lito Latin · revision 33093

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing, derivation|attested=c. 280/260–before 200 BC, Livius Andronicus|origins=grc λιτή}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈlɪ.toː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈliː.to]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''litō''' (present infinitive litāre, perfect active litāvī, supine litātum); first conjugation^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a verb made from a noun ⟨*lita⟩, which de Vaan thinks was probably [[bor|grc|λιτή|tr=litḗ|t=prayer, request]], from a variant ⟨*λιτᾱ⟩; he compares [[m|grc|λίσσομαι|tr=líssomai|t=to pray, beg]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012) The TLL agrees that a noun lies behind the verb but finds its relation to the Greek word unclear.^(TLL) Paul the Deacon's epitome of Festus reports that some took the participle as "released, given to the god", as if from [[m|la|luō]], and others derived it from the Greek word for prayers.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan finds it first in Livius Andronicus.^(de Vaan 2008) In Plautus' ''Poenulus'' a man prays that Jupiter may make him always sacrifice and never obtain good omens, if what he denies ever happened.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its basic sense is to obtain favourable omens from a sacrifice, as in Plautus;^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) of victims it means to give favourable omens, as in Cato.^(OLD 2012) With the dative of a god it is to make an acceptable offering: Cicero, of the conspirators, has ''litēmus Lentulō, parentēmus Cethēgō'', "let us sacrifice to Lentulus, make funeral offerings to Cethegus".^(OLD 2012) Lucan uses it transitively, to propitiate the powers of the Underworld.^(OLD 2012) It also means to offer something in atonement: Virgil has someone told to perform the sacred rites and indulge in hospitality.^(OLD 2012) The ''Bellum Hispaniense'' uses it of an offence atoned for by the punishment of the enemy.^(OLD 2012) Stelten gives "offer public sacrifice" for Church Latin.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 280/260–before 200 BC – Livius Andronicus.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus of good omens never obtained.^(OLD 2012)

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato of victims giving good omens.^(OLD 2012)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of sacrificing to Lentulus.^(OLD 2012)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil of propitiatory rites.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To obtain favourable [[m|en|omen|alt=omens]] from a sacrifice;^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary) ''(of victims)'' to give favourable omens.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(with dative)'' To make an acceptable [[m|en|sacrifice]] to;^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995) ''(transitive)'' to [[m|en|propitiate]], appease (gods).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # To offer in propitiation; to [[m|en|atone]] for (an offence).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[litābilis]]

+ * [[litāmen]]

+ * [[litātiō]]

+ * [[perlitō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[sacrificō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}