Isidore of Seville: ETYMOLOGIARVM SIVE ORIGINVM LIBRI XX

[1] Primus Daedalus mensam et sellam fecit. Coquinae apparatum Apicius quidam primus conposuit, qui in eo absumptis bonis morte voluntaria periit; et merito, quia is, qui gulae atque edacitati servit, et animan et corpus interficit. Ab esu et comesu mensae factum vocabulum; nullum enim alium habet usum.

[1] Daedalus was the first to make the table and the chair. A certain Apicius first composed the apparatus of the kitchen, who, his goods having been exhausted in this, perished by voluntary death; and deservedly, because he who serves the gullet and voracity destroys both soul and body. From eating and consuming the vocable “table” was formed; for it has no other use.

[2] Torus dicitur a tortis herbis quae adcumbentium humeris subponuntur. Stibadium ab stipitibus dictum, quasi stipadium; sic enim prius coeptum est. Adcubitum a cibo vocatum, quasi ad cibatum epularum.

[2] The torus is so called from twisted herbs which are placed under the shoulders of those reclining. The stibadium is said from stipes (posts), as if stipadium; for thus it was first begun. Adcubitum is named from cibus (food), as if for the cibation of banquets.

[3] Convivium apud Graecos a conpotatione, APO TOU POTOU. Apud nos vero a convictu rectius appellatur, vel quia vitae conlocutionem habet. Item convivium a multitudine convescentium; nam privata mensa victus est, convivium non est.

[3] A convivium among the Greeks is from compotation, APO TOU POTOU. Among us, however, it is more rightly so called from convictus (living-together), or because it has a colloquy of life. Likewise, convivium from the multitude of those co-dining; for a private table is victual, it is not a banquet.

Convivii triplex est modus: discumbendi, edendi, et bibendi. Discumbendi, ut (Virg. Aen.

There is a threefold mode of the banquet: of reclining, of eating, and of drinking. Of reclining, as (Virg. Aen.

1,708):

III. DE POTV.

3. ON DRINKING.

[1] Potio a Graeca derivatione vocata; hanc enim illi POTOS dicunt. Aqua generaliter vocata, quod superficies eius aequalis sit: hinc et aequora. Quam inde recentem dicimus quia non est utilis vetusta, ut vinum, sed statim sublata de flumine et fonte vel puteo; fetescit enim vetusta.

[1] Potion, so called from a Greek derivation; for they call it POTOS. Water is generally so named because its surface is equal; hence also the level seas. Which therefore we call fresh, because it is not useful when old, like wine, but should be taken straightaway, lifted from the river and the spring or the well; for when old it turns fetid.

[2] Vinum inde dictum quod eius potus venas sanguine cito repleat. Hoc alii, quod nos cura solvat, Lyaeum appellant. Veteres vinum venenum vocabant; sed postquam inventus est virus letiferi sucus, hoc vinum vocatum, illud venenum.

[2] Wine is so called from the fact that its drinking quickly replenishes the veins with blood. This, because it loosens us from care, some call Lyaeum. The ancients used to call wine “poison”; but after the virus—the lethiferous juice—was discovered, this was called wine, that poison.

Vnde et Hieronymus in libro quem de virginitate servanda scripsit: 'Adolescentulas' inquit 'ita vinum debere fugere ut venenum, ne pro aetatis calore ferventi bibant et pereant.' Inde est quod apud veteres Romanos feminae non utebantur vinum, nisi sacrorum causa certis diebus.

Whence also Jerome, in the book which he wrote on virginity to be preserved: 'Young girls,' he says, 'ought to flee wine just as poison, lest on account of the heat of their age they drink it while fervent and perish.' Hence it is that among the ancient Romans women did not use wine, except for the cause of sacred rites on certain days.

[3] Merum dicimus cum vinum purum significamus; nam merum dicimus quidquid purum atque sincerum est, sicut et aquam meram, nulli utique rei mixtam. Hinc et merenda, quod antiquitus id temporis pueris operariis quibus panis merus dabatur; aut quod meridient eo tempore, id est soli ac separatim, non, ut in prandio aut in cena, ad unam mensam. Inde credimus etiam illud tempus, quod post medium diem est, meridiem appellari, quod purum sit.

[3] We say merum when we signify pure wine; for we call merum whatever is pure and sincere, just as mere water, mixed surely with no thing at all. Hence also merenda, because in antiquity at that time to boy laborers mere bread was given; or because they take their meridian then, that is, alone and separately, not, as at the prandium or at supper, at one table. Hence we believe also that the time which is after the middle of the day is called meridiem, because it is pure.

[4] Mustum est vinum e lacu statim sublatum. Dictum autem creditur mustum quod in se limum et terram habeat mixtam; nam mus terra, unde et humus. Cuius tanta vis fervoris est ut vasa quamvis grandia ex eo repleta absque spiramine ilico disrunipat.

