cunctator Latin · revision 36966

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=81–43 BC, letter of Caelius to Cicero|origins=ine-pro *ḱonk-(e)ie-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [kuːŋkˈtaː.tɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [kuŋkˈtaː.tor]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''cūnctātor''' ''m'' (genitive cūnctātōris); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|cūnctor|-tor|t1=to delay, hesitate]], an agent noun.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(TLL) De Vaan follows the standard view that the verb is a frequentative, or a derivative of a past participle, from [[itc-pro|*konkito-|t=hanging]], and traces it to [[ine-pro|*ḱonk-(e)ie-|t=to hang]]; the step from “be suspended” to “hesitate” he finds unremarkable.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ Cognate with [[hit|kank-|t=to hang, weigh]], [[ang|hōn|t=to hang]] and [[non|hengja|t=to hang, suspend]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The TLL's first example is a letter from Caelius in Cicero's correspondence, which contrasts how slow and ineffective Marcellus is with how much of a ''cunctātor'' Servius is.^(TLL)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It names someone who hesitates or delays, often in a bad sense: Livy speaks of a man turned ''cunctātor'' from the keenest of fighters.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It could also be a good quality, caution: Livy contrasts the quick and daring Athenians with the slow Spartans, and Tacitus pairs it with ''cautus''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(TLL)

+

+ As a surname it belonged to Quintus Fabius Maximus, the dictator.^(OLD 2012)^(Conte 2010) Conte explains it by his strategy in the Second Punic War, wearing down the Carthaginian army in Italy while avoiding open battle,^(Conte 2010) and Quintilian says that among his many virtues as a commander he was called ''Cunctātor''.^(TLL) Later writers such as Ammianus use it of cautious generals.^(TLL) English took it over in the 1650s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – A letter from Caelius among Cicero's letters calls Servius a ''cunctātor''.^(TLL)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of Fabius Maximus and of the Spartan people.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian names Fabius ''Cunctātor''.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 98–115 AD – Tacitus calls a general a ''cunctātor'' by nature.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 390 AD – Ammianus uses it of cautious leaders.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1650s – English borrows it as [[m|en|cunctator]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who [[m|en|hesitate|alt=hesitates]] or [[m|en|delay|alt=delays]], a lingerer.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # A cautious, careful person.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+ # ''(attributive)'' Inclined to delay.^(Georges 1913)

+ # ''Cunctātor'': the surname of Quintus Fabius Maximus, the dictator.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[cūnctātiō]]

+ * [[en|cunctator]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Lewis and Short note that Cicero does not use it, and think that Fabius kept the name as a title of honour after his master of horse had used it as a reproach.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Livy reports that the master of horse called him sluggish instead of cautious, ''prō cunctātōre segnem''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}