calx Latin · revision 4693

+ {{infobox|confidence=disputed|formation=borrowing|attested=Cato|origins=grc χάλιξ}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈkaɫks]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈkalks]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''calx''' ''f'' (genitive calcis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+ Varro has a nominative ''cals'', and Plautus and Cato use it as masculine.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably [[bor|grc|χάλιξ|tr=khálix|t=small stone, gravel]], or both words were borrowed independently from another Mediterranean language.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) The verb [[m|la|calicāre]] “to coat with lime” keeps the Greek stem, while ''calx'' shows an unexpected syncope.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Cato uses it of lime for building.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Cato 234–149 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was lime and limestone, as in Cato's mortar of small stones and sanded lime.^(OLD 2012) It was also a small stone used as a counter in board games, in Plautus and Lucilius.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) It also meant the finishing line of a race.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ In medieval Latin it was burnt or slaked lime.^(MLW) It survives as [[it|calce]] and [[fr|chaux]].^(Wiktionary) Its diminutive [[calculus]] “pebble” gave English ''calculate'' and ''calculus'', and Old English borrowed it as ''cealc'' “chalk”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of lime.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1560s – English ''calculate'' is recorded, from ''calculāre'', from ''calculus''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|Lime]], [[m|en|limestone]]; [[m|en|chalk]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A small stone used in games.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # The finishing line (of a race).^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[calcārius]]

+ * [[calcium]]

+ * [[calculus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[calculātiō]]

+ * [[calculātor]]

+ * [[en|chalk]]

+ * [[en|calculate]]

+ * [[en|calculus]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A different word, ''calx'' “heel”, of uncertain origin, gave [[calcar]] “spur”, [[calceus]] “shoe” and [[calcō]] “to tread”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) Döderlein counts ''calx'' among the smaller pieces of stone.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}