rectus Latin · revision 7197

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *h₃reǵ-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈreːk.tʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈrɛk.tus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''rēctus''' (feminine rēcta, neuter rēctum, comparative rēctior, superlative rēctissimus, adverb rēctē); first/second-declension participle^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the perfect participle of [[regō]] “to direct, rule”, from Proto-Italic *rektos, from [[ine-pro|*h₃reǵtós]], from [[ine-pro|*h₃reǵ-|t=to straighten, direct]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citations are from Plautus, of a straight route and of proper conduct.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant straight as opposed to crooked, and ''intestīnum rēctum'' the rectum, as in Varro, and of a route direct, ''rēctā viā'' “by the direct road”, as Terence's ''rēctā''.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) It meant moving in a straight line, straightforward, of expression direct, and in Gaius not through an intermediary.^(OLD 2012) It meant facing squarely, upright, vertical, ''angulus rēctus'' a right angle, as in Seneca, and in Varro's grammar ''cāsus rēctus'' the nominative.^(OLD 2012) Of bearing it meant erect, and in Tacitus unbiased.^(OLD 2012) It meant right, proper, as in Plautus, and ''cēna rēcta'' a regular dinner, correct, true, and in Terence morally right, ''rēctum'' moral rectitude, and of persons upright.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant right, correct, upright, just, steadfast, direct.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval Latin used it of orthodox faith, and ''rēctum'' of the law and of justice done.^(Niermeyer 1976) It survives in Italian ''retto'' and ''ritto'', and [[en|rectus]] is a learned borrowing.^(Wiktionary) [[en|recto]] (1814) comes from its ablative in ''rēctō foliō''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a direct route and of right conduct.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of moral rightness.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro uses ''intestīnum rēctum'' and ''cāsus rēctus''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses ''angulus rēctus''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1814 – English ''recto'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Straight, ''intestīnum rēctum'', the [[m|en|rectum]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Of a route, direct, ''rēctā'', straight.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Straightforward, direct.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Upright, vertical, ''angulus rēctus'', a [[m|en|right angle]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(grammar)'' ''cāsus rēctus'', the [[m|en|nominative]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Erect; unbiased.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Right, proper; correct.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Morally right, ''rēctum'', [[m|en|rectitude]]; upright.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[regō]]

+ * [[rēgula]]

+ * [[en|rectum]]

+ * [[en|recto]]

+ * [[en|right]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}