Etymologically
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rebellis

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 16:03. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [rɛˈbɛl.lɪs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [reˈbɛl.lis][1]

Forms

rebellis (neuter rebelle); third-declension two-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from re- “again” and bellum “war”, through rebellō “to renew war, revolt”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Virgil, whom he dates 70–19 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant engaged in revolt, rebellious, and as a noun a rebel.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant rebellious, insurgent.[5] Medieval glosses have rebellis pācis “breaker of the peace”.[4] British Medieval Latin used it of the rebellious, insubordinate and disobedient.[6] It survives in Italian ribelle, French rebelle and Spanish rebelde, and through Old French it gave English rebel about 1300.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 70–19 BC – Virgil uses it.[4]
  • c. 1300 – English rebel is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Rebellious; as a noun, a rebel.[2]
  2. (Medieval Latin) Disobedient, insubordinate.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e 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. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  6. ^ a b 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