linum Latin · revision 4725

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈliː.nũː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈliː.num]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''līnum''' ''n'' (genitive līnī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*līno-]], perhaps from a Proto-Indo-European word, but the Oxford Latin Dictionary calls its ultimate origin uncertain.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012) It is related to [[grc|λίνον|tr=línon|t=flax, linen]], [[lt|lìnas|t=flax]] and [[cu|льнъ|tr=lĭnŭ|t=flax]], but these have a short /i/, which is hard to reconcile with the Latin long vowel.^(de Vaan 2008)^(TLL)^(Wiktionary) The Thesaurus thinks the Celtic and Germanic words, such as [[got|𐌻𐌴𐌹𐌽|tr=lein|t=linen]], may be borrowed from Latin.^(TLL)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

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

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Classical Latin it was the flax plant and linseed, as in Cato and Virgil, thread or cord, a fishing line or net, and linen cloth or a linen garment.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) Wiktionary adds the wick of a lamp and a sail.^(Wiktionary) Cicero describes a net of the finest flax.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ In medieval Latin it was a rope and a net, and British writers used it of flax, linseed and linseed oil.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(DMLBS) It survives as [[it|lino]], [[fr|lin]], [[es|lino]] and [[pt|linho]].^(Wiktionary) Its derivative [[līnea]] gave English ''line'', and the inventor of ''linoleum'' coined that word from ''līnum'' and [[oleum]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato speaks of sowing flax.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1860 – Frederick Walton coins English ''linoleum'' from ''līnum'' and ''oleum''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|Flax]], ''sēmen līnī'', [[m|en|linseed]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Thread, string, cord; a fishing line.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # A [[m|en|net]] for hunting or fishing.^(Wiktionary)^(Niermeyer 1976)

+ # [[m|en|Linen]]; a linen garment.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The wick of a lamp; a sail.^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Linseed oil.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[līnāmentum]]

+ * [[līnārius]]

+ * [[līneus]]

+ * [[līnifer]]

+ * [[linificus]]

+ * [[līniger]]

+ * [[linteus]]

+ * [[līnea]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[līneālis]]

+ * [[līneāmentum]]

+ * [[līneāris]]

+ * [[līneārius]]

+ * [[līneātiō]]

+ * [[līneō]]

+ * [[līneola]]

+ * [[linteāmen]]

+ * [[linteārius]]

+ * [[linteātus]]

+ * [[en|linen]]

+ * [[en|line]]

+ * [[en|linoleum]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}