serpens Latin · revision 7092

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Cato|origins=la serpō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈsɛr.pẽːs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈsɛr.pens]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''serpēns''' ''f'' or m (genitive serpentis); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the present participle of [[serpō]] “to creep, crawl”, used as a noun.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) Cognate with [[sa|सर्प|tr=sarpá|t=snake]], [[grc|ἑρπετόν|tr=herpetón|t=creeping animal]] and [[sq|gjarpër|t=snake]].^(Wiktionary) Isidore says the serpent is named because it creeps (⟨serpit⟩) by hidden approaches.^(Isidore)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Cato, of a snake.^(OLD 2012) Köbler also starts with Cato, whom he dates 234–149 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==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.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) In astronomy it was the constellation Draco, between the Bears, or Serpens, held by Ophiuchus, as in Vitruvius.^(OLD 2012) Pliny apparently uses it of a maggot or worm in the body.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016) Döderlein explains that ''rēpere'' is to creep with small feet, ''serpere'' to move without feet, by twisting the whole body.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a creeping thing, serpent, snake.^(Stelten 1995) British Medieval Latin used it of the brazen serpent of Numbers.^(DMLBS) [[en|serpent]] came through Old French about 1300, and [[en|serpentine]] from Late Latin ''serpentīnus''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of a snake.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of fabled serpents.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 84–c. 25 BC – Vitruvius uses it of a constellation.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 1300 – English ''serpent'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A snake, [[m|en|serpent]]; a fabled serpent.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(astronomy)'' The constellation Draco, or Serpens.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A maggot, worm.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[serpentāria]]

+ * [[serpentigena]]

+ * [[serpentīnus]]

+ * [[serpentipēs]]

+ * [[serpō]]

+ * [[serpula]]

+ * [[anguis]]

+ * [[coluber]]

+ * [[dracō]]

+ * [[en|serpent]]

+ * [[en|serpentine]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ As an adjective, ''serpēns'' is the participle of ''serpō'', “creeping”.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}