[4] Must is wine taken up at once from the vat. It is believed to be called must because it has mud and earth mixed in it; for mus is “earth,” whence also humus. Such is the force of its fervor that vessels, however large, filled with it, burst asunder immediately if there is no vent.

[5] Roseum vinum, id est cum rubore; rosa enim rubet. Amineum vero quasi sine mineo, id est sine rubore; nam album est. Sucinacium sucinae gemmae simile est, id est fulvi coloris.

[5] Rosé wine, that is with redness; for the rose reddens. Aminean indeed, as if “without minium,” that is without redness; for it is white. Sucinacian is similar to the gem of succinum (amber), that is of fulvous color.

[6] Limpidum vinum, id est perspicuum, ab aquae specie dictum, quasi lymphidum; lympha enim aqua est. Turbidum, quasi terbidum, id est terra commixtum, quod est faece. Falernum vinum vocatum a Falerna regione Campaniae, ubi optima vitia nascuntur.

[6] Limpid wine, that is, perspicuous, named from the appearance of water, as if “lymphid”; for lympha is water. Turbid, as if “terbid,” that is, commixed with earth, which is the dregs. Falernian wine, called from the Falernian region of Campania, where the best vines are born.

[7] Colatum vas proprium nuncupavit in quo deportatur: Gazeum vero regio, unde defertur; Gaza enim oppidum est Palaestinae. Infertum vinum dicitur quod altario libatur atque offertur. Spurcum, quod offerri non licet, aut cui aqua admixta est, quasi spurium, hoc est inmundum.

[7] He has called “colatum” the proper vessel in which it is carried; “Gazeum,” moreover, from the region whence it is brought; for Gaza is a town of Palestine. “Infertum” wine is said of that which is libated and offered at the altar. “Spurcum,” that which it is not permitted to offer, or to which water has been admixed, as if “spurious,” that is, unclean.

[8] Honorarium vinum, quod regibus et potentibus honoris gratia offertur. Cato de innocentia sua (1): 'Quum essem in provincia legatus, quamplures ad praetores et consules vinum honorarium dabant: numquam accepi, ne privatus quidem.'

[8] Honorary wine, which is offered to kings and the powerful for the sake of honor. Cato on his own innocence (1): 'When I was in the province as a legate, a great many gave honorary wine to the praetors and consuls: I never accepted it, not even as a private citizen.'

[9] Crucium vinum est insuave quod servi potant. Acetum, vel quia acutum, vel quia aquatum; vinum enim aqua mixtum cito in hunc saporem redigitur. Vnde et acidum, quasi aquidum.

[9] Crucium wine is unsavory, which slaves drink. Vinegar, either because it is sharp (acute), or because it is watered; for wine mixed with water is quickly reduced into this flavor. Whence also “acidum,” as if “aquidum.”

Conditum vocatum, quod non sit simplex, et commixtione pigmentorum conpositum.

Conditum is so called because it is not simple, but is composed by a commixture of spices.

[10] Lactatum est potio e lacte. Mulsum ex melle mixtum; est enim potio ex aqua et melle, quod Graeci MELIKRATON vocant.

[10] Lactatum is a potion from milk. Mulsum is mixed from honey; for it is a potion from water and honey, which the Greeks call MELIKRATON.

[11] Oenomelum mustum melle admixtum vehementerque agitatum atque commotum. Hydromelum, quod fiat ex aqua et malis Matianis. Saccatum liquor est aquae faece vini admixtus et sacco expressus.

[11] Oenomelum is must admixed with honey and vehemently agitated and commoted. Hydromel is that which is made from water and Matian apples. Saccatum is a liquor of water with the lees of wine admixed and expressed through a sack.

Lorea.

Lora.

[12] Oxymeli appellatum quod aceti et mellis permixta conficiatur materia, unde et dulcedinem retinet et acorem. Rhodomelum dicitur eo quod in suco rosae mel admisceatur.

[12] It is called oxymel because a compound is prepared from vinegar and honey mixed together, whence it retains both sweetness and sourness. It is called rhodomel for this reason, that honey is mixed into the juice of the rose.

[13] Melicratum vinum melle mixtum. Medus, quasi melus, quia ex melle fit; sicut calamitas pro cadamitas. Faecula uva pinguis, decocta usque ad crassitudinem mellis ac refrigerata, utilis stomacho.

[13] Melicratum, wine mixed with honey. Mead, as if “melus,” because it is made from honey; just as “calamitas” for “cadamitas.” Faecula, rich grape must, boiled down to the thickness of honey and cooled, is useful for the stomach.

[14] Passum, quidquid ex uva passa conpressum effluxerit. Dicitur autem passum a patiendo: nam percutitur uva siccior et decoquitur, et inde fit passum. Defrutum dictum est quod defrudatur, et quasi fraudem patiatur.

