Etymologically
Log in

vertex

Etymology and origin of the Latin word vertex

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Accius
Ultimate origin
Latin (vertō)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈwɛr.tɛks][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈvɛr.teks][1]

Forms

vertex m (genitive verticis); third declension[1] Vortex is cited by Quintilian as an archaic form; the grammarian Caper's distinction between vortex “whirlpool” and vertex “crown of the head” is not borne out by the manuscripts.[2]

Etymology

It is from vertō “to turn”, with the ending of pōdex.[2][1][3] Isidore explains the ⟨vertex⟩ as the part of the head where the hair gathers and turns.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Accius, of a whirlpool.[2] Köbler dates Accius 170–c. 90 BC.[5]

Semantic evolution

It meant a whirlpool, eddy, as in Accius, and in Cicero the crown of the head, from which the hair radiates.[2] In Pacuvius it meant the top of a mountain, a summit, and in Cicero the pole of the heavens or the earth.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant the crown of the head, the highest point, peak, summit, pole, eddy.[6] British Medieval Latin used it for the top, summit, also figuratively.[7] It was borrowed into Italian vertice and Spanish vértice, and gave English vertex in the 1560s, in geometry.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 170–c. 90 BC – Accius uses it of a whirlpool.[2][5]
  • 220–130 BC – Pacuvius uses it of a summit.[2][5]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the crown of the head and the pole.[2][5]
  • 1560s – English vertex is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A whirlpool, eddy.[2]
  2. The crown of the head.[2]
  3. A summit, peak.[2]
  4. A pole (of the heavens or the earth).[2]

Word family

  • bivertex
  • quinquevertex
  • verticillus
  • verticōsus
  • uerticula

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l 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. ^ Isidore of Seville, Etymologiarum sive Originum libri XX, ed. W. M. Lindsay (Oxford, 1911).
  5. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  7. ^ 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
Cite this entry

“Vertex.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/vertex. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·