A Grammatical Dictionary of Botanical Latin

Agent (Eng.noun), a doer, one who does or makes; someone that does, or is associated with, a (specified) thing; a person or thing that takes an active role in the production of a specified effect; one that acts or exerts power to produce a specified effect; one who is an active or efficient cause of an effect; > L. agens, agentis (homo agens, "the one doing") > L. agere, to do or make, to effect.

1. Nouns ending in -a,-ae (s.m.I) = Gk. –Es,-ae (s.f.I); see First Declension.

NOTE: the gender of these nouns is mostly masculine.

e.g. 1. psalta,-ae (s.f.I), a psalmist; = Gk. psaltes,-ae (s.m.I): = Gk. psaltEs, a player on the cithara, a lutist (Lewis & Short); cf. psalterium,-ii (s.n.II) = Gk. psaltErion: a stringed instrument of the lute kind, a psaltery” (Lewis & Short).

2. limenarcha,-ae (s.m.I) = Gk. limenarchEs: “a harbor-master” (Glare).

3. mysteriarcha,-ae (s.m.I) = Gk. mystEriarchEs,-ae (s.m.I) “the presider over secret sacred rites (eccl. Lat.)” (Lewis & Short).

Advena,-ae (s.m.I), abl.sg. advena: newcomer.

Agricola,-ae (s.m.I), abl.sg. agricola: one who dwells in the country.

Archeota,-ae (s.m.I) abl.sg. archeota: = archeiOtEs, a keeper of the archives, a recorder.

Asceta,-ae (s.m.II), abl.sg. asceta: hermit, ascetic; penitent (Stelten); see ascetria,-ae (s.f.I).

Catchecta,-ae (s.m.I): (in Pliny) “a patient who is in a very bad state of health; sometimes a “consumptive” patient is meant” (Jones); = Gk. kachektEs (in bad physical condition), one that is in a consumption” (Lewis & Short).

Cephalaeota,-ae (s.m.I) = Gk. kephalaiOtEs, “a collector of capitulation tax” (Lewis & Short).

Collega,-ae (s.m.I), a colleague.

Idiota,-ae (s.m.I): from Gk. idiOtEs, “an uneducated, ignorant, inexperienced, common person” (Lewis & Short); a person not involved in public affairs, layman; medieval: private person. In Gk. first declension ioiOtEs, gen.sg. idiOtou.

Incola,-ae (s.m.I): inhabitant.

Jesuita,-ae [s.m.I]: a Jesuit, a member of the Roman Catholic Society of Jesus; see societas,-atis (s.f.III).

Mysta,-ae (s.m.I) or mystes,-ae (s.m.I): = Gk. mistEs: a priest of the sacred rites of divine worship, a priest of the mysteries” (Lewis & Short); Gk. mystEs,-ou (s.m.I): one initiated (Liddell & Scott).

Nauta,-ae (s.m.I), a sailor; Gk. nautEs,-ae (s.m.I).

Poeta,-ae (s.m.I): poet; Gk. poiEtEs,-ae (s.m.I), “a maker, a producer” (Lewis & Short).

Scriba,-ae (s.f.I): a writer.

TaxeOta,-ae (s.m.I), dat. sg. taxeota, acc.sg. taxeotam, abl.sg. taxeota: = Gk. taxiOtEs, a magistrate’s assistant(Lewis & Short).

2. –arius,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. –ario; also –aria,-ae (s.f.I): one who produces; one who cares for; also he who or she who sells a production ( = merchant);

Armamentarius,-ii (s.m.II), abl.sg. armamentario: armorer, arms-maker.

Apothecarius,-ii (s.m.II), abl.sg. apothecario: apothecary; a warehouseman, a clerk (Lewis & Short); one who prepared and sold medicines and drugs.

Aromatarius,-ii (s.m.II), abl.sg. aromatario: a dealer in spices [> L. aroma,-atis (s.n.III), q.v., a spice].