[14] Passum, whatever has flowed out from a dried grape when it has been pressed. Moreover, it is called passum from suffering: for the drier grape is struck and is boiled down, and from that passum is made. Defrutum is said because it is defrauded, as if it were to suffer a fraud.

[15] Carenum, eo quod fervendo partem careat; tertia enim parte musti amissa quod remanserit carenum est. Cui contraria sapa est, quae fervendo ad tertiam redacta descenderit.

[15] Carenum, for the reason that by boiling it lacks a part; for with a third part of the must lost, what has remained is carenum. Its contrary is sapa, which by boiling, reduced to a third, has subsided.

[16] Sicera est omnis potio quae extra vinum inebriare potest. Cuius licet nomen Hebraeum est, tamen Latinum sonat pro eo quod ex suco frumenti vel pomorum conficiatur, aut palmarun fructus in liquorem exprimantur, coctisque frugibus aqua pinguior, quasi sucus, colatur, et ipsa potio sicera nuncupatur.

[16] Sicera is every potion that, apart from wine, can inebriate. Although its name is Hebrew, nevertheless it sounds Latin on account of the fact that it is composed from the juice of grain or of fruits, or the fruits of palms are pressed into liquid; and when grains have been cooked, a richer water, as if a juice, is strained, and the potion itself is named sicera.

[17] Cervisia a Cerere, id est fruge vocata; est enim potio ex seminibus frumenti vario modo confecta.

[17] Cervisia, named from Ceres, that is, from grain; for it is a drink made from the seeds of grain, prepared in various ways.

[18] Caelia a calefaciendo appellata; est enim potio ex suco tritici per artem confecta. Suscitatur enim igne illa vis germinis madefactae frugis ac deinde siccatur et post in farinam redacta molli suco admiscitur, quo fermentato sapor austeritatis et calor ebrietatis adicitur. Quae fit in his partibus Hispaniae cuius ferax vini locus non est.

[18] Caelia is so named from calefaction; for it is a drink concocted by art from the juice of wheat. For by fire that force of the sprout of the moistened grain is awakened, and then it is dried, and afterward, reduced into meal, it is mixed with a soft juice, by whose fermentation a savor of astringency and a heat of inebriation is added. This is made in those parts of Spain which are not productive of wine.

Fex dicta, quod sese vasis emergendo adfigat.

Dregs are so called, because by emerging they affix themselves to the vessels.

[19] Garum est liquor piscium salsus, qui olim conficiebatur ex pisce quem Graeci GARON vocabant; et quamvis nunc ex infinito genere piscium fiat, nomen tamen pristinum retinet a quo initium sumpsit.

[19] Garum is a salted liquor of fishes, which once used to be prepared from a fish that the Greeks called GARON; and although now it is made from an endless variety of fishes, nevertheless it retains its pristine name from that from which it took its beginning.

[20] Liquamen dictum eo quod soluti in salsamento pisciculi eundem humorem liquant. Cuius liquor appellatur salsugo vel muria. Proprie autem muria dicitur aqua sale commixta, effectaque gustu in modum maris.

[20] Liquamen is so called because little fishes, dissolved in a salsament, release the same moisture as liquid. The liquid of it is called salsugo or muria. Properly, however, muria is said of water mixed with salt, and made in taste after the manner of the sea.

[21] Sucus dicti quod sacco exprimantur, ut ptisanae. Ptisana, zema, apozema Graeca vocabula sunt.

[21] Juices are so called because they are pressed out by a sack, as ptisanae are. Ptisana, zema, apozema are Greek vocables.

IV. DE VASIS ESCARIIS.

4. ON FOOD VESSELS.

[1] Vasa dicta a vescendo, quad in ea escae adponantur. Cuius diminutivum vascula, quasi vescula.

[1] Vessels are so called from eating (vescendum), because esculents are set before in them. Its diminutive is vascula, as if vescula.

[2] Fictilia dicta quod fiant et fingantur ex terra. Fingere enim est facere, formare et plasmare, unde et figuli dicuntur. Et vas fictile dicitur non fictum [in] illud quod mendacium est, sed quod formatur, ut sit et habeat aliquam formam.

[2] Fictile vessels are so called because they are made and fashioned from earth. For to “feign” (fingere) is to make, to form, and to plasm (to mold), whence also “figuli” are so called (potters). And a fictile vessel is said not “feigned” in that sense which is a lie, but because it is formed, so that it may exist and have some form.

Vnde et Apostolus dicit (Rom. 9,20): 'Numquid dicit figmentun ei qui se finxit: Quare me sic fecisti?'

Whence also the Apostle says (Rom. 9:20): 'Does the formed thing say to him who fashioned it: Why have you made me thus?'

