curculio Latin · revision 36298

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=reduplication|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [kʊrˈkʊ.li.oː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [kurˈkuː.li.o]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''curculiō''' ''m'' (genitive curculiōnis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+ The form ''gurguliō'' is also found, in Persius and as a variant in many manuscripts.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is uncertain.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan explains it as a noun formed by intensive [[m|en|reduplication]] of a syllable ⟨kur⟩, with the second /r/ dissimilated to /l/.^(de Vaan 2008) Walde and Hofmann connected [[m|la|curvus|t=curved]] and a root [[ine-pro|*ker-|t=to curve]], now abandoned, and it is not certain that the weevil was named as a “coiled” insect;^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler and Wiktionary still mention [[m|ine-pro|*(s)ker-|t=to bend, turn]].^(Köbler 2010)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan thinks it more likely that it is somehow related to [[m|la|gurguliō|t=gullet, throat]].^(de Vaan 2008) Wiktionary also allows a substrate origin.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is found from Plautus on,^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) who gave the name to a parasite, the title character of his ''Curculio''; in that play a character jokes that in wheat one would easily find five hundred ''curculiōnēs'' for the one he is looking for.^(TLL)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Classical Latin it is the corn [[m|en|weevil]], a pest of stored grain discussed by Cato, Varro, Columella and Pliny the Elder.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913) In Persius the form ''gurguliō'' is used for the [[m|en|penis]].^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913) Georges explains the parasite's name as “glutton”, from ''gurguliō'' “gullet”.^(Georges 1913)

+

+ British Medieval Latin used it for a weevil or worm and confused it with ''gurguliō''.^(DMLBS) It survives in [[it|gorgoglione]].^(Conte 2010)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus names a parasite Curculio and jokes about weevils in wheat.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato mentions the weevil in his book on farming.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Conte 2010)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 34–62 AD – Persius uses ''gurguliō'' for the penis.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A corn [[m|en|weevil]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(as gurguliō)'' The [[m|en|penis]].^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A weevil or worm.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[curculiunculus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[gurguliō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}