opportunitas Latin · revision 4318

15 Oct 2026, 22:06 by bogdan “New Latin entry (sources: de Vaan, OLD, Lewis & Short, TLL...)” current version
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+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=la opportūnus}}
+ 
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA (Classical): [ɔp.pɔrˈtuː.nɪ.taːs]^(Wiktionary)
+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [op.porˈtuː.ni.tas]^(Wiktionary)
+ 
+ ==Forms==
+ '''opportūnitās''' ''f'' (genitive opportūnitātis); third declension^(Wiktionary)
+ 
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is [[af|la|opportunus|-tās|t1=fit, convenient]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(TLL) Etymonline derives [[m|la|opportūnus]] from the phrase [[m|la|ob portum veniēns|t=coming toward a port]], said of the wind, from [[m|la|ob]] and [[portus]] “harbour”.^(Etymonline) A variant spelling is [[m|la|oportūnitās]].^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)
+ 
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ Plautus, in the Epidicus, says “I see you both come at the best moment”.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)
+ 
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ It was the quality of serving one's needs, advantage, convenience, and especially a favourable position, as of a province or of places for camps in Caesar.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) It was also a favouring circumstance, and Cicero says friendship has so many advantages he can hardly tell them.^(OLD 2012) It meant the right timing of an event, then an opportunity or chance, as in Sallust, and the ability to seize chances, as in Caesar.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein distinguishes [[occasio|alt=occāsiō]], a chance to undertake something in general, from ''opportūnitās'', a chance with special convenience.^(Döderlein 1874)
+ 
+ In medieval Latin it kept the sense of convenience or suitability.^(DMLBS) English ''opportunity'' is recorded in the late 14th century as a fit time.^(Etymonline)
+ 
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of good timing.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero speaks of the advantages of friendship.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 86–34 BC – Sallust uses it of opportunities.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * late 14th century – English ''opportunity'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)
+ 
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Noun===
+ # Fitness, convenience; a favourable position.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)
+ # An advantage.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)
+ # Good timing; an [[m|en|opportunity]], chance.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)
+ # Readiness to seize chances.^(OLD 2012)
+ 
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[opportunus|alt=opportūnus]]
+ * [[en|opportunity]]
+ 
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}