[3] Fictilia vasa in Samo insula prius inventa traduntur, facta ex creta et indurata igni; unde et Samia vasa: postea inventum et rubricam addere et ex rubra creta fingere. Antiquiorem autem fuisse usum fictilium vasorum quam fundendi aeris aut argenti; apud veteres enim nec aurea nec argentea, sed fictilia vasa habebantur; sicut ad vina doliis excogitatis, ad aquas amphoris, hydriis ad balneas, ac reliquis quae in usibus hominum aut rota fiunt aut manu aptantur.

[3] Earthenware vessels are handed down as having been first invented on the island of Samos, made from clay and hardened by fire; whence also Samian vessels: afterwards it was discovered both to add rubric (red ochre) and to fashion from red clay. And the use of earthenware vessels was more ancient than the casting of bronze or of silver; for among the ancients there were held not golden nor silver, but earthenware vessels; as, for wines, dolia having been devised, for waters, amphorae, hydriae for the bathhouses, and the remaining things which, in the uses of men, are either made by the wheel or fitted by hand.

[4] Argilla autem excocta testae vocabulum suscipit quia, dum mollis esset, efficitur tosta, nec communicat cum vocabulo pristini generis, quia quod fuit non est.

[4] Clay, however, when baked, takes on the appellation “testa,” because, while it was soft, it becomes baked; nor does it have anything in common with the appellation of its former kind, because what it was, it is not.

[5] Arretina vasa ex Arretio municipio Italiae dicuntur, ubi fiunt; sunt enim rubra. De quibus Sedulius (prol.):

[5] Arretine vessels are said to be from Arretium, a municipality of Italy, where they are made; for they are red. Concerning which Sedulius (prol.):

V. DE VASIS POTATORIIS.

5. ON DRINKING VESSELS.

[1] Poculum a potando nominatum; est enim omne vas in quo bibendi est consuetudo. Phialae dictae quod ex vitro fiant; vitrum enim Graece VALOS dicitur.

[1] A cup is named from potation; for it is any vessel in which there is the custom of drinking. Phials are so called because they are made of glass; for glass in Greek is called VALOS.

[2] Paterae phialae sunt dictae vel quod in ipsis potare solemus, vel quod patentes sunt dispansisque labris.

[2] Paterae are called phialae either because we are accustomed to drink in them, or because they are open and with splayed rims.

[3] Cratera calix est duas habens ansas, et est Graecum nomen. Declinatur autem apud eos hic crater; nam Latine haec cratera dicitur. Vnde Persius (2,51):

[3] A cratera is a calix (chalice) having two handles, and it is a Greek name. It is declined among them as hic crater; for in Latin one says haec cratera. Whence Persius (2,51):

VI. DE VASIS VINARIIS ET AQVARIIS.

6. ON WINE VESSELS AND WATER VESSELS.

[1] Oenophorum vas ferens vinum; OINOS enim vinum est. De quo est illud (Lucil. 139):

[1] Oenophorum, a vessel bearing wine; for OINOS is wine. Concerning which is this (Lucil. 139):

VII. DE VASIS OLEARIIS.

7. ON OIL VESSELS.

[1] Hemicadium, vas olearium. Scortia, vas olearium eo quod sit ex corio dictum.

[1] Hemicadium, an oil-vessel. Scortia, an oil-vessel, so called because it is derived from corium (hide).

[2] Alabastrum vas unguentarium e lapide sui generis cognominatum, quem alabastriten vocant, qui incorrupta unguenta conservat.

[2] Alabastrum, an unguent-vessel, cognominated from a stone of its own kind, which they call alabastrite, which preserves unguents uncorrupted.

[3] Pyxides vascula unguentaria ex buxo facta; nam quod nos buxum, Graeci PUKSON vocant.

[3] Pyxides, little unguentary vessels made from boxwood; for what we call boxwood, the Greeks call PYXON.

[4] Lenticula vasculum olearium, ex aere aut argento factum, a liniendo dictum: his enim reges et sacerdotes liniebantur.

[4] Lenticula, a small oil-vessel, made of bronze or silver, so called from linire “to anoint”: for with these kings and priests were anointed.

VIII. DE VASIS COQVINARIIS.

8. ON COOKING VESSELS.

[1] Omnia vasa coquendi causa parata cocula dicuntur. Plautus (frag. 181):

[1] All vessels prepared for the purpose of cooking are called cocula. Plautus (frag. 181):

IX. DE VASIS REPOSITORIIS.

9. ON REPOSITORY VESSELS.

[1] Gazophylacium arca est ubi colliguntur in templo ea quae ad indigentiam pauperum mittuntur. Compositum est autem nomen de lingua Persa et Graeca; gaza enim lingua Persarum thesaurum, FULAKION Graece custodia interpretatur.

[1] A gazophylacium is a chest where, in the temple, those things are gathered which are sent for the indigence of the poor. Moreover, the name is composite from the Persian and the Greek tongue; for gaza in the language of the Persians is interpreted as treasure, and FULAKION in Greek as custody.

