Etymologically
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funebris

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 16:03. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈfuː.nɛ.brɪs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈfuː.ne.bris][1]

Forms

fūnebris (neuter fūnebre); third-declension two-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from ⟨*fūnesris⟩, from fūnus “funeral”.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero, of funerals.[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant of a funeral, funereal, and the neuter plural meant funeral rites, as in Cicero; in Horace it meant deadly, fatal.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant funereal, and the neuter plural funeral rites.[4] British Medieval Latin used it of funerals and for lamentable, grievous.[5] It survives in Italian funebre and French funèbre.[1] The related Late Latin fūnerālis gave English funeral.[6]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of funerals.[2][3]
  • 65–8 BC – Horace uses it of the deadly.[2][3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Of a funeral, funereal; as a noun, funeral rites.[2]
  2. Deadly, fatal.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g 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. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  5. ^ 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
  6. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com