multus Latin · revision 5389

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=inherited|attested=Livius Andronicus|origins=itc-pro *molto-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈmʊɫ.tʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈmul.tus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''multus''' (feminine multa, neuter multum, comparative plūs, superlative plūrimus or plūrumus, adverb multō); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*molto-]], of uncertain further origin.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan mentions a possible [[ine-pro|*m(o)l-to-|t=good, big]], and the OLD compares [[grc|μάλα|tr=mála|t=very]] and [[melior]] “better”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) De Vaan also relates [[osc|molto|t=a fine]] and Latin [[multa]] “fine”, as a quantity one has to pay, though this is not certain.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Livius Andronicus, and Köbler from the Twelve Tables.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) Plautus has ''quid multa verba faciam?'' “why should I say much?”.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates the Twelve Tables c. 450 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ With a plural noun it meant many or numerous, and as a noun ''multī'' was many people and ''multa'' many things.^(OLD 2012) With a singular noun it meant much or abundant, and of conditions intense or advanced, as in ''multā nocte'' “late at night” and ''multō diē'' “late in the day”.^(OLD 2012) Of people it meant assiduous, and in a bad sense tedious or long-winded.^(OLD 2012) Its comparative and superlative were supplied by [[plūs]] and [[plūrimus]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ Its derivatives include [[multitūdō]] “crowd”, the source of [[en|multitude]], and Late Latin ''multiplus'', whence [[en|multiple]].^(Etymonline) It survives in [[it|molto]], [[fr|moult]] and [[es|mucho]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 450 BC – the Twelve Tables use it.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * before 200 BC – Livius Andronicus uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus has ''quid multa verba faciam?''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * early 14th century – English ''multitude'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Many, numerous, ''multī'', many people, ''multa'', many things.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Much, abundant.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of conditions) Intense, advanced, ''multā nocte'', late at night.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Assiduous, regular.^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|tedious]], long-winded.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[multangulus]]

+ * [[multanimis]]

+ * [[multēsimus]]

+ * [[multibibus]]

+ * [[multicaulis]]

+ * [[multīcius]]

+ * [[multicola]]

+ * [[multicolōrus]]

+ * [[multicomus]]

+ * [[multicupidus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[melior]]

+ * [[en|multitude]]

+ * [[en|multiple]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}