obnitor Latin · revision 32534

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=96–55 BC, Lucretius|origins=la nītor}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ɔbˈniː.tɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [obˈniː.tor]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''obnītor''' (present infinitive obnītī or obnītier, perfect active obnīxus sum or obnīsus sum); third conjugation, deponent^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|ob-|nītor|t2=to lean on, strive]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(TLL) De Vaan finds the original meaning of [[m|la|nītor]] unclear, "lean on" or "exert pressure", and reconstructs [[itc-pro|*kniχw-et-]] with a velar-final root, comparing [[m|la|cōnīveō|t=to close the eyes]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Lucretius has it first, with the old infinitive ⟨obnītier⟩: ships seem to push against the waves with broken sterns.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Lewis & Short call it mostly poetic and post-Augustan, and not found in Cicero or Caesar.^(Lewis & Short 1879) It is to press against something, and to resist pressure: Celsus uses it of a swelling held back by the membrane.^(OLD 2012) In Virgil it is to make a stand: a bull pushes against its opponent, and bees strive not to yield.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Velleius uses it of resisting someone's plans.^(OLD 2012) The participle ⟨obnīxus⟩ is used as an adjective, steadfast.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Church Latin glosses it to strive, struggle, press.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius of ships pushing against the waves.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil of a bull and of bees.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 14–37 AD – Celsus of a swelling.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To press or push against; to [[m|en|resist]] pressure.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To make a stand, [[m|en|struggle]] against; figuratively, to oppose; with an infinitive, to strive hard not to do something.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[obnīxus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[nitor|alt=nītor]]

+ * [[enitor|alt=ēnītor]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}