amens Latin · revision 8254

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=la mēns}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈaː.mẽːs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈaː.mens]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''āmēns''' (genitive āmentis, comparative āmentior, superlative āmentissimus); third-declension one-termination adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[ā-]] “away from”, a form of [[ab-]], and [[mēns]] “mind”.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler's first source is Plautus, whom he dates c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010) The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant out of one's mind, insane, and greatly excited, frantic, as in Cicero.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein explains that ''āmentia'' shows itself passively, the ''āmēns'' being without reason, while ''dēmentia'' shows itself actively and wildly.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant insane.^(Stelten 1995) British Medieval Latin used it for demented, scared out of one's wits, madly excited.^(DMLBS) It survives in Italian and Spanish ''amente''.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the insane and frantic.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Out of one's mind, [[m|en|insane]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Frantic, distracted.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[āmentia]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[dēmēns]]

+ * [[mēns]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes it from [[dēmēns]].^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}