actor Latin · revision 4461

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈaːk.tɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈak.tor]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''āctor''' ''m'' (genitive āctōris, feminine āctrīx); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is an agent noun, [[af|la|āctus|-tor]], the participle of [[ago|alt=agō]] “to drive, do”.^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Plautus uses it of a doer: in the Bacchides a slave says it is not the deed but the doer that wounds his heart.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its literal sense was one who drives, a herdsman or drover, as in Ovid's ''pecoris āctor''.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) In general use it was a doer or agent, and Cicero calls Cato the leader, adviser and doer of the events.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(OLD 2012) In law it was the pleader of a case, especially the prosecutor or plaintiff.^(OLD 2012) On the stage it was a player, already in Terence and Cicero.^(OLD 2012) Columella and Pliny the Younger use it of a steward or bailiff of an estate, and Tacitus of imperial agents.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein notes that ''āctor'' is the respectable term for a player, while [[ludio|alt=lūdiō]] is the professional comedian.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In medieval Latin it was an attorney, trustee or agent, notably the steward of a church's property.^(Niermeyer 1976) British writers used it of an agent and of the author of a book, by confusion with [[auctor]].^(DMLBS) English ''actor'' is recorded in the late 14th century as an overseer or steward.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

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

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of doers and of players.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1st century AD – Columella uses it of a farm steward.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 14th century – English ''actor'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A herdsman, drover.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # A doer, performer, agent.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(law)'' A pleader, [[m|en|advocate]]; the [[m|en|prosecutor]] or [[m|en|plaintiff]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A player, [[m|en|actor]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A steward, bailiff; an imperial agent.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' An attorney, trustee; the agent of a church.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[āctiō]]

+ * [[āctrīx]]

+ * [[āctus]]

+ * [[agitō]]

+ * [[en|actor]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}