bellator Latin · revision 32571

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''bellātor''' ''m'' (genitive bellātōris, feminine bellātrīx); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+ Plautus has the older form ''duellātor'', scanned in three syllables.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|bellō|-tor|t1=to wage war]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(TLL) De Vaan lists it under [[m|la|bellum|t=war]], older [[m|la|duellum]], and finds Pinault's explanation the best: a diminutive *duenelo- of [[m|la|bonus|t=good]], "quite brave", used as a euphemism for deeds of valour and then for war.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Plautus, who uses the old form ⟨duellātor⟩ once, in the ''Captivi''.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) In the ''Miles Gloriosus'' he speaks of pure warriors being born.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Lewis & Short note that it means a soldier as someone able to fight, whereas [[miles|alt=mīles]] is a soldier by profession.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Used as an adjective it is warlike: Virgil calls Mars the warrior god and has a warhorse, ⟨bellātor equus⟩, step proudly onto the plain.^(OLD 2012) Glossaries explain it with belliger and pugnator.^(TLL) Bellator is also attested as a Roman cognomen in inscriptions.^(TLL) Medieval Latin keeps the sense warrior.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it, once in the form ''duellātor''.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil of Mars and of a warhorse.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|warrior]], fighter, soldier.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Stelten 1995)^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Engaged in war, [[m|en|martial]], warlike;^(OLD 2012) ''bellātor equus'', a [[m|en|warhorse]].^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[bello|alt=bellō]]

+ * [[bellum]]

+ * [[bellatrix|alt=bellātrīx]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}