[2] Arca dicta quod arceat visum atque prohibeat. Hinc et arcivum, hinc et arcanum, id est secretum, unde ceteri arcentur.

[2] It is called a chest because it wards off the gaze and prohibits. Hence also archive, and hence arcanum, that is, secret, from which the others are warded off.

[3] Cibutum Graecum nomen est, quod nos arcam dicimus. Loculus ad aliquid ponendum in terra factus locus, seu ad vestes vel pecuniam custodiendam; unde et per diminutionem dicitur.

[3] Cibutum is a Greek name, which we call an ark. A loculus is a place made in the earth for setting something, or for safeguarding garments or money; whence also it is so named as a diminutive.

[4] Mozicia, quasi modicia, unde et modicum; Z pro D, sicut solent Itali dicere ozie pro hodie. Scrinia.

[4] Mozicia, as if modicia, whence also modicum; Z for D, just as the Italians are wont to say ozie for hodie. Writing-cases.

[5] Saccus a sago dictus, quod eo consuto efficiatur quasi sagus. Marsuppium sacculus nummorum, quem Graeci MARSIPION appellant. Quaedam enim Graeca nomina in Latinum paulo inflectuntur propter Romanum eloquium.

[5] Sack is said from sagum, because, with it sewn together, it is made as if a sagum. Marsuppium, a little bag of coins, which the Greeks call MARSIPION. For certain Greek names are slightly inflected into Latin on account of Roman elocution.

[6] Sitarciae nautarum sunt, ab eo quod sutae sunt. Involucrum dictum quod aliquid in se teneat involutum.

[6] Sitarciae are of sailors, from the fact that they are sewn. Involucre is so called because it holds something enveloped within itself.

[7] Fiscus sacculus est publicus, unde et fiscellae et fiscinae dicuntur: hunc habent exactores, et in eo mittunt debitum publicum quod redditur regibus. Fiscus autem primae positionis est, derivativum fiscina, diminutivum fiscella.

[7] The fiscus is a public little sack (pouch), whence also “fiscellae” and “fiscinae” are said: the exactors (tax-collectors) have this, and into it they put the public due that is rendered to kings. But “fiscus” is of the first position (a primary), “fiscina” a derivative, “fiscella” a diminutive.

[8] Canistrum fissis cannis contexitur, unde et nuncupatum: alii Graecum adserunt. Cistella a costis ex canna vel ligno, quibus contexitur, nominata.

[8] A canister is woven together from split reeds, whence also it is so named: others assert it is Greek. A cistella is named from the ribs out of reed or wood, by which it is woven.

[9] Cophinus est vas ex virgulis, aptum mundare stercora et terram portare. De quo dicit Psalmista pro Israel (81,7) 'Manus eius in cophino servierunt.' Dictus autem covinus quasi covus, quasi cavus. Corves dicti, quia curvatis virgis contexuntur.

[9] A cophinus is a vessel out of withies, apt to cleanse dung and to carry earth. Of which the Psalmist says concerning Israel (81,7) 'His hands served in the cophinus.' But covinus is so called as if from covus, as if from cavus. Corves are so named because they are woven of curved rods.

[10] Sporta vel quod ab sparto fieri solet, vel quod exportet aliquid. [Sporta ab sparto dicta, non ab exportando sicut quidam volunt: prius enim de sparto fiebant.]

[10] The sporta, either because it is wont to be made from esparto, or because it exports something. [Sporta is named from esparto, not from exporting, as some would have it; for formerly they were made from esparto.]

X. DE VASIS LVMINARIORVM.

10. ON THE VESSELS OF LIGHTS.

[1] Ab igne colendo et ligna antiqui appellaverunt focum: FOS enim Graece, Latine ignis est, unde et iuxta philosophos quosdam cuncta procreantur. Et revera sine calore nihil nascitur, adeo ut de septentrione [poeta] dicat (Lucan. 4,108):

[1] From tending the fire and the logs the ancients named the hearth “focus”: for FOS in Greek is “fire” in Latin, whence also, according to certain philosophers, all things are procreated. And in truth without heat nothing is born, to such a degree that about the Septentrion [the poet] says (Lucan. 4,108):

XI. DE LECTICIS ET SELLIS.

11. ON LITTERS AND CHAIRS.

[1] Lecticae a lectis herbis vocatae. Stratus ab sternendo dictus, quasi storiatus. In his solis antiqui ad dormiendum adcubabant, nondum laneis stramentis repertis.

[1] Litters are so called from gathered herbs. Stratus is said from strewing (sternere), as if storiated (straw‑matted). On these alone the ancients reclined for sleeping, woolen bedding not yet having been discovered.

Storia, quod sit terra strata.

Storia, because the ground is strewn.

[2] Cama est brevis et circa terram; Graeci enim CHAMAI breve dicunt. Cubile est cubandi locus. Grabatum Graecum est.

