macula Latin · revision 4848

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈma.kʊ.ɫa], [ˈma.kʊ.ɫaː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈmaː.ku.la], [ˈmaː.ku.la]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''macula''' ''f'' (genitive maculae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It may be [[inh|itc-pro|*smatlo-]], [[inh|ine-pro|*smh₁-tlo-|t=wiping]], related to [[grc|σμάω|tr=smáō|t=to wipe clean]], a stain being a “smear”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(TLL) The Oxford Latin Dictionary calls it doubtful, and the Thesaurus unknown.^(OLD 2012)^(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 a stain or spot, a blemish on the skin, and any mark or speck of colour, as the white spots of an ox in Virgil.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It was the mesh of a net, in Varro and Columella, and figuratively a mark of disgrace, as Terence's stain that must be avoided.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ In medieval Latin it was the link of a chain and the ring of a coat of mail.^(Niermeyer 1976) It survives as [[it|macchia]], [[fr|maille]], [[es|mancha]] and [[es|malla]].^(Wiktionary) Through Old French ''maille'' “mesh” it gave English ''mail'' “armour”, and ''immaculate'' comes from [[immaculātus]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro uses it of the meshes of a net.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1300 – English ''mail'' “armour” is recorded, from Old French ''maille''.^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-15th century – English ''immaculate'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|stain]], [[m|en|spot]], speck.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # A [[m|en|blemish]] (on the skin).^(OLD 2012)

+ # A mark, spot of colour.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The mesh of a net.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # A mark of disgrace, stigma.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A link (of a chain); [[m|en|mail]].^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[maculō]]

+ * [[maculōsus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[en|mail]]

+ * [[en|immaculate]]

+ * [[en|macula]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein contrasts [[vitium]], any fault, with [[menda]], a bodily blemish.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}