cavea
[ˈka.we.a]feminine
The English word 'cage' can be translated into Latin as cavea or arca.
Meaning: enclosure (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cavea | [ˈka.we.a] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈkaː.ve.a] (narrow) |
feminine |
| arca | [ˈar.ka] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈar.ka] (narrow) |
feminine |
Which one should you use?
cavea refers more broadly to an enclosure, pit or arena, such as those found in amphitheaters, rather than just a small cage. arca is more commonly used to mean a chest, box or strongbox rather than a cage for animals.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both cavea and arca are feminine nouns.
Did you know?
- In a Roman amphitheater, the word cavea did not refer to the cages for animals, but to the tiered seating area where spectators sat.
- The term arca is the ancestor of the English word 'ark', such as in 'Noah's Ark', which functioned as a protective vessel or chest.
- In Roman legal contexts, an arca was often the specific strongbox used by bankers to store deposits and records.
Examples in context
- If you visit the zoo, you will see various animals confined in caveae.If you visit the zoo, you will see various animals confined in cages.
- Cavea parva est.The cage is small.
- Avis in cavea habitat.The bird lives in a cage.
- Caveam ante noctem claudere debeo.I must close the cage before night.
Example conversation
Marcus and Claudia are looking at a bird's enclosure.
- MarcusUbi est cavea?Where is the cage?
- ClaudiaCavea ibi est, Marce.The cage is there, Marcus.
- MarcusEstne cavea aperta?Is the cage open?
- ClaudiaNon, cavea clausa est.No, the cage is closed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cage” translations and entries cavea, arca, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
