modicus Latin · revision 8332

16 Oct 2026, 16:02 by bogdan “New Latin entry (sources: de Vaan, OLD, Lewis & Short, TLL...)” current version
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+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=la modus}}
+ 
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈmɔ.dɪ.kʊs]^(Wiktionary)
+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈmɔː.di.kus]^(Wiktionary)
+ 
+ ==Forms==
+ '''modicus''' (feminine modica, neuter modicum); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)
+ 
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is from [[modus]] “measure” with the suffix [[-icus]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)
+ 
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ The OLD's earliest citations are from Plautus, of moderate force and of restraint.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)
+ 
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ It meant used for measuring, and moderate in size or amount, as in Cicero; in Plautus moderate in force or speed, and restrained, temperate.^(OLD 2012) In Cicero it also meant slight, brief, and of moderate quality, ordinary, in Tacitus unremarkable, and in Seneca of moderate means.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein explains that ''modicus'' refers to quantity, opposed to excess, ''mediocris'' to quality.^(Döderlein 1874)
+ 
+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant little, small, moderate, temperate.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval Latin used it for small, slight, short, and ''post modicum'' meant after a while.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Köbler 2010) British Medieval Latin used it for moderate, small.^(DMLBS) It was borrowed into Italian ''modico'' and French ''modique'', and its neuter ''modicum'' “a little” gave [[en|modicum]] in the late 15th century.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)
+ 
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of moderation.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of moderate size.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * late 15th century – English ''modicum'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)
+ 
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Adjective===
+ # Of measuring.^(OLD 2012)
+ # Moderate, small.^(OLD 2012)
+ # Slight; brief.^(OLD 2012)
+ # Ordinary; of moderate means.^(OLD 2012)
+ # Restrained, temperate.^(OLD 2012)
+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' As a noun, a little, ''post modicum'', after a while.^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Köbler 2010)
+ 
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[immodicus]]
+ * [[modicillus]]
+ * [[modicum]]
+ * [[permodicus]]
+ 
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[modus]]
+ * [[mediocris]]
+ 
+ ==Usage notes==
+ Döderlein distinguishes it from [[mediocris]].^(Döderlein 1874)
+ 
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}