Etymologically
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coluber

Etymology and origin of the Latin word coluber

History Permalink
Confidence
Uncertain
Formation
Inherited
First attested
Virgil

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈkɔ.ɫʊ.bɛr][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈkɔː.lu.ber][1]

Forms

coluber m (genitive colubrī); second declension[1]

Etymology

The origin is unknown.[1] The OLD derives it probably from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kel- (“to bend”), comparing Ancient Greek κελλόν (kellón), and Köbler likewise, while Wiktionary suggests a link with colus “distaff”.[2][3][1] Lewis and Short compared celer “swift”.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's first citation is Virgil, and Lewis and Short cite his Georgics and Aeneid.[2][4] Köbler dates Virgil 70–19 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant a snake, serpent, as in Virgil's Georgics and his snake that glitters in the light, imitating Homer, and the snakes forming the hair of mythological monsters.[2][4][5] Lewis and Short call it poetic.[4] Its feminine is colubra.[2]

In Medieval Latin it meant a snake, a worm causing internal pain, the constellation Serpens, and Satan.[6] Through Portuguese cobra de capello “snake of the hood”, from the feminine colubra, it is the source of English cobra.[7]

Timeline

  • 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of snakes.[2][3]
  • 1802 – English cobra is recorded.[7]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A snake, serpent.[2]
  2. (Medieval Latin) Satan; the constellation Serpens.[6]

Word family

  • colubra
  • colubrifer
  • colubrīnus
  • colubrosus
  • anguis
  • serpēns
  • English cobra

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b c d Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ 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
  7. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
Cite this entry

“Coluber.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/coluber. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·