mereo Latin · revision 8047

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=inherited|attested=Naevius|origins=itc-pro *merē-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈmɛ.re.oː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈmɛː.re.o]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''mereō''' (present infinitive merēre, perfect active meruī, supine meritum); second conjugation^(Wiktionary)

+ It is used both as an active ''mereō'' and as a deponent ''mereor''; the active is usual in the senses “earn” and “serve”, the deponent with adverbs such as ''bene''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*merē-|t=to earn]], perhaps from [[ine-pro|*(s)mr-eh₁-|t=to earn]], from the root [[ine-pro|*(s)mer-|t=to assign, allot]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan finds the verb hard to explain: its ⟨e⟩-grade suits neither a stative nor a causative, and Schrijver's view that it was formed from a noun does not explain its transitive use.^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[grc|μείρομαι|tr=meíromai|t=to receive one's share]], [[grc|μέρος|tr=méros|t=part, share]] and [[grc|μόρος|tr=móros|t=fate]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan's first attestation is Naevius, whom Köbler dates c. 235–200 BC.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) The OLD's earliest citations are from Plautus, of earning money.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant to receive as one's wage, to earn money, as in Plautus, and in Apuleius to earn by prostitution.^(OLD 2012) From Cato ''stīpendia merēre'' meant to draw a soldier's pay, to serve.^(OLD 2012) In Caesar it meant to win glory or reproach by one's actions, and in Plautus to deserve, merit, good or bad.^(OLD 2012) With adverbs, ''bene merērī dē'' meant to deserve well of someone, to do him good service, as in Plautus.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein notes that ''merēre'' implies an activity, whereas ''dignum esse'' “to be worthy” denotes only a quality.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ Its derivatives include ''meretrīx'' “courtesan”, ''merenda'' “afternoon meal” and ''meritum'' “service, reward”.^(de Vaan 2008) It survives in Spanish and Portuguese ''merecer'' and Catalan ''merèixer'', and ''meritum'' gave [[en|merit]] through Old French about 1200.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of earning money and deserving.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato uses ''stīpendia merēre'' of military service.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1200 – English ''merit'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[m|en|earn]] (money); to earn by [[m|en|prostitution]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''stīpendia merēre'', to serve as a soldier.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To win (glory, reproach).^(OLD 2012)

+ # To [[m|en|deserve]], [[m|en|merit]]; to incur (blame).^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''bene merērī dē'', to deserve well of, do good service to.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[commereō]]

+ * [[dēmereō]]

+ * [[ēmereō]]

+ * [[merenda]]

+ * [[merēns]]

+ * [[meretrīx]]

+ * [[meritō]]

+ * [[meritōrius]]

+ * [[meritum]]

+ * [[meritus]]

+ * [[permereō]]

+ * [[prōmereō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[merendārius]]

+ * [[merendō]]

+ * [[meretrīcābilis]]

+ * [[meretrīciē]]

+ * [[meretrīcius]]

+ * [[meretrīcor]]

+ * [[meretrīcula]]

+ * [[merx]]

+ * [[en|merit]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes it from [[dignus|alt=dignum esse]].^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}