The Latin word for “cat” is “felis”, a term that encompasses both domestic and wild feline species. Originating from the Indo-European root “pele-“, meaning “grey” or “tawny,” it aptly reflects the common coloration of these animals. Felis has evolved into the scientific name for the cat family, Felidae, a diverse group of carnivorous mammals that includes lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars.
The Etymology of the Latin Word for “Cat”
The Latin word for “cat” is “felis”. This word is thought to be derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *pele-, which means “to protect”. This root is also found in the words “fell” (meaning “animal skin”) and “felt” (meaning “a fabric made from animal fur”).
The word “felis” was first used in Latin in the 1st century AD. It was used to refer to both domestic and wild cats. The word “catus” was also used to refer to cats, but it was more commonly used to refer to domestic cats.
The word “felis” is still used in Latin today. It is also used in many other languages, including English, French, Spanish, and Italian.
The Evolution of the Word “Felis”
The word “felis” has undergone several changes in meaning over time. In Classical Latin, the word “felis” was used to refer to both domestic and wild cats. However, in Medieval Latin, the word “felis” began to be used more specifically to refer to domestic cats. This is because the word “catus” began to be used more commonly to refer to wild cats.
The word “felis” is still used in Latin today to refer to domestic cats. It is also used in many other languages, including English, French, Spanish, and Italian.
The Cognates of the Word “Felis”
The word “felis” has many cognates in other Indo-European languages. These cognates include:
- English: fell, felt
- French: feutre
- Spanish: fieltro
- Italian: feltro
- German: Fell
- Greek: πίλος (pilos)
- Russian: войлок (voylok)
These cognates all share the same Proto-Indo-European root *pele-, which means “to protect”. This suggests that the concept of “protection” is closely associated with the concept of “cat” in many Indo-European languages.
The Table of Cognates
The following table lists the cognates of the word “felis” in several Indo-European languages:
| Language | Cognate | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English | fell | animal skin |
| English | felt | fabric made from animal fur |
| French | feutre | felt |
| Spanish | fieltro | felt |
| Italian | feltro | felt |
| German | Fell | animal skin |
| Greek | πίλος (pilos) | felt |
| Russian | войлок (voylok) | felt |
Question 1:
What is the Latin word for “cat”?
Answer:
The Latin word for “cat” is “felis”.
Question 2:
Which Latin word is used to refer to a female cat?
Answer:
The Latin word “felis” can be used to refer to both male and female cats. However, the word “feles” is specifically used to refer to a female cat.
Question 3:
What is the etymology of the Latin word “felis”?
Answer:
The Latin word “felis” is derived from the Proto-Indo-European word “*pele-“, which means “to hunt” or “to kill”. This suggests that cats were originally valued for their ability to control rodents and other pests.
Well, there you have it, folks! Now you can impress your friends with your newfound Latin knowledge. Remember, “feles” is the singular form, while “cattus” is the plural. So, next time you see a cute kitty, don’t just say “meow.” Instead, show off your Latin skills and say “feles!” Thanks for reading, and be sure to visit again soon for more enlightening and entertaining tidbits.