出典:Wiktionary
出典:『Wiktionary』 (2024/10/11 13:49 UTC 版)
Uncertain. Ostensibly from vereor (“to show respect, fear”) + -trum (suffix forming instrumental nouns), from Proto-Indo-European *wer- (“to watch, cover; to heed, notice”); however, De Vaan (2008) is unconvinced by this etymology, and Adams (1990) considers the meaning unexpected for an instrumental derivative of this root. Attested from Varro onwards.
veretrum n (genitive veretrī); second declension
Although several sources (Isidore, De Vaan) cite this word as referring specifically to the male genitals, the 4-5th century physician Caelius Aurelianus uses it to refer to the female reproductive organ as a whole. This restriction would also make redundant the phrase virīle veretrum (in Varro).
Second-declension noun (neuter).