amolior Latin · revision 34393

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [aːˈmoː.li.ɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [aˈmɔː.li.or]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''āmōlior''' (present infinitive āmōlīrī or āmōlīrier, perfect active āmōlītus sum); fourth conjugation, deponent^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|ab-|mōlior|t2=to labour, move with effort]].^(Bianchi & Lelli 2014)^(Georges 1913) De Vaan lists it among the derivatives of [[m|la|mōlēs|t=mass, heavy burden]], noting that the noun is attested later than the verb and could itself be made from [[m|la|mōlior]]; he reconstructs [[itc-pro|*mōlo-|t=labour, effort]] and [[m|itc-pro|*mōl-i-je-|t=to labour]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan first finds it in Plautus,^(de Vaan 2008) where in the ''Mostellaria'' a character orders all these things to be cleared away from here (''iube haec hinc omnia āmōlīrier'').^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means to clear away or [[m|en|remove]] something, usually with effort; the ancient commentator Donatus says it is used of things removed from the way with great difficulty and labour.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) With a reflexive pronoun it means to take oneself off, in Plautus, Terence and Pacuvius.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) Sisenna uses it of clearing every obstacle from the roads, Livy of wiping out a name or all traces of a tyranny, and Tacitus of removing the name and statues of Vitellius.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) Of people it means to get rid of someone: Petronius of a troublesome guard, Tacitus of a wife, Octavia.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010) Livy also uses it of carrying away the gifts of the gods and the gods themselves to safety.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010) Quintilian and Tacitus use it of refuting a charge or an argument, and Pliny the Elder and Gellius of warding off dangers and evils.^(OLD 2012) Lewis and Short note that Cicero and Horace never use it.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Tertullian writes that we are told to put away unchastity,^(TLL) and medieval writers use it of removing something and, without an object, of going away.^(MLW)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of clearing things away and of taking oneself off.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 120–67 BC – Sisenna uses it of clearing obstacles from the roads.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–AD 17 – Livy uses it of wiping out traces and removing sacred objects.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it of refuting arguments.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 160–220 AD – Tertullian uses it of putting away unchastity.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To clear away, [[m|en|remove]] (obstacles, burdens, rubbish), usually with effort.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(reflexive)'' To take oneself off, go away.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # To wipe out, [[m|en|obliterate]] (a name, traces).^(OLD 2012)

+ # To get rid of, dispose of (a person); to carry away to safety.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+ # To [[m|en|refute]], rebut (a charge, an argument); to ward off (dangers, evils).^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[āmōlītiō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}