clemens Latin · revision 32550

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈkɫeː.mẽːs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈklɛː.mens]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''clēmēns''' (genitive clēmentis, comparative clēmentior, superlative clēmentissimus, adverb clēmenter); third-declension one-termination adjective^(Wiktionary)

+ The ablative is usually ''clēmentī'', but Livy and Laberius have ''clēmente''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is uncertain.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) De Vaan rejects the old derivation from [[itc-pro|*klejomenos|t=leaning]], and finds attractive the idea that it was made as the opposite of [[m|la|vehemēns|t=violent]], with [[m|la|mēns|t=mind]] as second part in both.^(de Vaan 2008) To connect it with [[m|la|clīnō|t=to bend]], he suggests a form [[itc-pro|*kloi-wo-ment-]], like [[m|la|clīvus|t=slope]].^(de Vaan 2008) The TLL also thinks it took its ending from [[m|la|vehemēns]].^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from Plautus, who has someone forgive with a kindly mind what is done for love.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Terence uses it of a man who has lived a gentle and peaceful life, and of a mild servitude.^(OLD 2012) Varro calls one kind of pigeon gentler, and Sallust a rumour mild.^(OLD 2012) Lewis & Short note the rare classical use of quiet, mild weather: Catullus has waves stirred by a gentle breeze.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(OLD 2012) It can also be a gentle slope or movement.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) As a cognomen it became very frequent in later Latin, and English [[m|en|clement]] comes from it through Old French in the 15th century.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Etymonline) Church Latin glosses it merciful, loving.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of a forgiving mind.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence of a gentle life.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+ * 86–34 BC – Sallust of a mild rumour.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * mid-15th century – English borrows it as ''clement''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Mild towards others, [[m|en|clement]], [[m|en|merciful]], [[m|en|lenient]]; of animals, tame.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Stelten 1995)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Of conditions, marked by leniency.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Mild in form or severity, subdued; of sound, soft.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Of weather or water, calm, gentle; of a slope or movement, gentle, gradual.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[clēmentia]]

+ * [[inclēmēns]]

+ * [[clēmenter]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[inclēmenter]]

+ * [[inclēmentia]]

+ * [[clīvus]]

+ * [[en|clement]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}