atrox Latin · revision 5639

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=compound|attested=Naevius|origins=ine-pro *h₃ekʷ-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈa.troːks]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈaː.troks]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''atrōx''' (genitive atrōcis, comparative atrōcior, superlative atrōcissimus, adverb atrōciter); third-declension one-termination adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably formed from [[āter]] “black” and the root *h₃ekʷ- “to see” of [[oculus]], so “having a black look”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) Wiktionary reconstructs [[ine-pro|*h₂h₁tro-h₃kʷs|t=having the appearance of fire]]; the OLD analyses it as ''āter'' with a suffix /-ōx/, and Lewis and Short compare [[ferōx]] from [[ferus]].^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) The short /a/ of ''atrōx'' beside long ''āter'' is not fully explained.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from Naevius, who uses it of a frightful situation.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Naevius c. 235–200 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant terrible in appearance, then frightful, alarming news or times, and of war bloody and furious, as Sallust's great and savage war.^(OLD 2012) Of people it was cruel and fierce, of beasts savage, of deeds shocking or atrocious, as Cicero's crime so wicked, so atrocious, so heinous that it cannot be believed.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) It could also mean inflexible, as Horace's unconquered, stern spirit of Cato.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Döderlein groups it with ''trux'' and ''truculentus'', all words for what has a fear-inspiring exterior.^(Döderlein 1874) ''Atrōcitās'' gave [[en|atrocity]] in the 1530s, and [[en|atrocious]] was formed from its stem in the 1660s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it of a frightful situation.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence speaks of an incredible and shocking event.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero speaks of a crime too atrocious to be believed.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1530s – English ''atrocity'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1660s – English ''atrocious'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Terrible in appearance, [[m|en|frightful]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of situations, news) Alarming, terrible.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of war) Bloody, furious.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Cruel, fierce, [[m|en|savage]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of deeds) Shocking, [[m|en|atrocious]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Ruthless, [[m|en|inflexible]], harsh.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[atrōcitās]]

+ * [[atrōciter]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[āter]]

+ * [[trux]]

+ * [[ferōx]]

+ * [[en|atrocious]]

+ * [[en|atrocity]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes ''atrōx'', ''trux'' and ''truculentus'', all of a terrifying exterior.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}