fere Latin · revision 9339
16 Oct 2026, 18:23 by bogdan “New Latin entry (sources: de Vaan, OLD, Lewis & Short, TLL...)” current version
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+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=inherited|attested=Naevius|origins=ine-pro *dʰer-}}
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈfɛ.reː], [ˈfɛ.rɛ]^(Wiktionary)
+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈfɛː.re]^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Forms==
+ '''ferē̆''' (not comparable)^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ According to de Vaan it is [[inh|itc-pro|*fero-|t=close by]], [[inh|ine-pro|*dʰer-o-|t=holding, tight]], from the root [[m|ine-pro|*dʰer-|t=to hold]] of [[firmus]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) The OLD calls the etymology doubtful and connects it, perhaps, with ⟨firmus⟩.^(OLD 2012)
+
+ [[fermē]], with the same meaning, is an older form that disappears after the Republic; de Vaan takes it as the ablative of a superlative ⟨*feramo-⟩ “very close by”.^(de Vaan 2008)^(OLD 2012)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ De Vaan dates it from Naevius.^(de Vaan 2008) Köbler dates Naevius c. 235–200 BC.^(Köbler 2010)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ It meant approximately, about, more or less, especially with numbers; virtually, almost, as in Plautus' joke that there are more harlots than flies on a hot day; and, introducing a generalisation, as a rule, usually (''ut fere fit'' “as usually happens”).^(OLD 2012)
+
+ In British Medieval Latin it kept the sense approximately, roughly, especially with numbers, as in Bede.^(DMLBS) Niermeyer records a medieval use “like, for instance”.^(Niermeyer 1976)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it in the sense “almost”.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)
+ * early 8th century – Bede uses it with numbers.^(DMLBS)
+
+ ==Meanings==
+ ===Adverb===
+ # [[m|en|approximately|alt=Approximately]], about, roughly.^(OLD 2012)
+ # Almost, nearly, virtually.^(OLD 2012)
+ # As a rule, usually.^(OLD 2012)
+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Like, for instance.^(Niermeyer 1976)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[fermēmodum]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[fermē]]
+ * [[firmus]]
+
+ ==Usage notes==
+ ''Fermē'' means the same and is the older form; it disappears after the Republic.^(de Vaan 2008)
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}