dulcis Latin · revision 5345

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=inherited|attested=Plautus|origins=itc-pro *dulkʷi-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈdʊɫ.kɪs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈdul̠ʲ.t͡ʃis]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''dulcis''' (neuter dulce, comparative dulcior, superlative dulcissimus, adverb dulce or dulciter); third-declension two-termination adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*dulkʷi-|t=sweet]].^(de Vaan 2008) It is most likely related to [[grc|γλυκύς|tr=glukús|t=sweet]] and [[grc|γλεῦκος|tr=gleûkos|t=sweet wine]], both traditionally traced to [[ine-pro|*dl̥kús|t=sweet]], although the loss of the second /u/ in Latin is unexpected.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Plautus, and Köbler from Ennius.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) Cato says that cabbage is at once sweet, bitter and sharp.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant sweet in taste, and of water fresh as opposed to salt.^(OLD 2012) It also meant sweet-smelling, sweet-sounding, pleasant or delightful, dear or cherished, as in Cicero's “the very sweet name of peace”, and of people charming.^(OLD 2012) Horace's ''dulce et decōrum est prō patriā morī'' is a famous use.^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ Döderlein says that [[suāvis]] is a pleasant smell and a calm pleasure, while ''dulcis'' is a pleasant taste and a lively pleasure.^(Döderlein 1874) In British medieval Latin the neuter plural meant sweets.^(DMLBS) Old French ''doucet'', from its descendant ''doux'', gave [[en|dulcet]], and Old French ''doulcemele'' gave [[en|dulcimer]].^(Etymonline) It survives in [[it|dolce]] and [[es|dulce]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato says cabbage is sweet, bitter and sharp.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero speaks of the sweet name of peace.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|sweet]] (in taste).^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of water) Fresh, not salt.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Sweet-smelling; [[m|en|melodious]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Pleasant, delightful.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Dear, cherished, (of persons) charming.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[dulcacidus]]

+ * [[dulcēdō]]

+ * [[dulciārius]]

+ * [[dulciculus]]

+ * [[dulcifer]]

+ * [[dulcificō]]

+ * [[dulciloquus]]

+ * [[dulcimodus]]

+ * [[dulcinervis]]

+ * [[dulciolum]]

+ * [[dulciōrelocus]]

+ * [[dulcisonōrus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[dulcātor]]

+ * [[dulcōrō]]

+ * [[en|dulcet]]

+ * [[en|dulcimer]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}