vindex Latin · revision 8226

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=compound|attested=Law of the Twelve Tables|origins=la vīs, la dīcō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈwɪn.dɛks]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈvin.deks]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

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

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably from the accusative ⟨vim⟩ of [[vīs]] “force” and [[dīcō]] “to declare”, formed like [[iūdex]] “judge”.^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012) The OLD relates it to [[vindicō]] “to claim”.^(OLD 2012) Festus says the ⟨vindex⟩ is so called because he claims (⟨vindicat⟩) a person seized so that no one else may hold him.^(TLL)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citation is the Law of the Twelve Tables, of the legal ''vindex''.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates the Twelve Tables about 450 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In early law, in the procedure of ''manūs iniectiō'', it was the person who secured a seized debtor's release by taking responsibility, as in the Twelve Tables.^(OLD 2012) From Plautus it meant a defender, champion of a person or his rights, and in Cicero an avenger, punisher of a wrong.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant an avenger, a claimant.^(Stelten 1995) British Medieval Latin used it for a defender, champion, as Christ the defender of salvation.^(DMLBS) It was borrowed into Italian ''vindice''.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

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

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

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(law)'' One who secures a seized debtor's release.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A defender, [[m|en|champion]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # An [[m|en|avenger]], punisher.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[vindicālis]]

+ * [[vindicia]]

+ * [[vindicō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[vindicta]]

+ * [[iūdex]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Vindex'' was also a Roman cognomen, as of Gaius Julius Vindex, who led a revolt in Gaul against Nero in AD 68.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}