improbus Latin · revision 9553

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Twelve Tables|origins=la probus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈɪm.prɔ.bʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈim.pro.bus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''improbus''' (feminine improba, neuter improbum, comparative improbior, superlative improbissimus, adverb improbē); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+ Also spelled ''inprobus''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[in-]] “not” and [[probus]] “good, upright”.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) Wiktionary reconstructs [[itc-pro|*əmproβwos]] and compares Oscan ⟨amprufid⟩ “improperly”.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citation is from the Twelve Tables, of something below standard.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates them about 450 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant below standard, of poor quality, as in Plautus' ''improba merx'' “bad wares”; morally unsound, rascally, as in Plautus; disloyal, ill-disposed, as in Cicero; shameless, greedy, grasping; of actions immoderate, outrageous; and in Ovid wanton.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) Virgil's ''labor improbus'' is relentless toil.^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant evil, troublesome, wrong, bad.^(Stelten 1995) British Medieval Latin used it for inferior and for morally unsound.^(DMLBS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 450 BC – the Twelve Tables use it.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

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

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Below standard, inferior.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Wicked, unprincipled, [[m|en|rascally]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Disloyal.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Shameless, greedy; [[m|en|immoderate]], relentless.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+ # Wanton.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[improbitās]]

+ * [[improbulus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[probus]]

+ * [[improbō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}