Herbarius,-ii (s.m.II), abl.sg. herbario: “a herbalist” (Glare).

Gallinarius,-ii (s.m.II): one who looks after poultry, poultry keeper [> gallinarius,-a,-um (adj.A): of or for poultry].

Medicamentarius,-i (s.m.II), medicamentario: a druggist, apothecary; a preparer of poisons, from medicamentarius,-a,-um (adj.A), of or belonging to drugs or to poisons.

Metallarius,-ii (s.m.II), abl.sg. metallario; metallaria,-ae (s.f.I): a man or a woman that works in a mine, a miner (Lewis & Short).

Salinarius,-ii (s.m.II), abl.sg. salinario: a person who produces or oversees the production of salt; also a person who sells or deals in salt, salt-merchant, salter.

Topiarius,-ii (s.m.II), q.v., abl. sg. topiario: a fancy- or topiary-gardener.

Unguentarius,-ii(s.n.II), abl.sg. unguentario: a dealer in unguents, a perfumer.

Unguentaria,-ae (s.f.I), a female perfumer.

3.

A. –ast (noun suffix), one that does, makes or produces; one who adheres to a specified doctrine, custom or skill.

-ast, Eng. agent noun suffix, pl. –asts:

From L. –asta,-ae (s.m.I)

From Gk.–astEs,-ae (s.m.I)

From Gk. verb stems in –azein (-azO), [+ agent suffix –astEs,-ae (s.f.I).

Verb stem –as- + agent suffix –tEs,-ae (s.f.I).

See First Declension Type C.

NOTE: DikastEs,-ae (a judge [> Gk. dikastEs,-ou (s.m.I)]; peltasta,-ae (s.m.I) = Gk. peltastEs,-ae (s.m.I):a soldier armed with a pelta (a kind of (circular) shield = also a generic name (Orchidaceae).

B. –ist (Eng.noun suffix), one that does, makes or produces; one who adheres to a specified doctrine, custom or skill; “one that does: one that performs a (specified) action; one that makes or produces” (WIII).

NOTE: –ist (Eng. agent noun suffix). “one that professes or adheres to or specializes in an ism” (WIII); see –ism (Eng.suffix).

-ist, Eng. agent noun suffix, pl. –ists:

From L. –ista,-ae (s.m.I)

From Gk.–istEs,-ae (s.m.I)

From Gk. verb stems in –izein (-izO), [+ agent suffix –istEs,-ae (s.f.I). Verb stem –is- + agent suffix –tEs,-ae (s.f.I).

See First Declension Type C.

NOTE: also alchemista,-ae (s.f.I), q.v. = standard Latin first declension [from Gk. alchemistEs,-ae (s.m.I).

NOTE: Gk. baptistEs,-ou (s.m.I) “baptist;” EuangelistEs,-ou (s.m.I) “The bringer of good tidings, an evangelist, a ‘preacher of the gospel. New Testament” (Liddell & Scott); (Gk.) petauristes, or (L.) petaurista,-ae; an acrobat performing on the petaurum” (Glare); sophistEs,-ae (s.m.I), also sophista,-ae (s.m.I): a sophist; a rhetorician. Organista,-ae (s.m.I): organist [> Gk.organon, an instrument; a church-organ].

4. –or, gen.sg. –oris (s.m.III), also –trix,-icis (s.f.III):

Latin substantival suffixes referring to an agent, i.e. to one, he or she, that does a (specified) activity, based on a verb (often of the First Conjugation) and applied to the passive past participle

a) of conjugations 2,3,4 (generally ending in –tus)

as in L. doceo,-cui,-ctus 2, to teach, instruct > doctor,-oris (s.m.III), doctrix,-icis (s.f.III), one who teaches.

b) of conjugations 1, in –atus > -ator,-oris (s.m.III), and –atrix,-atricis (s.f.III),

as in L. delibero, 1., past participle deliberatus,-a,-um > deliberator,-oris (s.m.III), deliberatrix,-icis (s.f.III), one who deliberates.

