lenis Latin · revision 5228

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=inherited|attested=Ennius|origins=ine-pro *leh₁-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈɫeː.nɪs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈlɛː.nis]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''lēnis''' (neuter lēne, comparative lēnior, superlative lēnissimus, adverb lēne or lēniter); third-declension two-termination adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*lēni-]], [[inh|ine-pro|*leh₁-n(o/i)-|t=lazy, slow]].^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[lt|lė́nas|t=slow, calm]] and [[lv|lēns|t=slow]], whose meaning is close enough to “soft, calm”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012) The ''i''-stem probably replaced an older ''o''-stem, as in [[hilaris]].^(de Vaan 2008) [[lentus]] is similar in sound and meaning but of a different origin.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler and the OLD give Ennius first, who describes a river flowing with a gentle current and a quiet sleep.^(Köbler 2010)^(OLD 2012) De Vaan gives Plautus.^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler dates Ennius 204–169 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant slowly moving, gentle or placid, as of rivers, winds and sleep, and then mild or weak, as of fevers, slopes, drugs and fires.^(OLD 2012) It was used of mild tastes and wine, of soft sounds, and of people and actions that were gentle, lenient or tolerable.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Döderlein contrasts ''lēnis'', gentle as opposed to [[vehemēns]], with [[mītis]], mild as opposed to [[acerbus]], and [[placidus]], calm as opposed to ''turbidus''.^(Döderlein 1874) Its derivatives [[lēniō]] “to soothe” and [[lēnitās]] “gentleness” gave [[en|lenient]] and [[m|en|lenity]], and English took over ''lenis'' as a term of phonetics.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius speaks of a gently flowing river.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato speaks of a gentle south wind and a moderate fire.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a softer sound.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Gently moving, gentle, [[m|en|placid]], (of sleep) quiet.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Mild, weak, (of slopes) gentle, (of fire) moderate.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Mild to the taste, mellow.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of sounds) Soft, pleasant.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of people) Gentle, [[m|en|lenient]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of conditions, words) Mild, tolerable.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[lēniō]]

+ * [[lēnitās]]

+ * [[lēnitūdō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[lēne]]

+ * [[lēnīmen]]

+ * [[lēnīmentum]]

+ * [[lēniter]]

+ * [[lassus]]

+ * [[en|lenient]]

+ * [[en|lenity]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A rare noun ''lēnis'', a vessel or vat, found in Afranius and Laberius, is from [[grc|ληνός|tr=lēnós|t=wine vat]].^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}