impotenter Latin · revision 36029

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=59 BC–17 AD, Livy|origins=ine-pro *pót-i-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''impotenter''' (comparative impotentius, superlative impotentissimē)^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+ It is also spelled ''inpotenter''.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|impotēns|-ter|t1=powerless; unrestrained]].^(OLD 2012)^(Bianchi & Lelli 2014)^(Köbler 2010) The adjective is formed from [[m|la|potēns|t=powerful]], which de Vaan derives from the stative verb [[itc-pro|*pot-ē-|t=to be master]], built on [[ine-pro|*pót-i-|t=master, lord]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ That noun is continued in [[sa|पति|tr=páti-|t=lord, master]] and [[grc|πόσις|tr=pósis|t=husband]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler records it from Livy,^(Köbler 2010) who writes of elephants that, as the fighting and shouting grew, could less and less be controlled.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Conte 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sense “feebly, ineffectually” is rare;^(OLD 2012) the usual one is “without self-control”, intemperately or tyrannically.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) The ''Bellum Alexandrinum'' says that Ganymedes reigned tyrannically, and Livy writes of the Gauls ruling with less restraint.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010) Seneca uses the superlative of what someone did most unrestrainedly, and writes of those who use great power without control;^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) Quintilian says that a boy must be warned not to act intemperately.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+

+ In British Medieval Latin it means weakly.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of elephants out of control and of unrestrained rule.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it of the abuse of great power.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it of a boy's intemperate behaviour.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # [[m|en|feebly|alt=Feebly]], ineffectually.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # Without [[m|en|self-control]], intemperately; [[m|en|tyrannically]].^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[impotēns]]

+ * [[potēns]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}