sabellinum
The English word 'sable' is expressed in Latin as sabellinum.
This term is used to refer to the sable, a type of small mammal.
Meaning: animal (noun)
Did you know?
- The English word 'sable' actually bypasses the Latin sabellinum entirely, deriving instead from the Old French 'sable' and the Slavic 'sobol'.
- The Latin adjective sabellinum is more commonly recognized in historical contexts as a reference to the 'Sabellian' people rather than the mammal.
- There is no direct equivalent for the specific genus of the sable in classical Roman-era texts, as the animal was not native to the Italian peninsula.
Example conversation
Julia and Lucius are looking at animals in a book.
- JuliaQuid est hoc animal, Luci?What is this animal, Lucius?
- LuciusHoc est sabellinum.This is a sable.
- JuliaEstne sabellinum velociter currens?Is the sable fast-running?
- LuciusIta, sabellinum est celerrimum.Yes, the sable is very fast.
