divinus Latin · revision 7365

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=Naevius|origins=la dīvus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [diːˈwiː.nʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [diˈviː.nus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''dīvīnus''' (feminine dīvīna, neuter dīvīnum, comparative dīvīnior, superlative dīvīnissimus, adverb dīvīnē or dīvīnitus); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*deiwīnos]], by surface analysis [[dīvus]] “divine, a god” with the suffix [[-īnus]].^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012) The OLD compares [[osc|deivinais]].^(OLD 2012) Inscriptions have ⟨deiv-⟩, ⟨deu-⟩ and ⟨deinus⟩.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

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

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant of the gods, divine, and ''rēs dīvīnae'' religious matters, and of places sacred, as in Plautus.^(OLD 2012) ''Rēs dīvīna'' or ''dīvīnum'' was a religious rite, a sacrifice.^(OLD 2012) Of persons it meant of divine nature, and in Cicero godlike, superlative, as his ''animōs esse dīvīnōs''.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) It meant inspired by a god, of things magical, and in Ennius able to foresee the future, prophetic, and as a noun a soothsayer, as in Cicero and Horace.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant divine, and ''dīvīnum officium'' the divine office.^(Stelten 1995)^(Köbler 2010) Medieval Latin used it as a noun for a theologian.^(Niermeyer 1976) Through Old French ''divin'' it gave [[en|divine]] in the late 14th century.^(Etymonline) Its noun use survives in French ''devin''.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of the gods and of rites.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it of foresight.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 14th century – English ''divine'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of the gods, [[m|en|divine]]; sacred, ''rēs dīvīnae'', religion.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''rēs dīvīna'', a sacrifice, rite.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Of divine nature; godlike, excellent.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Inspired; magical.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Prophetic; as a noun, a [[m|en|soothsayer]].^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' As a noun, a theologian.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[dīvus]]

+ * [[deus]]

+ * [[dīvīnātiō]]

+ * [[en|divine]]

+ * [[en|divination]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}