obsequens Latin · revision 33700

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=ine-pro *sekʷ-e/o-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''obsequēns''' (genitive ''obsequentis''; comparative ''obsequentior'', superlative ''obsequentissimus''); third-declension one-termination adjective^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ Also spelled ''opsequēns''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[der|la|obsequor|t=to comply with, humour]], its present participle used as an adjective.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010) That verb is a compound of [[m|la|sequor|t=to follow]], which de Vaan traces to [[itc-pro|*sekʷ-e/o-]] and [[ine-pro|*sekʷ-e/o-|t=to follow, accompany]];^(de Vaan 2008) cognate with [[grc|ἕπομαι|tr=hépomai|t=to follow]] and [[sa|सचते|tr=sácate|t=follows]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Plautus has it first,^(Köbler 2010) as in the ''Casina'': “how obliging I have proved to you! I gave you what you wanted most”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is compliant with the wishes of others, obliging or indulgent, in Plautus, Terence and Caecilius,^(OLD 2012) and the superlative is used of a daughter-in-law in the declamations ascribed to Quintilian, of a husband in Apuleius, and in inscriptions.^(Georges 1913)^(OLD 2012) It is responsive to something, as Terence's man given to pleasure while he lived.^(OLD 2012) As an epithet of gods it means gracious: Plautus has ''Fortūna Obsequēns'', and inscriptions Venus and Jupiter Obsequens.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) Of persons and animals it is obedient: Terence has a son less obedient to his father, Plancus five legions obedient to him, Seneca horses obedient to one rider and stubborn with another, and Celsus an obedient patient.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) Of things it is favourable or pliant: Seneca has a calm sea and a favourable wind, and the mind more pliant than any liquid, and Columella calls Italy most responsive to human care.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) Church Latin has “dutiful, obedient, yielding”.^(Stelten 1995) It was also a Roman name, as Iulius Obsequens.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus, “obliging”, and ''Fortūna Obsequēns''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence, of an obedient son.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca, of obedient horses and a favourable wind.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1st century AD – Columella, of Italy responsive to care.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Responsive, given to.^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|obliging|alt=Obliging]], compliant, [[m|en|indulgent]]; of gods, gracious.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # Of things, [[m|en|favourable]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|obedient|alt=Obedient]], docile.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # Pliant, tractable; responsive to treatment.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[obsequor]]

+ * [[obsequium]]

+ * [[obsequenter]]

+ * [[sequor]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}