mens Latin · revision 3857

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=Naevius|origins=ine-pro *mn-ti-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈmẽːs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈmɛns]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''mēns''' ''f'' (genitive mentis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*mn̥ti-]], [[inh|ine-pro|*mn-ti-|t=thought, mind]].^(de Vaan 2008) Wiktionary gives the PIE form as [[ine-pro|*méntis]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ Cognate with [[sa|मति|tr=matí|t=thought, mind]], [[lt|mintìs|t=thought]], [[cu|памѧть|tr=pamętĭ|t=memory]] and [[got|𐌲𐌰𐌼𐌹𐌽𐌸𐌹|tr=gaminþi|t=memory]],^(de Vaan 2008) and with English [[m|en|mind]].^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is found from Naevius onwards.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) In Plautus a man says he is turning great matters over in his mind.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was the seat of thought, the mind, also the divine mind that orders the universe, as in Cicero.^(OLD 2012) It was used of attention, of sanity and balance, and of emotions, and it meant a purpose or intention, a frame of mind, will, and self-possession, as in Cicero's man who lost heart at the news.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Isidore says the ''mens'' is so called because it stands out in the soul or because it remembers.^(Isidore) The Romance languages kept it, and it became the adverb ending -''mente'' of Italian, Spanish and Portuguese.^(Wiktionary)^(DÉRom) English ''mental'' comes from its Late Latin derivative ''mentālis''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of the mind.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the divine mind and of purpose.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+ * early 15th century – English ''mental'' comes from ''mentālis''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The [[m|en|mind]], the intellect.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The divine mind, the creative principle of the universe.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Attention, concentration.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Sanity, reason.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The heart, as the seat of feeling.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Purpose, [[m|en|intention]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Frame of mind, attitude; will.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Composure, resolution.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[āmēns]]

+ * [[dēmēns]]

+ * [[mentālis]]

+ * [[mentior]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[meminī]]

+ * [[moneō]]

+ * [[en|mind]]

+ * [[en|mental]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Isidore notes that the person is called the image of God according to the ''mens''.^(Isidore)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}