urbs Latin · revision 5407

+ {{infobox|confidence=disputed|formation=inherited|attested=Twelve Tables|origins=itc-pro *worf-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''urbs''' ''f'' (genitive urbis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is disputed.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan, following Driessen, derives it from [[itc-pro|*worf-(i-)]], from [[ine-pro|*u(o)rbʰ-(i-)|t=enclosure]], comparing [[xum|uerfale|t=area for taking auspices]] and [[hit|warpa-|t=enclosure]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) Earlier proposals linked it with [[orbis]] “circle”, with a word *gʰordʰo- “enclosure” (as in [[en|garden]]) or with *bʰr̥ǵʰ- “fortress”; de Vaan reports that these are rejected.^(de Vaan 2008) Isidore derives it from ''orbis'', since ancient cities were built in a circle, or from [[m|la|urbum]], the part of the plough with which the walls were marked out.^(Isidore)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from the Twelve Tables.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) Plautus has “this city was given the name Epidamnus”.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates the Twelve Tables c. 450 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant a city or large town, both as a place and as a political community, and specifically the city of Rome, ''Urbs''.^(OLD 2012) Virgil's Aeneas marks out the city with a plough.^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ In medieval Latin it was the seat of a bishop, especially an important city, and ''urbs urbium'' was Rome.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(DMLBS) Its derivative [[urbānus]] gave [[en|urbane]], and [[suburbium]] gave [[en|suburb]].^(Etymonline) It was borrowed into [[it|urbe]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 450 BC – the Twelve Tables use it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus speaks of the city of Epidamnus.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of Rome.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|city]], large town.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''Urbs'', the city of Rome.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A bishop's see, an important city.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[suburbium]]

+ * [[urbānus]]

+ * [[urbicapus]]

+ * [[urbicremus]]

+ * [[urbicus]]

+ * [[urbigena]]

+ * [[amburbium]]

+ * [[quadrurbs]]

+ * [[urbānātim]]

+ * [[urbānē]]

+ * [[urbāniciānus]]

+ * [[urbānitās]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[en|urbane]]

+ * [[en|suburb]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}