opera Latin · revision 6982

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Naevius|origins=la opus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈɔ.pɛ.ra]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈɔː.pe.ra]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''opera''' ''f'' (genitive operae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[opus]] “work”, its neuter plural ⟨opera⟩ reinterpreted as a collective feminine singular.^(Wiktionary)^(TLL) The TLL compares ⟨ōra⟩ “edge” beside ⟨ōra⟩, the plural of [[ōs]] “mouth”.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler's first source is Naevius, whom he dates c. 235–200 BC.^(Köbler 2010) The OLD's earliest citations for most senses are from Plautus.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant effort devoted to a task, and Lewis and Short explain that ''opus'' is used of mechanical work, while ''opera'' implies free will and a desire to serve.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Plautus has many phrases: ''operam dare'' “to give one's attention, apply oneself”, ''operā meā'' “thanks to me”, ''operam lūdere'' “to waste one's effort”, and ''operae est'' “it is worth the trouble”.^(OLD 2012) It meant employment, a deed or effort, handiwork, service or assistance to others, and professional services.^(OLD 2012) Cato uses it of a day's work by one man, and Cicero by metonymy of labourers, ''operae'', and in politics of hired rowdies.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein explains that ''opera'' is activity without intense exertion, merely turning one's hand to something.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant work, labour, care, attention, service.^(Stelten 1995) In Medieval Latin it meant a day's compulsory field labour, labour service.^(Niermeyer 1976) It survives in Spanish and Portuguese ''obra'' and Catalan ''obra''.^(Wiktionary) [[en|opera]] came in the 1640s from Italian ''opera'' “a work, composition”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 235–200 BC – Naevius has the word.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses ''operam dare'' and other phrases.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of a day's work.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses ''operae'' of hired rowdies.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1640s – English ''opera'' is recorded, from Italian.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Effort, exertion, pains, ''operā meā'', thanks to me.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''operam dare'', to apply oneself to; to pay attention to.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Trouble, ''operae est'', it is worth the trouble.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Work, employment; a deed.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Service, assistance; professional services.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A day's work.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(plural)'' Labourers, workmen; hired rowdies.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Compulsory field labour, [[m|en|corvée]].^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[operārius]]

+ * [[operōsus]]

+ * [[operula]]

+ * [[opella]]

+ * [[operor]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[opus]]

+ * [[labor]]

+ * [[en|opera]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}