vexator Latin · revision 33438

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=81–43 BC, Cicero|origins=la vexō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [wɛkˈsaː.tɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [veɡˈzaː.tor]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''vexātor''' ''m'' (genitive vexātōris); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|vexō|-tor|t1=to harass, ravage]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan explains [[m|la|vexō]] as an iterative made to an old participle ⟨*vexus⟩ “moved” of [[m|la|vehō|t=to carry]], also seen in [[m|la|convexus]] and [[m|la|dēvexus]], or else as an independent s-present of the same root, [[ine-pro|*ueǵh-|t=to carry]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler records it first in Cicero,^(Köbler 2010) who asks in the Philippics whether Antony was the guardian of the city or its plunderer and harasser, ''dīreptor et vexātor''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is a mostly Ciceronian word for someone who harasses, ill-treats or ravages, usually with a genitive of what is harmed:^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) the city, the state, a province,^(Georges 1913)^(Conte 2010) or someone's youth, in the speech for Sestius.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Conte 2010) In the speech for Milo, ''vexātor furōris'' is one who checks and opposes Clodius' frenzy.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016) Cicero sets it against ''cōnservātor'' and ''custōs''.^(Georges 1913) Lactantius says that demons are enemies and tormentors of men,^(Georges 1913) and medieval writers such as Anselm used it of those who cause trouble.^(DMLBS) It survives in [[it|vessatore]].^(Conte 2010)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it in the speeches for Sestius and Milo and in the Philippics.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–317 AD – Lactantius calls demons the tormentors of men.^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * Medieval Latin – Anselm writes of a crowd of troublers.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # One who [[m|en|harass|alt=harasses]], [[m|en|ill-treat|alt=ill-treats]] or [[m|en|ravage|alt=ravages]]; a [[m|en|tormentor]], usually with a genitive.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+ # One who checks or opposes something.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Conte 2010)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[vexō]]

+ * [[vexātiō]]

+ * [[vehō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}