Etymologically
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panicum

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 15 October 2026 at 23:25. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈpaː.nɪ.kũː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈpaː.ni.kum][1]

Forms

pānicum n (genitive pānicī); second declension[1]

Etymology

The origin is uncertain.[1] The OLD derives it from pānis “bread”, while Georges, Gaffiot, Köbler and Etymonline derive it from pānus “ear of millet”.[2][3][4][5][6] Wiktionary gives both explanations.[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Cato, in On Agriculture, names it among crops.[4] Köbler dates Cato 234–149 BC.[5]

Semantic evolution

It was Italian or foxtail millet, mentioned by Caesar in the Civil War and described by Pliny the Elder.[2][7][4]

In British medieval Latin it was Italian millet, said to be useful as food for all.[8] Its descendants include Italian panico and Romanian părâng.[1] English panic “a kind of grass” is recorded in the mid-15th century through Old French panic.[6] English panic “sudden fear” is a different word, from the god Pan.[6]

Timeline

  • 234–149 BC – Cato names it.[4][5]
  • c. 50 BC – Caesar mentions it.[7][5]
  • mid-15th century – English panic “panic grass” is recorded.[6]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Italian millet, foxtail millet; panic grass.[2][1]

Word family

  • pāniceus

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  4. ^ a b c d Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  5. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  7. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  8. ^ 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