prosperus Latin · revision 5446

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=compound|attested=Naevius|origins=ine-pro *speh₁-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈprɔs.pɛ.rʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈprɔs.pe.rus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''prosperus''' (feminine prospera, neuter prosperum, superlative prosperrimus); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[pro|alt=prō]] combined with [[itc-pro|*sparo-]], from [[ine-pro|*sph₁-ro-|t=thriving]], or a derivative of a compound verb *pro-speh₁- “to thrive”.^(de Vaan 2008) The root *speh₁- “to prosper” is also in [[spēs]] “hope”.^(Wiktionary)^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[sa|स्फिर|tr=sphirá|t=fat]] and [[cu|спѣти|tr=spěti|t=to succeed]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(TLL) The OLD calls it doubtful, and thinks the link with an adverbial phrase “according to hope” may be a popular etymology.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from Naevius, who speaks of “taking a favourable auspice”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Naevius c. 235–200 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was said of what turns out as one wishes, prosperous or successful, of omens and signs that promise success, and of favourable conditions or news.^(OLD 2012) Cicero contrasts ''prospera'' and ''adversa fortūna'', good and bad fortune.^(Gaffiot 2016) A variant nominative ''prosper'' is also found.^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ Its derivative [[prosperō]] “to make successful” gave [[en|prosper]] in the mid-14th century, and the adjective was continued in [[en|prosperous]] from the early 15th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 235–200 BC – Naevius speaks of a favourable auspice.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+ * early 15th century – English ''prosperous'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # [[m|en|Prosperous]], successful.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of omens) [[m|en|Favourable]], propitious.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of conditions) Favourable.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[improsper]]

+ * [[prosperitās]]

+ * [[prosperō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[spēs]]

+ * [[en|prosper]]

+ * [[en|prosperous]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein groups ''prosperus'' with [[faustus]] as making happy: ''prosperus'' when hopes and wishes are fulfilled, ''faustus'' as an effect of divine favour.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}