myrtillus

Forms

myrtillus m (genitive myrtillī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from Latin myrtus (“myrtle”) + -illus, with the diminutive suffix;^[1] the DMLBS compares the Classical word and Anglo-Norman mirtelle (“bilberry”).^[2] The base is from Ancient Greek μύρτος (múrtos, “myrtle”), which Wiktionary considers of Semitic origin.^[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is a Medieval Latin word, recorded before 1250,^[3] first for the berry of the myrtle: Alexander Neckam writes of the myrtle made famous by its berries.^[2]

Semantic evolution

The berries appear in medical recipes as a powder,^[2] and one source explains mirtillus as the seed of the myrtle, called in English “bloberi” by some.^[2] It also named the fruit of sweet gale and a wine made from myrtle berries,^[2] and Wiktionary gives the sense blueberry.^[1] French myrtille, Italian mirtillo and Portuguese mirtilo were borrowed from it.^[1]

Timeline

• before 1250 – Recorded in Medieval Latin.^[3]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin) A myrtle berry.^[2]
2. (Medieval Latin) The blueberry or bilberry.^[1][2]
3. (Medieval Latin) The fruit of sweet gale.^[2]
4. (Medieval Latin) Wine made from myrtle berries.^[2]

Related words

• myrtus

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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
3. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de