supremus Latin · revision 4242

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Twelve Tables|origins=la superus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [sʊˈpreː.mʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [suˈprɛː.mus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''suprēmus''' (superlative, feminine suprēma, neuter suprēmum, comparative superior, adverb suprēmē); first/second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the superlative of [[superus]] “upper”, formed with [[m|la|-ēmus]], as in [[extremus|alt=extrēmus]] and [[postremus|alt=postrēmus]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) Wiktionary takes it from earlier [[m|la|*suprezmo-]], from [[itc-pro|*superisemos]].^(Wiktionary) The other superlative of ''superus'' is [[summus]].^(Wiktionary)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The Twelve Tables set sunset as the last time, ''suprēma tempestās'', for legal business, and Köbler dates them about 450 BC.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010) Plautus uses it of supreme Jupiter.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant highest, topmost, as Virgil's tops of the mountains, and the farthest point, as Ennius' racehorse winning on the last lap.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) It meant last in time, the close of day, and the last of one's life: ''suprēmus diēs'' was the day of death, and the neuter plural ''suprēma'' were funeral rites.^(OLD 2012) It was used of a decisive battle, of Jupiter as most exalted, and of the greatest degree, as ''suprēmum supplicium'', the death penalty.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein notes that [[summus]] is the plain local word for uppermost.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In medieval Latin it meant highest in authority, and as a noun God the Most High.^(DMLBS) English ''supreme'' is recorded in the 1520s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 450 BC – The Twelve Tables use it of sunset.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of the last lap of a race.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1520s – English ''supreme'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Highest, topmost; the top of.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Farthest, endmost.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Last, final, ''(as noun)'' sunset.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Last in one's life, ''suprēmus diēs'' the day of death, ''suprēma'' funeral rites.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # Decisive, critical.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Most exalted, [[m|en|supreme]].^(OLD 2012)^(DMLBS)

+ # Greatest, extreme, ''suprēmum supplicium'' the death penalty.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[supremitas]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[superus]]

+ * [[summus]]

+ * [[en|supreme]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}