laetus Latin · revision 5401

+ {{infobox|confidence=unknown|attested=Naevius}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''laetus''' (feminine laeta, neuter laetum, comparative laetior, superlative laetissimus, adverb laetē); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is unknown.^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012) On the assumption that “fat, rich” was the older meaning, Walde and Pokorny connected [[lāridum]] “bacon” and [[largus]] “generous”, from *lai-, a view de Vaan discusses.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)^(Köbler 2010) The TLL notes that the form looks like a participle, like [[maestus]].^(TLL) Isidore derives [[laetitia]] from [[lātitūdō]] “breadth”, as [[tristitia]] is narrowness.^(Isidore)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from Naevius.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) Köbler dates Naevius c. 235–200 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of plants and fields it meant flourishing or lush, as in Ennius' ''agrōs laetōs'', and of style rich or florid.^(OLD 2012) Its main sense at all periods was glad or happy, with an ablative or genitive delighting in something, then prosperous, favourable or propitious, as of omens, and pleasing or welcome.^(OLD 2012) The OLD notes that it is unclear which sense is the original.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Döderlein contrasts [[gaudeō]], joy as a state of mind, with ''laetārī'', the outward expression of joy.^(Döderlein 1874) Its derivatives include [[laetitia]] “joy”.^(Wiktionary) It survives in [[it|lieto]] and Old French ''lié''.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

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

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus speaks of someone glad to give joy.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 560–636 AD – Isidore explains ''laetitia'' from breadth.^(Isidore)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # (of plants, fields) Flourishing, [[m|en|lush]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of style) Rich, florid.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Glad, [[m|en|joyful]], happy.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Delighting (in).^(OLD 2012)

+ # Prosperous; favourable, propitious.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Pleasing, welcome.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[laeticus]]

+ * [[laetificō]]

+ * [[laetificus]]

+ * [[laetitūdō]]

+ * [[perlaetus]]

+ * [[laetitia]]

+ * [[laetō]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A different late noun ''laetus'' was a foreign settler who held land as a tributary serf.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016) Köbler and Wiktionary take it from Germanic.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}