attat Latin · revision 33176

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [atˈtaːt], [ˈat.tat]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [atˈtat], [ˈat.tat]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''attat''' (interjection)^(OLD 2012)

+ It is also spelled ''atat'', and longer forms such as ''attatae'' occur.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The OLD takes it as a shortened form of the interjection [[m|la|attatae]],^(OLD 2012) and Lewis & Short equate it with [[grc|ἀτταταί|tr=attataí]].^(Lewis & Short 1879) Wiktionary calls it onomatopoeic, of Mediterranean origin.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler finds it first in Plautus,^(Köbler 2010) who in the ''Aulularia'' has ''attat, periī hercle ego miser'', “oh no, I'm done for, poor me!”.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Naevius already has the longer forms ⟨attatae⟩ and ⟨atattatattatae⟩.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It expresses sudden realisation or surprise, and also fear or a warning: Terence has it too, and Cato in a speech: “stop, stop writing that, I tell you”.^(OLD 2012) Lewis & Short list it for joy, pain, wonder, fright and warning, often repeated.^(Lewis & Short 1879) The TLL notes that the oldest manuscripts of Plautus and Terence write a double ⟨t⟩.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus, of sudden fright.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence, in a moment of fright.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato, as a warning in a speech.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Interjection===

+ # Expressing sudden realisation or surprise: ah!, [[m|en|aha]]!^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Expressing fear or a warning: oh no!, look out!^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}