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pernix

Etymology and origin of the Latin word pernix

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Confidence
Probable
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Plautus
Ultimate origin
Latin (perna)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈpɛr.niːks][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈpɛr.niks][1]

Forms

pernīx (genitive pernīcis, comparative pernīcior, superlative pernīcissimus, adverb pernīciter); third-declension one-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is probably from perna “haunch, ham” with the suffix -ix, compare ⟨-āx⟩ and ⟨-ōx⟩: quick on one's legs.[2][1][3] Wiktionary notes that the expected form would be *pernāx.[1] Lewis and Short's derivation from nītor “to press on” is outdated.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Plautus, whose character says he is quick on his feet.[3][5] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant travelling quickly, swift, agile, nimble, as Virgil's swift feet, and of events speedy, as in Accius.[2][5] Döderlein says citus and celer are swiftness as quick motion, vēlōx and pernīx as nimbleness.[6]

In Medieval Latin it meant quick, swift, and of a letter sent urgently.[7]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of being quick on one's feet.[5][3]
  • 170–c. 90 BC – Accius uses it of speedy events.[2][3]
  • 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it of swift feet.[5][3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Swift, nimble, agile.[2]
  2. Speedy.[2]

Word family

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d e f Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c d Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
  7. ^ 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
Cite this entry

“Pernix.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/pernix. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·