porta Latin · revision 3854

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=inherited|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *pr-to-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈpɔr.ta]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈpɔr.ta]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''porta''' ''f'' (genitive portae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*portā-|t=gate, door]], probably the feminine of a PIE participle [[ine-pro|*pr-to-|t=passed, crossed]].^(de Vaan 2008) The verb [[porto|alt=portāre]] and [[portus|alt=portus]] “harbour” come from the same root, [[ine-pro|*per-|t=to bring through]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Cognate with [[osc|púrtam|t=gate]], and through ''portus'' with [[ae|pərətu-|t=crossing, bridge]] and [[ang|ford]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is found from Plautus onwards.^(de Vaan 2008) In Plautus a house is “the seventh from the gate”.^(OLD 2012) Köbler's first source is Ennius (204–169 BC).^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was the gate of a city or a camp, then any entrance or outlet, as the gap through which the winds rush out in Virgil.^(OLD 2012) Figuratively it meant a way or means.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ Isidore explained it as the place through which things are brought in and out.^(Isidore) In medieval monasteries it was the guest service, and also a mill-race.^(Niermeyer 1976) Romance languages kept it, as [[it|porta]] and [[es|puerta]].^(Wiktionary) English ''portal'' comes from its Medieval Latin derivative ''portāle''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a city gate.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of an opening for the winds.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 560–636 AD – Isidore explains its name.^(Isidore)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 14th century – English ''portal'' comes from Medieval Latin ''portāle''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|gate]], especially of a city or camp.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # An entrance, opening, outlet.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A way, means.^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' The guest service of a monastery; a mill-race.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[portārius]]

+ * [[portella]]

+ * [[porticula]]

+ * [[porticus]]

+ * [[portula]]

+ * [[portus]]

+ * [[portō]]

+ * [[portōrium]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[en|portal]]

+ * [[en|port]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Georges says ''porta'' is a gate on land, as opposed to ''portus'', a harbour.^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}