mediocriter Latin · revision 32238

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=ine-pro *h₂oḱ-r-i-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''mediocriter''' (comparative mediocrius, superlative mediocrissimē)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|mediocris|-ter|t1=moderate]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan explains [[m|la|mediocris]] as a compound of [[m|la|medius|t=middle]] and [[m|la|ocris]], a rare word for a hill, first meaning situated half-way up; [[m|la|ocris]] goes back to [[itc-pro|*okri-|t=hilltop]] and [[ine-pro|*h₂oḱ-r-i-|t=sharp edge]].^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[xum|ocar|t=castle, upper town]] and [[grc|ὄκρις|tr=ókris|t=point]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Plautus,^(de Vaan 2008) whose ''Mercator'' has it with a negative: someone has done wrong and harm “to no small extent”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means to a moderate extent, moderately or tolerably, as Terence's young man who studied nothing exceptionally but everything moderately.^(OLD 2012) With a negative, ''nōn'' or ''haud mediocriter'', it means to no small degree, exceedingly.^(OLD 2012) It also means in a restrained manner, with moderation, as Terence's woman found modestly dressed in mourning clothes.^(OLD 2012) Wiktionary adds the sense indifferently, without distinction.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus with a negative, “exceedingly”.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence of moderate study and of modest dress.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # To a moderate extent or degree, [[m|en|moderately]], tolerably; indifferently.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # With a negative, to no small extent, exceedingly.^(OLD 2012)

+ # In a restrained manner, with [[m|en|moderation]].^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mediocris]]

+ * [[ocris]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}