clam Latin · revision 729

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈkɫãː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈklam]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''clam''' (not comparable)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It goes back to [[itc-pro|*klām]], probably an accusative of [[ine-pro|*ḱl-eh₂-|t=concealment]], from the root of [[celo|alt=cēlāre]] “to hide”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012) The ending is as in [[palam]] and [[coram|alt=cōram]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) De Vaan doubts a connection with [[grc|καλύπτω|tr=kalúptō|t=to cover]], since the Greek stem varies in its final consonant.^(de Vaan 2008) Festus records an old form [[m|la|calim]], which de Vaan takes to be corrupt.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is found from Plautus onwards,^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) who uses it as an adverb, ''clam furtim'' “secretly, by stealth”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As an adverb it meant secretly, and with ''esse'' it meant to be kept hidden.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) As a preposition it meant “without the knowledge of”, usually with the accusative in early Latin, as in ''clam uxorem'' “unknown to his wife”, and also with the ablative.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) The legal formula ''nec vi nec clam nec precario'' “neither by force nor secretly nor on sufferance” defined lawful possession.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ In classical prose it is used only as an adverb, except once in Caesar.^(Lewis & Short 1879) Its derivatives ''[[clanculum]]'' “secretly” and ''[[clandestinus]]'' “done in secret” are formed from it.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it both as adverb and as preposition.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence has ''haud clam me est'' “I am well aware”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses the legal formula ''vi, clam, precario''.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it as a preposition with the ablative.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # [[m|en|secretly|alt=Secretly]], privately, by stealth.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # With ''esse'', to be kept secret.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ===Preposition===

+ # (with accusative or ablative) Without the knowledge of, unknown to.^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[clanculō]]

+ * [[clanculum]]

+ * [[clandestīnus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[clanculārius]]

+ * [[clandestīnō]]

+ * [[cella]]

+ * [[color]]

+ * [[occulō]]

+ * [[cēlō]]

+ * [[en|clandestine]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}