rictus Latin · revision 32733

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=c. 180–102 BC, Lucilius|origins=ine-pro *u̯reng-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈrɪk.tʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈrik.tus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''rictus''' ''m'' (genitive rictūs); fourth declension^(Wiktionary)

+ A neuter ''rictum'' is found in Cicero and Lucretius, and Lucretius has the plural ''ricta''.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|ringor|-tus|t1=to open the mouth, show the teeth]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Lewis & Short 1879) De Vaan traces [[m|la|ringor]] to [[itc-pro|*wreng-e/o-]] and [[ine-pro|*u̯reng-|t=to turn, curve]], comparing [[ang|wrencan|t=to turn]]: the sense would come from curving the lips to show the teeth, and the participle then has a secondary ⟨i⟩.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates it from Lucilius,^(Köbler 2010) who is among the early writers Nonius quotes for it beside Varro, Titinius and Pomponius.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is the opening of the lips, the open mouth, especially in laughing, as in Varro's very small mouth with laughter held back.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Lewis & Short compare [[hiatus]].^(Lewis & Short 1879) Of animals it is the gaping jaws: Lucretius has dogs whose soft jaws snarl as they bare their hard teeth, and Ovid uses it often.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) In poetry it can also be the opening of the eyes, as in Lucan and the ''Hercules Oetaeus''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 180–102 BC – Lucilius.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius of dogs' snarling jaws.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid of the jaws of animals.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The open mouth, the parting of the lips, especially in [[m|en|laughing]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Of animals, the gaping [[m|en|jaws]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(poetic)'' The opening of the eyes.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[rictō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ringor]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}