metior Latin · revision 4965

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *meh₁-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈmeː.ti.ɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈmɛt.t͡si.or]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''mētior''' (present infinitive mētīrī, perfect active mēnsus sum or mētītus sum); fourth conjugation, deponent^(Wiktionary)

+ The participle is ''mēnsus'', later ''mētītus''.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a denominal verb from [[itc-pro|*mēti-|t=measurement]], from [[ine-pro|*meh₁-ti-|t=measurement]], from the root [[ine-pro|*meh₁-|t=to measure]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) The participle [[mēnsus]] must be analogical, after the participle of [[pendō]], as Sommer explains.^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[grc|μῆτις|tr=mêtis|t=wisdom, skill]], [[ang|mǣþ|t=measure]] and [[sa|मिमीते|tr=mímīte|t=measures]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==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 measure, as Cicero's measuring of the sun, and to measure out or distribute, as Caesar's measuring out grain to the soldiers.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) It was to mark off a line, area or period, to pace or traverse, and with ''oculīs'' to look someone up and down.^(OLD 2012) Figuratively it was to estimate or judge.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) Döderlein contrasts it, measuring a space, with [[mētor]], marking its bounds.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ Its participle gave ''mēnsūra'', the source of English ''measure'', and [[immēnsus]] “immeasurable”.^(Etymonline)^(de Vaan 2008) It survives as [[es|medir]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar measures out grain to the soldiers.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1300 – English ''measure'' is recorded as “instrument for measuring”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|measure]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # To measure out, distribute, [[m|en|mete]] out.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To mark off (an area, a period).^(OLD 2012)

+ # To pace, traverse.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''Mētīrī oculīs'', to look up and down.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To estimate, judge.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[admētior]]

+ * [[commētior]]

+ * [[dēmētior]]

+ * [[dimētior]]

+ * [[ēmētior]]

+ * [[immēnsus]]

+ * [[mēnsor]]

+ * [[mēnsōrius]]

+ * [[mēnsūra]]

+ * [[mēnsus]]

+ * [[permētior]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mēnsis]]

+ * [[mēta]]

+ * [[mētor]]

+ * [[modus]]

+ * [[semel]]

+ * [[mōs]]

+ * [[en|measure]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}