divinitus Latin · revision 32189

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=ine-pro *dei-u-o-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [diːˈwiː.nɪ.tʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [diˈviː.ni.tus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''dīvīnitus''' (not comparable)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|dīvīnus|-itus|t1=divine]], an adverb of origin, from the gods.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Wiktionary) The grammarian Priscian explained it as “from the gods”.^(TLL) [[m|la|dīvīnus]] is from [[m|la|dīvus|t=god]], which de Vaan, with [[m|la|deus|t=god]], traces to [[itc-pro|*deiwo-]] and [[ine-pro|*dei-u-o-|t=god, god of the clear sky]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) Cognate with [[osc|deívaí|t=to the goddess]] and [[sga|día|t=god]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates it from Ennius.^(Köbler 2010) The OLD's first example is Plautus' ''Amphitruo'': “help has been brought from heaven”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means by divine agency or inspiration: Cicero speaks of something not acquired by us but brought to us from heaven, and of things that happen by divine will, and Lucretius uses it too.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Cicero also uses it of supreme excellence, divinely, as when he praises a speaker for gathering everything so well that he could teach the Greeks themselves.^(OLD 2012) Church Latin glosses it by divine help, from heaven.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it.^(Köbler 2010)

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

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius of what comes from the gods.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of divine excellence.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # By divine agency or [[m|en|inspiration]], from heaven.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Stelten 1995)^(Wiktionary)

+ # In a godlike manner, [[m|en|divinely]], admirably.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[dīvīnātiō]]

+ * [[dīvīnē]]

+ * [[dīvīnitās]]

+ * [[dīvīnō]]

+ * [[dīvīnus]]

+ * [[divus|alt=dīvus]]

+ * [[deus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}