mos Latin · revision 5367

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈmoːs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈmɔs]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''mōs''' ''m'' (genitive mōris); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*mōs-]], of uncertain origin.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012) De Vaan derives it from [[ine-pro|*m(e)h₁-ōs|t=manner]], from *meh₁- “to measure”, since the meaning is close enough to “measure”.^(de Vaan 2008) Wiktionary reports the common view that it comes from *meh₁- “to be intent upon, of strong will”, with Greek [[grc|μαίομαι|tr=maíomai|t=to strive]].^(Wiktionary)^(TLL) Isidore calls ''mōs'' a long custom.^(Isidore)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from Naevius.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) Plautus has a liar who says he will act ''meō mōre'' “after my own fashion”.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Naevius c. 235–200 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant a person's will or whim, as in ''mōrem gerere'' “to humour someone”, an established practice or custom, and custom in general as a guide to action, often as opposed to law, so that ''mōs maiōrum'' was the custom of the ancestors.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(OLD 2012) The ablative ''mōre'' meant “in the customary way”, and ''mōre'' with a genitive “in the manner of”.^(OLD 2012) In the plural ''mōrēs'' were the morals or character of a people or person.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Döderlein contrasts [[cōnsuētūdō]], custom arising from habit, with ''mōs'', custom regarded as a moral rule.^(Döderlein 1874) Its derivatives [[mōrālis]] and [[mōrōsus]] gave [[en|moral]] and [[en|morose]], and [[en|mores]] was borrowed by sociologists in 1907.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus has ''meō mōre''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence speaks of living after another's fancy.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * mid-14th century – English ''moral'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Will, whim, ''mōrem gerere'', to humour.^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # A [[m|en|custom]], practice, usage, ''mōs maiōrum'', ancestral custom.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''mōre'', in the customary way, ''mōre'' (+ genitive), in the manner of.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (plural) [[m|en|morals]], manners; character.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[mōrōsus]]

+ * [[mōrālis]]

+ * [[mōrātus]]

+ * [[mōrigerus]]

+ * [[moscillus]]

+ * [[benemōrius]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mēnsis]]

+ * [[mētior]]

+ * [[mītis]]

+ * [[en|moral]]

+ * [[en|mores]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}