fidelis Latin · revision 3871

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Naevius|origins=ine-pro *bʰeidʰ-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [fɪˈdeː.lɪs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [fiˈdɛː.lis]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''fidēlis''' (neuter fidēle, comparative fidēlior, superlative fidēlissimus, adverb fidēliter); third-declension two-termination adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|fidēs|-ēlis|t1=faith, trust]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(de Vaan 2008) ''Fidēs'' is [[m|itc-pro|*fiþ-ē-|t=trust]], from [[ine-pro|*bʰidʰ-eh₁-|t=faith]], from the root of [[fido|alt=fīdō]] “to trust”.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is found from Naevius onwards.^(de Vaan 2008) Plautus asks “do me this faithful service”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of persons it meant keeping faith, faithful, loyal, as Cicero's good parent or faithful guardian, and of actions done in good faith, as Cicero's brave and faithful help.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) It also meant trustworthy, reliable, as Plautus' “you can send no one more trustworthy”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ As a noun it meant a trusted follower, from Cicero onwards.^(Köbler 2010) In Christian Latin it meant believing, a believer, and in medieval Latin a vassal.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Köbler 2010) Romance kept it, as Spanish [[m|es|fiel]] and Italian [[m|it|fedele]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of loyal service and a trusty messenger.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of friends and as a noun.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|Faithful]], loyal, devoted.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Done in good faith, sincere.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # Trustworthy, reliable.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Christian Latin)'' Believing.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A trusted follower, confidant.^(Wiktionary)^(Köbler 2010)

+ # ''(Christian Latin)'' A believer, ''(Medieval Latin)'' a [[m|en|vassal]].^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[confidelis]]

+ * [[fidēlitās]]

+ * [[īnfidēlis]]

+ * [[perfidēlis]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[fides]]

+ * [[fidus]]

+ * [[en|fidelity]]

+ * [[en|infidel]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein says ''fidus'' names a natural quality, “trustworthy”, while ''fidelis'' names a moral one, “faithful”.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}