lepos Latin · revision 5970

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈɫɛ.poːs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈlɛː.pos]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''lepōs''' ''m'' (genitive lepōris); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Its origin is uncertain.^(Wiktionary) It has been compared with [[grc|λέπω|tr=lépō|t=to peel]] and [[grc|λεπτός|tr=leptós|t=peeled; fine, delicate]], from [[ine-pro|*lep-|t=to peel]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) De Vaan finds the semantic link not compelling, though the Greek shift from “peeled” to “refined” makes a Latin shift from “what is peeled” to “refinement” conceivable.^(de Vaan 2008) Whether it is the base of [[lepidus]] “charming” or derived from it is uncertain.^(de Vaan 2008) Döderlein also derived it from ''lépō'', ''leptós''.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Plautus, who speaks of a thing without charm or sweetness.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant charm, grace, attractiveness, and then charm or cleverness of language, wit, humour, as Plautus' prologue that promises wit and play in the comedy.^(OLD 2012) Cicero speaks of speaking ''leporis causā'', for the sake of charm.^(Gaffiot 2016) The words of this family fall out of use after Cicero.^(de Vaan 2008) Döderlein calls it the lightest wit, the gift of a kindly mind, contrasted with [[facētiae]] and [[fēstīvitās]].^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus promises wit in his comedy.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of charm.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero speaks for the sake of charm.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|Charm]], grace, attractiveness.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Charm of language, [[m|en|wit]], humour.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[lepidē]]

+ * [[lepidus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}