vernix

Forms

vernīx m (genitive vernīcis); third declension^[1]

Etymology

The origin is uncertain.^[2][3] It may be borrowed from Byzantine Greek Βερενίκη (Bereníkē),^[1] which Etymonline traces to the name of the ancient city of Berenike in Libya, said to have been the first to use varnish.^[3] The DMLBS sets it beside Anglo-Norman vernis.^[4] In the 16th century Conrad Gesner held the reverse, that Byzantine Greek βερονίκη (beroníkē, “amber”) came from the Latin word, which he took to be Germanic.^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The earliest dated record is from 1291, in a British account that lists white lead and azure;^[4] Köbler dates it to 1296.^[2]

Semantic evolution

It named a resin, above all that of the juniper, and the varnish made from it: painters added it to make colours stick better.^[4] Chauliac, in his surgery, describes it as a warm, dry gum that makes new flesh grow and cleanses.^[5]

Through Old French vernis it reached English as varnish in the 14th century.^[3][1]

Timeline

• 1291 – It appears in a list of painting materials.^[4]
• 1296 – Köbler's first record of the word.^[2]
• mid-14th century – English borrows it, through Old French, as varnish.^[3]
• 1565 – Conrad Gesner discusses the word in a medical letter.^[5]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin) resin, especially of juniper.^[4][5][1]
2. (Medieval Latin) varnish.^[4][6][1]

Related words

• English varnish

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
3. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c d e f 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
5. ^ a b c d Ramminger, Johann, Neulateinische Wortliste: Ein Wörterbuch des Lateinischen von Petrarca bis 1700, www.neulatein.de
6. ^ du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre