obsecratio Latin · revision 36451

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=81–43 BC, Cicero|origins=ine-pro *sh2k-ro-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''obsecrātiō''' ''f'' (genitive obsecrātiōnis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+ The spelling ''opsecrātiō'' is also found.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|obsecrō|-tiō|t1=to beseech, implore]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(TLL) The verb is formed from [[m|la|ob-]] and [[m|la|sacrō|t=to consecrate]],^(Wiktionary) and de Vaan lists it among the derivatives of [[m|la|sacer|t=sacred]], which he traces to [[itc-pro|*sakro-]] and [[ine-pro|*sh2k-ro-|t=sacred]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates it from Cicero,^(Köbler 2010) whose ''De inventione'' lists among the commonplaces of an appeal for pity one made through entreaty, ''per obsecrātiōnem''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means a beseeching or imploring, an entreaty or supplication:^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Cicero also uses it in his speeches and letters, and Quintilian speaks of entreating the judges by all they hold dearest.^(OLD 2012) The TLL finds it in Cicero, Livy and Quintilian, but not in the poets.^(TLL) In religion it was a public act of prayer to the gods: Livy describes a supplication made by the people with the duumvirs leading the words, and Suetonius one held after a bird of ill omen was seen on the Capitol.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ The Vulgate uses it for prayer,^(Lewis & Short 1879) and Church Latin kept the senses prayer, entreaty and public prayer.^(Stelten 1995) British medieval writers, from Alcuin on, use it for entreaty and prayer, and also for a part of the Mass.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of entreaty as a commonplace of oratory.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of a public supplication of the gods.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 75–c. 150 AD – Suetonius uses it of a supplication after a bad omen.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 390–406 AD – The Vulgate uses it for prayer to God.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 794 – Alcuin uses it in a letter for humble entreaty.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A beseeching or imploring, [[m|en|entreaty]], [[m|en|supplication]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(religion)'' A public act of [[m|en|prayer]] to the gods.^(OLD 2012)

+ # An asseveration, protestation.^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' Prayer, public prayer.^(Stelten 1995)^(DMLBS)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A part of the [[m|en|Mass]].^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[obsecrō]]

+ * [[sacer]]

+ * [[cōnsecrātiō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}