clementer Latin · revision 32730

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''clēmenter''' (comparative clēmentius, superlative clēmentissimē)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|clēmēns|-ter|t1=mild, merciful]].^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan finds the origin of [[m|la|clēmēns]] unclear: he rejects Walde and Hofmann's *klejomenos “leaning”, and finds attractive Ernout and Meillet's idea that it is a compound with [[m|la|mēns|t=mind]], an antonym of [[vehemens|alt=vehemēns]] “violent”.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The TLL records it, and its superlative, from Plautus on, and the comparative from Lucretius.^(TLL) In the ''Miles Gloriosus'' a man says he explained most gently how something could be done, and in the ''Mercator'' someone begs another to go slowly, or he will wear off his heels.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is in a kindly way, leniently, mildly, and also at an easy pace, slowly, gently.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) Of natural forces it is gently: Seneca says Campania went on trembling, more gently but with great damage.^(OLD 2012) Of ground it is rising in a gentle slope: Seneca has Parnassus with its gently rising hill.^(OLD 2012) Wiktionary adds the sense compliantly.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of a gentle explanation and of a slow pace.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius has the comparative.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca of an earthquake and of a gentle slope.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # In a kindly way, [[m|en|leniently]], [[m|en|mercifully]], mildly.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # At an easy pace, slowly, gently; of natural forces, gently.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Of ground, with a gentle [[m|en|incline]], gradually.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[clēmēns]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}