custos Latin · revision 7543

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|attested=Twelve Tables}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈkʊs.toːs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈkus.tos]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''custōs''' ''m'' or f (genitive custōdis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ Its origin is unclear.^(Wiktionary)^(TLL) The OLD compares [[grc|κεύθω|tr=keúthō|t=to hide]], [[ang|hȳdan|t=to hide]] and [[cy|cuddio|t=to hide]], and Köbler [[ine-pro|*(s)kewH-|t=to cover]].^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010) The most accepted view, Nowicki's, reported by Wiktionary, is a compound ⟨*kusto-sd-⟩ “who sits by the treasure”, with a first element akin to [[gem-pro|*huzdą|t=hoard]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler's first source is the Twelve Tables, which he dates about 450 BC, and the OLD cites them for a guardian of minors.^(Köbler 2010)^(OLD 2012) The OLD also cites Ennius for a guardian.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant a guardian, protector, ''custōs corporis'' a bodyguard, a legal guardian of minors or the insane, and in Virgil a herdsman.^(OLD 2012) From Plautus it meant one who guards a thing, a doorkeeper, watchman, and in Terence a sentry or garrison.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) In Plautus it meant a jailer, in Cato an overseer, and in Varro an officer watching the voting at elections.^(OLD 2012) In Vitruvius it was the constellation Boötes, in Ovid a container, and in Cato a vine shoot kept in reserve.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant an attendant, guardian, watchman, overseer, and ''custōs martyrum'' a keeper of relics.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval Latin used it for an abbot as administrator of a monastery's property.^(Niermeyer 1976) [[en|custos]] is a borrowing, and its derivative ''custōdia'' gave [[en|custody]] in the mid-15th century.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 450 BC – The Twelve Tables use it of a legal guardian.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a watchman and a jailer.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * mid-15th century – English ''custody'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|guardian]], protector; a bodyguard; a herdsman.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A keeper, watchman; a [[m|en|sentry]]; a garrison.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A jailer; an overseer; an election officer.^(OLD 2012)

+ # The constellation [[m|en|Boötes]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # A container; a guard; a reserve shoot.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' ''custōs martyrum'', a keeper of relics.^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[custōdēla]]

+ * [[custōdia]]

+ * [[custōdiō]]

+ * [[subcustōs]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[en|custody]]

+ * [[en|custos]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}