praevius Latin · revision 4780

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Cicero|origins=la via}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈprae̯.wi.ʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈprɛː.vi.us]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''praevius''' (feminine praevia, neuter praevium); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|prae-|via|t2=road, way]], with the adjective ending.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Cicero, in his translation of Aratus quoted by Nonius, calls a star the forerunner of the Dawn.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016) Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant going before, leading the way, and was mainly poetic: Ovid says Orpheus now walks ahead, and calls Aurora the forerunner of the light.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(OLD 2012) Statius uses it too, and Ambrose says modesty should go before speech.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ In medieval Latin it meant previous, former.^(Niermeyer 1976) British writers used it of what goes before or leads, and as a noun of a leader or guide, and of a herald.^(DMLBS) [[en|previous]] is recorded in the 1620s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it in his Aratus.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it of Orpheus and of Aurora.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 340–397 AD – Ambrose uses it of modesty preceding speech.^(Georges 1913)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1620s – English ''previous'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Going before, leading the way; acting as a [[m|en|harbinger]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' [[m|en|Previous]], former.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A leader, guide; a [[m|en|herald]].^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[via]]

+ * [[en|previous]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}