lena Latin · revision 32563

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=la lēnō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈɫeː.na]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈlɛː.na]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''lēna''' ''f'' (genitive lēnae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The OLD and Wiktionary derive it from [[m|la|lēnō|t=pimp]], as its feminine.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) The TLL calls the origin uncertain, and reports a grammarian who derived it from [[m|la|lēniō|t=to soothe]].^(TLL) De Vaan rejects the view of Walde–Hofmann and Leumann that ⟨lēna⟩ is the older word; he suggests that both may be remade from an n-stem *leh₁-ōn "one who lets", perhaps the source of [[m|la|lēnis|t=gentle]] as well.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from Plautus, who in the ''Persa'' declares all bawds untrustworthy.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is a procuress or brothel-keeper.^(OLD 2012) Ulpian defines lēnae as women who prostitute women for money, including a woman who runs the trade in someone else's name.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(TLL) Lewis & Short find it in Plautus' ''Truculentus'' and ''Asinaria'' too.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of untrustworthy bawds.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * before 223 AD – Ulpian defines the word.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|procuress]], [[m|en|bawd]], brothel-keeper; a seductress.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[leno|alt=lēnō]]

+ * [[lenocinium|alt=lēnōcinium]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The TLL and Niermeyer treat a second ''lena'' as a spelling of [[laena]], a cloak.^(TLL)^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}