belle Latin · revision 32677

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''bellē''' (comparative bellius, superlative bellissimē)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|bellus|-ē|t1=pretty, fine]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan explains [[m|la|bellus]] as a diminutive of [[m|la|bonus|t=good]], from [[m|itc-pro|*duenelos]] through [[m|itc-pro|*duellos]], which is why it was first used of women and children; he traces that adjective to [[itc-pro|*dweno-|t=good]], with a tentative Indo-European [[m|ine-pro|*duh₂-eno-]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates it from Plautus,^(Köbler 2010) who in the ''Truculentus'' speaks of cheeks so prettily rouged.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is in an agreeable way, nicely, and with a moral sense: Cicero asks Atticus to tell Brutus that he has not behaved nicely.^(OLD 2012) ⟨Bellē esse⟩ is to have a pleasant time, as on Cicero's estates.^(OLD 2012) It also means satisfactorily, suitably, and fortunately, as of something that turned out well.^(OLD 2012) With ⟨sē habēre⟩ it is to be in good health: Cicero writes that he was not well.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) The TLL collects this phrase from Cicero's letters and the ''Bellum Hispaniense''.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of prettily rouged cheeks.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of good conduct, of a pleasant stay and of good health.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # In an agreeable way, nicely, [[m|en|prettily]];^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) ''bellē esse'', to have a pleasant time.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Satisfactorily, suitably, well.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # [[m|en|fortunately|alt=Fortunately]], favourably.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(sē) bellē habēre'', to be in good health;^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) ''bellē est'', all is well.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[perbellē]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[bellus]]

+ * [[bonus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}