stimulus Latin · revision 9963

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=ine-pro *(s)tey-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈstɪ.mʊ.ɫʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈstiː.mu.lus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''stimulus''' ''m'' (genitive stimulī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The OLD derives it, probably, from an Indo-European root ⟨*stei-⟩ “to prick”, also found in [[stilus]] and [[īnstīgō]].^(OLD 2012) Wiktionary likewise suggests [[ine-pro|*(s)tey-|t=sharp object]], perhaps an unextended form of the root of [[ine-pro|*(s)teyg-|t=to pierce]].^(Wiktionary) Köbler compares ⟨*stei-⟩ “pointed” (Pokorny 1015).^(Köbler 2010) Lewis & Short took it for ⟨*stig-mulus⟩ and compared [[grc|στίζω|tr=stízō|t=to prick]].^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citation is Plautus, of a goad.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was a goad for driving animals or slaves, and in Cicero figuratively anything that torments the mind, a sting of grief or anxiety, and anything that rouses to passion or action, a spur.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a sting, spur, goad, and the lower end of a crosier.^(Stelten 1995) English ''stimulus'' (1680s) began as a medical term for something that goads an organ.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

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

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

+ * 1680s – English ''stimulus'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[m|en|goad]] for driving animals.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+ # A [[m|en|sting]], torment (of grief or anxiety).^(OLD 2012)

+ # A [[m|en|spur]], incentive.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[stimuleus]]

+ * [[stimulō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[stimulātiō]]

+ * [[stilus]]

+ * [[īnstīgō]]

+ * [[en|stimulus]]

+ * [[en|stimulate]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}