trux Latin · revision 5673

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''trux''' (genitive trucis, comparative trucior, superlative trucissimus, adverb truciter); third-declension one-termination adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Its origin is unclear.^(Wiktionary) De Vaan, following Hamp's view that *dr- became /tr-/ in Latin, connects it with [[cel-pro|*drukos|t=bad]], as in [[cy|drwg|t=bad]] and [[sga|droch-|t=bad]], which the OLD also compares.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) Köbler suggests *twerḱ- “to cut”.^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan derives [[trucīdō]] “to slaughter” from a compound *truk(o)-kaid-o- with [[caedō]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from Plautus, whose old men will be savage rams.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant harsh, savage or pitiless, of persons and their looks, as Cicero's rough and savage tribune of the people and Livy's orator who could be fierce.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) Of animals it was fierce, as Propertius' savage bull, and of weather and nature cruel, as Catullus' savage Pontic gulf.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Döderlein groups ''atrōx'', ''trux'' and ''truculentus'', words for what inspires fear by its look.^(Döderlein 1874) ''Truculentus'' gave [[en|truculent]] in the 1530s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus speaks of savage rams.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81/79–52/50 BC – Catullus speaks of the savage Pontic gulf.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero calls a tribune rough and savage.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Harsh, savage, [[m|en|pitiless]], grim.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of animals) [[m|en|Fierce]], savage.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of weather) Cruel, wild.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[truculentus]]

+ * [[trucīdō]]

+ * [[trucitās]]

+ * [[truciter]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[caedō]]

+ * [[atrōx]]

+ * [[ferōx]]

+ * [[en|truculent]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes ''atrōx'' (frightful in effect), ''trux'' (fierce in look) and ''truculentus'' (habitually savage).^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}