epibata Latin · revision 35881

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 84–c. 25 BC, Vitruvius|origins=grc ἐπιβάτης}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''epibata''' ''m'' (genitive epibatae); first declension^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ Gaffiot also gives the Greek form ⟨epibatēs⟩, and an inscription has ⟨epibeta⟩.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(TLL)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|grc|ἐπιβάτης|tr=epibátēs|t=one who mounts; marine, passenger]],^(OLD 2012)^(Saalfeld 1874)^(Köbler 2010) from [[m|grc|ἐπιβαίνω|tr=epibaínō|t=to go upon, mount]], formed from [[m|grc|ἐπί|tr=epí|t=upon]] and [[m|grc|βαίνω|tr=baínō|t=to go]].^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ Isidore of Seville explains it as a Greek name for what Latin calls ⟨superveniēns⟩, one who comes on board.^(Isidore)^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The TLL finds it first in the ''Bellum Africum'', the ''Bellum Alexandrinum'' and Vitruvius,^(TLL) for a soldier serving on board ship, as opposed to the rowers.^(TLL)^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the ''Bellum Africum'' a fleet is manned with rowers and marines, and in the ''Bellum Alexandrinum'' two ships are stripped of all their marines;^(TLL) Lewis & Short note that the native Latin term was ''classiārius mīles''.^(Lewis & Short 1879) An inscription from Upper Moesia names a legionary who served as an ''epibeta''.^(TLL) Lewis & Short also cite Hyginus for the rider of a camel.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ Later it was used of anyone who boards a ship as a passenger, especially in Christian comparisons and allegories;^(TLL) Isidore describes the ''epibata'' as one who has no business on board but pays his fare to cross to other lands.^(Isidore) British medieval writers used it for a marine, a fighting man, a passenger and, in glossaries, a layman.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it of a marine.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 560–636 AD – Isidore of Seville describes the ''epibata'' as a passenger.^(Isidore)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A soldier serving on board ship, a [[m|en|marine]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # The rider of a [[m|en|camel]].^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(Late Latin)'' A [[m|en|passenger]] on a ship.^(TLL)^(Isidore)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A [[m|en|layman]].^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}