e.g. aedificator,-oris (s.m.III); aedificatrix,-icis (s.f.III): he or she that builds, a builder [> L. aedifico 1. to build establish, erect; to create].

e.g. auctor,-oris (s.m.III), he that originates; auctrix,-icis (s.f.III), she that originates [> L. aucto,-are 1., to increase or enlarge; to originate].

e.g. olerator,-oris (s.m.III), q.v., also holerator,-oris (s.m.III): he who grows vegetables, “a kitchen-gardner, cabbage-gardener” (Lewis & Short)

oleratrix,-icis (s.f.III), also holeratrix,-icis (s.f.III): she who grows vegetables [> L. olero,-avi,-atum 1., to garden with vegetables.

NOTE: when used in epithets, the epithets are masculine nouns (-or,-oris (s.m.III) or feminine nouns (-trix,-icis (s.f.III) in apposition to the generic name. Their gender is not dependent on that of the generic name, e.g. an epithet with the feminine suffix –trix may be used with a masculine or neuter noun, the masculine suffix –or,-oris with a feminine or neuter noun.

A. –or, gen.sg.-oris (s.m.III), abl.sg. –ore, nom.& acc.pl. –ores:

a male Latin substantival (noun) suffix referring to an agent, i.e. he that does a (specified) activity, based on a verb, (often of the First Conjugation) and applied to the passive past participle, as in deliberator,-oris (s.m.III), abl.sg. deliberatore, he who deliberates [> L. delibero, 1., past participle deliberatus,-a,-um; deliberat- + -or > deliberator; delibera(t)- + -trix > deliberatrix].

Cf. L. doceo,-cui,-ctus 2, to teach, instruct > doctus > doct- + -or,-is (s.m.III), doctor,-oris (s.m.III), doctrix,-icis (s.f.III), he who teaches.

Cf. L. decipio, -cepi, -ceptum 3. (capio) to catch away, catch up, seize; to catch, ensnare, entrap, beguile, elude, deceive, cheat; deceptus > decept- + -or,-oris (s.m.III), > deceptor, he who deceives.

NOTE: -orium,-ii (s.n.II) is a neuter second declension noun suffix related to –or,-oris (s.m.III): based on a verb, indicating a place of work or action; e.g. laborator > laborat- + -orium,-ii (s.n.II), laboratorium, a place where work, labor, effort or toil is undertaken, a laboratory.

B. -trix,-icis (s.f.III), abl.sg. –trice, nom.&acc.pl. –trices: a female Latin substantival suffix referring to an agent, i.e. she that does a (specified) activity, based on a verb (often of the First Conjugation) and applied to the passive past participle, as in deliberatrix,-icis (s.f.III), abl.sg. deliberatrice, she who deliberates [> L. delibero, 1., past participle deliberatus,-a,-um; delibera- + -trix > deliberatrix];

Cf. L. doceo,-cui,-ctus 2, to teach, instruct > doctus > doct- + -or,-is (s.m.III), doctor,-oris (s.m.III), he who teaches; doctrix,-icis (s.f.III), she who teaches.

Cf. L. decipio, -cepi, -ceptum 3. (capio) to catch away, catch up, seize; to catch, ensnare, entrap, beguile, elude, deceive, cheat; deceptus > decep(t)- + -trix,-tricis (s.f.III) > deceptrix, she who deceives.

1. bellator,-oris (s.m.III): a warrior, soldier, (of in animate things:) ‘of battle;’ e.g. campus bellator, the field of battle.

bellatrix,-icis (s.f.III) she who wages war, a female warrior; warlike; aquilae bellatrix: the eagles of battle, ensigns, standards; skilled in war.

Verb: bello,-avi,-atum 1. to wage or carry on war, to war.

Ipomaea chenopodiifolia subsp. bellator; Cnidoscolus bellatrix; Jatropha bellatrix;

2. deceptor,-oris (s.m.III): a deceiver.

deceptrix,-icis (s.f.III): she that deceives.

