Etymologically
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salamandra

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [sa.ɫaˈman.dra][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [sa.laˈman.dra][1]

Forms

salamandra f (genitive salamandrae); first declension[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek σαλαμάνδρα (salamándra, “salamander”).[2][1] Köbler calls the Greek word of unknown foreign origin, and Etymonline says it is probably eastern or, for Beekes, Pre-Greek.[3][4] Isidore of Seville said it was named for its power against fires.[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler dates its first use to Celsus, 14–37 AD.[3] Pliny the Elder describes it at length.[6][7]

Semantic evolution

It was the salamander, which was popularly thought venomous and able to withstand or put out fire.[2][8] Pliny the Elder, Martial and Petronius mention it.[6] Isidore of Seville says it is the most venomous of all creatures, killing many at once.[5]

Medieval writers kept the belief that it lives in fire unharmed.[8] English salamander is recorded in the mid-14th century for the legendary creature living in fire.[4]

Timeline

  • 14–37 AD – Celsus uses it.[3]
  • 23/24–79 AD – Pliny the Elder describes it.[6][3]
  • c. 560–636 AD – Isidore of Seville explains its name.[5][3]
  • mid-14th century – English salamander is recorded.[4]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A salamander.[2][6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d 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 d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ a b c Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
  6. ^ a b c d Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  8. ^ 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