lenitas Latin · revision 9607

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

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈɫeː.nɪ.taːs]^(Wiktionary)

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

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''lēnitās''' ''f'' (genitive lēnitātis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[lēnis]] “soft, gentle” with the suffix [[-tās]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline) De Vaan reconstructs ⟨lēnis⟩ as [[itc-pro|*lēni-]], from [[ine-pro|*leh₁-n(o/i)-|t=lazy, slow]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Terence, of mildness.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Terence 190–159 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was slowness of movement, placidity, as of the river Arar in Caesar; mildness, smoothness, of sound, as in Cicero's ''lēnitās vōcis'', of taste, as of wine in Pliny the Elder, and of colour; and mildness of character, gentleness, clemency, leniency, as in Terence.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it was meekness, tenderness.^(Stelten 1995) British Medieval Latin used it for mildness, as in Aldhelm.^(DMLBS) [[en|lenity]] (early 15th century, “softness, mildness”) came through Old French or directly from Latin.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it of a slow river.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

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

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Slowness, placidity.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Smoothness, mildness (of sound, taste or colour).^(OLD 2012)

+ # Gentleness, [[m|en|clemency]], [[m|en|lenity]].^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[lēnē]]

+ * [[lēnīmen]]

+ * [[lēnīmentum]]

+ * [[lēniō]]

+ * [[lēnis]]

+ * [[lēniter]]

+ * [[lēnitūdō]]

+ * [[en|lenity]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}