insignis Latin · revision 6942

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Lucilius|origins=la signum}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ĩːˈsɪŋ.nɪs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [inˈsiɲ.ɲis]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''īnsignis''' (neuter īnsigne, comparative īnsignior, superlative īnsignissimus, adverb īnsigniter); third-declension two-termination adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[in-]], [[signum]] “mark, sign” and the adjective suffix ⟨-is⟩.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Gaffiot 2016) The TLL takes it as a back-formation from the participle ⟨īnsignītus⟩ and compares [[grc|ἐπίσημος|tr=epísēmos|t=marked, notable]].^(TLL) Paulus' epitome of Festus says oxen with white on the thigh and foot are called ⟨īnsignēs⟩.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citations are from Lucilius, of what is conspicuous.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Lucilius c. 180–102 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant clearly visible, conspicuous, as Livy's distinctive dress, plain, marked, and remarkable in appearance.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) From Terence onwards it meant noteworthy, memorable, in a good or bad sense, and Varro speaks of the “notable error” of those who would rather teach than learn.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Varro) It meant distinguished, noted, and of what is a mark of honour, glorious, as in Cicero.^(OLD 2012) Its neuter ''īnsigne'' was a noun, a badge or distinguishing mark.^(Etymonline)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant noted, remarkable, eminent, extraordinary.^(Stelten 1995) [[en|insignia]] came in the 1640s from the neuter plural ''īnsignia'' “badges of honour”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of the plain and the memorable.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the distinguished and the glorious.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1640s – English ''insignia'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Conspicuous, recognizable; marked, plain.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Remarkable in appearance, outstanding.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Noteworthy, memorable, [[m|en|signal]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|Distinguished]], noted.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Honourable, glorious.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[īnsigne]]

+ * [[insigniārius]]

+ * [[perinsignis]]

+ * [[īnsigniō]]

+ * [[īnsigniter]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[signum]]

+ * [[en|insignia]]

+ * [[en|ensign]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}