bellum Latin · revision 4697

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''bellum''' ''n'' (genitive bellī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It continues the older form [[duellum]], still used by Plautus and in old formulas.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913) In Plautus [[m|la|duellum]] has two syllables, and later poets make it three, perhaps by association with [[duo]].^(de Vaan 2008) De Vaan thinks the best explanation is Pinault's, a diminutive of [[bonus]], first “quite brave”, used of brave deeds and so of war.^(de Vaan 2008) The Oxford Latin Dictionary compares [[grc|δάιος|tr=dáïos|t=hostile]].^(OLD 2012) Lewis & Short followed the ancient view linking it with “two”, two sides fighting.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Naevius uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Naevius c. 235–200 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was war or warfare, a particular war, a battle or fight, and war of a kind, as ''bellum cīvīle'' “civil war”.^(OLD 2012) Virgil personifies War at the gate of the underworld.^(OLD 2012) It was also used of struggles between animals and of hunting.^(OLD 2012) ''Bellī'' “in war” was paired with ''domī'' “at home”, as in Cicero.^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ In medieval Latin it was also military service, an army, and a judicial combat.^(MLW)^(Niermeyer 1976) English ''bellicose'', ''belligerent'' and ''rebel'' come from its derivatives.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it of war.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius says night broke off the fighting.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1300 – English ''rebel'' is recorded, from [[rebellis]].^(Etymonline)

+ * early 15th century – English ''bellicose'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|War]], warfare.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # A particular war.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A battle, fighting.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''Bellum cīvīle'', civil war.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''Bellum'', War personified.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A struggle (with animals); hunting.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' An army; a judicial combat.^(MLW)^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[bellicrepus]]

+ * [[bellicus]]

+ * [[bellifer]]

+ * [[belliger]]

+ * [[bellipotēns]]

+ * [[bellisonus]]

+ * [[bellōsus]]

+ * [[rebellis]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[bonus]]

+ * [[duellum]]

+ * [[en|bellicose]]

+ * [[en|belligerent]]

+ * [[en|rebel]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Isidore says that war was earlier called ''duellum'' because there are two sides fighting.^(Isidore)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}