pulchre Latin · revision 32472

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=280/260–before 200 BC, Livius Andronicus|origins=la pulcher}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈpʊɫ.kʰreː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈpul.kre]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''pulchrē''' (comparative pulchrius, superlative pulcherrimē)^(Wiktionary)

+ It is also spelled ''pulcrē''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|pulcher|-ē|t1=beautiful]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan finds no etymology for [[m|la|pulcher]]: an older spelling polcher is reported by Priscian and in inscriptions, the ⟨ch⟩ is a Hellenizing spelling, and the old link with [[ine-pro|*perk-|t=variegated]] would need an unlikely dissimilation.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates it from Livius Andronicus.^(Köbler 2010) In Plautus it is already common: in the ''Aulularia'' someone has never seen firewood supplied more generously.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means beautifully or attractively, as of a finely panelled ceiling in Cicero, and of style, as when Cicero speaks of speaking beautifully and like an orator.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) In Plautus and Terence it is often “finely, splendidly”, and pulchrē est mihi, “I am doing well”, is found in Cicero, Catullus and Horace.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Ironically it means “nicely” of a disaster, as Plautus' “you are finely done for”.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It is also thoroughly or perfectly, and as an exclamation, “well done!”, in Terence and Horace.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Wiktionary adds the sense rightly or correctly.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 280/260–before 200 BC – Livius Andronicus uses it.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of generous supply, comfortable living and utter ruin.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of a beautiful ceiling and of fine speaking.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # [[m|en|beautifully|alt=Beautifully]], attractively; of style, pleasingly.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Finely, [[m|en|splendidly]], excellently; pulchrē est mihi, I am well off.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Ironically, nicely, finely.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Thoroughly, perfectly, very well; as an exclamation, well done!^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[pulcher]]

+ * [[pulchritudo|alt=pulchritūdō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}