lacerta
[ɫaˈkɛr.ta]feminine
The English word "lizard" is translated into Latin as lacerta.
lacerta is a noun used to refer to the reptile. For example, lacerta alba is used to refer to a white lizard.
Meaning: reptile (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
lacerta is a feminine noun. The genitive singular form, meaning "of the lizard", is lacertae. When the word is used as a direct object (the accusative singular), it becomes lacertam.
Did you know?
- If you were to look at your own arm, you might find a connection to the lizard, as the Latin word lacertus refers to the upper arm or bicep.
- In the night sky, there is a constellation called Lacerta that represents a lizard.
- While lacerta is the general term, Latin often used different words for snakes, such as serpens, to strictly separate legless reptiles from lizards.
Examples in context
- Salve! Vidi stellionem splendidum in horto.Hello! I saw a splendid house gecko in the garden.
- Lacerta agilis est species Europaea.Lacerta agilis is a European lizard species.
- Lacerta est in horto.A lizard is in the garden.
- Parva lacerta per saxum currit.A small lizard runs across the rock.
Example conversation
Julia and Marcus are walking in a park.
- JuliaMarce, vide! Lacerta est!Marcus, look! It is a lizard!
- MarcusUbi est lacerta?Where is the lizard?
- JuliaSub lapide nigro sedet.It is sitting under the black stone.
- MarcusTam celeris est!It is so fast!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lizard” translations and entries lacerta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lacerta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
