in Pliny the Elder.^(OLD 2012) Cicero uses it of inactivity and sloth, as minds softened by shade, pleasures, leisure and idleness, and of apathy and of the feeble style of the older writers.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In Church Latin it is feebleness, sickness and infirmity.^(Stelten 1995) In medieval Latin it is illness that excuses a party from appearing in court, and moral weakness or sin.^(Niermeyer 1976) English borrowed ''languor'' about 1300, first in the senses disease and distress.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence of a tiring walk.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of sloth and apathy.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 65–8 BC – Horace of sickness.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1300 – Borrowed into English as [[m|en|languor]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Faintness, exhaustion, [[m|en|lassitude]], weariness; sickness.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Stelten 1995)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Stillness of the sea; dullness of colour.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Inactivity, idleness, [[m|en|sloth]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Lack of keenness, [[m|en|apathy]]; feebleness of style.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Illness that excuses absence from court.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Moral weakness, sin.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[langueo|alt=langueō]]

+ * [[languidus]]

+ * [[en|languor]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}