What is the meaning of “gravitas”?
Clearly the reintroduction of a Latin word, with a 20th-century sense, the earliest reference in the OED is from 1924. The full range of examples the OED gives are as follows:
1924 Manch. Guardian Weekly 10 Oct. 313 He never sheds a certain
Roman gravitas.
1958 Spectator 30 May 698/2 A certain gravitas in the atmosphere
of the Scottish universities.
1961 Times 2 Aug. 11/6 Its leading articles, and even its news
coverage, will have a superb Victorian gravitas.
1961 Listener 30 Nov. 901/2 As for the Prime Minister [of
Nigeria], to see him at close quarters is to recognize the true
gravitas of the statesman.
1969 Listener 20 Mar. 376/2 Gravitas, the heavy tread of moral
earnestness, becomes a bore if it is not accompanied by the light step
of intelligence.
Whilst the OED notes its etymology by way of a simple link to gravity, it does not provide a definition of its meaning, nor its linkage to the Latin gravitas. The OED's abbreviated two-volume "Shorter" (1990) edition gives the meaning as:
Solemn demeanour, seriousness.
However its everyday use, as exemplified in the OED, as well as one's own experience, suggest a wider sense. A person with "gravitas", I would propose carries things like "respect", "importance", "dignity", "influence" etc. as well as the OED's "solemnity".
Interestingly, the Oxford Hachette, provides the French equivalent as envergure, which is related to "wingspan" and "large scale". This would seem to me to incorporate further ideas inherent in the way gravitas is used today.
Could anyone express a succinct interpretation of gravitas in a few words?
meaning
asked 2 days ago
WS2WS2
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Clearly the reintroduction of a Latin word, with a 20th-century sense, the earliest reference in the OED is from 1924. The full range of examples the OED gives are as follows:
1924 Manch. Guardian Weekly 10 Oct. 313 He never sheds a certain
Roman gravitas.
1958 Spectator 30 May 698/2 A certain gravitas in the atmosphere
of the Scottish universities.
1961 Times 2 Aug. 11/6 Its leading articles, and even its news
coverage, will have a superb Victorian gravitas.
1961 Listener 30 Nov. 901/2 As for the Prime Minister [of
Nigeria], to see him at close quarters is to recognize the true
gravitas of the statesman.
1969 Listener 20 Mar. 376/2 Gravitas, the heavy tread of moral
earnestness, becomes a bore if it is not accompanied by the light step
of intelligence.
Whilst the OED notes its etymology by way of a simple link to gravity, it does not provide a definition of its meaning, nor its linkage to the Latin gravitas. The OED's abbreviated two-volume "Shorter" (1990) edition gives the meaning as:
Solemn demeanour, seriousness.
However its everyday use, as exemplified in the OED, as well as one's own experience, suggest a wider sense. A person with "gravitas", I would propose carries things like "respect", "importance", "dignity", "influence" etc. as well as the OED's "solemnity".
Interestingly, the Oxford Hachette, provides the French equivalent as envergure, which is related to "wingspan" and "large scale". This would seem to me to incorporate further ideas inherent in the way gravitas is used today.
Could anyone express a succinct interpretation of gravitas in a few words?
meaning
asked 2 days ago
WS2WS2
52.3k28117250
1
Other dictionaries are available, for example Cambridge.
– Andrew Leach♦
2 days ago
2
@AndrewLeach It adds a little to the Shorter OED, but not much. My guess is that the person who coined gravitas had in mind the idea of "attraction". A politician, for example, who possesses gravitas hold's not only the public's trust but their attention.
– WS2
2 days ago
1
Among some ancient Romans, the 3 characteristics of a great man were "Pietas", "Gravitas" and "Virtus". (also "Digntas" by some)...no short definitions can be had of these characteristics. The term "gravitas" is used in English today, I think, with a certain amount of caprice and may be confused with "gravity" at times (I would think by those who no nothing of the origins of the word). With no Academy to stop a misuse, this will continue. Wikipedia is suspect but this is good: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitas
– J. Taylor
2 days ago
Gravitas and gravity are very closely related. The adjective grave is related to them too.
– Lucian Sava
2 days ago
1
Remember that the word "gravity" (or, rather, it's Greek/Latin predecessors) was likely invented before the physics concept of gravity was formally defined.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
Clearly the reintroduction of a Latin word, with a 20th-century sense, the earliest reference in the OED is from 1924. The full range of examples the OED gives are as follows:
1924 Manch. Guardian Weekly 10 Oct. 313 He never sheds a certain
Roman gravitas.
