oratiuncula Latin · revision 36387

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=81–43 BC, Cicero|origins=la ōrō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [oː.raː.tiˈʊŋ.kʊ.ɫa]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [o.rat.t͡siˈuŋ.ku.la]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''ōrātiuncula''' ''f'' (genitive ōrātiunculae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|ōrātiō|-unculus|t1=speech|t2=diminutive suffix]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) The noun comes from [[m|la|ōrō|t=to plead, speak]], which de Vaan takes as a verb formed on [[m|la|ōs#1|t=mouth]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It first appears in Cicero,^(Köbler 2010) who tells Atticus that he will send him his ''ōrātiunculae'', his “little speeches”.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The diminutive was used of any speech, often out of modesty and sometimes with contempt:^(TLL) Cicero calls a speech of Laelius a “little golden speech” and dismisses the slight speeches of Aelius,^(TLL)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Quintilian uses it of Cicero's speech for Milo,^(TLL) Tacitus says Calvus satisfies in hardly one or two short speeches, and Pliny the Younger of a short speech he means to publish.^(TLL)^(Conte 2010)

+

+ In Christian and medieval Latin it also meant a short [[m|en|prayer]].^(Stelten 1995)^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of his own speeches.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it of Cicero's speech for Milo.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 98–115 AD – Tacitus uses it of the speeches of Calvus.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A short [[m|en|speech]], a few remarks; a speech spoken of modestly or with contempt.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(TLL)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' A short prayer.^(Stelten 1995)^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}