Etymologically
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phoenix

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Pronunciation

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

Forms

phoenīx f (genitive phoenīcis); third declension[1] The OLD and Lewis and Short treat it as masculine, and Ovid has the Greek accusative phoenīca.[2][3]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek φοῖνιξ (phoînix, “phoenix; date palm”).[2][1][4] The TLL reports a derivation of the bird's name from Egyptian, and Köbler calls the further origin unknown.[5][6] Isidore says it is named for its purple colour, or because it is unique, the Arabs calling a single thing ⟨phoenīx⟩.[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Ovid, of the bird.[2] Köbler dates Ovid 43 BC–18 AD.[6]

Semantic evolution

It meant the fabled phoenix of Arabia, said to live five hundred years and to rise again from its ashes, as in Ovid, Seneca, Pliny the Elder and Tacitus.[2][3] In Pliny the Elder it also meant the date palm and a south-south-east wind.[2]

British Medieval Latin used it of regeneration and uniqueness, and of women of unique nobility such as the Virgin.[8] Through Medieval Latin phenix it gave Old English fenix, whence English phoenix.[4]

Timeline

  • 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it of the bird.[2][6]
  • 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it of the bird.[3][6]
  • 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder uses it of the bird and of the date palm.[2][6]
  • Old English – fenix is recorded.[4]

Meanings

Noun

  1. The phoenix.[2]
  2. The date palm.[2]
  3. A south-south-east wind.[2]

Usage notes

Phoenīx is also a Phoenician, and the name of Achilles' companion, son of Amyntor.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ 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. ^ Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
  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