asper Latin · revision 5323

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈas.pɛr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈas.per]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''asper''' (feminine aspera, neuter asperum, comparative asperior, superlative asperrimus, adverb asperē); first/second-declension adjective (nominative masculine singular in -er)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is uncertain.^(TLL)^(de Vaan 2008) De Vaan tentatively reconstructs [[itc-pro|*aspi-ro-]], from [[ine-pro|*h₂esp-i-|t=cutting]], comparing [[xlu|hašp-|t=to cut down]] and [[grc|ἀσπίς|tr=aspís|t=shield]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) The OLD suggests [[m|la|ab-]] with the root of [[spernō]] “to reject”, which de Vaan considers unsupported.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler and the OLD give Ennius, who speaks of rough oysters and jagged rocks.^(Köbler 2010)^(OLD 2012) De Vaan dates it from Plautus.^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler dates Ennius 204–169 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant rough to the touch, embossed with ornament, sharp or jagged, and of ground rough or rugged.^(OLD 2012) Of sounds it meant harsh or grating, of taste sharp, as of a rough wine in Terence, and figuratively harsh, hard to bear, fierce or stern.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ Döderlein groups it with [[horridus]] and [[hirtus]] for roughness.^(Döderlein 1874) Its derivatives include [[asperitās]] and [[asperō]] “to roughen”, ''asperitās'' gave [[en|asperity]], and ''exasperāre'' gave [[en|exasperate]].^(Etymonline) It survives in [[it|aspro]], [[fr|âpre]] and [[es|áspero]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius speaks of rough oysters.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence complains that a wine is too rough.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato speaks of a very rough and steep approach.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1200 – English ''asperity'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Rough (to the touch).^(OLD 2012)

+ # Embossed (with ornament).^(OLD 2012)

+ # Sharp, jagged.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of ground) Rough, [[m|en|rugged]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of sound) Harsh, grating.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of taste) Sharp, pungent.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Harsh, hard to bear; fierce, stern.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[asperitās]]

+ * [[asperugo]]

+ * [[aspredo]]

+ * [[asprētum]]

+ * [[aspritūdō]]

+ * [[perasper]]

+ * [[subasper]]

+ * [[asperē]]

+ * [[asperiter]]

+ * [[asperitūdō]]

+ * [[asperō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ab]]

+ * [[spernō]]

+ * [[en|asperity]]

+ * [[en|exasperate]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}