caelus

See also: Caelus

Latin

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈkae̯.lus/, [ˈkäe̯ɫ̪ʊs̠]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈt͡ʃe.lus/, [ˈt͡ʃɛːlus]

Noun

caelus m (genitive caelī); second declension

1. alternative form of caelum
   • c. 15 BCE, Vitruvius, De architectura 4.5.1:

     Regiones autem, quas debent spectare aedes sacrae deorum inmortalium, sic erunt constituendae, uti, si nulla ratio inpedierit liberaque fuerit potestas, aedis signumque quod erit in cella conlocatum, spectet ad vespertinam caeli regionem, uti, qui adierint ad aram immolantes aut sacrificia facientes, spectent ad partem caeli orientis et simulacrum, quod erit in aede, et ita vota suscipientes contueantur aedem et orientem caelum ipsaque simulacra videantur exorientia contueri supplicantes et sacrificantes, quod aras omnes deorum necesse esse videatur ad orientem spectare.

     The quarter toward which temples of the immortal gods ought to face is to be determined on the principle that, if there is no reason to hinder and the choice is free, the temple and the statue placed in the cella should face the western quarter of the sky. This will enable those who approach the altar with offerings or sacrifices to face the direction of the sunrise in facing the sta­tue in the temple, and thus those who are undertaking vows look toward the quarter from which the sun comes forth, and likewise the statues themselves appear to be coming forth out of the east to look upon them as they pray and sacrifice.

   • c. 27 CE – 66 CE, Petronius, Satyricon 45.3:

     Nōn dēbēmus dēlicātī esse, ubīque medius caelus est.

     We shouldn't be too fussy when we all live under the same sky [=the sun shines for everyone].

Declension

Second-declension noun.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	caelus	caelī
Genitive	caelī	caelōrum
Dative	caelō	caelīs
Accusative	caelum	caelōs
Ablative	caelō	caelīs
Vocative	caele	caelī

References

• caelus in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short, A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1879
• caelus in Gaffiot, Félix, Dictionnaire illustré Latin-Français, Hachette, 1934