[2] A cama is short and close to the ground; for the Greeks say CHAMAI for “short/low.” A cubile is a place for reclining. Grabatum is Greek.

Baianula est lectus qui in itinere baiolatur, a baiolando, id est deportando.

A baianula is a couch which is borne on a journey, from baiolando, that is, deporting.

[3] Pulvinar lectus divitum est: inde et pulvillus. Spingae sunt in quibus sunt spingatae effigies, quos nos gryphos dicimus. Punicani lecti parvi et humiles primum a Cartagine advecti, et inde nominati.

[3] A pulvinar is the couch of the rich: hence also the pulvillus. Spingae are those on which there are spingate effigies, which we call gryphons. Punicani couches are small and low, first conveyed from Carthage, and named from there.

[4] Lecticae, sive plutei lecti. De quo Rutilius Rufus de vita sua (13): 'Primum,' inquit, 'contra consuetudinem imperatorum ipse pro lectis lecticis utebatur.'

[4] Litters, or the plutei of a bed. About which Rutilius Rufus, on his life (13): 'First,' he says, 'contrary to the custom of commanders, he himself used litters instead of couches.'

[5] Sponda autem exterior pars lecti, pluteus interior. Geniales lecti proprie sunt qui sternuntur puellis nubentibus; dicti autem a generandis liberis.

[5] However, the sponda is the outer part of the bed, the pluteus the inner. Genial beds are properly those which are spread for girls about to wed; and they are so called from generating children.

[6] Cunabula sunt lectuli in quibus infantes iacere consuerunt, dicta quod partui adhibeantur, quasi cynabula; nam KUEIN est Graece eniti.

[6] Cradles are the little beds in which infants are accustomed to lie, so called because they are applied to parturition, as if “cynabula”; for KUEIN is in Greek “to bring forth.”

[7] Feretrum dicitur eo quod in eo mortui deferantur; et est Graecum nomen; nam FERETRON dicitur APO TOU FEREIN, id est a ferendo. Nam Latine capulus dicitur, quod super capita hominum feratur. Sic Plautus ait (Mil.

[7] Feretrum is so called because in it the dead are borne; and it is a Greek name; for FERETRON is said APO TOU FEREIN, that is, from bearing. For in Latin it is called capulus, because it is carried above the heads of men. Thus Plautus says (Mil.

628): 'capularis senex,' id est vicinus capulo.

(Mil. 628): 'a coffin-ready old man,' that is neighbor to the bier.

[8] Scamna sunt quae lectis altioribus adponuntur; dicta autem ab scandendo [id est ascendendo]. Hinc et scabilli, qui lectis parvis vel sellis ob ascensum adponuntur. Scabillum autem et subpedaneum dicitur; nam quod dicunt Graeci UPOPODION, dixerunt Latini scabillum, et alii [dixerunt] suppedaneum, quod sub pedibus sit. Scansilia gradus sunt ubi honorati in sedibus sedent.

[8] Scamna are those which are set beside higher couches; said, moreover, from climbing [that is, by ascending]. Hence also scabilli, which are set beside small couches or chairs on account of ascent. A scabillum, moreover, is also called a subpedaneum; for what the Greeks call UPOPODION, the Latins said scabillum, and others [said] suppedaneum, because it is under the feet. Scansilia are steps/tiers where the honored sit in seats.

[9] Sedes dictae quoniam apud veteres Romanos non erat usus adcumbendi; unde et considere dicebantur. Postea, ut ait Varro de Vita populi Romani, viri discumbere coeperunt, mulieres sedere, quia turpis visus est in muliere adcubitus. Sedis singulari numero proprie regni est, qui Graece THRONOS dicitur.

[9] Seats were so called because among the ancient Romans there was no usage of reclining; whence also they were said “to sit down.” Afterwards, as Varro says in On the Life of the Roman People, men began to recline, women to sit, because adcubitus (lying at table) was considered shameful in a woman. The seat in the singular number is properly that of kingship, which in Greek is called THRONOS.

Item thronum Graeci dicunt; nos solium. Subsellia vero ceterorum, cathedrae doctorum.

Likewise the Greeks call it a throne; we, a solium. The others have subsellia, the learned, cathedrae.

[10] Solium, in quo reges sedent propter tutelam corporis sui, secundum quosdam a soliditate dictum, quasi solidum; secundum alios per antistichon, quasi sodium, a sedendo. Vnde et sella quasi sedda dicta est, et subsellia quasi subseddia.

[10] The throne, on which kings sit for the protection of their body, according to some is said from solidity, as if “solid”; according to others by antistichon, as if “sodium,” from sitting. Whence also sella is said as if “sedda,” and subsellia as if “subseddia.”

[11] Sella curulis erat in quibus magistrati sedentes iura reddebant. Dictae autem curules, quia apud veteres praetores et consules propter itineris longinquitatem curru forum provehebantur; sellae autem, quae post eos vehebantur, quibus sedentes dicere iura solebant, a curru curules sellae sunt nominatae.

