sportula Latin · revision 33405

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=grc σπυρίς}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈspɔr.tʊ.ɫa]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈspɔr.tu.la]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''sportula''' ''f'' (genitive sportulae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|sporta|-ula|t1=basket]], a diminutive.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary) The OLD takes [[m|la|sporta]] from [[grc|σπυρίς|tr=spurís|t=basket]], from its accusative [[m|grc|σπυρίδα|tr=spurída]], probably through Etruscan;^(OLD 2012) Köbler too calls it a loanword from that Greek word.^(Köbler 2010) Wiktionary instead derives it from [[ine-pro|*sper-|t=to twist, turn]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It first appears in Plautus,^(Köbler 2010)^(OLD 2012) meaning a small basket: ''sportulam cape atque argentum'', “take the little basket and the money”.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In such little baskets great men handed out food or money to their [[m|en|client|alt=clients]].^(Lewis & Short 1879) By the time of Martial and Juvenal the ''sportula'' was this daily allowance itself, usually paid in cash, normally 100 [[quadrāns|alt=quadrantes]].^(OLD 2012) Juvenal pictures it set out at the door for the crowd in togas.^(OLD 2012) Suetonius says that Claudius jokingly called a short, unannounced set of games a ''sportula''.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) In Pliny the Younger, Ulpian and Papinian it is any gift or dole of food or money, also a perquisite of office.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Tertullian has the proverb ''sportulam furunculus captat'', of a petty thief snatching at another's small possessions.^(Lewis & Short 1879) In Medieval Latin it was a gratuity or present to an official, a [[m|en|bribe]], and a feudal [[m|en|relief]];^(Niermeyer 1976) British sources use it of a fee paid to a judge or lawyer, and Gascon charters of a feudal payment due when a new lord came to power.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus, “a small basket”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 40–102/103 AD – Martial, the dole patrons gave their clients.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 67–c. 127 AD – Juvenal describes the crowd waiting for it.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 75–c. 150 AD – Suetonius, of Claudius' games.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 797 AD – Alcuin, of fees paid to judges.^(DMLBS)

+ * 1250 – A Gascon charter, of a feudal payment.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A small [[m|en|basket]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # The daily [[m|en|dole]] of food, usually replaced by money, that a [[m|en|patron]] gave his clients.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Any gift or dole of food or money; a perquisite of office.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A [[m|en|gratuity]] or present to an official, a bribe; a fee paid to a judge or lawyer.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(DMLBS)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A feudal relief.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[sporta]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Medieval spellings include ''sportulus'' and ''sporla''.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}