lactūca
feminine
The Latin word for lettuce is lactūca.
The word refers to the leaves of the lettuce plant when they are eaten as a vegetable or a dish.
Meaning: the leaves of the lettuce plant, eaten as a vegetable or dish (noun)
Which one should you use?
The form Lactuca sativa is specifically used as a formal botanical name for lettuce.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word lactūca is a feminine noun.
Did you know?
- In Roman mythology and folklore, lettuce was sometimes linked to the goddess Venus and seen as an aphrodisiac in certain contexts, despite its calming physical effects.
- The Latin word lactūca is closely related to lac, the word for 'milk'. This is because the plant exudes a milky white sap when the stem is cut.
- Ancient Romans believed that lactūca had sedative properties. They often associated the plant with sleep and used it in medicinal contexts to calm patients.
Examples in context
- Lactūca in mensā est.The lettuce is on the table.
- Hanc lactūcam edo.I am eating this lettuce.
- Lactūca est optima.The lettuce is excellent.
Example conversation
Lucius and Julia are preparing a meal in the kitchen.
- LuciusJulia, ubi est lactūca?Julia, where is the lettuce?
- JuliaLactūca in vasculō est.The lettuce is in the bowl.
- LuciusGrātiās, nunc eam lavābō.Thanks, now I will wash it.
- JuliaBene, mox cenābimus.Good, we will dine soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lettuce” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
