homuncio Latin · revision 34228

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=190–159 BC, Terence|origins=la homō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [hɔˈmʊŋ.ki.oː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [oˈmun̠ʲ.t͡ʃi.o]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''homunciō''' ''m'' (genitive homunciōnis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[der|la|homō|t=human being]], formed with the suffix [[m|la|-iō]] on an unattested diminutive ⟨*homuncus⟩.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) De Vaan lists it with [[m|la|homullus]] and [[m|la|homunculus]] among the derivatives of [[m|la|homō]], which he traces to [[itc-pro|*χemō]] and [[ine-pro|*dʰǵʰ(e)m-ōn|t=earthling]], a derivative of the word for earth.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Terence,^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) who has ''ego homuncio hoc non facerem?'', “should I, a mere man, not do this?”^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The OLD equates it with [[homullus]], a little man or mere man.^(OLD 2012) Georges describes it as a weak and lowly creature as opposed to the gods, and in Cicero's ''Academica'' a ''homuncio'' who values things besides virtue is set against a god.^(Georges 1913)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Augustus, as Suetonius reports, jokingly called Horace ''homuncionem lepidissimum'', “a most charming little man”.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Seneca, Petronius, Juvenal and Apuleius also use it, and Augustine in the ''Confessions''.^(Georges 1913)^(Conte 2010) Medieval British writers use it of a mere man or poor creature, often of themselves, as Aldhelm does; of a sick child, a poor little fellow; and of a worthless fellow or a little man, a manikin.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it in the ''Eunuchus''.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero sets a ''homuncio'' against a god.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 75–c. 150 AD – Suetonius reports Augustus calling Horace a most charming little man.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 639–709 AD – Aldhelm calls himself a ''misellus homuncio'', a wretched little man.^(DMLBS)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A little man, a mere man, a weak mortal as opposed to a god; a [[m|en|manikin]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A poor creature; of a child, a poor little fellow.^(DMLBS)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A worthless fellow.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[homunculus]]

+ * [[homullus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}