Verb: decipio, -cepi, -ceptum 3. (capio) to catch away, catch up, seize; to catch, ensnare, entrap, beguile, elude, deceive, cheat.

Crassula deceptor

Alaticaulis deceptrix; Annona deceptrix, Crassula deceptrix, Gamogyne deceptrix, Masdevallia deceptrix

3. fascinator,-oris (s.m.III): an enchantor, charmer.

fascinatrix,-icis (s.f.III): an enchantress, a fascinator.

Verb: fascino,-are: to enchant, bewitch, charm, fascinate (by the eyes or the tongue).

Aphelandra fascinator; Bulbophyllum fascinator; Cirrhopetalum fascinator;

Cirrhopetalum fascinator.

4. imitator,-oris (s.m.III), abl.sg.imitatore: he or one who imitates, copies, mimics.

imitatrix,-icis (s.f.III),abl.sg. imitatrice: she that imitates.

Verb: imitor,-atus 1.: to represent, copy; imitate, act like.

Acianthera imitator; Anthurium imitator; Brongniartia imitator; Bulbophyllum imitator; Dendrochilum imitator.

5. imperator,-oris (s.m.III): he who commands, a commander-in-chief, general; a commander, master.

imperatrix,-icis (s.f.III): she who commands; a mistress.

Verb: impero,-avi,-atum 1. To command, order; to command, govern, rule over.

Cattleya imperator; Epidendrum imperator [= epithet noun in apposition: the gender is feminine or neuter, the epithet is masculine.] 6 jaculator,-oris (s.m.III) he who throws, casts; a thrower, caster, hurler; a caster of the net, a fisherman.

jaculatrix,-icis (f.s.III): she that hurls; the huntreess, an epithet of Diana.

Verb: jaculor,-atus: to throw, cast, hurl (as a weapon).

7. janitor,-oris (s.m.III): a door keeper, porter, janitor.

NOTE: this name derives from the noun ‘janua,-ae’ (s.f.I): a door, house-door; an entrance.

Lepanthes janitor

janitrix,-icis (janitor) a female door-keeper, a portress; laurus janitrix Caesarum, i.e. planted in front of the house.

Arabis janitrix.

8. sartor,-oris (s.m.III): a patcher, botcher, mender;

sartrix,-icis (s.f.III), she who patches or mends.

Verb: sarcio, sarsi, sartum 4. To patch, botch, mend, repair, restore etc.; to make good; to correct, repair.

Habenaria sartor

9. natator,-oris (s.m.III): a swimmer, floater.

natatrix,-icis (s.f.III): a female swimmer, floater.

Verb: nato,-avi,-atum 1. to swim, to float.

NOTE: probably natrix,-icis (s.f.III), a water-snake is derived from this verb.

10. pistor,-oris (s.m.III): a miller, one who pounds or grinds corn.

pistrix,-icis (s.f.III): she who grinds corn, a female baker

Verb: pisto,-avi,-atum 1. to pound, crush.

Agarista pistrix; Andromeda pistrix; Leucothoe pistrix

NOTE: perhaps of species who have a bloom or powdery surface (i.e. as in flour), e.g. ‘pulverulent,’ covered with powder.

5. –us,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. –o; also –os,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. –o; also ‘patients in medicine;’ see end of passage below;

Arithmeticus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. arithmetic: arithmetician.

Astrologus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. astrologo, an astrologue, astrologer.

Botanicus,-i (s.m.II), abl. sg. botanico: botanist.

CAROLUS LINNAEUS, M.D. Botanicus Regis Sueciae. = botanist

Chalcographus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. chalcographo: an engraver (in copper or brass).

Chemicus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. chemico: chemist.

Chirurgus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. chirurgo: surgeon, chirurgeon, “pure Latin medicus vulnerarius” (Lewis & Short) [> Gk. cheirourgos > cheir, ‘hand’ + ergon, ‘work,’ working with the hand];

Chirurgus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. chirurgo: surgeon, chirurgeon, “pure Latin medicus [i.e. doctor] vulnerarius” (Lewis & Short); see chirurgus,-i (s.m.I).

