despicio Latin · revision 6654

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Ennius|origins=la speciō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [deːsˈpɪ.ki.oː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [desˈpiː.t͡ʃi.o]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''dēspiciō''' (present infinitive dēspicere, perfect active dēspexī, supine dēspectum); third (-iō variant) conjugation^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[dē-|t=down]] and [[speciō]] “to look at”.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's first citation is Ennius, of looking down.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Ennius 204–169 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant to look down on, as Plautus' character looking down through the skylight and Cicero's image of looking down on peoples and cities from Pacuvius' chariot, also of a place to command a view over, and to look down, relax one's attention.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016) Figuratively it meant to despise, disdain, look down on, as in Cicero, and to show contempt by gesture.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein says one ''dēspicit'' what is beneath oneself, while one [[contemnō|alt=contemns]] what seems great and one [[spernō|alt=spurns]] what should be rejected.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to neglect, disdain, hate.^(Stelten 1995) Through Old French ''despire'' it is the source of [[en|despise]] about 1300, and [[en|despite]] comes from its participle ''dēspectus'' “contempt”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses the perfect ''dēspexe''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

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

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To look down (on).^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(of a place)'' To command a view over.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To [[m|en|despise]], [[m|en|disdain]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # To show contempt for.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[dēspectiō]]

+ * [[despector]]

+ * [[despectrix]]

+ * [[dēspectus]]

+ * [[despica]]

+ * [[dēspicientia]]

+ * [[indespectus]]

+ * [[dēspectō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[dispiciō]]

+ * [[speciō]]

+ * [[en|despise]]

+ * [[en|despite]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}