avicula
The English phrase "little bird" is translated into Latin as avicula.
This phrase refers to a small bird.
What does it mean word for word?
The word avicula is formed from avis, meaning bird and the diminutive suffix -cula, meaning little or small.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of avicula is aviculae, which means little birds.
Did you know?
- In some Roman contexts, mentioning 'birds' was linked to 'augury', the practice of interpreting the flight of birds to predict the future.
- While 'avicula' means 'little bird', the suffix -cula is the same one found in the English word 'molecule', which literally means 'little mass'.
- The word avis is the ancestor of the French word 'oiseau', which also means 'bird'.
Examples in context
- Oh, avicula mea, tam dulcis es!Oh, my little bird, you are so sweet!
- Avicula in arbore canit.The little bird sings in the tree.
Example conversation
Claudia and Marcus are walking in a garden.
- ClaudiaVide, Marce, avicula volat!Look, Marcus, a little bird is flying!
- MarcusUbi est avicula?Where is the little bird?
- ClaudiaEst super florem rubrum.It is above the red flower.
- MarcusIta, avicula est valde parva.Yes, the little bird is very small.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avicula, CC BY-SA 4.0.
