oculus
[ˈɔ.kʊ.ɫʊs]masculine
The Latin word for eye is oculus.
oculus refers to the physical organ of sight. In a broader sense, related concepts in Latin can involve a malicious gaze or the act of bringing harm through one's eyes, often described by the term invidia.
Meaning: organ (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
oculus is a masculine noun. The plural form for eyes is oculi. When using the eye as a direct object, use the accusative singular form oculum. To express an action occurring with, by or from the eye, use the ablative singular form oculo.
Did you know?
- In architecture, an oculus is a circular opening at the top of a dome, such as the one in the Pantheon, designed to let in light.
- The Latin term invidia for envy comes from the root for 'looking' and literally describes the 'evil eye'.
- Some linguists believe oculus may have originally been a neuter diminutive, meaning it started as a word for a 'little eye'.
Examples in context
- Uter oculus tibi dolet?Which eye is hurting you?This sentence is useful for asking which eye is causing pain using oculus.Tatoeba #635553 by rado, translation #664027 by bluepie88
- Oculus eius turgidus erat.Her eye was swollen.This sentence is useful for describing a swollen eye using oculus.Tatoeba #8455739 by alexmarcelo, translation #2490730 by Hybrid
- Estne manus celerior quam oculus?Is the hand quicker than the eye?This sentence is useful for the comparison of a hand's speed versus the eye using oculus.Tatoeba #7101222 by carlosalberto, translation #7167464 by CarpeLanam
- Vulnus in oculo meo est.I have a wound in my eye.
- oculi amorem cernuntThe eyes see love
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucius and Julia are walking through a garden.
- LuciusOculus meus valde dolet.My eye hurts a lot.
- JuliaQuid in oculo est?What is in your eye?
- LuciusPulvis in oculo est.There is dust in my eye.
- JuliaTe adiuvare possum.I can help you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “eye” translations and entries oculus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries oculus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
