inopinus Latin · revision 34601

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=back-formation|attested=70–19 BC, Virgil|origins=la opīnor}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ɪ.nɔˈpiː.nʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [i.noˈpiː.nus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''inopīnus''' (feminine inopīna, neuter inopīnum); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[der|la|inopīnātus|t=unexpected]], a back-formation according to the OLD and the TLL, like [[m|la|necopīnus]].^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) Georges and Wiktionary instead analyse it as ⟨in-⟩ with an adjective ⟨*opīnus⟩ from [[m|la|opīnor|t=to suppose]].^(Georges 1913)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan finds no convincing etymology for that verb.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is found from Virgil on:^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010) in the ''Aeneid'' an unexpected rest has relaxed someone's limbs, ''inopīna quiēs''.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Virgil also has an unforeseen face of trouble and an unexpected chance, and Ovid an unforeseen sight and an unexpected war.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) In prose it is found from Tacitus on, and Ammianus Marcellinus uses it often.^(TLL) Statius and Silius Italicus use it of a person or animal caught off guard.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010) The grammarian Servius remarked that in Virgil it is an adjective and not a participle.^(TLL)

+

+ Medieval writers kept both senses, “unexpected” and “taken by surprise”, and used ''inopīnē'' as an adverb, “suddenly”.^(MLW)^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of an unexpected sleep.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it of an unforeseen sight.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 45–96 AD – Statius uses it of a man caught off guard.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 98–115 AD – Tacitus uses it in prose.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 390 AD – Ammianus Marcellinus uses it often.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|unexpected|alt=Unexpected]], [[m|en|unforeseen]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Off one's guard, [[m|en|unsuspecting]].^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[inopīnātus]]

+ * [[necopīnus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}