uterus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ˈʊ.tɛ.rʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈuː.te.rus]^[1]

Forms

uterus m (genitive uterī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Proto-Italic *udero-, from Proto-Indo-European *(H)ud-ér-o- (“outer, sticking out”), a derivative of *ud “out”.^[2][1] Cognate with Sanskrit उदर (udára, “belly”) and Ancient Greek ὕδερος (húderos, “dropsy”).^[2][3] The /t/ for expected /d/ is unexplained: Walde and Hofmann suggested the influence of uter “leather bag”, while Hilmarsson thought it arose by syncope in the oblique cases.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

De Vaan and Köbler date it from Plautus, who also has the neuter form uterum.^[2][4] In Plautus Alcmena's labour pains begin in the womb.^[3] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant the belly or abdomen of persons and animals, and specifically the womb, and so pregnancy or the unborn child.^[3][5] By transfer it was used of cavities like the womb, such as the inside of the Trojan horse, and of the bulging part of anything.^[3]

Medieval Latin kept both senses, belly and womb.^[6] English uterus was borrowed as a medical word in the late 14th century, and it passed in the same way into French utérus and Italian utero.^[7][1]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus speaks of labour pains in the womb.^[3][4]
• late 14th century – English uterus is recorded.^[7]

Meanings

Noun

1. The belly, abdomen.^[3]
2. The womb.^[3]
3. An internal cavity; the bulging part of something.^[3]

Related words

• uterculus
• uterīnus
• venter
• English uterus

Usage notes

Besides masculine uterus there are a neuter uterum in Plautus and a nominative uter in Caecilius.^[3][8]

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
6. ^ 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
7. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
8. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press