vegetus Latin · revision 34761

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=116–27 BC, Varro|origins=la vegeō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈwɛ.ɡɛ.tʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈvɛː.d͡ʒe.tus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''vegetus''' (feminine vegeta, neuter vegetum); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[der|la|vegeō|t=to be active, rouse]].^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan points out that a short ⟨e⟩ in this position is unexpected in Latin, so the second vowel is at most due to assimilation to the first, from an older ⟨*vegitus⟩.^(de Vaan 2008) The verb is related to [[sa|वाजयति|tr=vājáyati|t=impels]] and [[goh|wahhēn|t=to be awake]]; de Vaan notes that it died out after the Republic, Lucretius being the last author to use it.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Varro,^(de Vaan 2008) who uses it in an etymology of [[vitulus]] “calf”: the word is from Greek, or because most calves are lively, ''vegeti''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Classical Latin it means vigorous and active, of people, animals and bodily movements such as the pulse, and of a lively rhythm.^(OLD 2012) Cicero applies it to the mind, which in sleep can show itself alert for dreaming, and Seneca the Elder to lively expression.^(OLD 2012) Pliny the Elder uses it of a vivid colour.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Döderlein distinguishes it from [[vigeō|alt=vigēns]], fresh and strong in body and mind, and [[vīvidus]], full of life and energy: ''vegetus'' is alert and animated in mind.^(Döderlein 1874) In Ecclesiastical Latin it keeps the sense of strong, brisk and active.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro uses it of lively calves.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero applies it to the mind in sleep.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy contrasts tired soldiers with fresh and vigorous ones.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|vigorous|alt=Vigorous]], active, [[m|en|lively]]; of movement or rhythm, brisk.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Invigorating.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Of the mind or of expression, alert, lively, vivid.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Of colour, [[m|en|vivid]].^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[vegeō]]

+ * [[vigeō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}