merens Latin · revision 32581

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=itc-pro *mer-ē-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''merēns''' (genitive merentis, superlative merentissimus); third-declension one-termination adjective^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the present participle of [[m|la|mereō|t=to earn, deserve]], used as an adjective.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) De Vaan traces [[m|la|mereō]] to [[itc-pro|*mer-ē-|t=to earn]] and, with a question mark, [[ine-pro|*(s)mr̥-eh₁-|t=to earn]], comparing [[grc|μείρομαι|tr=meíromai|t=to receive one's share]] and [[grc|μέρος|tr=méros|t=part, share]].^(de Vaan 2008) He finds the formation of the verb problematic.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates it from Plautus.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of persons it means deserving, worthy of esteem, above all in ⟨bene merēns⟩, sometimes written as one word.^(OLD 2012) Epitaphs dedicate tombs to the well-deserving dead, and in some inscriptions ⟨benemerentes⟩ describes the people who set up the tomb, as in Christian inscriptions put up by parents.^(TLL) The ''Culex'' uses it absolutely of a benefactor.^(TLL) An inscription has the superlative ⟨merentissimus⟩ for a freedman.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 250 AD – An inscription has ''benemerentes'' of the people who set up a column.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of persons, [[m|en|deserving]], worthy of esteem;^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) ''bene merēns'', well-deserving.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)

+ # Used as a noun, a [[m|en|benefactor]].^(TLL)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mereo|alt=mereō]]

+ * [[immerens|alt=immerēns]]

+ * [[merito|alt=meritō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}