bulla Latin · revision 5280

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈbʊl.la], [ˈbʊl.laː]^(Wiktionary)

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''bulla''' ''f'' (genitive bullae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is uncertain.^(Wiktionary) The OLD compares [[lt|bulìs|t=buttocks]] and [[grc|βομβυλίς|tr=bombulís]], and Köbler a root [[ine-pro|*bʰel-|t=to blow, swell]].^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010) Wiktionary also mentions a Gaulish source and an ultimately imitative origin.^(Wiktionary) The TLL connects it with [[bulliō|alt=bullīre]] “to bubble”.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler gives Plautus first,^(Köbler 2010) who has a character ask whether studs were ordered for the doors.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was a bubble, and figuratively a thing of nothing.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) From its rounded shape it named a boss, knob or stud, especially as an ornament on doors, and the golden locket with an amulet that Roman children wore round the neck.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ In medieval Latin it was a gold or silver button, a seal of gold or lead, and a papal document sealed with one, a bull.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Wiktionary) [[en|bull]] “papal edict” and [[en|bill]] “written statement” come from the medieval sense, and through Old French ''boule'' [[en|bowl]] “ball”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of studs on doors and of a child's locket.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it of a bubble.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * Middle Ages – It is used of a seal and of a papal bull.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+ * late 14th century – English ''bill'' “formal document” is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|bubble]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # A boss, knob, [[m|en|stud]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # A locket with an amulet, worn by children.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A [[m|en|seal]]; a papal [[m|en|bull]].^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[bullātus]]

+ * [[bullō]]

+ * [[bullula]]

+ * [[bullescō]]

+ * [[bulliō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[en|bull]]

+ * [[en|bill]]

+ * [[en|bowl]]

+ * [[en|bulletin]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}