decus Latin · revision 6302

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *deḱ-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈdɛ.kʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈdɛː.kus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''decus''' ''n'' (genitive decoris); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*dekos|t=dignity]], [[inh|ine-pro|*déḱos|t=that which is proper]], from the root [[ine-pro|*deḱ-|t=to take, perceive]] of [[decet]] “it is fitting”.^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010) The OLD compares [[sa|दशस्|tr=daśas]] and [[sga|dech]].^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's first citation is Plautus, of honour.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant high esteem, honour, glory, as in Plautus, a source of honour or distinction, as Cicero's ornaments of temples, and in the plural honourable exploits, as in Livy.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) It was applied to a person who confers distinction, as in Sallust, and meant seemly behaviour, dignity, decorum, as in Cicero.^(OLD 2012) It also meant beauty, grace, splendour, as in Virgil, and an ornament.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant beauty, grace, glory, honour, distinction.^(Stelten 1995) In Medieval Latin it meant glory, honour, and a source of glory.^(DMLBS) Its derivative [[decōrus]] “seemly” gave [[en|decorum]] in the 1560s, and [[en|decent]] comes from ''decēns'', the participle of ''decēre''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of ornaments and of decorum.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of beauty.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1560s – English ''decorum'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|Honour]], glory.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A source of honour, ''(plural)'' exploits.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A person who confers distinction.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Dignity, decorum.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Beauty, grace; an ornament.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[decorō]]

+ * [[decorosus]]

+ * [[dēdecor]]

+ * [[dēdecus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[decet]]

+ * [[decor]]

+ * [[decōrus]]

+ * [[en|decorum]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Decus'' is also a form of [[decussis]], a coin worth ten asses.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}