misellus Latin · revision 33356

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=itc-pro *misro-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''misellus''' (feminine misella, neuter misellum); first/second-declension adjective^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|miser|-lus|t1=wretched]], a diminutive.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) De Vaan traces [[m|la|miser]] to [[itc-pro|*misro-]] and, with a question mark, [[ine-pro|*mh2isro-]]; he notes a possible link with [[m|la|maereō|t=to grieve]], but finds no acceptable Indo-European pedigree.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler records it from Naevius.^(Köbler 2010) The TLL finds it from Plautus on, above all in writers of a familiar style,^(TLL) and Plautus has a speaker reduced to a wretched little cloak: ''ad hoc misellum pallium''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is a diminutive of feeling, used in pity or fondness, of people, children and small animals, often in addressing someone or of the speaker.^(TLL) Lucilius and Cicero use it of wretched people,^(OLD 2012) and Catullus addresses the dead sparrow, ''o miselle passer''.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Epitaphs use it of the dead,^(OLD 2012) and Isidore of Seville distinguishes ''miser'', said of the living, from ''misellus'', said of the dead.^(TLL) Of things it is meagre or paltry, as a wretched hundred-as sum in Lucilius and a paltry hope in Lucretius.^(OLD 2012) Quintilian says ''misellus'' and ''pauperculus'' are to be spoken in a low, subdued voice.^(TLL)

+

+ Medieval Latin uses ''misellus'' and ''misella'' for a leper,^(Niermeyer 1976) and the TLL lists Old Italian [[m|it|misello]], Old French [[m|fro|mesel]] and Old Spanish [[m|osp|mesiello]] as its descendants.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus, of a wretched little cloak.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81/79–52/50 BC – Catullus, of a dead sparrow.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 560–636 AD – Isidore of Seville, of the dead.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Poor, wretched, [[m|en|pitiable]] (as a term of pity or affection).^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(TLL)

+ # ''(as a noun)'' A wretch; one who has died.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(TLL)

+ # Meagre, mean, [[m|en|paltry]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A [[m|en|leper]].^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[miser]]

+ * [[miserulus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}