ambitus Latin · revision 9897

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *h₁ey-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈam.bɪ.tʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈam.bi.tus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''ambitus''' ''m'' (genitive ambitūs); fourth declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|ambiō|-tus|t1=to go round, canvass]], a verbal noun of the fourth declension.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline) ⟨ambiō⟩ is from [[m|la|ambi-]] and [[m|la|eō|t=to go]], which de Vaan traces to [[ine-pro|*h₁ey-|t=to go]].^(Wiktionary)^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Among the OLD's earliest citations are Plautus and Varro, and Köbler's earliest source is Cicero.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC and Cicero 81–43 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Its literal sense was a going round: a circular motion, revolution, as of the planets in Cicero; a circumference, edge; a recurring cycle, as in Pliny; and a winding route, as in Horace; with ''verbōrum'' it was a periphrasis.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) From canvassing for office it meant corrupt electioneering, bribery, as in the ''Rhetorica ad Herennium'' and Cicero, whence the courts and laws ''dē ambitū'', and Isidore explains the ''ambitūs iūdicium'' as a trial of one who obtains office by largesse.^(OLD 2012)^(Isidore) It also meant courting, importunity, flattery, desire for advancement, ambition, and ostentation, as in Tacitus, Seneca and Quintilian.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a cope, a corridor, cloister, a walking about, an environment, scope, area.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval Latin used it for the wall of a castle, monastery or town and the bounds of a parish.^(Niermeyer 1976) English ''ambit'' (late 14th century, “precinct”) is from it, as are Italian ''ambito'' and Spanish ''ámbito''.^(Etymonline)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

+ * 86/82 BC – The ''Rhetorica ad Herennium'' uses it of bribery.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of revolutions and of electoral corruption.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 14th century – English ''ambit'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A circular motion, circuit, [[m|en|revolution]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|circumference|alt=Circumference]], edge.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A cycle; a winding route.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''ambitus verbōrum'': a periphrasis.^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|bribery|alt=Bribery]] in elections, corruption.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Courting, flattery; [[m|en|ambition]]; ostentation.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' An enclosure wall; a [[m|en|cloister]].^(Niermeyer 1976)^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[ambitūdō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ambiō]]

+ * [[ambitiō]]

+ * [[eō]]

+ * [[en|ambit]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''ambītus'', with a long ''ī'', is the perfect participle of [[ambiō]].^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}