dubius Latin · revision 8127

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=inherited|attested=Livius Andronicus|origins=itc-pro *du(i)-fwo-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈdʊ.bi.ʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈduː.bi.us]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''dubius''' (feminine dubia, neuter dubium); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*du(i)-fwo-]], through an adjective ⟨*dubos⟩ “in doubt”, from which a verb [[dubō]] and a new adjective ⟨dubius⟩ were made.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan traces it further to [[ine-pro|*dui-bʰh₂u-o-|t=of two forms, double]], from “two” and the root “to be”, with the same ending as [[probus]] and [[superbus]]; he compares [[grc|διφυής|tr=diphuḗs|t=of two shapes]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) Leumann suggested instead an old instrumental ⟨*du-bʰi⟩ “on two sides”.^(de Vaan 2008) The OLD treats it as formed from ⟨dubō⟩.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan's first attestation, and the OLD's earliest citation, is Livius Andronicus, of something not clearly perceived.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Livius Andronicus 280/260 to before 200 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant, of people, undecided, wavering, as in Caesar, and doubtful what to think, as in Cicero; in Lucretius it meant tottering, and in Ovid faint.^(OLD 2012) The ''Rhetorica ad Herennium'' uses it of what may turn out good or bad, and Cicero of what is open to doubt.^(OLD 2012) In Ennius it meant untrustworthy, and in Plautus of situations unpromising, critical, and of people of doubtful character.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein notes that ''dubius'' and ''ambiguus'' refer to doubt about success or failure, ''anceps'' to doubt about existence itself.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ British Medieval Latin used it of a doubtful, hesitant mind.^(DMLBS) Late Latin ''dubiōsus'' gave [[en|dubious]] in the 1540s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 280/260–before 200 BC – Livius Andronicus uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it of the undecided.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1540s – English ''dubious'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Undecided, hesitant, wavering.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Doubtful, uncertain what to think.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Tottering; faint.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Open to doubt, [[m|en|doubtful]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Untrustworthy; [[m|en|critical]], unpromising.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Of questionable character, [[m|en|dubious]].^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[dubietās]]

+ * [[dubiōsus]]

+ * [[indubius]]

+ * [[dubiē]]

+ * [[dubiō]]

+ * [[dubium]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[dubitābilis]]

+ * [[dubitanter]]

+ * [[dubitātim]]

+ * [[dubitātiō]]

+ * [[dubitātīvus]]

+ * [[dubitātor]]

+ * [[dubitō]]

+ * [[dubō]]

+ * [[probus]]

+ * [[superbus]]

+ * [[duo]]

+ * [[en|dubious]]

+ * [[en|doubt]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes it from [[ambiguus]] and [[anceps]].^(Döderlein 1874) The neuter ''dubium'' is used as a noun, as in ''sine dubiō'' “without doubt”.^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}