venuste Latin · revision 36689

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=190–159 BC, Terence|origins=la venustus}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''venustē''' (comparative venustius, superlative venustissimē)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|venustus|-ē|t1=charming, attractive]], the adverb of the adjective.^(OLD 2012)^(Bianchi & Lelli 2014)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Conte's earliest reference is Terence's ''Eunuch'',^(Conte 2010) where it means “charmingly, pleasantly”.^(Conte 2010)^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Classical Latin it praised grace in art and speech:^(Georges 1913)^(Gaffiot 2016) Cicero describes a statue of a she-goat as ''scītē facta et venustē'', skilfully and charmingly made;^(Conte 2010)^(Gaffiot 2016) Caelius, writing to Cicero, praises a reply made ''venustissimē'';^(Georges 1913)^(Gaffiot 2016) Quintilian uses it of witty speaking and invention,^(Georges 1913)^(Gaffiot 2016) and Pliny the Younger of mimiambi written gracefully.^(Georges 1913)

+

+ Ecclesiastical and medieval writers kept the sense: Stelten glosses it “beautifully, gracefully”,^(Stelten 1995) and British authors such as Peter of Blois and Walter Map used it of pleasing looks, dress and style.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it in the ''Eunuch''.^(Conte 2010)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero praises a statue made ''venustē''.^(Conte 2010)^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it of graceful wit.^(Georges 1913)^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # [[m|en|charmingly|alt=Charmingly]], [[m|en|gracefully]], [[m|en|elegantly]].^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Conte 2010)

+ # ''(of speech)'' Wittily, neatly.^(Georges 1913)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}