experiens Latin · revision 36598

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''experiēns''' (genitive experientis, comparative experientior, superlative experientissimus); third-declension adjective of one termination^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the present participle of [[m|la|experior|t=to try, put to the test]], used as an adjective.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010) Wiktionary derives that verb from [[m|la|ex-]] and [[m|la|pariō|t=to bring forth]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates it from Cicero,^(Köbler 2010) who in the Verrines calls a farmer most enterprising and most careful: ''experientissimus ac dīligentissimus arātor''.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Classical Latin it means enterprising, active, of a person who dares and does things:^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) Cicero also calls a man ready and enterprising, and Livy pairs it with ''ācer'', keen.^(Georges 1913)^(TLL) Ovid uses it of love as enterprising, the opposite of idleness, and with a genitive in the line ''inde genus dūrum sumus experiēnsque labōrum'', “so we are a hardy race, used to toil”.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ The TLL dates the comparative from Augustine and Isidore of Seville and the superlative from Cicero, and notes the adverb ''experienter''.^(TLL) In later Latin it took the sense experienced, skilled: Augustine says that someone came away more experienced and better instructed, and the Vulgate calls a man most experienced in matters of war.^(Georges 1913) The Latin panegyrics use the superlative of experienced generals.^(TLL)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of an enterprising farmer.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy pairs it with ''ācer'', keen.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it of love and, with a genitive, of a race used to toil.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 354–430 AD – Augustine uses the comparative in the sense “more experienced”.^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|enterprising|alt=Enterprising]], [[m|en|active]], energetic.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # With a genitive: inured to, used to (toil).^(Georges 1913)^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Late Latin)'' [[m|en|experienced|alt=Experienced]], skilled (in).^(Georges 1913)^(TLL)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}