frivolus Latin · revision 34527

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=Rhetorica ad Herennium|origins=la friō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈfriː.wɔ.ɫʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈfriː.vo.lus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''frīvolus''' (feminine frīvola, neuter frīvolum); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[der|la|friō|t=to rub away, crumble]] with the diminutive suffix [[m|la|-olus]],^(OLD 2012)^(Etymonline) as the TLL also suggests.^(TLL) L&S calls the etymology doubtful and thinks of [[m|la|fricō|t=to rub]].^(Lewis & Short 1879) De Vaan takes it, with ⟨refrīvus⟩ “shredded”, to continue an adjective [[itc-pro|*frīwo-]], from [[ine-pro|*bʰriH-wo-|t=cut]]; he compares [[sga|brieid|t=to hurt, damage]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ Festus explained the neuter plural as properly meaning cracked earthenware, whence statements that deserve little trust.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest example is in the ''Rhetorica ad Herennium'', of a silly and ungentlemanly way of speaking;^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) de Vaan dates it from Phaedrus.^(de Vaan 2008) Plautus had already written a comedy called ''Frīvolāria''.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It first described things of little value; as a noun, the neuter plural ''frīvola'' meant paltry household goods and trifles.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) More often it was used figuratively for what is worthless, trifling or silly: arguments, jokes, omens, labour, and people who behave foolishly.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) L&S notes that it is mostly post-Augustan and perhaps absent from Cicero.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Jerome has the adverb ''frīvolē''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ Isidore of Seville uses ''frīvolum'' for a separation of a married couple who mean to come back together.^(Isidore)^(TLL) English ''frivolous'' is from the Latin word (mid-15th century).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 15 BC–c. 50 AD – Phaedrus speaks of a ''frīvola īnsolentia''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca calls labour ''frīvolus et supervacuus''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder uses it of a joke.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 75–c. 150 AD – Suetonius uses it of a person who acts foolishly.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 560–636 AD – Isidore of Seville uses ''frīvolum'' of a separation of spouses.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * mid-15th century – English ''frivolous'' is formed from it.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of little or no value, [[m|en|worthless]], [[m|en|trashy]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(figurative)'' Insignificant, [[m|en|trifling]], [[m|en|silly]], empty, [[m|en|frivolous]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''frīvola'' ''(neuter plural)'' Paltry possessions, household goods; [[m|en|trifle|alt=trifles]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''frīvolum'' ''(Late Latin, law)'' A separation of spouses who intend to return to each other.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[friō]]

+ * [[en|frivolous]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}