The Latin word for strong, “fortis,” encompasses a rich tapestry of meanings related to strength, courage, and resilience. Its military connotation denotes a steadfast soldier, while its metaphorical usage embodies the might of a powerful ruler or the unwavering spirit of a resilient individual. The related term “firmitas” conveys the concept of firmness, stability, and unshakeable foundations, whereas “robur” encapsulates the essence of physical strength and muscular power.
The Etymology of the Latin Word for “Strong”
The Latin word for “strong” is fortis. It is an adjective that can be used to describe both people and things. It is often used in a military context to describe soldiers or weapons.
Etymology
The word fortis is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *bʰer-, which means “to bear” or “to carry.” This root is also found in the Latin words ferre (“to bear”), firmus (“firm”), and fortis (“strong”).
Usage
The word fortis can be used in a variety of contexts to describe strength, both physical and mental. It can be used to describe soldiers who are strong and brave, weapons that are strong and powerful, or people who are strong-willed and determined.
Physical Strength
- Fortis miles (“A strong soldier”)
- Fortis gladius (“A strong sword”)
- Fortis murus (“A strong wall”)
Mental Strength
- Fortis animus (“A strong mind”)
- Fortis voluntas (“A strong will”)
- Fortis persona (“A strong person”)
Comparative and Superlative Forms
The comparative form of fortis is fortior, and the superlative form is fortissimus. These forms can be used to compare the strength of different people or things.
- Miles fortior est quam gladius. (“The soldier is stronger than the sword.”)
- Fortissimus murus est in urbe. (“The strongest wall is in the city.”)
Related Words
The word fortis is related to a number of other Latin words that have to do with strength and power. These words include:
- fortitudo (“strength, courage”)
- fortificare (“to strengthen”)
- fortuna (“fortune, luck”)
These words all share the same root, *bʰer-, which gives them a common meaning of “to bear” or “to carry.”
Question 1: What is the Latin word for “strong”?
Answer: The Latin word for “strong” is “fortis”.
Question 2: What is the meaning of the Latin word “fortis”?
Answer: The Latin word “fortis” means “strong”, “brave”, or “powerful”.
Question 3: Is there a related word in Latin that has a similar meaning to “fortis”?
Answer: Yes, the Latin word “firmus” is related to “fortis” and also means “strong” or “firm”.
Well, that’s it folks! We covered the Latin word for “strong” and some of its derivatives. I hope you found this article helpful and interesting. If you have any other questions about Latin or etymology, feel free to reach out. And remember, keep on learning new words and phrases – it’s the best way to expand your vocabulary and sound like a total smarty-pants! Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch you on the flip side.