quaesitus Latin · revision 34755

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''quaesītus''' (feminine quaesīta, neuter quaesītum; comparative quaesītior, superlative quaesītissimus); first/second-declension adjective^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Used as an adjective, it is the past participle [[der|la|quaerō|t=to seek]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As an adjective it is first found in Cicero's ''Orator'', of a prose rhythm that is not deliberately sought,^(OLD 2012) and in Sallust's ''Histories'', of a most elaborate banquet.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its senses run from “sought out on purpose” to “carefully worked out”: Cicero uses it of contrived effects in style, Tacitus of studied harshness or affability, and of a death that may have been deliberate.^(OLD 2012) Virgil speaks of elaborate arts that do harm, and Tacitus of the most refined punishments inflicted on those whom the people called Christians.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it means select, uncommon or extraordinary.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of contrived rhythm in prose.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 86–34 BC – Sallust describes a most elaborate banquet.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil speaks of elaborate arts that do harm.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 98–115 AD – Tacitus uses it of deliberate death and refined punishments.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Deliberately contrived, [[m|en|studied]], [[m|en|premeditated]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|intentional|alt=Intentional]], deliberate.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Carefully worked out, [[m|en|elaborate]], [[m|en|recherché]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' Select, uncommon, extraordinary.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A rare fourth-declension noun ''quaesītus'', found only in the ablative, means “seeking” or “investigation”;^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913) Lewis & Short cite it in Pliny the Elder, where some read ''quae situs'', and in Macrobius.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913) Niermeyer treats the medieval noun under [[quaestus]].^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}