[11] A curule chair was that in which magistrates, sitting, rendered justice. They were called “curule” because among the ancients the praetors and consuls, on account of the long distance of the journey, were conveyed by chariot to the forum; and the chairs which were carried behind them, on which, while seated, they were accustomed to pronounce the law, were named curule chairs from the chariot.

[12] Tripodes scamelli sunt, habentes tres pedes. Sed et candelabra tripoda sunt, quia similiter tres habent pedes.

[12] Tripods are little stools, having three feet. But candelabra too are tripods, because likewise they have three feet.

XII. DE VEHICVLIS.

12. ON VEHICLES.

[1] Carrum a cardine rotarum dictum; unde et currus dicti, quod rotas habere videntur. Rota autem dicta quod ruat; et rotundum a rota vocatum.

[1] The car is said to be named from the cardine (hinge/pivot) of the wheels; whence also chariots are called so, because they seem to have wheels. The wheel (rota), moreover, is said so because it rushes (ruat); and the rotund (round) is named from the wheel.

[2] Reda genus vehiculi quattuor rotarum. Has antiqui retas dicebant, propter quod haberent rotas.

[2] A reda is a kind of vehicle of four wheels. These the ancients used to call retas, because they had wheels.

[3] Carpentum pompaticum vehiculi genus [est], quasi carrum pompaticum. Plaustrum vehiculum duarum rotarum quo onera deferuntur: et dictum plaustrum, quia volvitur, quasi diceret pilastrum. Caracutium vehiculum altissimarum rotarum, quasi carrum acutum.

[3] The processional carpentum is a kind of vehicle, as if a processional car. Plaustrum, a vehicle of two wheels by which loads are conveyed: and it is called plaustrum, because it is rolled, as if one were to say pilastrum. Caracutium, a vehicle of the loftiest wheels, as if a sharp car.

Capsus carruca undique contecta, quasi capsa.

Capsus, a carruca covered on every side, as if a capsa (case).

[4] Pilentum vel petorritum contecta quattuor rotarum vehicula, quibus matronae olim utebantur. Vergilius (Aen. 8,666): Pilentis matres [in] mollibus.

[4] A pilentum or petorritum are covered four-wheeled vehicles, which matrons once used. Virgil (Aen. 8,666): Mothers [in] soft pilenta.

Horatius (Sat. 1,6,104):

Horace (Satires 1,6,104):

XIII. DE RELIQVIS QVAE IN VSV HABENTVR.

13. ON THE REMAINING THINGS WHICH ARE IN USE.

[1] Baculus a Bacco repertore vitis fertur inventus, quo homines moti vino inniterentur. Sicut autem a Bacco baculus, ita a baculo bacillum per diminutionem.

[1] The staff (baculus) is said to have been discovered by Bacchus, the discoverer of the vine, so that men stirred by wine might lean upon it. And just as baculus is from Bacchus, so from baculus comes bacillum by diminution.

[2] Fustes, quod praefixi in terram stent, quos palos rustici vocant; quibus iuvenes pro criminibus feriuntur. Vectes dicti quod manibus vectentur, unde ostia saxaque velluntur.

[2] Staves, because, being fixed into the ground, they stand, which the rustics call pales; with which youths are struck for crimes. Levers (vectes) are so called because they are conveyed by the hands, whence doors and rocks are wrenched out.

[3] Forfices: secundum etymologiam, si a filio dicuntur, F ponitur, ut forfices quae sunt sartorum; si a pilo, P, ut forpices quae sunt tonsorum; si ab accipiendo, C, ut forcipes, eo quod formum capiant, quae sunt fabrorum.

[3] Shears: according to etymology, if they are said from thread, an F is set, as forfices, which are the tailors’ (sartors’); if from hair, a P, as forpices, which are the barbers’ (tonsors’); if from taking, a C, as forcipes, because they take hold of the hot thing, which are the smiths’ (fabers’).

[4] Formum enim dixerunt antiqui calidum; unde et formosus. Novacula [eo quod innovet faciem]. Pectines dici eo quod pexos capillos faciant atque conpositos. Calamistrum acus est quae calefacta et adhibita calefacit et intorquet capillos.

[4] For the ancients said formum “hot”; whence also formosus. A razor [because it renews the face]. Combs are so called because they make the hairs combed and composed. The calamistrum is a needle which, heated and applied, heats and twists the hairs.

[5] Vnde et calamistrati appellantur qui comam torquent. Clavis dicta quod claudat et aperiat. Catenatum, quod capiendo teneat.

[5] Whence also those who twist the hair are called calamistrated. A key is so called because it shuts and opens. Catenated, because by catching it holds.

Horologia, quod ibi horas legamus, id est colligamus; est enim in solariis positum, ubi a clavo per lineas currit umbra, ut quamcumque diei horam ostendat.

