petitor Latin · revision 33994

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=185/184–129 BC, Scipio Aemilianus|origins=la petō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''petītor''' ''m'' (genitive petītōris); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|petō|-tor|t1=to seek, ask for]].^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The TLL finds it first in Scipio Aemilianus,^(TLL) who has a boy wearing the ''bulla'', the son of a candidate.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The TLL finds it from Scipio Aemilianus, in titles of Pomponius' farces and in Cicero, and only once each in the poetry of Catullus, Horace and Lucan.^(TLL) It is a seeker: Seneca says that the best seems to be what has many seekers and praisers, and Lucan calls a man a seeker of fame.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It is also one who makes a request, as an applicant for water in Frontinus.^(OLD 2012) In a civil case it is the plaintiff: Cicero asks whether he may take on the role of plaintiff and lay aside that of accuser.^(OLD 2012) Seneca uses it of a suitor, saying that some goddesses are widows and no wonder they lacked a suitor.^(OLD 2012) It is also a candidate canvassing for office, a use Lewis & Short note is very rare beside ''candidātus'' and absent from Cicero.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Under the later Empire ''petītor mīlitiae'' was an under-officer, as in an inscription that names Commodus.^(OLD 2012) In medieval Latin it is an attorney.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 185/184–129 BC – Scipio Aemilianus of a candidate.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of a plaintiff.^(OLD 2012)

+ * 39–65 AD – Lucan of a seeker of fame.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ * 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca of seekers and of a suitor.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|seeker]], one who strives after something.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # An [[m|en|applicant]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(law)'' A [[m|en|plaintiff]], claimant in a civil case.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # A [[m|en|suitor]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A [[m|en|candidate]] for office.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Late Latin, military)'' ''petītor mīlitiae'', an under-officer.^(OLD 2012)

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

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[petītōrius]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[petō]]

+ * [[petītiō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}