metus Latin · revision 5469

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=inherited|attested=Naevius}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''metus''' ''m'' (genitive metūs); fourth declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[itc-pro|*metu-]], of unknown origin.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012) Klingenschmitt connects it with [[sga|moth|t=astonishment]], which is attractive in meaning, but the sound change is unexplained.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from Naevius, who treats it as feminine, like Ennius.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)^(OLD 2012) In Plautus someone says “for fear I do not know where I am”.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Naevius c. 235–200 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was fear of what may happen, alarm, apprehension, with a genitive fear of something, such as of the rods, and anxiety for someone's safety.^(OLD 2012) It was also dread of a person or thing seen as a danger, and that which causes fear, a threat.^(OLD 2012) Virgil and Cicero personify ''Metus'' among the powers at the gate of the underworld and among the children of Night.^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ In medieval Latin it could also mean intimidation.^(DMLBS) Its derivative [[metuō]] “to fear” and the adjective [[metīculōsus]] belong with it, the latter giving [[en|meticulous]], first “fearful”, in the 1530s.^(Etymonline) It survives in [[es|miedo]] and [[pt|medo]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it as a feminine.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus has someone lost for fear.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil names Fear at the gate of the underworld.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|Fear]], [[m|en|alarm]], apprehension.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Anxiety (for someone's safety).^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|Dread]] (of a person or thing).^(OLD 2012)

+ # A cause for alarm, a threat.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''Metus'', Fear personified.^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[metuō]]

+ * [[meticulōsus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[en|meticulous]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein says that [[metuō|alt=metuere]] and [[timeō|alt=timēre]] spring from the danger threatening, while [[vereor|alt=verērī]] springs from respect, citing Cicero on old Appius, whom his slaves feared and his children respected.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}