denoto Latin · revision 36422

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈdeː.nɔ.toː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈdɛː.no.to]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''dēnotō''' (present infinitive dēnotāre, perfect active dēnotāvī, supine dēnotātum); first conjugation^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|dē-|notō|t2=to mark]].^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Etymonline) Wiktionary traces [[m|la|notō]] to [[m|la|nōscō|t=to know]],^(Wiktionary) but de Vaan holds that [[m|la|nota|t=mark]], from which the verb is derived, cannot come from the root of that verb, and leaves its origin open.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Its first instance is in Cicero's speech on the Manilian law, of someone who by one message and one letter marked out Roman citizens to be killed, though the TLL notes a variant reading there; otherwise it is found from Livy on.^(TLL)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The literal sense was to [[m|en|mark]] something: Pliny the Elder says the ancestors marked with chalk the feet of slaves brought for sale from overseas, and Seneca uses it of a painter laying on colours.^(TLL)^(OLD 2012) From marking it came to mean pointing out or indicating, in Seneca the Elder with a finger, and implying: Livy says the senate plainly meant the Icilii.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Conte 2010) Velleius and Tacitus use it of observing closely,^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) and Seneca and Suetonius of censuring or branding with reproach.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ Tertullian uses it often.^(TLL) In Christian Latin it could mean to condemn, as in the Vulgate's Ecclesiasticus, and to punish, in Augustine.^(Conte 2010)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Ecclesiastical Latin also has the sense to denote or specify.^(Stelten 1995) English took it over in the 1590s, through French ''dénoter'', as [[m|en|denote]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero's speech on the Manilian law may have the first instance.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of implying someone.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 20 BC–30 AD – Velleius uses it of observing.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it of laying on colours and of censure.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder uses it of marking slaves' feet with chalk.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 160–220 AD – Tertullian uses it often.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 390–406 AD – The Vulgate uses it of condemning.^(Conte 2010)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1590s – English borrows it through French as [[m|en|denote]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make a [[m|en|mark]] on, mark.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # To lay on (colours).^(OLD 2012)

+ # To point out, [[m|en|indicate]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # To mean, [[m|en|imply]], allude to.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+ # To mark down, [[m|en|observe]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # To [[m|en|censure]], disparage, brand with reproach.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(Late Latin)'' To [[m|en|condemn]]; to punish.^(Conte 2010)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' To [[m|en|denote]], specify.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[dēnotātiō]]

+ * [[denotatus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}