caelum Latin · revision 5253

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=inherited|attested=Naevius|origins=itc-pro *kailo-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈkae̯.ɫũː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈt͡ʃɛː.lum]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''caelum''' ''n'' or m (genitive caelī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*kailo-|t=sky]].^(de Vaan 2008) De Vaan derives it from [[ine-pro|*keh₂i-lo-|t=whole]], the root of [[en|whole]], and Wiktionary explains this as an augural word for the whole sky as opposed to the [[templum]], the part marked out.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) The OLD and TLL call the origin uncertain.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) [[osc|kaíla]], a kind of building, may belong here if it meant “vaulted”.^(de Vaan 2008) Ancient grammarians derived it from [[m|la|caelātus|alt=caelātum]] “engraved”, because the sky is studded with stars like an engraved vessel.^(Isidore) Aelius, quoted by Varro, also suggested [[m|la|cēlātus|alt=cēlātum]] “hidden”, by contraries.^(Varro)^(Isidore)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Naevius, and Ennius has a shortened ''cael''.^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler dates Naevius c. 235–200 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was the sky seen as a dome over the earth, the place from which weather and portents come, the region of the stars, and the home of the gods.^(OLD 2012) It could mean the climate or the air, and ''dē caelō servāre'' meant to watch the sky for omens.^(OLD 2012) Figurative phrases include ''in caelum ferre'' “to praise to the skies” and ''in caelō esse'' “to be in seventh heaven”.^(OLD 2012) As a name, ''Caelus'' or ''Caelum'' was the god of the sky.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ The plural is always the masculine ''caelī''.^(de Vaan 2008) In Christian Latin it was heaven, and in medieval Latin also a vault, ceiling or canopy.^(Niermeyer 1976) Its derivatives include [[caelestis]] “heavenly”, the source of [[en|celestial]], and [[caeruleus]] “sky-blue”, from *caelulus.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Etymonline) It survives in [[it|cielo]] and [[fr|ciel]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius speaks of the great halls of heaven.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro reports Aelius' etymology from ''caelātum''.^(Varro)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 560–636 AD – Isidore explains it from ''caelātum'' “engraved”.^(Isidore)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 14th century – English ''celestial'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The [[m|en|sky]], the vault of heaven.^(OLD 2012)

+ # The heavens, with the stars and the zodiac.^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|heaven]], the home of the gods.^(OLD 2012)

+ # The air, climate, ''caelum patēns'', the open air.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''Caelum'', ''Caelus'', the god of the sky.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A vault, ceiling; a [[m|en|canopy]].^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[caeles]]

+ * [[caelestīnus]]

+ * [[caelestis]]

+ * [[caelicola]]

+ * [[caelicus]]

+ * [[caelifer]]

+ * [[caelifluus]]

+ * [[caeligenus]]

+ * [[caeliger]]

+ * [[caeliloquus]]

+ * [[caelipotēns]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[caelebs]]

+ * [[sincērus]]

+ * [[en|celestial]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A different noun ''caelum'' “chisel, graving tool” belongs with [[caelō]] “to engrave”.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}