aemulus Latin · revision 5358

16 Oct 2026, 02:20 by bogdan “New Latin entry (sources: de Vaan, OLD, Lewis & Short, TLL...)” current version
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+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *h₂eym-}}
+ 
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈae̯.mʊ.ɫʊs]^(Wiktionary)
+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈɛː.mu.lus]^(Wiktionary)
+ 
+ ==Forms==
+ '''aemulus''' (feminine aemula, neuter aemulum); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)
+ 
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is a diminutive *aimelo- of [[itc-pro|*aimo-|t=imitation]], from [[ine-pro|*h₂ei-mo-]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) Cognate with [[hit|himma-|t=imitation, substitute]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan suggests that the noun “rival” may be older than the adjective.^(de Vaan 2008) The OLD and TLL compare [[imitor]] and [[imāgō]].^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)
+ 
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ Köbler dates it from Plautus, and de Vaan from Lucretius.^(Köbler 2010)^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)
+ 
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ As an adjective it meant striving to equal or outdo someone, rival, then jealous or envious, and equal or comparable to something.^(OLD 2012) As a noun ''aemulus'' was a rival or competitor, a rival in love, a zealous imitator, and an equal or peer.^(OLD 2012) Terence uses it of a rival in love, and Cicero of two rivals of the praetor.^(OLD 2012)
+ 
+ Döderlein distinguishes [[imitor]], merely copying, from ''aemulārī'', copying in order to win equal or greater regard.^(Döderlein 1874) In medieval Latin it often meant an enemy, and in British usage also the devil.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(DMLBS) [[en|emulous]] comes from it, and [[en|emulate]] from the verb [[aemulor]].^(Etymonline)
+ 
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of a rival in love.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * late 14th century – English ''emulous'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)
+ 
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Adjective===
+ # Striving to equal or excel, [[m|en|emulous]], rival.^(OLD 2012)
+ # [[m|en|jealous]], envious.^(OLD 2012)
+ # Equal, comparable (to).^(OLD 2012)
+ 
+ ===Noun===
+ # A [[m|en|rival]], competitor; a rival in love.^(OLD 2012)
+ # A zealous imitator.^(OLD 2012)
+ # An equal, peer.^(OLD 2012)
+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' An enemy; the devil.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(DMLBS)
+ 
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[aemula]]
+ * [[aemulor]]
+ 
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[imāgō]]
+ * [[imitor]]
+ * [[en|emulous]]
+ * [[en|emulate]]
+ 
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}