subnixus Latin · revision 33247

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [sʊbˈniːk.sʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [subˈnik.sus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''subnīxus''' (feminine subnīxa, neuter subnīxum); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+ It is also spelled ''subnīsus''.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|sub-|nīxus|t2=leaning]], the participle of [[m|la|nītor#1|t=to lean, strive]].^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)^(de Vaan 2008) De Vaan reconstructs [[itc-pro|*kniχw-et-]] for that verb and, with Walde–Hofmann and Pokorny, prefers to connect it with [[m|la|cōnīveō|t=to be closed]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Plautus,^(de Vaan 2008) who has ''subnixis alis me inferam'', “I'll come in with arms akimbo”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means propped up by or resting on a physical support:^(OLD 2012) Cicero has two circles resting on the poles of the sky.^(Lewis & Short 1879) More often it is figurative, relying on resources or allies: Virgil has Petelia relying on its wall.^(OLD 2012) An OLD fragment of Claudius Quadrigarius, quoted by Gellius, has the Latins elated in spirit.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010) The jurists use it of a document backed up by certain words and of a person resting on a privilege.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus, of arms akimbo.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1st century BC – Claudius Quadrigarius, of the Latins elated in spirit.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero, of circles resting on the poles.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil, of a town relying on its wall.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * before 212 AD – Papinian, of a privilege.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Propped up, [[m|en|resting]] on, supported by.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Relying on, defended by;^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) backed up by; resting on a [[m|en|privilege]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|elated|alt=Elated]] or encouraged by.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[nītor#1]]

+ * [[cōnītor]]

+ * [[obnītor]]

+ * [[adnītor]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}