1958 Spectator 30 May 698/2 A certain gravitas in the atmosphere
of the Scottish universities.
1961 Times 2 Aug. 11/6 Its leading articles, and even its news
coverage, will have a superb Victorian gravitas.
1961 Listener 30 Nov. 901/2 As for the Prime Minister [of
Nigeria], to see him at close quarters is to recognize the true
gravitas of the statesman.
1969 Listener 20 Mar. 376/2 Gravitas, the heavy tread of moral
earnestness, becomes a bore if it is not accompanied by the light step
of intelligence.
Whilst the OED notes its etymology by way of a simple link to gravity, it does not provide a definition of its meaning, nor its linkage to the Latin gravitas. The OED's abbreviated two-volume "Shorter" (1990) edition gives the meaning as:
Solemn demeanour, seriousness.
However its everyday use, as exemplified in the OED, as well as one's own experience, suggest a wider sense. A person with "gravitas", I would propose carries things like "respect", "importance", "dignity", "influence" etc. as well as the OED's "solemnity".
Interestingly, the Oxford Hachette, provides the French equivalent as envergure, which is related to "wingspan" and "large scale". This would seem to me to incorporate further ideas inherent in the way gravitas is used today.
Could anyone express a succinct interpretation of gravitas in a few words?
meaning
asked 2 days ago
WS2WS2
52.3k28117250
Clearly the reintroduction of a Latin word, with a 20th-century sense, the earliest reference in the OED is from 1924. The full range of examples the OED gives are as follows:
1924 Manch. Guardian Weekly 10 Oct. 313 He never sheds a certain
Roman gravitas.
1958 Spectator 30 May 698/2 A certain gravitas in the atmosphere
of the Scottish universities.
1961 Times 2 Aug. 11/6 Its leading articles, and even its news
coverage, will have a superb Victorian gravitas.
1961 Listener 30 Nov. 901/2 As for the Prime Minister [of
Nigeria], to see him at close quarters is to recognize the true
gravitas of the statesman.
1969 Listener 20 Mar. 376/2 Gravitas, the heavy tread of moral
earnestness, becomes a bore if it is not accompanied by the light step
of intelligence.
Whilst the OED notes its etymology by way of a simple link to gravity, it does not provide a definition of its meaning, nor its linkage to the Latin gravitas. The OED's abbreviated two-volume "Shorter" (1990) edition gives the meaning as:
Solemn demeanour, seriousness.
However its everyday use, as exemplified in the OED, as well as one's own experience, suggest a wider sense. A person with "gravitas", I would propose carries things like "respect", "importance", "dignity", "influence" etc. as well as the OED's "solemnity".
Interestingly, the Oxford Hachette, provides the French equivalent as envergure, which is related to "wingspan" and "large scale". This would seem to me to incorporate further ideas inherent in the way gravitas is used today.
Could anyone express a succinct interpretation of gravitas in a few words?
meaning
meaning
asked 2 days ago
WS2WS2
52.3k28117250
asked 2 days ago
WS2WS2
52.3k28117250
edited yesterday
WS2
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WS2WS2
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asked 2 days ago
WS2WS2
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asked 2 days ago
WS2WS2
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1
Other dictionaries are available, for example Cambridge.
– Andrew Leach♦
2 days ago
2
@AndrewLeach It adds a little to the Shorter OED, but not much. My guess is that the person who coined gravitas had in mind the idea of "attraction". A politician, for example, who possesses gravitas hold's not only the public's trust but their attention.
– WS2
2 days ago
1
Among some ancient Romans, the 3 characteristics of a great man were "Pietas", "Gravitas" and "Virtus". (also "Digntas" by some)...no short definitions can be had of these characteristics. The term "gravitas" is used in English today, I think, with a certain amount of caprice and may be confused with "gravity" at times (I would think by those who no nothing of the origins of the word). With no Academy to stop a misuse, this will continue. Wikipedia is suspect but this is good: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitas
– J. Taylor
2 days ago
Gravitas and gravity are very closely related. The adjective grave is related to them too.
