servus Latin · revision 4652

+ {{infobox|confidence=disputed|formation=inherited|attested=Twelve Tables, Livius Andronicus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈsɛr.wʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈsɛr.vus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''servus''' ''m'' (genitive servī, feminine serva); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+ The Old Latin form is ''servos''.^(Wiktionary)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*serwo-|t=shepherd, guardian]], [[inh|ine-pro|*ser-u-o-|t=guardian]], possibly from the root [[ine-pro|*ser-|t=to watch over, protect]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) Rix argued that “guardian, shepherd” turned into “slave” in Italy between 700 and 450 BC, and that [[serviō]] is derived from it.^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[ae|haraⁱti|t=heeds, protects]].^(Wiktionary) The Oxford Latin Dictionary calls the origin doubtful, perhaps Etruscan.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It appears in the Twelve Tables and in Livius Andronicus.^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler dates the Twelve Tables c. 450 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Classical Latin it was a slave, opposed to [[līber]] “free”, in Plautus, Terence and Cicero, who also calls a man a slave of his desires.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Georges 1913) As an adjective it meant servile, of a subject people, and in law of land or buildings subject to a servitude.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In medieval Latin it was a servant of any status, and ''servus Deī'' was used of bishops and priests.^(Niermeyer 1976) Proto-Romance ''*/ˈsɛrβ-u/'' “unfree person” is continued in most Romance languages.^(DÉRom) It survives as [[it|servo]], [[fr|serf]], [[es|siervo]] and [[ro|șerb]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 450 BC – The Twelve Tables use it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+ * late 15th century – English ''serf'' is recorded, from Old French ''serf''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|slave]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # A [[m|en|servant]]; a [[m|en|serf]].^(Wiktionary)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Figuratively, a slave (of passions).^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' ''Servus Deī'', servant of God, of bishops and priests.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Slave, servile.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Of peoples, subject.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(law)'' Of land or buildings, subject to a [[m|en|servitude]].^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[servīlis]]

+ * [[serviō]]

+ * [[servitūdō]]

+ * [[servitūs]]

+ * [[servō]]

+ * [[servulus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ancula]]

+ * [[anculus]]

+ * [[serva]]

+ * [[en|serf]]

+ * [[en|serve]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Justinian's Institutes say that slaves were called ''servī'' because commanders sold captives and so kept (''servāre'') them alive.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Döderlein contrasts ''servus'' with [[famulus]] and [[mancipium]], all unfree, and [[minister]], who is free.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}