carmen Latin · revision 6274

+ {{infobox|confidence=disputed|formation=derivation|attested=Twelve Tables}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈkar.mɛn]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈkar.men]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''carmen''' ''n'' (genitive carminis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The OLD derives it from *can-men, from [[canō]] “to sing” with the suffix [[-men]], and Köbler and Etymonline also connect it with ⟨canere⟩.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)^(Etymonline) Varro gives an older form ⟨casmen⟩, and Wiktionary and Lewis and Short connect it instead with [[ine-pro|*ḱens-|t=to speak solemnly, proclaim]], as in [[cēnseō]].^(Wiktionary)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler's first source is the Twelve Tables, which he dates about 450 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant a solemn or ritual utterance, sung or chanted: a hymn, as in Varro, a magic spell, as in Virgil, an oracle or riddle, the ribald songs of soldiers at triumphs, as in Livy, and a legal or ceremonial formula, as in Cicero.^(OLD 2012) It meant a song, poem or play, as in Lucilius, a verse inscription, and poetry in general or lyric poetry, as in Horace and Ovid.^(OLD 2012) It also meant birdsong, as in Virgil, and instrumental music, as in Ennius.^(OLD 2012) Isidore of Seville says any composition in metre is called ''carmen''.^(Isidore)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a song, canticle.^(Stelten 1995) It survives in Italian and Portuguese ''carme'' and Spanish ''carmen'' “poem”.^(Wiktionary) Through Old French ''charme'' “incantation” it is the source of [[en|charm]] about 1300.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 450 BC – The Twelve Tables use it.^(Köbler 2010)

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

+ * c. 180–102 BC – Lucilius uses it of a poem.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1300 – English ''charm'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A ritual chant; a hymn; a [[m|en|spell]], [[m|en|charm]]; an oracle.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A legal or ceremonial formula.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A [[m|en|song]], [[m|en|poem]]; a verse inscription.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Poetry; lyric poetry.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Birdsong; instrumental music.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[carminō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[canō]]

+ * [[cantus]]

+ * [[en|charm]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A different ''carmen'', from [[cārō]] “to card”, meant a wool card, as in Claudian.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}