Horologia, because there we read the hours—that is, gather them; for it is set in solaria, where from a nail the shadow runs along lines, so as to show whatever hour of the day.

XIV. DE INSTRVMENTIS RVSTICIS.

14. ON RUSTIC INSTRUMENTS.

[1] Vomer dictus quod vi humum eruat, seu ab evomendo terram. De quo Lucretius (1,314):

[1] The ploughshare is so called because by force it digs out the soil, or from vomiting out the earth. Concerning which Lucretius (1,314):

XV. DE INSTRVMENTIS HORTORVM.

15. ON THE INSTRUMENTS OF GARDENS.

[1] Rota dicta quod quasi ruat: est enim machina de qua e flumine aqua extrahitur. Lucretius (5,517):

[1] The wheel is so called because it, as it were, rushes down: for it is a machine by which water is extracted from the river. Lucretius (5,517):

XVI. DE INSTRVMENTIS EQVORVM.

16. ON THE INSTRUMENTS OF HORSES.

[1] Phalerae ornamenta equorum sunt; et est sermo Graecus. Frena dicta quod equos fremere cogant, vel quod haec equi frendant [id est inprimant] dentibus et obmordeant. Vnde et nefrendes dicti adhuc lactantes porculi, quod nondum aliquid frendant, id est comminuant dentibus.

[1] Phalerae are ornaments of horses; and it is a Greek word. Frena are so called because they compel horses to fremere (to snort), or because horses frendant these [that is, press them in] with their teeth and bite upon them. Whence also nefrendes are called piglets still suckling, because they do not yet frendant anything [that is, break it up with the teeth].

Hinc et faba fresa, quae molita est.

Hence also the ground bean, which has been milled.

[2] Lupati sunt freni asperrimi: dicti autem lupati a lupinis dentibus, qui inaequales sunt, unde etiam eorum morsus vehementer obest. Camus.

[2] Lupate bits are the most rugged/harsh bits: they are called lupate from lupine teeth, which are unequal, whence also their bite is vehemently harmful. Curb-bit.

[3] Habenas ab habendo dictas, quod his equos habeamus, hoc est teneamus; unde [et] equi habiles dicti. Haec et retinacula a retinendo. Lora.

[3] Reins are said to be named from having (habere), because with these we have, that is, hold, the horses; whence [also] horses are called “habiles.” These are also retinacles from retaining. Straps.

[4] Capistri a capite iumentorum dicti. Sella a sedendo, quasi sedda. Antela quasi antesella, sicut et postela quasi postsella Cingulum hominum generis neutri est; nam animalium genere feminino dicimus has cingulas.

[4] Halters are called from the head of beasts of burden. The saddle from sitting, as if sedda. Antela, as if antesella, and likewise postela, as if postsella The cingulum, for humans, is of the neuter gender; for animals, in the feminine gender we say these cingulas.

[5] Sagma, quae corrupte vulgo salma dicitur, ab stratu sagorum vocatur: unde et caballus sagmarius, mula sagmaria. Capulum funis a capiendo, quod eo indomita iumenta conprehendantur.

[5] The sagma, which in corrupt popular speech is called salma, is named from the bedding of sagi (coarse cloaks); whence also the sagmarius horse and the sagmaria mule (i.e., pack-horse and pack-mule). The capulum-rope is from “taking,” because by it untamed beasts of burden are apprehended.

[6] Calcaria dicta quia in calce hominis ligantur, id est in pedis posteriori parte, ad stimulandos equos, quibus aut pugnandum est aut currendum, propter pigritiam animalium aut timorem. Nam ex timore stimuli nuncupati, licet sint et libidinis stimuli.

[6] Spurs are so called because they are fastened at the heel (calx) of a human being, that is, on the posterior part of the foot, for stimulating horses, which must either be fought upon or run, because of the sluggishness of the animals or their fear. For from fear they are named “goads” (stimuli), although there are also stimuli of libido.

[7] Strigiles nuncupati a tergendo, quod his equi tergantur. Character est ferrum caloratum quo notae pecudibus inuruntur: CHARAKTER autem Graece, Latine forma dicitur.

[7] Strigils are called from wiping down, because with these horses are wiped down. Character is a heated iron by which marks are branded into livestock: but CHARAKTER in Greek, in Latin is called forma.

[8] Cauterium dictum quasi cauturium, quod urat et provida sit in eum severaque cautio ut, dum videtur, cuius sit, avaritia refrenetur. Quod interdum pro signo, interdum pro cura adhibetur, ut vis morbi ignis ardore siccetur.

[8] The cautery is so called as if “cauturium,” because it burns, and there is a provident and severe caution regarding it, so that, while it is seen whose it is, avarice may be reined in. It is sometimes applied for a sign, sometimes for a cure, so that the force of the disease may be dried by the ardor of fire.