– Lucian Sava
2 days ago
1
Remember that the word "gravity" (or, rather, it's Greek/Latin predecessors) was likely invented before the physics concept of gravity was formally defined.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
1
Other dictionaries are available, for example Cambridge.
– Andrew Leach♦
2 days ago
2
@AndrewLeach It adds a little to the Shorter OED, but not much. My guess is that the person who coined gravitas had in mind the idea of "attraction". A politician, for example, who possesses gravitas hold's not only the public's trust but their attention.
– WS2
2 days ago
1
Among some ancient Romans, the 3 characteristics of a great man were "Pietas", "Gravitas" and "Virtus". (also "Digntas" by some)...no short definitions can be had of these characteristics. The term "gravitas" is used in English today, I think, with a certain amount of caprice and may be confused with "gravity" at times (I would think by those who no nothing of the origins of the word). With no Academy to stop a misuse, this will continue. Wikipedia is suspect but this is good: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitas
– J. Taylor
2 days ago
Gravitas and gravity are very closely related. The adjective grave is related to them too.
– Lucian Sava
2 days ago
1
Remember that the word "gravity" (or, rather, it's Greek/Latin predecessors) was likely invented before the physics concept of gravity was formally defined.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
1
1
Other dictionaries are available, for example Cambridge.
– Andrew Leach♦
2 days ago
Other dictionaries are available, for example Cambridge.
– Andrew Leach♦
2 days ago
2
2
@AndrewLeach It adds a little to the Shorter OED, but not much. My guess is that the person who coined gravitas had in mind the idea of "attraction". A politician, for example, who possesses gravitas hold's not only the public's trust but their attention.
– WS2
2 days ago
@AndrewLeach It adds a little to the Shorter OED, but not much. My guess is that the person who coined gravitas had in mind the idea of "attraction". A politician, for example, who possesses gravitas hold's not only the public's trust but their attention.
– WS2
2 days ago
1
1
Among some ancient Romans, the 3 characteristics of a great man were "Pietas", "Gravitas" and "Virtus". (also "Digntas" by some)...no short definitions can be had of these characteristics. The term "gravitas" is used in English today, I think, with a certain amount of caprice and may be confused with "gravity" at times (I would think by those who no nothing of the origins of the word). With no Academy to stop a misuse, this will continue. Wikipedia is suspect but this is good: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitas
– J. Taylor
2 days ago
Among some ancient Romans, the 3 characteristics of a great man were "Pietas", "Gravitas" and "Virtus". (also "Digntas" by some)...no short definitions can be had of these characteristics. The term "gravitas" is used in English today, I think, with a certain amount of caprice and may be confused with "gravity" at times (I would think by those who no nothing of the origins of the word). With no Academy to stop a misuse, this will continue. Wikipedia is suspect but this is good: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitas
– J. Taylor
2 days ago
Gravitas and gravity are very closely related. The adjective grave is related to them too.
– Lucian Sava
2 days ago
Gravitas and gravity are very closely related. The adjective grave is related to them too.
– Lucian Sava
2 days ago
1
1
Remember that the word "gravity" (or, rather, it's Greek/Latin predecessors) was likely invented before the physics concept of gravity was formally defined.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
Remember that the word "gravity" (or, rather, it's Greek/Latin predecessors) was likely invented before the physics concept of gravity was formally defined.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago
|
show 2 more comments
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1
Other dictionaries are available, for example Cambridge.
– Andrew Leach♦
2 days ago
2
@AndrewLeach It adds a little to the Shorter OED, but not much. My guess is that the person who coined gravitas had in mind the idea of "attraction". A politician, for example, who possesses gravitas hold's not only the public's trust but their attention.
– WS2
2 days ago
1
Among some ancient Romans, the 3 characteristics of a great man were "Pietas", "Gravitas" and "Virtus". (also "Digntas" by some)...no short definitions can be had of these characteristics. The term "gravitas" is used in English today, I think, with a certain amount of caprice and may be confused with "gravity" at times (I would think by those who no nothing of the origins of the word). With no Academy to stop a misuse, this will continue. Wikipedia is suspect but this is good: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravitas
– J. Taylor
2 days ago
Gravitas and gravity are very closely related. The adjective grave is related to them too.
– Lucian Sava
2 days ago
1
Remember that the word "gravity" (or, rather, it's Greek/Latin predecessors) was likely invented before the physics concept of gravity was formally defined.
– Hot Licks
2 days ago