Faunus Latin · revision 5957

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

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+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈfau̯.nʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈfaːu̯.nus]^(Wiktionary)

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+ ==Forms==

+ '''Faunus''' ''m'' (genitive Faunī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

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+ ==Etymology==

+ Its origin is uncertain.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan derives it from [[itc-pro|*fawe/ono-]], [[ine-pro|*bʰh₂u-n-|t=favourable]], the same base as [[xum|fons|t=merciful]] and [[sga|búan|t=good, favourable]], now that [[faveō]] “to favour” is also derived from the root [[ine-pro|*bʰh₂u-|t=to become]].^(de Vaan 2008) If [[Favōnius]], the west wind that brings spring, is related, it would continue a noun *favō “one who favours”.^(de Vaan 2008) Others, followed by Köbler, take it from *dʰeh₂w- “to strangle”, comparing [[grc|θαῦνον|tr=thaûnon|t=beast]].^(Wiktionary)^(Köbler 2010)

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+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Ennius.^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler dates Ennius 204–169 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

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+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Faunus was a mythical king of Latium, father of Latinus in Virgil, and also a god of the fertility of flocks and fields whom the Romans identified with Pan.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Etymonline) In the plural ''Faunī'' were deities of the countryside, seen as goblins, as the source of mysterious voices, and as inspirers of poets, and the plural stood for remote antiquity.^(OLD 2012) The ''Faunālia'' were held in his honour.^(Etymonline)

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+ In Medieval Latin a ''faunus'' was a rural creature like a satyr, a wood-wose, half man and half goat.^(DMLBS) [[en|faun]] came in the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)

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+ ==Timeline==

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius names the Fauni.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero mentions Faunus.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil makes Faunus father of Latinus.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 14th century – English ''faun'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

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+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Proper noun===

+ # Faunus, a mythical king of Latium; a god of flocks and fields identified with [[m|en|Pan]].^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # (plural) The Fauni, deities of the countryside.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' A [[m|en|faun]], satyr-like wood creature.^(DMLBS)

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+ ==Related words==

+ * [[faveō]]

+ * [[Favōnius]]

+ * [[en|faun]]

+ * [[en|fauna]]

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+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}