filix Latin · revision 5912
16 Oct 2026, 04:17 by bogdan “New Latin entry (sources: de Vaan, OLD, Lewis & Short, TLL...)” current version
Initial text
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=inherited|attested=Virgil}}
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈfɪ.lɪks]^(Wiktionary)
+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈfiː.liks]^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Forms==
+ '''filix''' ''f'' (genitive filicis); third declension^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*fel-e/ik-]], from [[ine-pro|*bʰel-|t=henbane]], with a suffix found in other plant names, as [[lārix]] “larch” and [[cārex]] “sedge”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) Cognate with [[cy|bele|t=henbane]], [[ru|белена|tr=belená|t=henbane]] and [[goh|bilisa|t=henbane]].^(de Vaan 2008) Walde and Hofmann rejected the link on semantic grounds, but Schrijver restored it: the stems of henbane look like the feathery leaves of fern, and both are medicinal plants.^(de Vaan 2008) The spelling [[m|la|felix]] may be the older form.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) The OLD calls it of unknown origin.^(OLD 2012) Isidore of Seville derived it from its single leaf.^(Isidore)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ De Vaan dates it from Vitruvius, who says fern should be laid under timber.^(OLD 2012) Köbler's first source is Virgil, 70–19 BC.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ It meant a fern or bracken, often collectively, in Virgil, Horace, Columella and Pliny the Elder.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Colloquially it meant a worthless person, a no-good.^(OLD 2012) Persius uses it of bristly hair.^(Gaffiot 2016)
+
+ In Medieval Latin ''filix arborea'' was polypody and ''filix silvestris'' the royal fern.^(DMLBS) Its descendants include [[it|felce]], [[fr|fougère]] and [[ro|ferigă]].^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 1st century BC – Vitruvius uses it in building.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)
+ * 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder uses it.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)
+
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Noun===
+ # A [[m|en|fern]], bracken.^(OLD 2012)
+ # ''(colloquial)'' A worthless person.^(OLD 2012)
+ # Bristly hair.^(Gaffiot 2016)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[filicātus]]
+ * [[filictum]]
+ * [[filicula]]
+
+ ==Usage notes==
+ It is distinct from [[fēlīx]] “fruitful, happy”, though manuscripts often spell it ''felix''.^(OLD 2012)
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}