scitus Latin · revision 33248

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''scītus''' (feminine scīta, neuter scītum, comparative scītior, superlative scītissimus, adverb scitē); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Used as an adjective, it is the perfect participle [[der|la|scīscō|t=to get to know, approve]], with an active sense.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) [[m|la|scīscō]] is derived from [[m|la|sciō|t=to know]],^(de Vaan 2008) which de Vaan traces to [[itc-pro|*skije/o-|t=to know]]; it may belong to a root meaning “to cut”, [[ine-pro|*skh₁-i(e/o)-|t=to incise]], if knowing grew out of distinguishing.^(de Vaan 2008) He compares [[grc|σχάω|tr=skháō|t=to slit open]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates it from Plautus.^(Köbler 2010) In the ''Cistellaria'' a woman says she is no wiser than the people she asks.^(OLD 2012) Ennius has a skilled groom, ''scitus agaso''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means knowing or wise to a fact, and having practical knowledge, expert.^(OLD 2012) Ennius describes a clever man who says the right thing at the right time.^(OLD 2012) Of speech it is refined: Cicero mentions a courtesan who wrote in a fine Attic style.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) A remark or plan can be ''scitum'', neatly thought out;^(OLD 2012) Plautus calls an old saying ''scitum''.^(OLD 2012) In comedy it is a general word of praise, nice or excellent, and especially pretty: in Plautus a woman has a fine enough figure.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) Petronius has ''scruta scita'', apparently a mixed lot of goods.^(OLD 2012) Apuleius calls a dream of Socrates prophetic in this way.^(OLD 2012) Church Latin has it as knowing, skilled, fit and suitable.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus, of knowledge and of good looks.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius, of a skilled groom and a clever man.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero, of an elegant style.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * before 66 AD – Petronius, ''scruta scita''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Knowing, aware (of a fact).^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # [[m|en|skilled|alt=Skilled]], [[m|en|expert]];^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) of style, refined.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # Clever, shrewd;^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) of remarks or plans, neat, [[m|en|ingenious]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(colloquial)'' Nice, excellent; pretty, [[m|en|attractive]].^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Fit, suitable.^(Wiktionary)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[īnscītus]]

+ * [[scītulus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[scīscō]]

+ * [[sciō]]

+ * [[scītum]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The fourth-declension noun ''scītus, -ūs'' “decree”, also from [[scīscō]], is found only in the ablative in ''plēbī scītū'', for the usual [[plēbiscītum]], in an old decree quoted by Cicero and in Livy.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913) Medieval Latin has a noun ''scītus'' “knowledge”, which Niermeyer derives from [[sciō]].^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}