duellum Latin · revision 4548

+ {{infobox|confidence=disputed|formation=inherited|attested=Plautus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [duˈɛl.lũː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [duˈɛl.lum]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''duellum''' ''n'' (genitive duellī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the Old Latin form of [[bellum]] “war”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Georges 1913)^(Etymonline) De Vaan notes that it is two syllables in Plautus but three in later poets, perhaps through a popular link with [[duo]] “two”, and finds the best etymology so far Pinault's: a diminutive [[m|la|*duenelo-]] of [[bonus]], first “quite brave”, used euphemistically of deeds of valour and so of war.^(de Vaan 2008) Georges compares [[grc|δήιος|tr=dḗios|t=hostile]].^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Plautus uses it in the phrase ''domī duellīque'' “at home and in war”.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Georges 1913) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant war, and after Plautus survived in poetry, as in Horace, and in old legal formulas quoted by Cicero and Livy.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Georges 1913)^(Wiktionary) Varro discusses it in On the Latin Language.^(Georges 1913) Derivatives such as [[perduellis]] “public enemy” kept the old form.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ In medieval Latin it took the meaning of a combat between two persons, a duel, and especially a judicial combat.^(Wiktionary)^(MLW) Etymonline attributes this to a fancied link with ''duo''.^(Etymonline) It also named the right to exact fines for judicial combats promised but not fought.^(Niermeyer 1976) British writers used it of conflict and figuratively of a game of chess.^(DMLBS) [[en|duel]] is recorded in the late 15th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses ''domī duellīque''.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 65–8 BC – Horace uses it of war.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 13th century – The Latin form is used in England of single combat.^(Etymonline)

+ * late 15th century – English ''duel'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(Old Latin, poetic)'' War.^(Wiktionary)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A [[m|en|duel]], single combat; a judicial combat.^(Wiktionary)^(MLW)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A conflict; a game of [[m|en|chess]].^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[duellātor]]

+ * [[duellis]]

+ * [[duellō]]

+ * [[perduellis]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[bellum]]

+ * [[en|duel]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}