misere Latin · revision 32670

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''miserē''' (comparative miserius, superlative miserrimē); adverb^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|miser|-ē|t1=wretched]].^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan traces [[m|la|miser]] to [[itc-pro|*misro-]], perhaps related to [[m|la|maereō|t=to grieve]], but finds no acceptable older pedigree.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates it from Plautus.^(Köbler 2010) In the OLD's earliest quotation Plautus has someone cry that he is wretchedly undone.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is wretchedly, pitifully, in a way that calls for pity.^(OLD 2012) With a disparaging force it is pitifully badly: Fronto says he has written a little piece pitifully badly.^(OLD 2012) Of feelings felt to the point of pain it is desperately, to distraction: in Plautus a man loves a girl desperately.^(OLD 2012) Terence has someone envy desperately and wish desperately for something.^(TLL) Horace also uses it.^(TLL) Church Latin glosses it miserably, wretchedly.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of being wretchedly undone and of desperate love.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence of desperate wishing.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 100–170 AD – Fronto of writing badly.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # [[m|en|wretchedly|alt=Wretchedly]], [[m|en|miserably]], pitifully; pitifully badly.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # Desperately, to distraction.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[miser]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}