frequens Latin · revision 5406

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|attested=Plautus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈfrɛ.kʷẽːs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈfrɛː.kʷens]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''frequēns''' (genitive frequentis, comparative frequentior, superlative frequentissimus, adverb frequenter); third-declension one-termination adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is uncertain.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) Nussbaum connects it with [[fraxō]] “to patrol”, which de Vaan finds semantically attractive; both could go back to a root *bʰrekʷ-, giving Proto-Italic *frekʷents.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) The OLD and Köbler compare [[farciō]] “to stuff”, and the OLD and Lewis and Short [[grc|φράσσω|tr=phrássō|t=to fence in]].^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from Plautus.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its first sense was packed close together or crowded, as of people following in large numbers, and with an ablative crowded with something, as in Livy's “a city crowded with houses”.^(OLD 2012) Of places and meetings it meant thronged or busy, and of the senate well attended, with many members present.^(OLD 2012) Of people it meant assiduous or regular, and of events frequent or common.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Döderlein contrasts [[saepe]], often as opposed to once, with ''crēbrō'' and ''frequenter'', often as opposed to rarely.^(Döderlein 1874) [[en|frequent]] (mid-15th century) is from it, and the verb [[frequentō]] gave the verb “to frequent”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * c. 180–102 BC – Lucilius has “we follow in large numbers”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero speaks of a well-attended senate.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * mid-15th century – English ''frequent'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Crowded, densely packed; numerous.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Crowded (with), abounding (in).^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of places) Thronged, busy, (of the senate) well attended.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of persons) Regular, constant.^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|frequent]], repeated; common, usual.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[frequentārius]]

+ * [[frequentia]]

+ * [[frequentō]]

+ * [[īnfrequēns]]

+ * [[perfrequens]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[farciō]]

+ * [[en|frequent]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}