Etymologically
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vivarium

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [wiːˈwaː.ri.ũː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [viˈvaː.ri.um][1]

Forms

vīvārium n (genitive vīvāriī or vīvārī); second declension[1]

Etymology

It is from vīvus “living” with the suffix -ārium “place for”, the neuter of ⟨vīvārius⟩ “of living creatures”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Columella, of a game preserve.[2] Köbler's first source is Pliny the Elder, whom he dates 23/24–79 AD.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant a place where live animals were kept: a game park or preserve, as in Columella, and a fish pond, as in Seneca.[2]

British Medieval Latin used it for an enclosure for game, a park, and a fish-pond or stew.[5] Köbler traces Old High German wīwāri “pond” to it.[4] English took vivarium about 1600 for a game park; the sense of a glass enclosure for live animals is later.[3]

Timeline

  • 1st century AD – Columella uses it of a game preserve.[2][4]
  • 4 BC–65 AD – Seneca uses it of a fish pond.[2][4]
  • c. 1600 – English vivarium is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A game preserve, park.[2]
  2. A fish pond.[2]
  • vīvus
  • vīvārius
  • English vivarium

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g 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. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ 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