Etymologically
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Faunus

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈfau̯.nʊs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈfaːu̯.nus][1]

Forms

Faunus m (genitive Faunī); second declension[1]

Etymology

Its origin is uncertain.[2][1] De Vaan derives it from Proto-Italic *fawe/ono-, Proto-Indo-European *bʰh₂u-n- (“favourable”), the same base as Umbrian fons (“merciful”) and Old Irish búan (“good, favourable”), now that faveō “to favour” is also derived from the root Proto-Indo-European *bʰh₂u- (“to become”).[2] If Favōnius, the west wind that brings spring, is related, it would continue a noun *favō “one who favours”.[2] Others, followed by Köbler, take it from *dʰeh₂w- “to strangle”, comparing Ancient Greek θαῦνον (thaûnon, “beast”).[1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

De Vaan dates it from Ennius.[2] Köbler dates Ennius 204–169 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

Faunus was a mythical king of Latium, father of Latinus in Virgil, and also a god of the fertility of flocks and fields whom the Romans identified with Pan.[4][5][6] In the plural Faunī were deities of the countryside, seen as goblins, as the source of mysterious voices, and as inspirers of poets, and the plural stood for remote antiquity.[4] The Faunālia were held in his honour.[6]

In Medieval Latin a faunus was a rural creature like a satyr, a wood-wose, half man and half goat.[7] English faun came in the late 14th century.[6]

Timeline

  • 204–169 BC – Ennius names the Fauni.[2][3]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero mentions Faunus.[5][3]
  • 70–19 BC – Virgil makes Faunus father of Latinus.[4][3]
  • late 14th century – English faun is recorded.[6]

Meanings

Proper noun

  1. Faunus, a mythical king of Latium; a god of flocks and fields identified with Pan.[4][5]
  2. (plural) The Fauni, deities of the countryside.[4]
  3. (Medieval Latin) A faun, satyr-like wood creature.[7]
  • faveō
  • Favōnius
  • English faun
  • English fauna

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
  3. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b c d e Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  5. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  7. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press