pernicitas Latin · revision 33721

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=ine-pro *tspērsn-h₂-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''pernīcitās''' ''f'' (genitive ''pernīcitātis''); third declension^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|pernīx|-tās|t1=swift, agile]].^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan derives [[m|la|pernīx]] from [[m|la|perna|t=haunch, leg]], though one would rather expect ⟨*pernāx⟩, since no other etymology offers itself.^(de Vaan 2008) He traces [[m|la|perna]] to [[itc-pro|*persnā-]] and [[ine-pro|*tspērsn-h₂-|t=heel]], cognate with [[grc|πτέρνη|tr=ptérnē|t=heel]] and [[sa|पार्ष्णि|tr=pā́rṣṇi-|t=heel]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Plautus has it first,^(Köbler 2010) in the ''Menaechmi'': “my nimbleness deserts me, I am overgrown with old age”.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is quickness of movement, especially in running.^(OLD 2012) Cicero sets nimbleness beside speed, ''pernīcitās et vēlōcitās'', and Livy speaks of swiftness of feet.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913) Caesar also has it,^(Lewis & Short 1879) Tacitus uses it of horses, and Gellius of people running in leaps with the liveliest nimbleness.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Apuleius opposes it to lameness.^(Georges 1913) Isidore says that ''pernīcitās'' belongs to the feet as swiftness belongs to wings.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus, of nimbleness lost in old age.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero, beside speed.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy, of swiftness of feet.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 98–115 AD – Tacitus, of horses.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Quickness of movement, especially in running; [[m|en|nimbleness]], [[m|en|agility]], swiftness.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[pernīx]]

+ * [[perna]]

+ * [[vēlōcitās]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes ''citus'' and ''celer'', swiftness as mere quick motion, from ''vēlōx'' and ''pernīx'', nimbleness as bodily strength and activity.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}