The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville - Pot-pourri

230 X.T.268–V.283 Isidore of Seville
trutina, which is a pair of scales. 268. Sorrowful (tristis)
...Grasping (tenax), too eager for money, because
he holds (tenere) itfast – sometimes also pertinax. 269.
[Savage (truculentus) ...]Fierce(torvus), “terrible,”
because such a one has a twisted (tortus)faceandadisturbing
(turbulentus) look, as in “fierce lioness,” and
(Vergil, Aen. 3.677):
We see (the Cyclopes) standing there uselessly with
terrible (torvus) eye.
270. Violent (turbidus), “terrible.” Hideous (teter, i.e.
taeter), because of a dark and shadowy life. ‘Most savage’
(teterrimus), for a too beastly person, for the ancients
said teter for ‘beastly,’ as Ennius (Annals 607): “Hideous
(teter) elephants.” Terrible (terribilis), because such a
one possesses terror (terror) andis feared. 271. Evader
(tergiversator), because one changes his mind as if ‘turning
his back’ (tergum vertere) this way and that, so
that it is not easy to understand what condition he
is in. Drunk (temulentus), so called from ‘intoxicating
drink’ (temetum), that is, wine. 272. Fearful (timidus),
because one ‘is afraid for a long time’ (timere diu),
that is, from one’s bloody humor, for fear congeals
the blood, which when coagulated causes fear. 273.
Ugly (turpis), because one is ill-shaped and sluggish
(torpere).
V. 274. Man (vir), from strength (virtus). Beneficial
(utilis), from using (uti)one’s property well, or because a
thing can be well used, just as trainable (docilis), because
such a one can be taught (docere). 275.True(verus), from
truth (veritas); hence also verax (“truthful”). ‘Truth’ is
prior to ‘true,’ because truth does not derive from a
true person, but a true person from truth. 276. Truthful
(veridicus), because he ‘says a true thing’ (verum
dicere)and is a champion of the truth. ‘Having a sense of
honor’ (verecundus), because he respects a true (verum)
deed. 277. Handsome (venustus), “good-looking,” from
one’s veins (vena), that is, from blood. [Lively (viridis,
lit. “green”), full of energy and sap, as if ‘youthful with
vigor’ (vi rudis).] [Living (vivens), “alive” (vivus).] Fickle
(varius), as if not having one path (via), but of unfixed
and confused thought. Wily (versutus), because in any
sort of action one’s mind is easily turned (vertere, ppl.
versus) towardsomedeceit.Hence also craftiness (versutia)
means “twisted thought.” 278. Plautus (Epidicus
371):
[He is] wilier (versutior) thanapotter’s wheel.
279.[Base (vilis), from ‘farm’ (villa), because such a one
has no urbanity.] Dissembling (versipellis, lit.“changing
one’s skin”), because one changes (vertere, ppl. versus)
into various appearances and mental states. Hence
also wily (versutus;see277 above) and cunning. Violent
(violentus), because one brings force (vis) tobear.Mad
(vecors), having a bad spirit (cor) and a bad conscience.
Wandering (vagus), because without a path (via). 280.
Vain (vanus) derives its etymology from Venus. Again,
vain, “empty, false,” because one’s mindfulness vanishes
(evanescere). 281. Insane (vesanus), not properly sane
(sanus). Vinolentus,onewhobothdrinksalotandonly
becomes drunk with difficulty (cf. vinum,“wine”; lentus,
“slow”). Agitated (vexatus), that is, ‘carried’; vexo is from
the same root as veho and vecto, sothatvexasse means
“to have carried.” 282.Poisoner(veneficus), because one
has prepared or furnished or sold poison (venenum) as
a cause of death. Bearer (vector), as if the term were
‘conveyor’ (vehitor); moreover, a vector is both one who
conveys (vehere) and one who is conveyed. 283. Hunter
(venator), as if the term were venabulator (i.e. the user of a
venabulum,“hunting spear”) – from the word ‘hunting’
(venatio) –that is, the hunting of wild animals. There
are four roles for hunters: trackers, pursuers, wingmen,
and drivers.