labo Latin · revision 6069

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=inherited|attested=Ennius|origins=ine-pro *(s)leh₂b-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈɫa.boː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈlaː.bo]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''labō''' (present infinitive labāre, perfect active labāvī, supine labātum); first conjugation^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Its origin is uncertain.^(de Vaan 2008) Schrijver takes it as the regular zero grade of a root [[ine-pro|*(s)lh₂b-]], of which [[lābor]] “to glide, slip” would be the full grade.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan finds the ablaut between them hard to explain, and suggests that the senses “waver” and “slip” may have separate origins, so that this verb could go with words for “weak” such as [[cu|слабъ|tr=slabŭ|t=weak]] and [[goh|slaf|t=slack]], while the deponent stays isolated.^(de Vaan 2008) The LIV proposes a root [[ine-pro|*sleh₁b-]] instead.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's first citation is Ennius, who wrote of tottering rocks and falling rubble.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) De Vaan dates it from Plautus.^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler dates Ennius 204–169 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant to stand unsteadily, totter, give way, as Cato's warning that a post should not wobble, and to be loose or ready to come apart, as Cicero's statue that did not shift at all.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) Of light and fire it meant to flicker, and of the memory or mind to be failing, as in Livy.^(OLD 2012) Figuratively it was used of states and affairs on the point of collapse, as Plautus' friends who waver when a man's fortune totters, and of people wavering in opinion or resolve.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein says it refers to the whole body tottering for lack of a firm base, while [[titubō]] refers to the feet that fail.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

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

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of a loose post.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of wavering resolve.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|totter]], be shaky, give way.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To be loose, ready to come apart.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(of light, fire)'' To [[m|en|flicker]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(of faculties)'' To be failing.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(figurative)'' To be on the point of collapse.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To [[m|en|waver]], hesitate.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[labefaciō]]

+ * [[labefīō]]

+ * [[lābēs]]

+ * [[lābidus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[lābor]]

+ * [[en|lapse]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}