pluteus Latin · revision 32955

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈpɫʊ.te.ʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈpluː.te.us]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''pluteus''' ''m'' (genitive pluteī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+ A neuter ''pluteum'' is less frequent, as in Vitruvius.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Its origin is uncertain.^(TLL)^(de Vaan 2008) De Vaan reconstructs [[itc-pro|*pluto-]] and allows a connection with [[lt|plaũtas|t=sweating shelf, sideboard]], [[lv|plàuts|t=shelf]] and [[non|fleyðr|t=cross-beam]] if the Latin word is an adjective in ⟨-eus⟩ made from a noun meaning woodwork or beam; but no verbal root is known, and he calls the whole etymology up in the air.^(de Vaan 2008) The TLL finds neither the Indo-European nor the Etruscan explanations convincing and, given the varying gender, thinks of an old adjective in ⟨-eus⟩.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from Plautus.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) The OLD's first quotation is Lucilius', of screens made out of shields.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is a movable screen of wood or wickerwork protecting besiegers: an ancient definition quoted by Lewis & Short describes hurdles covered with raw hides and set before soldiers at work.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Caesar has Fabius add screens to a rampart.^(OLD 2012) It is also a protective parapet, and any low wall or barrier, as Vitruvius' marble screens between the columns of a temple.^(OLD 2012) Propertius uses it of the board forming the back of a couch.^(OLD 2012) Wiktionary also gives a bookcase or bookshelf.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses the word.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 180–102 BC – Lucilius of siege screens made of shields.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar of screens on a rampart.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius of a parapet and marble screens.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 57/46–12 BC – Propertius of the back of a couch.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A movable [[m|en|screen]] or [[m|en|mantlet]] protecting besiegers.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A protective [[m|en|parapet]], breastwork; any low wall or barrier.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The back board of a couch.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A [[m|en|bookcase]], bookshelf.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}