vestibulum Latin · revision 5559

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [wɛsˈtɪ.bʊ.ɫũː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [vesˈtiː.bu.lum]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''vestibulum''' ''n'' (genitive vestibulī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Its origin is uncertain; many etymologies have been proposed, all unsatisfactory in meaning, according to Serbat.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) De Vaan cites Serbat's own view that it was the farmyard where animals were fed, from [[itc-pro|*westV-þlo-|t=place of feeding]], from the root *wes- “to pasture” of [[vēscor]], with the suffix of [[sessibulum]].^(de Vaan 2008) Lewis & Short connect it with [[Vesta]], and Köbler with [[stabulum]].^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

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

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was the enclosed space in front of the entrance of a building, a forecourt, and by transfer the entry of animals' dwellings, and the entrance or approach to any place, as Cicero calls a spot “the forecourt of Sicily”.^(OLD 2012) Figuratively it was the opening of a subject, as the orator's noble introductions in Cicero.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In medieval monasteries it was the vestry or wardrobe, and more generally a porch.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(DMLBS) [[en|vestibule]] came from it through French in the 1620s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero speaks of the forecourt of Sicily.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1620s – English ''vestibule'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|forecourt]], entrance court.^(OLD 2012)

+ # An entrance, approach.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (figurative) An introduction.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A vestry (of a monastery); a porch.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[en|vestibule]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}