adversarius Latin · revision 3989

15 Oct 2026, 20:50 by bogdan “New Latin entry (sources: de Vaan, OLD, Lewis & Short, TLL...)” current version
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+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Ennius|origins=la advertō}}
+ 
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA (Classical): [ad.wɛrˈsaː.ri.ʊs]^(Wiktionary)
+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ad.verˈsaː.ri.us]^(Wiktionary)
+ 
+ ==Forms==
+ '''adversārius''' ''m'' (genitive adversāriī or adversārī); second declension^(Wiktionary)
+ 
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is [[af|la|adversus|-ārius|t1=turned towards, opposite]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) ''Adversus'' is the participle of [[adverto|alt=advertō]] “to turn towards”.^(Wiktionary) An inscription of about 123 BC has the spellings [[m|la|advorsārius]] and [[m|la|arvorsārius]].^(TLL)
+ 
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ Ennius, in a tragic fragment, speaks of standing bravely against adversaries, and Plautus uses it in the same sense.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Ennius 204–169 BC.^(Köbler 2010)
+ 
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ As a noun it meant a personal opponent, an enemy in war, the opposing party in a lawsuit, and an opponent of a policy.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein notes that it was the general word for any opponent, in war, politics or court, while ''hostis'' was the enemy in war.^(Döderlein 1874) As an adjective it meant hostile or harmful.^(OLD 2012) The neuter plural ''adversaria'' was a merchant's daybook, contrasted by Cicero with the permanent account books.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)
+ 
+ In Christian Latin ''adversarius'' became a name of the devil, the adversary of the human race, from Tertullian and Augustine on.^(TLL)^(Niermeyer 1976) English ''adversary'' came from Anglo-French and Old French or directly from Latin in the mid-14th century, at first especially of Satan.^(Etymonline)
+ 
+ ==Timeline==
+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of opponents.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a stronger adversary.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of the opposing party in a lawsuit.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * c. 160–220 AD – Tertullian uses it of the devil.^(TLL)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * mid-14th century – English ''adversary'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)
+ 
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Adjective===
+ # [[m|en|hostile]], opposed.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)
+ # ''(of things)'' Harmful, prejudicial; of the opposing party.^(OLD 2012)
+ 
+ ===Noun===
+ # An [[m|en|opponent]], [[m|en|antagonist]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)
+ # An enemy in war.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)
+ # ''(law)'' The opposing party.^(OLD 2012)
+ # An opponent of a cause or policy.^(OLD 2012)
+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' The [[m|en|devil]].^(TLL)^(Niermeyer 1976)
+ 
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[en|adversary]]
+ 
+ ==Usage notes==
+ ''Adversaria'' (neuter plural) was a merchant's daybook of rough entries, as opposed to the ''tabulae'' or ledger.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)
+ 
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}