observans Latin · revision 36914

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''observāns''' (genitive observantis, comparative observantior, superlative observantissimus); third-declension adjective of one termination^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Used as an adjective, it is the present participle [[der|la|observō|t=to watch, observe]].^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010) That verb is a compound of [[m|la|ob-]] and [[m|la|servō|t=to watch over, keep]].^(OLD 2012) De Vaan reports Rix's view that the simple verb was made from an old noun [[itc-pro|*serwā-]] or [[m|itc-pro|*serwom|t=observation]], related to [[m|la|servus]], which goes back to [[ine-pro|*ser-u-o-|t=guardian]].^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[ae|haraiti|t=heeds, protects]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Cicero is its first author.^(Köbler 2010) In the ''Pro Quinctio'' he speaks of a relative who is attentive to the man addressed, ''hominem propinquum, tuī observantem'', and in a letter to his brother he promises that he will find someone grateful and attentive, ''grātum hominem observantemque''.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant attentive and respectful towards someone, often with a genitive, as in Cicero's letters (''observantissimum studiōsissimumque nostrī'') and in Pliny the Younger.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) It also meant scrupulous in carrying out one's duties: Pliny the Younger tells a correspondent that he is ''omnium officiōrum observantissimus'', and Gellius notes that ''religiōsus'' came to be used for someone chaste and observant.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010) Apuleius uses it of the stars keeping a very exact law in their courses.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ Church Latin also used it as a masculine noun, Observant.^(Stelten 1995) It survives in [[it|osservante]].^(Conte 2010)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of people attentive to others.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 125–175 AD – Apuleius uses it of the stars keeping their courses.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 165 AD – Gellius uses it to explain ''religiōsus''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|attentive|alt=Attentive]], respectful (towards someone), often with a genitive.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)^(Conte 2010)

+ # [[m|en|scrupulous|alt=Scrupulous]], [[m|en|observant]] in carrying out duties.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' An Observant.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[observō]]

+ * [[observantia]]

+ * [[servō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}