fenus Latin · revision 5792

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''fēnus''' ''n'' (genitive fēnoris); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ If the spelling with ⟨fē-⟩ is original, it is [[inh|itc-pro|*fēnos-]], [[inh|ine-pro|*dʰeh₁-ne/os-|t=yield]], from the root *dʰeh₁- “to suckle, bring forth”, like [[fēnum]] “hay”, so “what is produced”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) The OLD compares [[fēlīx]] and [[fēcundus]].^(OLD 2012) The spelling [[m|la|faenus]] is more common in the manuscripts.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from Plautus, whose moneylender says “take the principal” and gets the answer “no, the interest first”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was interest on capital, and ''fēnore'' or ''fēnorī dare'' meant to lend at interest, as in Plautus and Cicero.^(OLD 2012) It was also a debt carrying interest, as Horace's farmer free of all debt, and figuratively increase or profit, as Cicero's earth that returns what it received with interest.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Döderlein says ''fēnus'' is interest as the produce of capital, while ''ūsūra'' is what the debtor pays for using the money.^(Döderlein 1874) Sallust speaks of the people crushed by interest.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus' moneylender demands the interest first.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero says the earth returns seed with interest.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 86–34 BC – Sallust speaks of the people crushed by interest.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|Interest]] (on capital), ''fēnore dare'', to lend at interest.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A [[m|en|debt]] bearing interest.^(OLD 2012)

+ # (figurative) Increase, gain, [[m|en|profit]].^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[fēnum]]

+ * [[ūsūra]]

+ * [[sors]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes ''fēnus'' (interest, the produce of capital) and ''ūsūra'' (interest paid for the use of money).^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}