Etymologically
Log in

bellum

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 00:11. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈbɛl.lũː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈbɛl.lum][1]

Forms

bellum n (genitive bellī); second declension[1]

Etymology

It continues the older form duellum, still used by Plautus and in old formulas.[2][3][4] In Plautus duellum has two syllables, and later poets make it three, perhaps by association with duo.[2] De Vaan thinks the best explanation is Pinault's, a diminutive of bonus, first “quite brave”, used of brave deeds and so of war.[2] The Oxford Latin Dictionary compares Ancient Greek δάιος (dáïos, “hostile”).[5] Lewis & Short followed the ancient view linking it with “two”, two sides fighting.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Naevius uses it.[2][5] Köbler dates Naevius c. 235–200 BC.[6]

Semantic evolution

It was war or warfare, a particular war, a battle or fight, and war of a kind, as bellum cīvīle “civil war”.[5] Virgil personifies War at the gate of the underworld.[5] It was also used of struggles between animals and of hunting.[5] Bellī “in war” was paired with domī “at home”, as in Cicero.[7]

In medieval Latin it was also military service, an army, and a judicial combat.[8][9] English bellicose, belligerent and rebel come from its derivatives.[10]

Timeline

  • c. 235–200 BC – Naevius uses it of war.[5][6]
  • 204–169 BC – Ennius says night broke off the fighting.[5][6]
  • c. 1300 – English rebel is recorded, from rebellis.[10]
  • early 15th century – English bellicose is recorded.[10]

Meanings

Noun

  1. War, warfare.[5][3]
  2. A particular war.[5]
  3. A battle, fighting.[5]
  4. Bellum cīvīle, civil war.[5]
  5. Bellum, War personified.[5]
  6. A struggle (with animals); hunting.[5]
  7. (Medieval Latin) An army; a judicial combat.[8][9]

Word family

  • bellicrepus
  • bellicus
  • bellifer
  • belliger
  • bellipotēns
  • bellisonus
  • bellōsus
  • rebellis
  • bonus
  • duellum
  • English bellicose
  • English belligerent
  • English rebel

Usage notes

Isidore says that war was earlier called duellum because there are two sides fighting.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d 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 Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  4. ^ Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  6. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  7. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  8. ^ a b Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  9. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  10. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  11. ^ Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).