labor Latin · revision 4655

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=inherited|attested=Naevius}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈɫa.bɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈlaː.bor]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''labor''' ''m'' (genitive labōris); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+ The old nominative ''labōs'' is usual in Plautus and appears in Terence, Catullus and Sallust.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is uncertain.^(Wiktionary) It is often connected with [[labō]] “to totter”, through “sinking under a load”, “burden”, “labour”, but de Vaan finds this unconvincing.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Georges 1913) Wiktionary also mentions [[ine-pro|*leb-|t=to seize, take]], as in [[sa|लभते|tr=labhate|t=takes, gains]].^(Wiktionary) The Oxford Latin Dictionary compares the verb ''lābor'' “to slip”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Naevius uses it, and Plautus has the form ''labōs''.^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler dates Naevius c. 235–200 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Classical Latin it was work, toil or effort of mind or body, industry, a task, the product of work, as the labours of oxen in Virgil, and hardship or distress.^(OLD 2012) In astrology it was one of twelve divisions of the zodiac.^(OLD 2012) It also meant illness and the pains of childbirth.^(Wiktionary) Döderlein says it is toil that needs strength and tires, like [[grc|πόνος|tr=pónos]].^(Döderlein 1874)

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+ In medieval Latin it was field work and ploughing, and the earnings from work.^(Niermeyer 1976) It survives as [[it|lavoro]] and [[fr|labeur]].^(Wiktionary) English ''labour'' is recorded around 1300 as “a task”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses ''labōs''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil speaks of the labours of the oxen.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1300 – English ''labour'' is recorded, through Old French.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Work, [[m|en|labour]], [[m|en|toil]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Industry, application.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A task, undertaking.^(OLD 2012)

+ # The product of work.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Hardship, distress.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Illness; the pains of [[m|en|childbirth]].^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(astrology)'' One of twelve divisions of the [[m|en|zodiac]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Field work, ploughing; earnings.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[labōrō]]

+ * [[labōriōsus]]

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+ ==Related words==

+ * [[labō]]

+ * [[en|labour]]

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+ ==Usage notes==

+ A different word is the deponent verb ''lābor, lābī'', “to slip, glide, fall”.^(Wiktionary)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Döderlein contrasts ''labor'' with [[molestia]], trouble that dispirits.^(Döderlein 1874)

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+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}