macero Latin · revision 32508

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=derivation|attested=c. 280/260–before 200 BC, Livius Andronicus|origins=itc-pro *mākero-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈmaː.kɛ.roː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈmaː.t͡ʃe.ro]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''mācerō''' (present infinitive mācerāre, perfect active mācerāvī, supine mācerātum); first conjugation^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ De Vaan derives it from an adjective [[itc-pro|*mākero-|t=soaked, kneaded]], also behind [[m|la|māceria|t=wall]], "wall of kneaded clay".^(de Vaan 2008) The meaning would suit [[ine-pro|*meh₂ǵ-|t=to knead]], as in [[grc|μάσσω|tr=mássō|t=to knead]], but the Latin /k/ does not match, so he marks it with a question mark.^(de Vaan 2008) The OLD compares instead [[cu|мокръ|tr=mokrŭ|t=wet]] and [[lt|makonė|t=puddle]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) The TLL derives it from an adjective *macer, as [[m|la|lacerō]] is from [[m|la|lacer]].^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Livius Andronicus, who says that nothing wears a man down more than the savage sea.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is to soak or steep: Plautus jokes about the stage gold with which oxen are fattened in foreign lands, Vitruvius has a river where gouty people soak their legs, and Varro has sorb apples steeped in the sun.^(OLD 2012) Vitruvius also uses it of slaking lime, and Columella of moss softening vines.^(OLD 2012) From wearing down the body it came to mean tormenting the mind: in Plautus a woman says a fear is tormenting her, and a man that he is stewing and fretting himself.^(OLD 2012) Church Latin glosses it mortify, afflict, and Wiktionary gives the medieval senses to mortify the flesh and to torture.^(Stelten 1995)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 280/260–before 200 BC – Livius Andronicus of being worn down by the sea.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of soaking and of fretting.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius of soaking legs and slaking lime.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 15th century – English [[m|en|macerate]] comes from its participle or from maceration.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To soak, [[m|en|steep]], [[m|en|macerate]]; to slake lime.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To soften by exposure.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To weaken, exhaust, wear down.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To [[m|en|torment]], worry, vex; in the passive or with a reflexive, to fret.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' To [[m|en|mortify]], afflict;^(Stelten 1995)^(Wiktionary) ''(Medieval Latin)'' to torture.^(Stelten 1995)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[commācerō]]

+ * [[ēmacerō]]

+ * [[mācerātiō]]

+ * [[mācerēscō]]

+ * [[permācerō]]

+ * [[praemācerō]]

+ * [[māceria]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}