probus Latin · revision 4931

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=Naevius|origins=ine-pro *bʰuH-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈprɔ.bʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈprɔː.bus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''probus''' (feminine proba, neuter probum, comparative probior, superlative probissimus, adverb probē); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*pro-f(w)-o-|t=favourable]], from [[ine-pro|*pro-bʰ(h₂)u-o-|t=being in front]], a compound of [[ine-pro|*pro-|t=forward]] and [[ine-pro|*bʰuH-|t=to be]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) The Sabellic forms prove a Proto-Italic *profo-, and the /w/ was later lost after the labial.^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with Paelignian [[m|pgn|pros|t=righteous]], Umbrian [[m|xum|prufe|t=correctly]], [[osc|amprufid|t=improperly]] and [[sa|प्रभु|tr=prabhú|t=excellent, foremost]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(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 excellent in quality, good, as Plautus' fine conger eel and Cicero's good ship, and of money genuine.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) It was well made, able or clever, as Plautus' “what a fine general!”, and of character upright and honest.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein ranks it with [[bonus]] and ''frūgī'' among words for a modest degree of virtue.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In medieval Latin ''probī hominēs'' were men qualified to act as witnesses or assessors.^(Niermeyer 1976) Through ''probitās'' it gave English ''probity'', and its verb [[probō]] gave ''prove''.^(Etymonline) It is also a cognomen, as the grammarian Marcus Valerius Probus.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus praises a conger eel with it.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1200 – English ''prove'' is recorded, from ''probāre''.^(Etymonline)

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

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Good, excellent (in quality); genuine.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # Well made, sound.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Able, clever.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Upright, [[m|en|honest]], [[m|en|virtuous]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' ''Probī hominēs'', men qualified as witnesses or assessors.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[approbus]]

+ * [[improbus]]

+ * [[probitās]]

+ * [[reprobus]]

+ * [[probē]]

+ * [[probiter]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[probābilis]]

+ * [[probābiliter]]

+ * [[probātiō]]

+ * [[probātor]]

+ * [[probātus]]

+ * [[probō]]

+ * [[bonus]]

+ * [[en|probity]]

+ * [[en|prove]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}