falx Latin · revision 5622

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=borrowing|attested=Cato}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''falx''' ''f'' (genitive falcis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Its origin is uncertain.^(OLD 2012) It is usually derived from [[ine-pro|*dʰelg-|t=to sting]], comparing [[sga|delg|t=thorn, pin]] and [[lt|dìlgė|t=nettle]].^(Wiktionary)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan finds the meaning acceptable, but notes that the Latin vowel and the final consonant cannot come from that root, so that it can at most be a borrowing from another Indo-European language of Italy.^(de Vaan 2008) Ernout and Meillet suspect a loanword, likely for a technical word, and the link with Sicilian Ζάγκλη “sickle” is too uncertain.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from Cato, who lists hay scythes and straw sickles among farm tools.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Cato 234–149 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was any curved agricultural blade, the sickle, scythe, pruning hook or billhook.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) It was also a curved sword, as that of Perseus.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In medieval Latin it was a day's work of mowing or reaping.^(Niermeyer 1976) It survives in [[it|falce]], [[fr|faux]] and [[es|hoz]].^(Wiktionary) [[en|falcate]] “sickle-shaped” comes from ''falcātus'', and Late Latin ''falcō'' “falcon” was said to be named from its hooked talons.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato lists scythes and sickles among farm tools.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * mid-13th century – English ''falcon'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|sickle]], [[m|en|scythe]], pruning hook.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A curved sword.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A day's mowing.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[falcārius]]

+ * [[falcastrum]]

+ * [[falcātus]]

+ * [[falcīcula]]

+ * [[falcifer]]

+ * [[falciger]]

+ * [[falcitenens]]

+ * [[falcula]]

+ * [[falcō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[en|falcate]]

+ * [[en|falcon]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}