In Russian poetry, especially in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the word "Lanites" was often used. This is the ancient name of the cheeks. It was at this time that Russian literature became, its language developed. Many expressions are borrowed from the Bible. The word "Lanites" is no exception. The translation into the Bulgarian dialect, which began to be called Church Slavonic in Russia, contains just such a transfer of the Greek word for cheeks.
In the period of romanticism, Russian literature experienced many imitations of antiquity, and the words from the Holy Scriptures are perceived as exalted. In this case, there are the words "cheek", "cheek". Writers deliberately distinguish between two words that have the same meaning. So, the Lanites are chosen to describe lovers, heroes, or children.
They are compared with the dawn (Aurora). Cheeks are left to describe men and women. Only cheeks can be rosy, and Lanites can be red. Unshaven - cheeks, and Lanites - severe. Wrinkled - cheeks, and Lanites - wilted.
What dictionaries say
The origin of the word lanita is the compilation of the pro-Slavic root olna, meaning the curved part of the body, and the suffix ita. Researchers suggest that the original meaning of the word is “curved (rounded) part of the face”.
There are similar words meaning cheeks, and in related Russian languages. For example, Ukrainian “lanita”, Slovenian “lan”, Czech “lanitva”. Researcher F.F. Fortunatov traces a much more ancient analogy related to "olna". Interestingly, the Latin word ulna translates as “ulna bone”. The Gothic "aleina" and the Old German "elina" mean the elbow. That is, the meaning of the word as "curved part of the body" is confirmed.
For the most part, the interpretation of dictionaries says: "Lanites are cheeks." But there is also such a definition - "the lateral parts of the face from the lower jaw to the cheekbone." Completely unromantic.
Example of Sublime Use in the Literature
Usually this word is used to describe pretty girls. But not necessarily.
- Tatyana Larina is impatiently waiting for “to pass the dust”. A. S. Pushkin often used this word, not only in the poem "Eugene Onegin."
- M. Yu. Lermontov uses it to describe a handsome man, characterizing the warrior in the poem "Izmail Bay" - "In the Lanites blood like a girl."
- William Shakespeare in sonnet 68 uses this word to characterize the old man - "His lanitas - the days of the past glinted."
How else is the word used
Since “Lanites” are archaism at the moment, the author can use it to highlight features, to add color to speech. This may be an antique stylization, an excerpt from any ancient manuscript. In a humorous genre, a character can have a colorful speech - too pathos or exaggerated folk. I remember Ivan the Terrible from the comedy film Gaidai, releasing compliments to Shurik's wife. In I. Khmelevskaya’s novel, the policeman learned the Polish language from an obsolete dictionary and perplexed him with a speech sprinkled with archaisms.
The modern comedy “Comedy Club” uses this literary device. There, one hero threatens another with the use of physical force, but does it rather pompously: he says that he wants to "sprinkle his Lanites with a crimson blood." The meaning of the words does not change, but the phrase is clothed in an unusual form.
An example from modern poetry
Oddly enough, the word does not want to leave the Russian language, reliably consolidating its position in poetry. The modern poetess L. Buylova has, as she herself calls him, the archaic romance "Do not blame me." It starts like this:
- Zelo love your lanits ...
According to further words, it is clear that this is a humorous stylization. The work has a parody from an admirer of talent Builova, no less funny. And also, of course, replete with archaisms.
Conclusion
The word “lanits”, like “mouth”, “brow”, “hand” and “finger”, does not leave us, having become part of winged expressions and stable phrases. Using them, we make our speech richer and more colorful.