suffragor Latin · revision 34325

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=120–67 BC, Sisenna|origins=la suffrāgium}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''suffrāgor''' (present infinitive suffrāgārī, perfect active suffrāgātus sum); first conjugation, deponent^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ An active form ''suffrāgō'', ''suffrāgāre'' is found in Pomponius, Sisenna and the land surveyor Hyginus.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[der|la|suffrāgium|t=vote, support]], under which de Vaan lists it;^(de Vaan 2008)^(Lewis & Short 1879) the OLD calls it of doubtful origin and sets it against its opposite [[m|la|refrāgor|t=to oppose]].^(OLD 2012) De Vaan assumes a verb or noun ⟨*sub-frāg-⟩ “support” behind the whole group, which may belong to [[m|la|frangō|t=to break]], perhaps as “shout in support of a candidate”, with the long vowel explained by analogy; he rejects Szemerényi's derivation from a root meaning “hind part”.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan records it first in Sisenna,^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) who uses the active form of peoples who ''dictaturam omnibus animis et studiis suffragaverunt'', “supported the dictatorship with all their hearts and zeal”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It begins as a term of public life: to vote or canvass for a candidate, a measure or an appointment, usually with a dative, as in Cicero's speech for Murena and in Livy.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Of influential people it means to back someone, as Hortensius backs Cicero's opponent in the ''Divinatio in Caecilium''.^(OLD 2012) It widened to lending support in general: Cicero has ''fortuna suffragante'', “with fortune favouring”, and Caesar, Columella and Quintilian use it of circumstances, the weather or a good voice that help.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) In Ecclesiastical Latin it means to vote for, approve, support, aid or recommend.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 120–67 BC – Sisenna uses the active form of supporting a dictatorship.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of voting and canvassing, and of fortune's favour.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of crowds who came to vote.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian has it of a voice that helps delivery.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|vote]] or [[m|en|canvass]] for a candidate, measure or appointment; to express public support.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Of influential people, to [[m|en|back]], support, recommend.^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # Of fortune or circumstances, to lend support, be [[m|en|favourable]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[refrāgor]]

+ * [[suffrāgātor]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}