obvius Latin · revision 4315

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Ennius|origins=la via}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈɔb.wi.ʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈɔb.vi.us]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''obvius''' (feminine obvia, neuter obvium); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[m|la|ob-]] and [[via]] “way”, with the ending [[m|la|-us]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913) The TLL derives it from the adverb [[obviam]] “in the way, to meet”.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Ennius, in the Annals, writes of javelins blunted by meeting javelins, and Cato of an army sent against a leader.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Ennius 204–169 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant in the path, so as to meet, as Sallust's king's officers coming to meet, and Cicero says a man had no expectation of meeting him.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) It meant placed so as to confront an enemy, lying in the path as an obstacle, as Lucretius' atoms colliding, and moving against.^(OLD 2012) It meant presenting itself to the eyes or mind, as in Virgil, exposed to attack, and ready to hand, as Livy's weapons that chance had put in reach.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) Of words it meant commonplace, in Quintilian, and of people easy of access, as Pliny's friend open and full of kindness.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In medieval Latin it meant meeting, and ''obvium habēre'' was to meet.^(DMLBS) English ''obvious'' is recorded in the 1580s as “frequently met with”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of javelins meeting.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of an army sent to confront.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of what meets the eye.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1580s – English ''obvious'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # In the way, meeting, going to meet.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Confronting; standing in the way.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Presenting itself, [[m|en|obvious]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Exposed, open to attack.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Ready to hand; commonplace.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Of persons, affable, easy of access.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[obviam]]

+ * [[obviō]]

+ * [[en|obvious]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}