Lupercus
Latin
Etymology
Perhaps a compound of lupus (“wolf”) + arceō (“I ward off”), so named because of the god’s role as protector of flocks from wolves.
Pronunciation
- (Classical Latin) IPA(key): /luˈper.kus/, [ɫ̪ʊˈpɛrkʊs̠]
- (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): /luˈper.kus/, [luˈpɛrkus]
Proper noun
Lupercus m sg (genitive Lupercī); second declension
- (Roman mythology) a Roman god who protected flocks, in some sources identified with Faunus in the aspect of Innus, and by extension as the equivalent of the Greek Πὰν Λυκαῖος (Pàn Lukaîos, “Lycaean Pan”)
Declension
Second-declension noun, singular only.
| Case | Singular |
|---|---|
| Nominative | Lupercus |
| Genitive | Lupercī |
| Dative | Lupercō |
| Accusative | Lupercum |
| Ablative | Lupercō |
| Vocative | Luperce |
Derived terms
Descendants
- Russian: Лу́перк (Lúperk)
Noun
Lupercus m (genitive Lupercī); second declension
- a priest of the god Lupercus
Declension
Second-declension noun.
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | Lupercus | Lupercī |
| Genitive | Lupercī | Lupercōrum |
| Dative | Lupercō | Lupercīs |
| Accusative | Lupercum | Lupercōs |
| Ablative | Lupercō | Lupercīs |
| Vocative | Luperce | Lupercī |
References
- “Lŭpercus”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- “Lupercus”, in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers