nitor Latin · revision 5899

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈniː.tɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈniː.tor]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''nītor''' (present infinitive nītī, perfect active nīsus sum or nīxus sum); third conjugation, deponent^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*kniχw-et-]], of uncertain origin.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) The participle [[m|la|nīxus]] points to a root ending in a velar, so de Vaan, like Walde and Hofmann and Pokorny, prefers a link with [[cōnīveō]] “to close the eyes” and [[nictō]] “to wink”, from *kneigʷʰ- “to bend, lean”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) The old forms [[m|la|gnītor]] and [[m|la|gnīxus]] reported by Festus would then keep the original initial cluster.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Lewis & Short 1879) The comparison with [[sa|यतते|tr=yátate|t=puts in place]] is unfounded, since the original meaning, “to lean” or “to press”, is unclear.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Plautus.^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant to rest one's weight on, lean on, as Cicero's praetor in slippers leaning on a woman, and of things to be supported by, stand on.^(OLD 2012) From there it meant to rely on, and of cases and arguments to rest or depend on.^(OLD 2012) Its other branch meant to make violent physical efforts, to strain, to struggle onwards or upwards, and to strive or exert oneself, as Plautus' lover who will strive and give up his life rather than desert the girls.^(OLD 2012) The participle ''nīxus'' was used mostly in the senses “leaning”, ''nīsus'' in the senses “striving”.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein contrasts it with [[fulciō]]: ''fulcīrī'' is to prop oneself so as not to fall, ''nītī'' to press on something so as to climb or move forward.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of striving.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of straining.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero describes a praetor leaning on a woman.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|lean]] on, rest one's weight on, (of things) to be supported by.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To [[m|en|rely]] on, (of arguments) to rest on, depend on.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To [[m|en|strain]], struggle; to make one's way with effort.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To [[m|en|strive]], exert oneself.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[adnītor]]

+ * [[connītor]]

+ * [[ēnītor]]

+ * [[innītor]]

+ * [[nīsus]]

+ * [[nītēdula]]

+ * [[nītibundus]]

+ * [[nīxor]]

+ * [[nixuriō]]

+ * [[obnītor]]

+ * [[renītor]]

+ * [[subnīxus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[nitēns]]

+ * [[nitenter]]

+ * [[niteō]]

+ * [[nitēscō]]

+ * [[nitidē]]

+ * [[nitiditās]]

+ * [[nitidiusculē]]

+ * [[nitidiusculus]]

+ * [[nitidō]]

+ * [[nitidulus]]

+ * [[cōnīveō]]

+ * [[nictō]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ It is distinct from the noun ''nitor'', ''nitōris'' “brightness, sheen, elegance”, from [[niteō]] “to shine”, which Lucretius uses of the first light of dawn.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Wiktionary) In Medieval Latin the noun also meant neatness or cleanness.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}