The ways in which words travel across different languages, changing their meanings and cultural contexts, is absolutely fascinating. As a classicist who also happens to teach English, I always love to point out Greek or Latin roots when teaching vocabulary or explaining some of the quirks of English spelling.
In this post, I’ll give a few examples of an unusual feature where a particular Latin verb form (typically that of the 3rd person singular) has been adopted into English as a noun. Most of these nouns are very common and you might not even be aware of their origin. So, here’s a combined English / Latin vocabulary lesson.
EXIT
An exit can be a way out of a building, or an act of leaving. If you need to know the way out, look for the exit sign. Originally, this word is 3rd person singular of the present tense of the Latin verb exire, literally meaning “he/she/it leaves” (or “is leaving”). More ominously, exire can also refer to passing away: “he/she dies” (or “is dying”), hence the corresponding English use of the noun exit meaning “death.”
HABITAT
The English noun habitat is defined as the natural environment in which an animal or a plant usually lives. Among its synonyms are the nouns “home” and “territory.” In Latin, this is 3rd person singular of the present tense of the verb habitare: “he/she/it dwells (or lives, stays).”
CAVEAT
A caveat is a warning. More specifically, if there’s a caveat, you are cautioned to carefully consider something before proceeding. In Latin, this is 3rd person singular of the present subjunctive of the verb cavere: “let him/her beware.” You may have heard the phrase caveat emptor, still very much in use as a common law principle: “let the buyer beware!”
ADDENDUM
An addendum is an addition or attachment to a piece of written text; in a book or other written document it can be referred to as an appendix (another Latin word!). In Latin, this particular form is the gerundive of the verb addere, literally meaning “to be added”.
DATUM
Nowadays more commonly used in English in its Latin plural form data, a datum is a piece of information, a fact. In Latin, this form is the neuter past participle of the verb dare (to give), literally meaning “given”. Interestingly, in my mother tongue (and many other languages), “datum” has come to mean a date, i.e. a piece of information regarding a ‘given’ day in the calendar.
FIAT
In English, a fiat is a decree, an authoritative order. In Latin, this form is originally 3rd person singular present subjunctive of the verb fieri (“to become, to happen”), translated as “let it be done.” By the way, the name of the famous Italian car manufacturer Fiat is something of a word play: while it carries some associations with the Latin fiat, it actually stands for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino.
NON-SEQUITUR
A more formal English noun, a non-sequitur is something that doesn’t logically follow what came before it. In philosophical writings, it can refer to something with a logical defect, or a logical fallacy (see the example above). Non-sequiturs are also used a lot as a technique in comedy, due to their absurd character. In Latin non sequitur literally means “does not follow”, where sequitur is 3rd person singular of the present tense of the verb sequi = to follow.
AFFIDAVIT
You don’t have to be a legal expert to know this one, as it can often be heard in procedural dramas on TV. An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath. In Latin, this particular verb form is 3rd person singular of the past tense of the verb affidare, meaning “he/she has sworn”.
Wasn’t this fun? Can you think of any more such examples, where a particular Latin verb form became an English noun? Do share your ideas in the comments section below!
COVER IMAGE CREDIT
Photo by Bernard Hermant via Unsplash.
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