lacertus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ɫaˈkɛr.tʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [laˈt͡ʃɛr.tus]^[1]

Forms

lacertus m (genitive lacertī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

The origin is uncertain.^[2][1] Pokorny proposed a connection with Ancient Greek λάξ (láx, “with the foot”) and Old Norse leggr (“leg”), and Walde and Hofmann with Ancient Greek λικερτίζειν (likertízein, “to jump, dance”); de Vaan finds none of these semantically convincing.^[2][3][4] The TLL suggests that, in the sense “muscle”, it may be the same word as lacertus “lizard” (see lacerta), just as musculus “muscle” is literally “little mouse”.^[5][1] Isidore of Seville already explained the muscles as named after small animals hiding under the skin.^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in Lucilius, in the late 2nd century BC,^[2][6] who mentions a bag tied to the arm.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant the muscular upper arm, from shoulder to elbow, as opposed to the forearm (bracchium), and more loosely the arm, especially in embraces and in throwing weapons.^[3][7] The TLL notes that it was a favourite word of the poets, especially Ovid.^[5] In the plural it meant muscles in general, and figuratively strength or “muscle”, as when Cicero speaks of the vigour of an orator's style.^[3][8] Ovid uses it once for an arm of a river.^[3]

Late Latin used it for a muscle in general.^[1]

Timeline

• c. 180–102 BC – Lucilius uses it for the upper arm.^[3][6]
• 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of arms strengthened for throwing.^[3][6]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it for the strength of an orator.^[3][6]
• 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it for the arms in an embrace and for an arm of a river.^[3][6]

Meanings

Noun

1. The upper arm; the arm.^[3][7]
2. (plural) Muscles; figuratively, strength, vigour.^[3][8]
3. An arm (of a river).^[3]
4. (Late Latin) A muscle.^[1]

Word family

• lacertulus
• lacertōsus

Related words

• lacerta
• English alligator

Usage notes

A homograph lacertus, a by-form of lacerta, means a lizard and a kind of mackerel.^[3][8] Through Spanish el lagarto “the lizard” it is the source of English alligator.^[9]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c 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 f g h i j k l m Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
4. ^ Pokorny, Julius (1959), Indogermanisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, Bern; Munich: Francke
5. ^ a b c Thesaurus linguae Latinae (1900–), Leipzig: Teubner; Berlin: De Gruyter; open-access ed., Munich: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
6. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
7. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
8. ^ a b c Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
9. ^ Harper, Douglas, Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com