oportet Latin · revision 5951

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=Naevius|origins=ine-pro *wert-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ɔˈpɔr.tɛt]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [oˈpɔr.tet]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''oportet''' (present infinitive oportēre, perfect active oportuit); second conjugation, impersonal, no passive, no supine stem^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*op-wort-(ē-)]], formed from *op “towards” and the root [[ine-pro|*wert-|t=to turn]] of [[vertō]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(TLL)^(Wiktionary) Walde and Hofmann took it as a causative *uort-eie-, but de Vaan prefers the perfect stem [[ine-pro|*ue-u(o)rt-]], so “it has turned towards someone”, hence “it befits”, with the second conjugation added for its stative sense.^(de Vaan 2008) Others take the first part from [[ob]] or from [[opus]], comparing [[m|la|opus est]].^(Wiktionary)^(Lewis & Short 1879) The OLD calls it doubtful.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Naevius.^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler dates Naevius c. 235–200 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant “it is demanded by some principle, it is proper, right”, often rendered by English “ought”, as Plautus' ''quid mē oportet facere?''.^(OLD 2012) It also expressed a confident prediction, “it is bound to happen”, and a presumed fact, “it must surely be the case”.^(OLD 2012) Cicero says that ''oportēre'' denotes the perfection of duty, and Döderlein distinguishes it, a duty of morality and honour, from [[necesse est]], a necessity of nature, and [[opus est]], a need.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus asks what he ought to do.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero says it denotes perfect duty.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # (impersonal) It is proper, right; one [[m|en|ought]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # It is bound to happen, it is [[m|en|inevitable]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # It must surely be the case.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[vertō]]

+ * [[opportūnus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}