Gnaeus
Latin
Alternative forms
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.[1][2]
Gnaeus was one of a number of Latin praenomina borrowed by the Etruscans, in whose language it became 𐌂𐌍𐌄𐌅𐌄 (Cneve) or Cneies.[3][4]
Pronunciation
- (Classical Latin) IPA(key): /ˈɡnae̯.us/, [ˈŋnäe̯ʊs̠]
- (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): /ˈɲe.us/, [ˈɲɛːus]
Proper noun
Gnaeus m (genitive Gnaeī); second declension
- A masculine praenomen.
Usage notes
- 1876, "C" in the Encyclopædia Britannica, 9th ed., Vol. IV, page 616:
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.