The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville - Pot-pourri

strength; the opposite of an illustrious person is one
of obscure birth. [Suitable (idoneus) . . .] 127. Hale
(incolumis) hasitsname from column (columna), as if
upright, strong, and stable. Unfading (immarcescibilis),
uncorrupted and eternal, because it is without decay
(marcor)and faintness. Undefiled (intemeratus), uncorrupted
and violated by no audacity (temeritas). 128.Feeble
(infirmus), because without ‘good looks’ (forma).
Weak (imbecillus), as if the term were ‘without a walkingstick
(baculum),’ fragile and unsteady. Empty (inanis),
trifling. Fickle (inconstans), because such a one is not
stable (stabilis), but what pleases him in turn displeases
him. 129. Oneis boasting (iactans) orarrogant because
he is not satisfied with the institutions of his elders but
seeks his own individual way of righteousness and sanctity.
Wrathful (iracundus)issocalled because such a one
is driven into a fury by inflamed blood, for ur 5 means
“flame,” and wrath (ira)inflames. 130.Instigator(incentor),
because such a one kindles (incendere) and inflames.
An instigator because such a one fires (succendere) the
hearts of other people to vice by his wicked suggestions,
and inflames them by persuasion. 131. Unforgivable
(inexpiabilis), because such a one is never forgiven (expiare),
and would never be exculpated. ‘Not praiseworthy’
(inlaudabilis), not because one has not been praised
(laudare), but because one has not deserved to be
praised. Irate (iratus), driven by anger (ira).
132.Impious (impius), because one is without the piety
(pietas) ofreligion. Unjust (iniquus) inthe strict sense
is so called because one is not even-handed (aequus),
but is unfair (inequalis). However, between impious and
unjust there is sometimes a difference, in that all impious
persons are unjust, but not all the unjust are impious.
Thus impious means “not of the faith,” and such a one
is called impious because he is a stranger to the piety of
religion. On the other hand, an unjust person is so called
because he is not fair but is stained with wicked works –
and this is the case [if] he were to be appraised in the
name of Christianity. 133.Enemy(inimicus), because not
afriend(amicus), but an adversary. Now two things make
an enemy: deceit and terror. Terror, because they are
afraid; deceit, because they have suffered evil. 134.Envious
(invidus), so called from gazing (cf. videre, “see”)
5 Lindsay indicates that this term is a corruption. The original
may well havebeenpur, transliterating Greek , “fire.” Cf. also
urere, “burn.”
The Etymologies X.I.127–I.142 221
at the happiness of another person. Enviable (invidiosus)
isapersonwho suffers the envy of another. Hated
(invisus), “odious,” so called from envy (invidia) and
jealousy. 135.‘Unable to testify’ (intestabilis), one whose
testimony (testimonium) isworthless, and what he says
would be null and void. Infamous (infamis), not ofgood
repute (fama). Relentless (improbus), so called because
he presses hard upon one who is refusing (prohibere).
136.Importunate (importunus), “restless,” because such
aonehas no harbor (portus), that is, place of rest – hence
importunate people are quickly driven into shipwreck,
as it were. Unbridled (infrenis), that is, one who is not
controlled byabridle(frenum), as (Vergil, Aen. 4.41):
The unbridled (infrenus) Numidians.
137.Gnashing (infrendens)properly speaking is grinding
the teeth against each other. Also grind (frendere)
means to crush (frangere) withtheteeth–hence
infants not yet having teeth are called nefrendes. Gluttonous
(ingluviosus), so called from the maw (gula)
and voracity (voracitas). 138. Inglorious (ingloriosus),
because one is without glory (gloria), that is, without triumphs.
Again, inglorius, “not remembered with glory.”
Unshapely (informis), “huge,” not that such a one has no
proper shape (forma), but that he has a great size beyond
the shapely. 139.‘Hardenedcrook’ (inveterator), because
he has much experience ‘of long standing’ (vetus, gen.
veteris) inevildoing.Horrible(immanis), because not
good, but cruel [and] terrible, for manus means “good.”
Hence also by antiphrasis the gods called Manes, in no
way good. 140. Immunis, “notatallgenerous(munificus),”
as in the old proverb, “One’s fellow-citizens hate
‘anyone who gives nothing’ (immunis).” Again, immunis,
one who does not fulfill his duties (munia), that is,
perform his official function, for he is devoid of any special
claim. 141.Indemnified (indemnis), because one lives
without a penalty (damnum), and without any blame or
danger. Unskilled (iners), “without a craft (ars),” and
for this reason useless for any work. Unarmed (inermis),
either “without weapons (arma)” or “without strength,”
for the term ‘weapons’ [is taken] in a general way to refer
to strength. 142.Listless (ignavus), “ignorant of the way”
(ignarus viae), that is, the way of reason and life. Ignorant
(ignarus), “not knowing (gnarus),” that is, unknowing,
that is, without a nose (nares), for the ancients called
knowing “sniffing out.” Moreover, ignarus means two