sparsus Latin · revision 32176

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=190–159 BC, Terence|origins=ine-pro *sp(e)r-g-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''sparsus''' (feminine sparsa, neuter sparsum, comparative sparsior); first/second-declension adjective^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the participle of [[m|la|spargō|t=to scatter, sprinkle]], used as an adjective.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan traces [[m|la|spargō]] to [[itc-pro|*sparg-]] and [[ine-pro|*sp(e)r-g-|t=to strew]], comparing [[hit|išpār-|t=to spread out, strew]] and [[grc|σπείρω|tr=speírō|t=to strew, sow]].^(de Vaan 2008) Most handbooks instead link the verb with words for a hissing or crackling sound, which de Vaan finds semantically unconvincing.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates it from Terence.^(Köbler 2010) Its uses follow those of the verb, which Cato already has of scattering pigeon dung on a meadow.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As an adjective it means occurring at irregular intervals, thinly spread or scattered, and of warfare sporadic; of a composite thing it means straggling, as Pliny the Elder's looser bunch of grapes when the berries are smaller.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein contrasts ''sparsi capilli'', dishevelled hair, with combed hair, as ''passi'' is loose and ''prolixi'' hanging hair.^(Döderlein 1874) Livy uses the verb's participle of matrons running with their hair streaming like Bacchants.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses the participle.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy of hair streaming loose.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder of a straggling bunch of grapes.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|scattered|alt=Scattered]], thinly distributed, occurring at irregular intervals; of war, [[m|en|sporadic]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Having its parts spread out, straggling.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Of hair, dishevelled, streaming.^(OLD 2012)^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[spargo|alt=spargō]]

+ * [[sparsim]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}