The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville - Pot-pourri

220 X.G.113–I.126 Isidore of Seville
called grave for his good counsel and steadfastness,
because he does not hop about with a light motion,
but stands firm with a fixed gravity (gravitas) ofconstancy.
113. [Great (grandis) ...Slender (gracilis) ...]
Aged (grandaevus), because one is ‘great in age’ (grandis
aevo). Kindly (gratus), because one maintains kindness
(gratia) –but‘kindly’issaidonlywithregardtothe
mind, whereas ‘most pleasing’ (gratissimus)issaid with
regard to both the mind and the body. Obliging (gratificus),
because one ‘freely does’ (gratis facere)agood deed.
Generous (gratiosus), because he gives someone more
than one deserves. 114.Garrulous (garrulus)istheproper
word for a person who is commonly called verbose (verbosus).
When happiness befalls such people they neither
can nor will be quiet. The term is taken from the bird
called jackdaw (graculus), which constantly chatters with
importunate loquacity and is never quiet. A debauchee
(ganeo), “voluptuary,” though in hidden and subterranean
places that the Greeks call (cf. ganea,
“disreputable chophouse”). Glutton (glutto), from maw
(gula), that is, a gluttonous person (gulosus).
H. 115. Humble (humilis), as if inclined to the ground
(humus). Honorable (honorabilis), as if the term were
‘suitable for honors’ (honore habilis), that is, ‘fit.’ 116.
Decent (honestus), because such a one has no part of
wickedness –forwhatisdecency (honestas) butperpetual
honor, that is, as if the term were ‘the condition
of honor’ (honoris status)? Humane (humanus), because
such a one has love and feelings of sympathy for humans
(homines). Hence also derives the term ‘human kindness’
(humanitas), because of which we watch over one
another. 117. Capable (habilis), because such a one is
suitable and fit for handling (habere) something. Burdened
(honerosus, i.e. onerosus, inclassical Latin “burdensome”)
is more than honeratus (“burdened”), just as
scelerosus (“vicious”) is more than sceleratus (“tainted
with wickedness”). Hirsute (hirsutus), because such a
one is hairy (hirtus)andshaggy with hair.
118. Hypocrite (hypocrita) from the Greek (i.e.
, “play-actor, dissembler”) is translated into
Latin as “dissembler” (simulator). Such a one outwardly
appears as good, while he is evil within, for - means
“false” and means “judgment.” 119.Moreover,the
name of hypocrita derives from the appearance of those
who go in theatrical spectacles with countenance concealed,
marking their face with blue and red and other
pigments, holding masks of linen and plaster of Paris
decorated with various colors, sometimes also smearing
their necks and hands with white clay, in order to
arrive at the coloring of the character they portray and
to deceive the public while they act in plays. Now they
look like a man, now a woman, now a man with barbered
hair, now with long, now a woman with an old crone’s,
a maiden’s, or some other appearance, with age and sex
varied, to deceive the people while they act in plays. 120.
The sense of this theatrical hypocritical appearance has
been transferred to those who proceed with a false face
and pretend to be what they are not. They cannot be
called hypocrites from the moment they reveal themselves
outwardly. 121.Interred(humatus), because one is
covered with soil (humus), that is, buried.
I. 122. Talented (ingeniosus), one who has the power
within (intus) ofproducing (gignere, ppl. genitus) any
sort of art. Discoverer (inventor), because he ‘comes
upon’ (invenire) what he is searching for. Hence also
the thing called an invention (inventio). If we reconsider
the origin of the word, what else does it sound like if
not that ‘to invent’ (invenire) isto‘comeupon’(in +
venire) that which is sought for? 123. Translator (interpres),
because he is the medium ‘between the sides’ (inter
partes)oftwo languages when he translates. But the person
who interprets (interpretari) God is also called an
interpreter for the humans to whom he reveals divine
mysteries [because he mediates ‘between’ (inter) that
which he translates]. 124. Judge (iuridicus) [because he
‘tells the ordinances’ (iura dicere) ofthelaws]. Potential
(indoles) inthe proper sense is a certain image of
future strength. A righteous (iustus) personissocalled
because he keeps the laws (ius) and lives according to the
law. 125. Innocent(innox), because such aonedoesnot
harm (nocere); innocuus,onewhohas not been harmed
– but among the ancients there is no difference between
the senses of the words. Cheerful (ilaris, i.e. hilaris) is
aGreekword (i.e. , “cheerful”). ‘Given to merriment’
(iocundus), because such a one is always ready for
jokes (iocus)and merry-making – from the frequentative
element (i.e. -cund-), as is iracundus (“given to wrath”;
cf. ira,“wrath”). Jesting (iocosus), making jokes (iocus).
126. Renowned(inclitus) isaGreekterm,forthe
Greeks call ‘glorious’ . Illustrious (inlustris) isa
term for fame, because a person shines in many ways
because of the splendor of his family or wisdom or