alimentarius Latin · revision 9862

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Caelius in Cicero's letters|origins=ine-pro *h₂el-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''alimentārius''' (feminine alimentāria, neuter alimentārium); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

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

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|alimentum|-ārius|t1=nourishment]], from [[m|la|alō|t=to nourish]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline) De Vaan traces ⟨alō⟩ to [[itc-pro|*ale/o-|t=to feed]], from [[ine-pro|*h₂el-e/o-]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Its earliest source is a letter of Caelius in Cicero's correspondence.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A legal term, used only once in the classical period according to Lewis & Short, it meant of or concerned with maintenance, as by public charity, supported by charity, and suitable as food.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016) As a noun, ''alimentārius'' was a person maintained by private or public charity.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ German ''alimentär'' is from it, and English ''alimentary'' (1610s, “of nutrition”) from Medieval Latin ''alimentarius'' “of food”.^(Köbler 2010)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Caelius uses it in Cicero's letters.^(Gaffiot 2016)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1610s – English ''alimentary'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of maintenance; supported by [[m|en|charity]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Suitable as food, [[m|en|alimentary]].^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person maintained by charity.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[alimentum]]

+ * [[alō]]

+ * [[en|alimentary]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}