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we may define a word by giving its content
as in the preceding instances, or by etymology: we
may for instance explain assiduus1 by deriving it from
as and do, locuples2 by deriving it from copia locorum,
pecuniosus3 from copiapecorum. Genus, species, difference
and property seem more especially to afford scope for
definition, for we derive arguments from all of these.
1 Paulus (exc. Fest.) gives the following explanation of this absurd derivation, for which Cicero tells that Aelius Stilo was responsible: “Some think that assiduus was originally the epithet applied to one who served in the army at his own expense, contributing an as” (i.e. instead of receiving it)!
2 locheples (“wealthy”) is derived from locus = the posses sors of many places.
3 pecuniosus (“moneyed”) is derived from pecus = “rich in herds.”
Quintilian. With An English Translation. Harold Edgeworth Butler. Cambridge. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1921.
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