alimentum Latin · revision 6336

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Lucretius|origins=la alō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [a.lɪˈmɛn.tũː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [a.liˈmɛn.tum]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''alimentum''' ''n'' (genitive alimentī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[alō]] “to nourish” with the suffix [[-mentum]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline) A spelling ⟨alumentum⟩ also occurs.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's first citation is Lucretius, of food.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Lucretius 96–55 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant food, nutriment, provisions, as Cicero's food of the body and Curtius' supplies for three days, also for plants, as in Columella.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) In the plural it meant sustenance, a livelihood, the cost of maintenance, and alms, as in Seneca.^(OLD 2012) It meant fuel for a fire, as in Livy, and figuratively anything that feeds passions or beliefs, as in Propertius.^(OLD 2012) Lewis and Short note the poets use only the plural.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Döderlein says ''alimenta'' are victuals for an individual's needs, [[pēnus]] stores for a household.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In Medieval Latin it meant the estates of a church set aside for the clergy's keep.^(Niermeyer 1976) It survives in French ''aliment'', Italian and Spanish ''alimento''.^(Wiktionary) [[en|aliment]] came in the late 15th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of food.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of fuel.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it of alms.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 15th century – English ''aliment'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|Food]], nourishment.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(plural)'' Sustenance, maintenance; alms.^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|Fuel]] (of fire).^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(figurative)'' Food, encouragement.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[alimentārius]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[alimōnia]]

+ * [[alimōnium]]

+ * [[alō]]

+ * [[en|aliment]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}