quaestiuncula Latin · revision 34721

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''quaestiuncula''' ''f'' (genitive quaestiunculae); first declension^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|quaestiō|-culus|t1=inquiry, question]],^(OLD 2012) a diminutive.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913) [[m|la|quaestiō]] is derived from [[m|la|quaerō|t=to seek, ask]],^(de Vaan 2008) whose further origin is uncertain; de Vaan prefers Nussbaum's link with [[ine-pro|*kʷeh₂-i-|t=to acquire]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is first found in Cicero,^(Köbler 2010) who writes of putting a little question to someone (''quaestiunculam ponere'') in the ''De oratore''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Cicero also has many little questions in the ''De legibus''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016) Seneca uses it in his letters, Quintilian of boys setting one another little questions of every kind, and Suetonius of minute questions.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ In medieval Latin it meant a query or problem, often philosophical or theological.^(DMLBS) Alcuin complains that little questions settle in his ears like insects flying in at summer windows.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a little question.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it in his letters.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it of questions boys set each other.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 798 – Alcuin compares little questions to insects at the window.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A small [[m|en|problem]], [[m|en|puzzle]]; a trifling question.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A query or dilemma, often philosophical or theological.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[quaestiō]]

+ * [[quaerō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}