ludicrum Latin · revision 32387

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=81/79–52/50 BC, Catullus|origins=ine-pro *loid-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈɫuː.dɪ.krũː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈluː.di.krum]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''lūdicrum''' ''n'' (genitive lūdicrī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the neuter of [[m|la|lūdicer|t=of play, of the stage]] used as a noun; the OLD derives it, perhaps, from [[m|la|lūdō|t=to play]] with the suffix [[m|la|-crum]].^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan lists the adjective lūdicer among the derivatives of [[m|la|lūdō]], which he traces to [[itc-pro|*loid-e/o-|t=to play]] and [[ine-pro|*loid-|t=to let go frequently, play]], comparing [[lt|léisti|t=to let]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates the noun from Catullus, who has Hamadryads tending the myrtle's sprigs as their plaything.^(Köbler 2010)^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is anything done for fun: a plaything or toy, a trifle in verse, a joke.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) Horace lays aside verses and other trifles, and Apuleius calls a short poem on tooth powder one of his playthings.^(OLD 2012) It is also a public show, sporting or theatrical: Livy tells of horses and boxers brought from Etruria for the games, and lūdicrum Trōiae was a kind of sham fight, the game of Troy.^(OLD 2012) In Medieval Latin it also meant a trick or deceit, a toy, and a jewel.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81/79–52/50 BC – Catullus of a plaything of the nymphs.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy of the public games.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * Middle Ages – a trick; a jewel.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A source of fun, [[m|en|amusement]], diversion.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A [[m|en|plaything]], toy.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Niermeyer 1976)

+ # A piece of light verse, a [[m|en|trifle]]; a joke.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A public [[m|en|show]], sporting or theatrical; a stage play.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A trick, deceit.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A [[m|en|jewel]].^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[ludicror]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ludus|alt=lūdus]]

+ * [[ludo|alt=lūdō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}