multiformis Latin · revision 36510

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=81–43 BC, Cicero|origins=la multus, la fōrma}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [mʊɫ.tɪˈfoːr.mɪs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [mul.tiˈfɔr.mis]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''multifōrmis''' (neuter multifōrme); third-declension two-termination adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|multus|-fōrmis|t1=much, many|t2=having the form of]],^(Wiktionary) the second part being [[m|la|fōrma|t=shape, form]] with an adjectival ending.^(OLD 2012) De Vaan traces [[m|la|multus]] to [[itc-pro|*molto-]] and considers its further Indo-European etymology weak.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is first found in Cicero,^(Köbler 2010) who in the ''Academica'' describes qualities as varied and, as it were, many-shaped: “variae et quasi multiformes”.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the first century AD it was used of things that take many forms or vary greatly, such as an evil, the varied casting of rays or a garland of many flowers,^(OLD 2012) and of people of changeable character: Seneca says that we are many-shaped, now thrifty, now wasteful.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) Quintilian applies it to a wicked mind, and Fronto calls Ennius many-sided.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) With a plural noun it meant many and of various kinds: Columella has nuts of many sorts, Gellius learning of many kinds.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ Christian and medieval Latin kept the senses “manifold, various”;^(Stelten 1995) British writers used it of Proteus, of the many cells of a honeycomb and of varied sounds.^(DMLBS) English borrowed it about 1600 as [[m|en|multiform]], from French or from Latin.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero calls qualities “quasi multiformes” in the ''Academica''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca applies it to the changeable human character.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1st century AD – Columella uses it of nuts of many kinds.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 100–170 AD – Fronto calls Ennius many-sided.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 639–709 AD – Aldhelm uses it of the many-celled structure of a honeycomb.^(DMLBS)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1600 – English borrows it as ''multiform''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Having many forms, shapes or aspects; [[m|en|multiform]], varying greatly.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Of a person or character: changeable, [[m|en|fickle]]; versatile, many-sided.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # With a plural noun: many and [[m|en|diverse]], of many sorts, [[m|en|manifold]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[en|multiform]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}