Criticus,-i (s.m.II) = Gk. Kritikos, a literary critic.

Curiosus,-i (s.m.II): scholar, learner; one who studies.

Expertus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. experto: one experienced, an expert, one who has learned, one who is knowledgeable, knowing, learned.

Herbarius,-ii (s.m.II), q.v. a botanist; “one skilled in plants, a botanist” (Pliny) (Lewis & Short).

Medicus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. medico: a physician, doctor, often with a specifying epithet; medica,-ae (s.f.I), a female physician; see doctor (Eng.noun).

Metallicus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. metallico, a digger of metals, a miner.

Montanus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. montano: mountain- or hill-dweller.

Mystagogus,-i (s.m.II): = Gk. mistagOgos,“one who conducts a person through secret and sacred places as a guide, an initiator, a mystagogue.” (Lewis & Short).

Mysticus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. mystico: a mystic.

Nosocomus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. nosocomo = Gk. nosokomos, an attendant on the sick, a sick-nurse (Lewis & Short).

Officinus,-i, (s.m.II), abl.sg. officino: an apothecary.

Pharmacopaeus,-a,-um (adj.A) > Gk. pharmakopoios, pharmakeus: an apothecary.

Philograecus,-i (s.m.II): a lover of Greek things, esp. the language (GLARE).

Philologus,-i (s.m.II) a man of learning or letters, scholar; literary, learned. [philologus,-a,-um (adj.A), (of subjects) learned, literary]

Philosophus,-I 9s.m.II) a philosopher (Glare).

Philosopha,-ae (a female philosopher). [philosophus,-a,-um: of or concerning philosophy]

Physicus,-i, (s.m.II), abl.sg. physico, “a natural philosopher, naturalist” (Lewis & Short).

Phytographus,-i (s.m.II), abl. sg. phytographo: botanist.

Rhizotomos,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. rhizotomo: a rhizotomist, a type of physician specializing in cutting roots and gathering herbs.

Sanctus,-i (s.m.II): saint.

Studiosus,-i (s.m.II): a student; devotee; learned man.

Typographus,-i (s.n.II), abl.sg. typographo: printer, typographer.

Vulnerarius,-ii (s.m.II), abl.sg. vulnerario: a healer or doctor specializing in the treatment of wounds.

ALSO: (patients (in medicine), one who suffers from a (specified) disease:

Cardiacus,-i (s.m.II): “one who has heart-burn or stomach-ache; cured by wine Plin. 23, 1, 23 paragr. 44” (Lewis & Short); see cardiacus,-a,-um (adj.A).

Coeliacus,-i (s.m.II): one afflicted with a disease of the bowels.

Dysentericus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. dysenterico, one who suffers from dysentery.

Synanchicus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. synanchico: a person with a disease or infection of the throat (Synanche,-es (s.f.I)].

Tetanicus,-i (s.m.II) cf. Gk. tetanikos, one affected with tetanus (i.e., a cramp in the neck (Lewis & Short).

ALSO: -philus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. –philo, in Gk. comp. > Gk. philos, beloved, dear, loving: -phile (eng.noun suffix), one who loves, fancies or had an affinity for;

Ailurophilus,-i (s.m.II), one who loves or has an affinity for cats.

ALSO: -phobus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. –phobo, in Gk. comp. > Gk. –phobos, in Gk. comp.: -phobe (Eng.noun suffix), one who fears or shuns:

Ailurophobus,-i (s.m.II), also aelurophobus,-i (s.m.II): ailurophobe; one who fears or shuns cats.

Aerophobus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. aerophobo: aerophobe; “one that fears the air” (Lewis & Short).

Hydrophobus,-i (s.m.II), abl.sg. hydrophobo: one afflicted with hydrophobia; having an aversion to water.