potestas Latin · revision 8072

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Law of the Twelve Tables|origins=la potis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [pɔˈtɛs.taːs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [poˈtɛs.tas]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''potestās''' ''f'' (genitive potestātis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+ Seneca and Pliny the Elder have the genitive plural ''potestātium''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[potis]] “able” with the suffix [[-tās]], continuing Proto-Italic ⟨*potistāts⟩.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler's first source is the Law of the Twelve Tables, about 450 BC.^(Köbler 2010) The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of the chance to do something.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant control over persons or things, power, as in Lucretius, and in Cato command of one's faculties.^(OLD 2012) In Cicero it meant an office, magistracy, jurisdiction, and by metonymy a person in authority, a magistrate.^(OLD 2012) From Plautus it meant the power or chance to do something, and in law the right to bring an action; in Cicero the power of choice.^(OLD 2012) In Terence it meant strength, capacity, and the ''Rhetorica ad Herennium'' uses it of the meaning or force of a word.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein explains that ''potentia'' and ''potestās'' are outward power over men, ''potestās'' lawful power, while ''vīs'' and ''rōbur'' are inner strength.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant power, authority, jurisdiction, might.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval Latin used it for a high public office and an official's district.^(Niermeyer 1976) It survives in Italian ''potestà'', and the Italian ''podestà'', a city magistrate, gave [[en|podesta]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of an opportunity.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of self-control.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[m|en|Power]], control.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Self-command.^(OLD 2012)

+ # An office, magistracy; jurisdiction; a magistrate.^(OLD 2012)

+ # The power, chance or right (to do something).^(OLD 2012)

+ # Choice, discretion.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Strength, capacity.^(OLD 2012)

+ # The meaning or force (of a word).^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' An official's district.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[potestatiuus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[potis]]

+ * [[potentia]]

+ * [[possum]]

+ * [[en|podesta]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes it from [[potentia]], [[vīs]] and [[rōbur]].^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}