placeo Latin · revision 4757

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=inherited|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *pl(e)h₂k-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈpɫa.ke.oː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈplaː.t͡ʃe.o]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''placeō''' (present infinitive placēre, perfect active placuī or placitus sum, supine placitum); second conjugation, optionally semi-deponent^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*plak-ē-]], [[inh|ine-pro|*pl(e)h₂/₃k-|t=to agree, be pleasant]], a stative verb beside [[plācō]] “to appease”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Georges 1913) Its only close cognates are [[txb|plāki|t=agreement, permission]] and Tocharian [[m|xto|plāk-|t=to agree]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) If the root was [[ine-pro|*plh₂k-]], it might be the same as the root of [[grc|πλήσσω|tr=plḗssō|t=to strike]].^(de Vaan 2008) The Thesaurus reports a view that it first meant “to be flat, smooth”.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Plautus uses it.^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Classical Latin it was to please, be liked or approved, usually with a dative.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) ''Sibi placēre'' was to be pleased with oneself, and it was used of performers who won the audience's favour.^(OLD 2012) Impersonally ''placet'' meant “it is agreed, it seems good”, and as a reply it meant “agreed!”, ''sī dīs placet'' was “God willing”, often ironic.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ The Vulgate's ''placēbō Dominō'' “I shall please the Lord” named the Vespers of the Office of the Dead, and so gave English ''placebo''.^(Etymonline) It survives as [[it|piacere]], [[fr|plaire]] and [[ro|plăcea]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * early 13th century – ''Placēbō'' names the Vespers of the Office of the Dead in English use.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1300 – English ''please'' is recorded, from Old French ''plaisir''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|please]], be pleasing or acceptable (to).^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''Sibi placēre'', to be pleased with oneself, [[m|en|complacent]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Of performers, to win applause.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To be popular, come into favour.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Impersonally ''placet'', it seems good, it is resolved; as a reply, agreed!^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''Sī dīs placet'', God willing; often ironic.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[complaceō]]

+ * [[displiceō]]

+ * [[perplaceō]]

+ * [[placentia]]

+ * [[placibilis]]

+ * [[placidus]]

+ * [[placitō]]

+ * [[placitum]]

+ * [[plācō]]

+ * [[benēplaceō]]

+ * [[placitus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[en|please]]

+ * [[en|placebo]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}