altercor Latin · revision 36449

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=220–130 BC, Pacuvius|origins=ine-pro *h2el-tero-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [aɫˈtɛr.kɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [alˈtɛr.kor]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''altercor''' (present infinitive altercārī, perfect active altercātus sum); first conjugation, deponent^(Wiktionary)

+ An active ''altercō'' is found in Pacuvius, Terence and Apuleius.^(TLL)^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[der|la|alter|t=the other (of two)]];^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline) Wiktionary analyses it as that word with the verbal suffix [[m|la|-icō]].^(Wiktionary) The TLL thinks it more likely to come from [[m|la|alternus|t=alternate]], through an assumed [[m|la|*alternicō]].^(TLL) De Vaan lists it among the derivatives of [[m|la|alius|t=other]], and traces the base of the verb to [[itc-pro|*al-tero-]] and [[ine-pro|*h2el-tero-|t=the other (of two)]].^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[osc|alttram|t=other]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Pacuvius has someone ask why she has quarrelled with me here, ''cur illa hīc mēcum altercāta est?''^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(OLD 2012) De Vaan dates it from Terence,^(de Vaan 2008) who has ''cum patre altercāstī dūdum'', “you quarrelled with your father just now”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means to dispute, especially angrily, to argue or wrangle, with ''cum'', ''inter sē'' or the dative:^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Caesar has Labienus begin to wrangle with Vatinius, and Livy whole peoples disputing among themselves, and a maxim of Publilius Syrus says that in too much quarrelling the truth is lost.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In the law courts it was the exchange of questions and answers with an opponent: Cicero says of one orator that in this exchange he had no equal, and Quintilian that men earned the name of advocates by their skill in it.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Apuleius uses it more loosely, for exchanging talk.^(OLD 2012) English [[m|en|altercate]] (1520s) is from its past participle, or a back-formation from [[m|en|altercation]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 220–130 BC – Pacuvius uses the active form of a quarrel.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of quarrelling with a father.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of exchanges with an opponent in court.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it of Labienus wrangling with Vatinius.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 125–175 AD – Apuleius uses it for exchanging conversation.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1520s – English [[m|en|altercate]] is formed from it.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|dispute]], especially angrily; to argue, [[m|en|wrangle]], [[m|en|quarrel]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(law)'' To exchange questions and answers with an opponent in court.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # To exchange conversation, converse.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[altercābilis]]

+ * [[altercātiō]]

+ * [[altercātor]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[alter]]

+ * [[alternus]]

+ * [[en|altercate]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}