sperno Latin · revision 5471

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *sperH-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈspɛr.noː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈspɛr.no]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''spernō''' (present infinitive spernere, perfect active sprēvī, supine sprētum); third conjugation^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*spernō]], [[inh|ine-pro|*sp(ʰ)er-n-H-|t=to kick, push away]], a nasal present.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) Cognate with [[hit|išparra-|t=to trample]], [[sa|स्फुरति|tr=sphuráti|t=kicks away]], [[ang|spurnan|t=to kick]] and [[en|spurn]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)^(Etymonline) The perfect [[m|la|sprēvī]] is a Latin formation.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Plautus.^(de Vaan 2008) Ennius writes that right and justice “keep themselves far from the wicked”.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its first sense was to keep apart.^(OLD 2012) The usual sense, to reject with scorn or disdain, is already in Ennius “the good orator is spurned, the rough soldier loved”.^(OLD 2012) Lewis & Short note its use of rejecting things, persons and advice.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ It was borrowed into [[it|spernere]].^(Wiktionary) Its derivative [[āspernor]] “to reject” belongs with it.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius says the good orator is spurned.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To separate, keep apart.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To [[m|en|reject]], [[m|en|spurn]], [[m|en|disdain]].^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[āspernor]]

+ * [[despernō]]

+ * [[disperno]]

+ * [[spernax]]

+ * [[spretio]]

+ * [[sprētor]]

+ * [[sprētus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[en|spurn]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes ''spernere'', rejecting what should be avoided, from [[contemnō|alt=contemnere]], treating as small what is great or fearful, and [[dēspiciō|alt=dēspicere]], looking down on what is below one.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}