laute Latin · revision 36956

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''lautē''' (comparative lautius, superlative lautissimē)^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|lautus|-ē|t1=elegant, sumptuous]].^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010) The adjective is one of the past participles of [[m|la|lavō|t=to wash, bathe]], beside [[m|la|lōtus]];^(de Vaan 2008) Georges gives the adverb's basic sense as cleanly, then figuratively.^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler finds it from Plautus on.^(Köbler 2010) In the ''Miles Gloriosus'' someone is said to speak ''lautē et minimē sordidē'', elegantly and not at all meanly.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It means elegantly or finely, and so well or thoroughly: Plautus has a speaker who wants to make a fine fool of a soldier, and in Terence it is an exclamation of approval beside ''facētē'' and ''lepidē''.^(Conte 2010)^(Georges 1913) Cicero says that something was done ''lautē'', well, in a letter to Atticus.^(Conte 2010)

+

+ It also means sumptuously or in grand style, as in Cicero's Verrines, and Nepos uses it of living lavishly.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)^(Georges 1913) Cicero also has the comparative of keeping up one's household more handsomely.^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of elegant speech and of fooling someone finely.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it as an exclamation of praise.^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of sumptuous lodging and of a thing well done.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 100–24 BC – Nepos uses it of living lavishly.^(Conte 2010)^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # [[m|en|elegantly|alt=Elegantly]], finely; well, thoroughly.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+ # [[m|en|sumptuously|alt=Sumptuously]], [[m|en|lavishly]], in grand style.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[lautitia]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}