laxamentum Latin · revision 35920

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=234–149 BC, Cato|origins=ine-pro *slǵ-so-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ɫak.saːˈmɛn.tũː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [lak.saˈmɛn.tum]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''laxāmentum''' ''n'' (genitive laxāmentī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|laxō|-mentum|t1=to widen, relax]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Bianchi & Lelli 2014) De Vaan lists ⟨laxāre⟩ among the derivatives of [[m|la|laxus|t=wide, loose]], which goes back to [[itc-pro|*(s)lakso-]] and [[ine-pro|*slǵ-so-|t=weak, faint]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is found first in Cato's ''De agri cultura'',^(Köbler 2010)^(TLL) of free space: ''digitum pollicem laxamenti facito'', “leave a thumb's breadth of room”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Besides free space or room, as in Vitruvius and in Seneca's wind that makes room for itself,^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913) it meant free time, a pause or respite: Trebonius, in a letter among Cicero's, writes that he got a little leisure during his voyage, and Livy has a respite from the war with the Samnites.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010) It was also a relaxation of strictness, latitude or indulgence: Cicero says that no latitude was granted even to the law by a tribune, and Livy has the complaint that the laws allow ''nihil laxamenti'', no indulgence.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Conte 2010) Macrobius uses it of the purging of the bowels.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ British medieval writers use it for the release of tension, as Aelred does of the mind, and for a release or discharge from an obligation.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of free space.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of latitude allowed to the law.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of a respite from war and of indulgence.^(Conte 2010)^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1st half of the 5th century AD – Macrobius uses it of purging.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Free [[m|en|space]], room.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Free time, [[m|en|leisure]], intermission, [[m|en|respite]].^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+ # Relaxation of restrictions, latitude, scope, [[m|en|indulgence]].^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # A purging (of the bowels).^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Release of tension; release or discharge from an obligation.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[laxē]]

+ * [[laxitās]]

+ * [[laxō]]

+ * [[laxus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}