elementum Latin · revision 6887

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|attested=Lucilius}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ɛ.ɫɛˈmɛn.tũː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [e.leˈmɛn.tum]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''elementum''' ''n'' (genitive elementī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is uncertain; the OLD marks it as doubtful, Köbler as unknown.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010) One idea derives it from the letters L, M, N, recited when learning the alphabet, but Wiktionary notes that there is no evidence for such a use in the Latin alphabet.^(Wiktionary) Another makes it a coinage translating [[grc|στοιχεῖον|tr=stoikheîon|t=element, letter]], which has the same two meanings, modelled on [[alimentum]] “nourishment” from [[alō]].^(Wiktionary) Lewis and Short derive it from the root of ⟨alō⟩.^(Lewis & Short 1879) The TLL reports Diels' derivation from an unattested *elepantum, an ivory letter, from [[grc|ἐλέφας|tr=eléphas|t=elephant, ivory]].^(TLL)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler's first source is Lucilius, whom he dates c. 180–102 BC.^(Köbler 2010) The OLD's earliest citations for the main senses are from Cicero and Lucretius.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant one of the four elements, earth, air, fire and water, and more widely a component or ingredient, as in Pliny.^(OLD 2012) In Lucretius' Epicurean system it meant an atom or particle, and also a letter of the alphabet.^(OLD 2012) In the plural it meant the basic principles of a science or of education, rudiments, as Horace's children learning their ''elementa prima'', and figuratively the first beginnings of a thing, as in Ovid.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein explains that it is the smallest part of language or of knowledge, as ''littera'' is of writing, like Greek ''stoikheîon''.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant an element, a first principle.^(Stelten 1995) British Medieval Latin used it of the four elements, including those of the human body and of the weather.^(DMLBS) It survives in Italian and Spanish ''elemento'' and French ''élément''; [[en|element]] came through Old French about 1300.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 180–102 BC – Lucilius has the word.^(Köbler 2010)

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

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the four elements and of first principles.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1300 – English ''element'' is recorded, through Old French.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # One of the four [[m|en|element|alt=elements]], earth, air, fire and water; a component, ingredient.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Epicurean philosophy)'' An [[m|en|atom]], particle.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A letter of the alphabet.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(plural)'' First principles, [[m|en|rudiment|alt=rudiments]]; first beginnings.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[elementārius]]

+ * [[elementicius]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[elementāris]]

+ * [[alimentum]]

+ * [[en|element]]

+ * [[en|elementary]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}