insignio Latin · revision 36848

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=c. 250–184 BC, Plautus|origins=la īnsignis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ĩːˈsɪŋ.ni.oː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [inˈsiɲ.ɲi.o]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''īnsigniō''' (present infinitive īnsignīre, perfect active īnsignīvī or īnsigniī, supine īnsignītum); fourth conjugation^(Wiktionary)

+ An imperfect ''īnsignībat'' occurs in Virgil and Statius.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[der|la|īnsignis|t=distinguished by a mark]], with the verbal suffix ⟨-iō⟩.^(Wiktionary)^(Georges 1913)^(Gaffiot 2016) The OLD instead takes it to be, apparently, a back-formation from the participle [[m|la|īnsignītus]].^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The earliest example is a fragment of Plautus quoted by Festus, in which children are ''īnsignītī'', marked with some bodily defect.^(Georges 1913)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Lewis & Short call it mostly post-Augustan.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Virgil uses it of a shield emblazoned in gold with Io, and of fields marked out with trophies;^(OLD 2012) Cicero has the participle of marks of truth stamped on immortal souls.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010) Pliny the Elder has the neuter plural participle as a noun for weals and bruises,^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) and Seneca and Tacitus use the verb of making oneself conspicuous.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) In Tacitus' ''Dialogus'' style is decked out in showy, meretricious clothes.^(Conte 2010)

+

+ Medieval Latin used it of marking or identifying something, of naming and designating, of stamping a coin and of sealing or signing a document.^(MLW) Ecclesiastical Latin added the senses to adorn, honour and endow.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses the participle of children marked with a defect.^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of a shield and of fields marked with trophies.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder uses the participle for bruises.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it of making oneself conspicuous.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|mark]] with a distinguishing feature or emblem.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # To [[m|en|impress]] or stamp (a mark).^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+ # To mark with weals or bruises;^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) ''(neuter plural participle as noun)'' bruises.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # To [[m|en|adorn]] with marks of honour.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To make noteworthy, [[m|en|distinguish]];^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) ''(passive)'' to make oneself conspicuous.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' To name, designate; to seal or sign (a document).^(MLW)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[īnsignītor]]

+ * [[īnsignītus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[īnsignis]]

+ * [[signum]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}