sciscitor Latin · revision 34010

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=la sciō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''scīscitor''' (present infinitive scīscitārī, perfect active scīscitātus sum); first conjugation, deponent^(Wiktionary)

+ Plautus uses an active ''scīscitō'' once.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|scīscō|-itō|t1=to seek to know]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(de Vaan 2008) That verb is made from [[m|la|sciō|t=to know]], which goes back to [[itc-pro|*skije/o-|t=to know]] and perhaps to [[ine-pro|*skh₁-i(e/o)-|t=to incise]], if knowing grew out of distinguishing.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Plautus,^(de Vaan 2008) who uses an active form ''scīscitō'' in the ''Mercator''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means to try to find something out by asking, to inquire:^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Terence has someone who wants to find out first what the matter is, and Cicero asks a friend to inquire of a man himself.^(OLD 2012) Livy uses it of consulting the gods at an oracle and of learning from wounded enemies that a camp had been abandoned.^(OLD 2012) From Tacitus on it also means to inquire into or examine, of inquiring into generals' orders,^(OLD 2012) and Apuleius uses it of finding out a name by inquiry.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein sets it with ''percontor'' against the plain ''rogō'' and ''interrogō'': both mean pressing questions, but ''scīscitor'' often comes from curiosity, eagerness or cunning, like pumping someone for information.^(Döderlein 1874) Stelten gives the Church Latin senses "investigate, examine, consult".^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus, in an active form.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence of finding out what is going on.^(OLD 2012)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of learning from someone.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy of consulting the gods.^(OLD 2012)

+ * 98–115 AD – Tacitus of questioning orders.^(OLD 2012)

+ * c. 125–175 AD – Apuleius of finding out a name.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To seek to learn by asking, [[m|en|inquire]]; to question, [[m|en|consult]] (a person or god).^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # To inquire into, [[m|en|examine]].^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # To find out by inquiry.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[scīscō]]

+ * [[sciō]]

+ * [[percontor]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}