lenio Latin · revision 8415

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *leh₁-n-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈɫeː.ni.oː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈlɛː.ni.o]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''lēniō''' (present infinitive lēnīre, perfect active lēnīvī or lēniī, supine lēnītum); fourth conjugation^(Wiktionary)

+ Virgil has the old imperfect ''lēnībat'' and Propertius the future ''lēnībunt''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[lēnis]] “soft, gentle” with the verb suffix [[-iō]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan traces ⟨lēnis⟩ to [[ine-pro|*leh₁-n-|t=lazy, slow]] and compares [[lt|lė́nas|t=lazy]] and [[cu|лѣнъ|tr=lěnŭ|t=lazy]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of calming people.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant to placate, calm, comfort people and animals, as in Plautus; in Terence to mitigate emotions; in Sallust to moderate physical forces and conditions.^(OLD 2012) Cicero used it for making a thing seem less serious, explaining it away.^(OLD 2012) Pliny the Elder and Horace use it of soothing pain or hunger.^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ Through Medieval Latin ''lēnītīvus'' it gave [[en|lenitive]] in the early 15th century, “assuaging, palliating”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence uses it of emotions.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 86–34 BC – Sallust uses it of physical forces.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * early 15th century – English ''lenitive'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make less violent, moderate.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To placate, [[m|en|calm]], [[m|en|soothe]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # To alleviate, mitigate.^(OLD 2012)

+ # To palliate, explain away.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[dēlēniō]]

+ * [[lēnīmen]]

+ * [[lēnīmentum]]

+ * [[oblēniō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[lēnē]]

+ * [[lēnis]]

+ * [[lēnitās]]

+ * [[lēniter]]

+ * [[lēnitūdō]]

+ * [[en|lenitive]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}