Gnaeus

Latin

Alternative forms

• (abbreviation): Gn.
• (typical abbreviation): Cn.
• (archaic or hypercorrect form): Cnaeus

Etymology

According to Festus, the praenomen Gnaeus first referred to a birthmark, which was naevus in classical Latin. This etymology is commonly accepted by modern scholars. In his treatise on the origin of Roman praenomina, Chase cites the archaic spelling Gnaivos in support of this explanation.

Gnaeus was one of a number of Latin praenomina borrowed by the Etruscans, in whose language it became 𐌂𐌍𐌄𐌅𐌄 (Cneve) or Cneies.

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /ˈɡnae̯.us/, [ˈŋnäe̯ʊs̠]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈɲe.us/, [ˈɲɛːus]

Proper noun

Gnaeus m (genitive Gnaeī); second declension

1. A masculine praenomen.

Usage notes

• 1876, "C" in the Encyclopædia Britannica, 9th ed., Vol. IV, page 616:

  The symbol [C] retained its old value [/g/] only when as the initial letter it represented the names Gaius and Gnæus, which, in consequence, are often erroneously written and sounded Caius and Cnæus.

Declension

Second-declension noun.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	Gnaeus	Gnaeī
Genitive	Gnaeī	Gnaeōrum
Dative	Gnaeō	Gnaeīs
Accusative	Gnaeum	Gnaeōs
Ablative	Gnaeō	Gnaeīs
Vocative	Gnaee	Gnaeī

References

• “Gnaeus”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• “Gnaeus”, in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• Gnaeus in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette.