luna Latin · revision 751

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈɫuː.na]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈluː.na]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''lūna''' ''f'' (genitive lūnae); first declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*louksnā-]], [[inh|ine-pro|*lówksneh₂|t=the shining one]], from the root [[m|ine-pro|*lewk-|t=light]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) The Praenestine form [[m|la|losna]] preserves the cluster.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL) De Vaan takes the source to be an adjective meaning “bright”, probably already used as an epithet of the moon in Proto-Indo-European; the same base is in [[lumen|alt=lūmen]] and [[lustrum|alt=lūstrum]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(TLL)

+

+ Cognate with [[cu|луна|tr=luna|t=moon]], [[prg|lauxnos|t=stars]], [[mga|luan|t=moon]], [[ae|raoxšna-|t=light]] and [[grc|λύχνος|tr=lúkhnos|t=lamp]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(TLL)^(Pokorny 1959)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan dates it from Plautus onwards, with the older form ''losna'' at Praeneste.^(de Vaan 2008) Ennius has it for the [[m|en|moon]] blocking the sun in an eclipse.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Besides the moon itself, the word meant moonlight and the moon goddess, identified with Diana.^(OLD 2012) Because of its cycle it was used to reckon days after the new moon (''luna prima'', ''luna secunda'') and, by poets and Pliny the Elder, for a month.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It named a crescent-shaped object, especially the ivory crescent worn on senators' shoes.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ Ancient authors explained the name from [[luceo|alt=lūcēre]] “to shine”.^(TLL) In medieval Latin ''dies lunae'' was Monday,^(Niermeyer 1976) and alchemists used ''luna'' for silver.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato advises felling timber when the moon is waning.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81/79–52/50 BC – Catullus calls Diana ''Luna'' for her borrowed light.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder uses it for a lunar month.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * Middle Ages – ''dies lunae'' means Monday.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+ * late 14th century – English borrows it as [[en|luna]], the moon goddess and the alchemists' name for silver.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The [[m|en|moon]], with ''ad lunam'' meaning “by moonlight”.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # [[m|en|moonlight|alt=Moonlight]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # The moon goddess.^(OLD 2012)

+ # The moon's monthly cycle, as in ''luna prima'', ''luna secunda'' for the first, second day after the new moon.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # ''(poetic)'' A [[m|en|month]].^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # A [[m|en|crescent]], especially the one worn on senators' shoes.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' ''dies lunae'': [[m|en|Monday]].^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[illūnis]]

+ * [[illūnius]]

+ * [[interlunis]]

+ * [[lūnāris]]

+ * [[lūnāticus]]

+ * [[lūnō]]

+ * [[lūnula]]

+ * [[novilūnium]]

+ * [[plēnilūnium]]

+ * [[interlūnium]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[noctilūca]]

+ * [[lūcus]]

+ * [[lūx]]

+ * [[en|lunatic]]

+ * [[en|lunar]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}