mullus Latin · revision 7425

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=Varro|origins=grc μύλλος}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''mūllus''' ''m'' (genitive mūllī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|grc|μύλλος|tr=múllos|t=red mullet]], which the OLD relates to [[m|grc|μέλας|tr=mélas|t=black]] and [[m|grc|μίλτος|tr=míltos|t=red earth]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(TLL) Pliny reports Fenestella's view that the fish was named from the colour of the red ⟨mullei⟩ shoes, and Isidore says it is so called because it is soft (⟨mollis⟩).^(TLL)^(Isidore)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Lewis and Short cite Varro, and Köbler starts with Cicero; he dates Varro 116–27 BC and Cicero 81–43 BC.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant the red mullet, a highly prized fish, as in Varro and Pliny, and Cicero mentions ''mullī barbātī'' “bearded mullets” in fishponds.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016) Seneca also mentions it.^(Gaffiot 2016) Isidore reports a belief that eating it checks lust but dulls the eyes.^(Isidore)

+

+ British Medieval Latin used it of the red mullet.^(DMLBS) [[en|mullet]] came in the late 14th century through Anglo-French and Old French ''mulet''.^(Etymonline)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 116–27 BC – Varro uses it.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero mentions mullets in fishponds.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 23/24–79 AD – Pliny describes it.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The red [[m|en|mullet]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mulleus]]

+ * [[en|mullet]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}