The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville - Pot-pourri

much distinguishes benignus from bonus, because the
benignus person also seems disposed to do well. However,
they differ in this, that the bonus person can be
rather somber, and although he does well and is attentive
to what is demanded of him, still he does not know
how to be pleasant as a companion, whereas the benignus
person knows how to be inviting to all with his sweet
nature. 25. Beneficent(beneficus), so called from ‘doing
well’ (benefacere) toanother; from this also is the term
‘beneficence’ (beneficentia), which benefits one’s neighbor.
26.Benevolent (benivolus), because one ‘wishes well’
(bene velle, 1 st person volo). Still, we do not say benevolus,
any more than malevolus, for often a word compounded
of two bases alters either the first letter (i.e. of
the second base) or the last letter (i.e. of the first base) –
for benevolentia (i.e. rather than benivolentia, “benevolence”)
has a disagreeable sound. 27. Charming (blandus),
sweet and open to friendship. 28. Stupid (brutus),
as if overwhelmed (obrutus), because one lacks sense,
for such a one is without reason or prudence. From this
term also came the name Junius Brutus, the son of the
sister of Tarquinius Superbus. When he feared the same
disaster that befell his brother, who was killed by his
maternal uncle because of his wealth and prudence, he
feigned a useful stupidity for a time. Whence he received
the cognomen Brutus, although he was named Junius.
29. [Red(burrus) ...]Stammering (balbus), so called
from bleating (balare) rather than speaking, for such a
person cannot get words out. 30. Hence also ‘hesitating
in speech’ (blaesus), because one breaks off words.
Achatterer (bucco), a garrulous person, because he outdoes
others in the loquacity of his speech, not its sense.
Bilious (biliosus), because one is always in a melancholy
state, from the black humor that is called bile (bilis).
31. Baburrus, “stupid, inept.” Biothanatus (i.e. a martyr
who dies a violent death), because he is ‘twice dead,’ for
death is in Greek. 2
C. 32. Bright(clarus), from sky (caelum), because it
shines, and hence also the term ‘bright day’ for the shining
of the sky. Lofty (celsus) isnamed after sky, because
one is elevated and high, as if the term were ‘celestial’
(caelestis). 33. Chaste(castus) wasfirst so called after
the term ‘castration’ (castratio); afterwards the ancients
2 Greek means “violence,” but bio- isheretaken as the Latin
combining form bi-, “twice.”
The Etymologies X.B.25–C.42 215
chose so to call those who would promise perpetual
abstinence from sexual intercourse. 34. A‘celestial one’
(caeles)issocalled because such a one directs his course
to the sky (caelum). Celibate (caelebs), one having no part
in marriage, of which kind are the numinous beings in
heaven (caelum), who have no spouses – and caelebs is so
called as if the term were ‘blessed in heaven’ (caelo beatus).
Heavenly-dweller (caelicola), because they ‘dwell in
heaven’ (caelum colere) –for that is an angel. 35. ‘Continent’
is said not only of chastity, but also of food and
drink, and also of anger, agitation of mind, and passion
for disparaging. A person is continent (continens)
because he ‘holds himself back’ (abstinere) frommany
evils. 36. Merciful (clemens), having pity, because such
aone‘iscalled upon’ (cluere), that is, he protects and
guards, as a patron does for his client (cliens). 37. Concordant
(concors)issocalled from ‘joining of the heart’
(coniunctio cordis), for as one who shares one’s lot (sors)
is called a ‘partner’ (consors), so one who is joined in
heart (cor) iscalled concors. 38. Haranguer (contionator).
. . . Consoler (consolator), ‘comforting interlocutor’;
and a consoler is so called because he focuses attention
on the single (solus)persontowhomheisspeaking, and
alleviates his solitude by talking with him. Hence also
the word ‘solace’ (solacium).
39. Well-advised (consultus) isonewhohas ‘taken
counsel’ (consulere); the opposite is ill-advised, one
who does not accept counsel. 40. Constant (constans)
is so called because one ‘stands firm’ (stare, present
participle stans) inevery situation, and cannot deviate
in any direction. Trusting (confidens), one full of faith
(fiducia)inallmatters.WhenceCaecilius (fr. 246):
If you summon Confidence, confide (confidere)
everything to her.
41. Cautious (cautus), so called from ‘being wary’
(cavere). Sly (callidus), “deceptive,” because he knows
how to conceal (celare) things, and is skillful in a bad
way. However, the ancients would use callidus not only
for “cunning,” but also for “expertly taught.” Such a
one is also wily (versutum), because he quickly shifts
(vertere) his thinking around. 42. Desirous (cupidus),
so called from taking (capere), that is, receiving, much.
Clamorous (clamosus), as if the word were calamosus,
from ‘reed-pipe’ (calamus) –thus, because one makes
noise. A calumniator (calumniator), a false accuser of a
crime, so called from ‘intriguing against’ (calvere), that