Etymologically
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serpens

Etymology and origin of the Latin word serpens

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Cato
Ultimate origin
Latin (serpō)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈsɛr.pẽːs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈsɛr.pens][1]

Forms

serpēns f or m (genitive serpentis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is the present participle of serpō “to creep, crawl”, used as a noun.[2][1] Cognate with Sanskrit सर्प (sarpá, “snake”), Ancient Greek ἑρπετόν (herpetón, “creeping animal”) and Albanian gjarpër (“snake”).[1] Isidore says the serpent is named because it creeps (⟨serpit⟩) by hidden approaches.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Cato, of a snake.[2] Köbler also starts with Cato, whom he dates 234–149 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant a snake, serpent, as in Cicero and Virgil, of fabled serpents, as in Lucretius, and in Seneca the serpent sewn into the sack with parricides.[2][5] In astronomy it was the constellation Draco, between the Bears, or Serpens, held by Ophiuchus, as in Vitruvius.[2] Pliny apparently uses it of a maggot or worm in the body.[2][5] Döderlein explains that rēpere is to creep with small feet, serpere to move without feet, by twisting the whole body.[6]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a creeping thing, serpent, snake.[7] British Medieval Latin used it of the brazen serpent of Numbers.[8] English serpent came through Old French about 1300, and English serpentine from Late Latin serpentīnus.[9]

Timeline

  • 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of a snake.[2][4]
  • 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of fabled serpents.[2][4]
  • c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it of a constellation.[2][4]
  • c. 1300 – English serpent is recorded.[9]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A snake, serpent; a fabled serpent.[2]
  2. (astronomy) The constellation Draco, or Serpens.[2]
  3. A maggot, worm.[2][5]

Usage notes

As an adjective, serpēns is the participle of serpō, “creeping”.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f 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. ^ Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
  4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b c 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. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  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
  9. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
Cite this entry

“Serpens.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/serpens. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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