cornum Latin · revision 36371

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=inherited|attested=116–27 BC, Varro|origins=itc-pro *korno-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''cornum''' ''n'' (genitive cornī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*korno-|t=cornel cherry, cherry]], to which de Vaan traces it together with the tree name [[cornus]].^(de Vaan 2008) Wiktionary and the OLD treat it as the neuter fruit name beside that tree name.^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012) Cognate with [[grc|κράνον|tr=kránon|t=cornel cherry tree]] and [[m|grc|κράνεια|tr=kráneia]], and perhaps with [[lt|Kìrnis|t=divine protector of the cherry]], although that comparison is rather isolated.^(de Vaan 2008) De Vaan thinks the Greek and Latin words are probably loanwords from a third language; if [[m|grc|κέρασος|tr=kérasos|t=bird cherry]] is related too, the source was probably an eastern language, from which the cherry came into Europe.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates the neuter from Varro;^(de Vaan 2008) the earliest example the OLD gives is in Virgil's ''Aeneid'', where branches give a poor diet of berries and stony cornels.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is the fruit of the cornelian cherry, mentioned by Virgil, Horace, Ovid, Columella and Pliny the Elder;^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Horace speaks of wild cornels and Pliny of cultivated ones.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Ovid also uses it for a spear made of cornel wood, hurled with a heavy bronze point.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) A grammarian of the Probus collection points out that ''cornua'' (horns) and ''corna'', a kind of fruit, are different words.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro uses the neuter ''cornum''.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil mentions cornels as poor food.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 65–8 BC – Horace mentions wild cornels.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it of a spear of cornel wood.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder mentions cultivated cornels.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The fruit of the [[m|en|cornelian cherry]], a [[m|en|cornel]] berry.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(poetic)'' A [[m|en|spear]] of cornel wood.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[cornus]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A separate ''cornum'' is a variant of [[cornū]], “horn”,^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(TLL) which Wiktionary explains either from [[ine-pro|*ḱr̥h₂-nó-m]] or as a by-form of that noun.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}