opimus Latin · revision 5709

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=laws of the kings}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ɔˈpiː.mʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [oˈpiː.mus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''opīmus''' (feminine opīma, neuter opīmum); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ De Vaan derives it from [[ops]] “power, resources”, from an old instrumental *opī “with riches” and an adjective suffix, so “abundant”; the OLD also suggests ''ops''.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) The older connection with [[pinguis]] and [[sa|पीवन्|tr=pī́van-|t=fat]], still in Lewis and Short and Wiktionary, is rejected by de Vaan.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from the laws of the kings, then Plautus.^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler dates it from Accius, 170–c. 90 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its oldest use was in ''spolia opīma'', the arms taken by a Roman general from an enemy leader he had killed in single combat, a law of the kings.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008) Of sacrificial victims it meant choice, and in general plump or fat, as Accius' eagle on Prometheus' rich liver.^(OLD 2012) Of food it was rich and sumptuous, of land fertile, as Cicero's rich and fertile Asia, of people well provided, and of style rich or overladen.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ It was borrowed as [[it|opimo]] and [[en|opime]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 7th–6th century BC – The laws of the kings regulate the ''spolia opīma''.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)

+ * 170–c. 90 BC – Accius speaks of a rich liver.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 180–102 BC – Lucilius speaks of sumptuous feasts.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero calls Asia rich and fertile.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # ''spolia opīma'', the [[m|en|spoils]] taken by a general from an enemy leader killed in single combat.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of victims) Choice.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Plump, fat.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of food) Rich, [[m|en|sumptuous]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of land) Rich, [[m|en|fertile]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Wealthy; abounding (in).^(OLD 2012)

+ # (of style) Rich, ample.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[opīma]]

+ * [[opīmitās]]

+ * [[praeopimus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ops]]

+ * [[pinguis]]

+ * [[spolium]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Manuscripts often corrupt it to ''optimus''.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein contrasts ''pinguis'', fat as dull and sluggish, with ''opīmus'', fat as well-fed and rich.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}