marculus

Latin

Alternative forms

  • martulus

Etymology

    Disputed. The term may be ultimately connected with the root *melh₂- (“to grind”).

    • This term has been explained as a diminutive to a noun formed from earlier Proto-Indo-European *molH-ko-. According to this theory, Proto-Indo-European *molH-ko- gave rise to a diminutive noun *malakelo-, which then transformed into *malkelo-, before then changing into *markelo- via the dissimilation or l to r. Alternatively, the term may have begun as *malalo-kelo- and then evolved into *mallokelo- before developing into *malkelo-.
    • Another theory maintains that the term originated from Proto-Indo-European *molH-tlo-, before undergoing a development *moltlo- > *molklo- > *morklo- > marculus. This explanation is favored by De Vaan, though it is criticized by Prósper, who considers the o-grade "unjustified." Prósper further argues that the expected form outcome of this sequence would be *mulcrum. According to Prósper, the second l would be the expected target of dissimilation, such as in fulcrum. Moreover, Prósper suggests that the /o/ ought to be raised in this position, noting comparable forms such as pulsus and ultimus.[1]
    • Prósper proposes a derivation from the root *merh₂-, whence also perhaps Proto-Celtic *marnati. According to Prósper, the term may have followed a development from Proto-Indo-European *mṛh₂-tlom > *marklo- > marculus.[1]

    See also malleus (“hammer, mallet”), with which it is related.[2]

    Due to the -ulus being misanalysed as the diminutive suffix -ulus, marcus was later fabricated by analogy.

    Pronunciation

    Noun

    marculus m (genitive marculī); second declension

    1. small hammer, (Old Latin, post-Augustan) hammer

    Declension

    Second-declension noun.

    singular plural
    nominative marculus marculī
    genitive marculī marculōrum
    dative marculō marculīs
    accusative marculum marculōs
    ablative marculō marculīs
    vocative marcule marculī

    Derived terms

    Descendants

    • >? Galician: macho
    • >? Spanish: macho

    References

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Prósper, Blanca María (2021), “Mars Veneticus and the «palma rule»”, in Francesca Chiusaroli, editor, Miscellanea di studi in onore di Diego Poli [Miscellany of Studies in Honor of Diego Poli], volume 2, Rome: Il Calamo, →ISBN, page 1261 of 1253-1264
    2. ^ De Vaan, Michiel (2008), “malleus (> Derivatives > marculus)”, in Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 7), Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, page 360
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