perexiguus Latin · revision 34352

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=81–43 BC, Cicero|origins=la agō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [pɛ.rɛkˈsɪ.ɡu.ʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [pe.reɡˈziː.ɡu.us]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''perexiguus''' (feminine perexigua, neuter perexiguum); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|per-|exiguus|t2=small, scanty]], with the intensive prefix.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) De Vaan derives the simple adjective from [[m|la|exigō|t=to drive out]], a compound of [[m|la|agō|t=to drive]], which goes back to [[itc-pro|*ag-e/o-]] and [[ine-pro|*h₂eǵ-e/o-|t=to drive, lead]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler and the TLL record it first in Cicero;^(Köbler 2010)^(TLL) in the ''De natura deorum'' he uses it of a tiny seed.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The TLL counts eight instances in Cicero and three in Caesar, and finds it only in prose.^(TLL) It is used of size or amount, as of a very small space in Caesar or of silver in Livy, of time, as Cicero's ''dies perexiguus'', a very short time limit, and of things of very slight importance.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913) The neuter is used as an adverb,^(Conte 2010) and Cicero has the adverb ''perexiguē'', “very sparingly”.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Medieval British writers use it of meagre food and of small amounts.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a tiny seed and a very short time limit.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it of a very small space.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Conte 2010)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–AD 17 – Livy uses it of a small amount of silver.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Very small in size or amount, [[m|en|tiny]], [[m|en|minute]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(of time)'' Very [[m|en|brief]].^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # Of very slight importance, [[m|en|petty]].^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}