praepondero Latin · revision 36950

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=116–27 BC, Varro|origins=la pendō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [prae̯ˈpɔn.dɛ.roː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [preˈpɔn.de.ro]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''praeponderō''' (present infinitive praeponderāre, perfect active praeponderāvī, supine praeponderātum); first conjugation^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The OLD derives it [[af|la|prae-|pondus|t1=before|t2=weight]], with the verb ending ⟨-ō⟩.^(OLD 2012) The TLL also prefers this to a compound with [[m|la|ponderō|t=to weigh]], since the senses are hard to explain from that verb, and wonders whether it grew out of a phrase meaning “to lean under the weight”;^(TLL) Wiktionary takes it as that compound.^(Wiktionary) The noun is an o-grade formation from the root of [[m|la|pendō|t=to hang, weigh]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The TLL finds it from Varro and Cicero on.^(TLL) Varro uses it of something that inclines to neither side,^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) and Cicero writes of people who measure everything by profit and do not want it to be outweighed by honour (''neque ea volunt praeponderārī honestāte'').^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Conte 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Lewis and Short call the intransitive use post-Augustan.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Seneca uses it of the world tipping over if the balance of its parts were upset,^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010) and of an injury that outweighs a benefit;^(Lewis & Short 1879) Quintilian of a case that inclines to neither side,^(Lewis & Short 1879) Gellius of honour that prevails,^(Lewis & Short 1879) and Apuleius of a load sliding to one side.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Conte 2010) In the ''Ilias Latina'' Jupiter's scales sink with the disasters of the Greeks.^(OLD 2012) The TLL notes that it is mostly a prose word, frequent in Ambrose,^(TLL) who writes that good deeds outweigh sins.^(Conte 2010) The present forms far outnumber the others.^(TLL)

+

+ English took [[m|en|preponderate]] from its participle in the 1610s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro uses it of inclining to one side.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses the passive, of profit outweighed by honour.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it of the world tipping and of injuries outweighing benefits.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it of a case that inclines neither way.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 340–397 AD – Ambrose uses it of good deeds outweighing sins.^(Conte 2010)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1610s – English borrows ''preponderate''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To be heavier on one side, [[m|en|tip]], incline.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Conte 2010)

+ # ''(figurative)'' To incline (towards a decision), turn the scale.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # To have greater weight or influence, [[m|en|prevail]], [[m|en|preponderate]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Conte 2010)

+ # ''(transitive)'' To [[m|en|outweigh]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(absolute)'' To show [[m|en|partiality]].^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ponderō]]

+ * [[pondus]]

+ * [[pendō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}