promissum Latin · revision 4354

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=la prōmittō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [proːˈmɪs.sũː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [proˈmis.sum]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''prōmissum''' ''n'' (genitive prōmissī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the neuter of [[promissus|alt=prōmissus]], the participle of [[promitto|alt=prōmittō]] “to send forth, promise”, used as a noun.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Plautus, in the Amphitruo, has someone begged to keep a promise, and in the Pseudolus “be sure to remember your promise”.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was a promise or assurance, and sometimes the thing promised, as Terence's time to fulfil promises.^(OLD 2012) Cicero uses ''prōmissum facere'' and ''prōmissa servāre'' of keeping promises, Virgil ''prōmissīs manēre'', and Catullus ''prōmissa dare''.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Georges 1913) It was also a prediction given as certain, as Cicero's promises of the Chaldeans, and an assertion given as true, as Pliny's absurd claim of Democritus.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In medieval Latin it appears in charters.^(Köbler 2010) English ''promise'' is recorded around 1400, through Old French ''promesse''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of things promised.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the Chaldeans' predictions.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1400 – English ''promise'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|promise]], assurance; the thing promised.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # A prediction given as certain; an assertion given as true.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[promitto|alt=prōmittō]]

+ * [[en|promise]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}