testis Latin · revision 7578

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=compound|attested=Twelve Tables|origins=ine-pro *tréyes, ine-pro *steh₂-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈtɛs.tɪs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈtɛs.tis]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

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

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from ⟨*terstis⟩, from [[itc-pro|*tristos]], from [[ine-pro|*tristh₂s|t=third person standing by]], from [[ine-pro|*tréyes|t=three]] and [[ine-pro|*steh₂-|t=to stand]], first meaning one present as a third party.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Köbler 2010) Compare [[osc|trstus|t=witnesses]] and Oscan ⟨tristaamentud⟩ “by will”.^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler's first source is the Twelve Tables, which he dates about 450 BC.^(Köbler 2010) The OLD's earliest citations are from Plautus, of a witness in court, and Terence, of a witness to a legal act.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant one present at a legal act to make it valid, a witness, and gods invoked to witness an oath, as in Virgil.^(OLD 2012) From Plautus it meant a witness in court, as his ''plūris est oculātus testis ūnus quam aurītī decem'' “one eyewitness is worth ten who heard”, and one who affirms a fact.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) In Ennius places were called on as witnesses, and in Cicero a writer quoted as an authority.^(OLD 2012) From Terence it meant a proof of a fact, and an observer of an event.^(OLD 2012) Isidore says a witness is judged by condition, nature and life.^(Isidore)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a witness.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval Latin used it for an oath-helper, a champion, and ''testis Deī'' a martyr.^(Niermeyer 1976) It was borrowed into Italian as ''teste''.^(Wiktionary) Its derivative ''testimōnium'' gave [[en|testimony]] about 1400.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 450 BC – The Twelve Tables use it.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a witness in court.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of a witness to a legal act.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a writer as authority.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|witness]] to a legal act; a god invoked as witness.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A witness in court.^(OLD 2012)

+ # One who testifies; an authority.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A proof, evidence.^(OLD 2012)

+ # An observer.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' An oath-helper, ''testis Deī'', a [[m|en|martyr]].^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[testimōnium]]

+ * [[testiculus]]

+ * [[testitrahus]]

+ * [[testātiō]]

+ * [[testor]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[testātus]]

+ * [[testificātiō]]

+ * [[testificor]]

+ * [[trēs]]

+ * [[en|testimony]]

+ * [[en|testis]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The same word, probably by a special use, means a testicle, usually in the plural, as in Horace and Pliny the Elder, and Plautus puns on the two senses.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}