decens Latin · revision 32228

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=65–8 BC, Horace|origins=ine-pro *deḱ-eh₁-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''decēns''' (genitive decentis, comparative decentior, superlative decentissimus); third-declension one-termination adjective^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the present participle of [[m|la|decet|t=it is fitting]], used as an adjective.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan traces [[m|la|decet]] to [[itc-pro|*dek-ē-|t=fits, is right]] and [[ine-pro|*deḱ-eh₁-]].^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[xum|tiçit|t=ought to]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates it from Horace,^(Köbler 2010) who writes in the ''Epistles'' that his care is for what is true and fitting.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means conforming to an approved standard, seemly, fitting or appropriate.^(OLD 2012) It also means having a pleasing appearance, becoming or graceful, of movement and colour, as Horace asks where the becoming movement has gone, and of persons, as his graceful Graces joined with the Nymphs.^(OLD 2012) Church Latin glosses it becoming, decent, suitable, proper, seemly.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 65–8 BC – Horace of what is fitting and of the graceful Graces.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Seemly, fitting, appropriate, [[m|en|decent]], proper.^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # Having a pleasing appearance, [[m|en|becoming]], [[m|en|graceful]].^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[decet]]

+ * [[decor]]

+ * [[decorus|alt=decōrus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}