acerra Latin · revision 36305

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 450 BC, Twelve Tables}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [aˈkɛr.ra]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [aˈt͡ʃɛr.ra]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''acerra''' ''f'' (genitive acerrae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is perhaps [[bor|ett|-]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) No related forms are known in the other Italic languages.^(de Vaan 2008) De Vaan finds a loan from Etruscan conceivable: no Etruscan vessel name that could be its source has been found, but Etruscan has names for containers ending in the adjective suffix ⟨-ra⟩, such as [[ett|capra|t=container]] and [[ett|malehvra|t=amphora]].^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler calls it an unexplained old word of the sacred language.^(Köbler 2010) Lewis and Short suggest, as a guess, a link with [[m|la|acer#1|t=maple]].^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is first found in the Twelve Tables, as quoted by Cicero, which forbade among other funeral luxuries long garlands and incense boxes: ''nē longae corōnae nec acerrae praetereantur''.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Classical Latin it is the small box for the [[m|en|incense]] burned in sacrifices and at funerals;^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913) Virgil, Horace, Ovid and Persius use it in scenes of offering.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913) Festus gives another meaning, an altar set before the dead on which perfumes were burned; the OLD treats this as doubtful.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(TLL)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it is the vessel for incense, the incense boat.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 450 BC – The Twelve Tables forbid incense boxes at funerals.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero quotes that law.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it in a scene of worship.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A small box or casket for [[m|en|incense]] used in sacrifices.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+ # An [[m|en|altar]] placed before the dead, on which perfumes were burned (only in Festus, perhaps an error).^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' An incense boat or other vessel for incense.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}