lacertus Latin · revision 725

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''lacertus''' ''m'' (genitive lacertī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The origin is uncertain.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) Pokorny proposed a connection with [[grc|λάξ|tr=láx|t=with the foot]] and [[non|leggr|t=leg]], and Walde and Hofmann with [[grc|λικερτίζειν|tr=likertízein|t=to jump, dance]]; de Vaan finds none of these semantically convincing.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)^(Pokorny 1959) The TLL suggests that, in the sense “muscle”, it may be the same word as ''lacertus'' “lizard” (see [[lacerta]]), just as [[musculus]] “muscle” is literally “little mouse”.^(TLL)^(Wiktionary) Isidore of Seville already explained the muscles as named after small animals hiding under the skin.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is first found in Lucilius, in the late 2nd century BC,^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) who mentions a bag tied to the [[m|en|arm]].^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant the muscular upper arm, from shoulder to elbow, as opposed to the forearm (''[[bracchium]]''), and more loosely the arm, especially in embraces and in throwing weapons.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) The TLL notes that it was a favourite word of the poets, especially Ovid.^(TLL) In the plural it meant muscles in general, and figuratively strength or “muscle”, as when Cicero speaks of the vigour of an orator's style.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) Ovid uses it once for an arm of a river.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Late Latin used it for a muscle in general.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 180–102 BC – Lucilius uses it for the upper arm.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of arms strengthened for throwing.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it for the strength of an orator.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it for the arms in an embrace and for an arm of a river.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The upper arm; the [[m|en|arm]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # (plural) [[m|en|muscle|alt=Muscles]]; figuratively, strength, vigour.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913)

+ # An arm (of a river).^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Late Latin)'' A muscle.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[lacertulus]]

+ * [[lacertōsus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[lacerta]]

+ * [[en|alligator]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A homograph ''lacertus'', a by-form of ''[[lacerta]]'', means a lizard and a kind of mackerel.^(OLD 2012)^(Georges 1913) Through Spanish ''el lagarto'' “the lizard” it is the source of [[en|alligator]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}