vespertilio
[wɛs.pɛrˈtiː.li.oː]masculine
The English word "bat" is translated into Latin as vespertilio.
vespertilio refers to the small flying mammal.
Meaning: small flying mammal (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is etymologically related to vesper, meaning "evening", which implies the creature is one of the evening.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular masculine noun vespertilio has the genitive singular form vespertilionis, which is used to show possession or relationship. To refer to multiple bats, use the plural form vespertiliones.
Did you know?
- The word vespertilio shares a linguistic lineage with the word 'vespers', the name for evening prayers in many Christian traditions.
- The Latin word vesper shares a Proto-Indo-European root with the Greek word hesperos, which gave us the name 'Hesperides' in mythology.
- Pliny the Elder noted in his Natural History that the bat is the only flying creature that feeds its young on milk.
Examples in context
- Vespertilio avis non est, sed mammalis.A bat is not a bird, but a mammal.This sentence is useful for clarifying that a vespertilio is a mammal rather than a bird.Tatoeba #9119565 by soridsolid, translation #326644 by CM
- Vespertilio lucem fugit.The bat flees the light.This sentence describes how a vespertilio avoids light.Tatoeba #5139813 by alexmarcelo, translation #5144097 by CarpeLanam
- Vespertilio papilionem comedit.The bat eats the butterfly.This sentence illustrates the diet of a vespertilio by noting it eats a butterfly.Tatoeba #11679650 by carlosalberto, translation #11679637 by carlosalberto
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Marcus and Julia are walking in a garden at dusk.
- MarcusVide, Julia! Vespertilio volat.Look, Julia! A bat is flying.
- JuliaUbi est? Non video.Where is it? I don't see it.
- MarcusHic est, supra arborem.It is here, above the tree.
- JuliaVespertilio nocturnus est.The bat is nocturnal.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bat” translations and entries vespertilio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
