obsaepio Latin · revision 34706

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ɔpˈsae̯.pi.oː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [obˈsɛː.pi.o]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''obsaepiō''' (present infinitive obsaepīre, perfect active obsaepsī, supine obsaeptum); fourth conjugation^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|ob-|saepiō|t2=to fence in]],^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Wiktionary) also spelled ⟨obsēp-⟩ and ⟨obsīp-⟩.^(OLD 2012) De Vaan lists [[m|la|saepiō]] among the derivatives of [[m|la|saepēs|t=hedge, fence]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The TLL records it from Plautus and Caecilius on.^(TLL) In the ''Pseudolus'' a road is said to be completely blocked (''oppido obsaeptast via''), and in the ''Casina'' a passage is found ''obsaeptum''.^(TLL)^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its main sense is to block a road or passage, as in Livy's ''obsaeptis itineribus''.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Figuratively Cicero speaks of things that closed the way to winning office, and Livy of barring the plebs' path to the curule magistracies.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016) A decree of the Senate quoted by Frontinus has the form ''obsepit'' in a prohibition.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ It was also used of enclosing a space with a barrier (Apuleius has a storehouse shut with strong bolts), of mouths sealed by long servitude (Pliny the Younger), and of hemming people in (Lucan).^(OLD 2012) Lewis and Short cite the old form ''obsipio'' from Caecilius.^(Lewis & Short 1879) The glossaries have the vulgar participles ''obsetus'' and ''obsitus''.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a blocked road.^(TLL)^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 230/220–168 BC – Caecilius uses the old form ''obsipio''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it figuratively of a blocked path to office.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of blocked roads and of barring the plebs.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 125–175 AD – Apuleius uses it of a storehouse shut with bolts.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|block]], [[m|en|obstruct]] (a road, a passage); ''(figurative)'' to bar.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # To enclose or shut off with a [[m|en|barrier]], seal up; to stop (the mouth).^(OLD 2012)

+ # To shut in, hem in; to shield with a barrier.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[inobsaeptus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}