noun · masculinesecond declension
būfus
būfus m (genitive būfī)
Classical[ˈbuː.fʊs]Ecclesiastical[ˈbuː.fus]
Meaning
- Late Latinowl
Declension
| form | singular | plural |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | būfus | būfī |
| genitive | būfī | būfōrum |
| dative | būfō | būfīs |
| accusative | būfum | būfōs |
| ablative | būfō | būfīs |
| vocative | būfe | būfī |
Origins
Onomatopoeic most likely, based on būbō (“owl”). Possibly explainable as a borrowing from a non-Latin Italic substrate, or from Ancient Greek βοῦφος (boûphos, “eagle owl”). Alternatively subject to a dissimilation of the /b/ also found in Latin būbalus > Italian bufalo; Latin bubulcus > Italian bifolco. Compare also Latin terrae tuber > Italian tartufo. Attested in a late gloss.
Eastern Romance
- Romanianbuf
- Romanianbufă
- Aromanianbuf
- Aromanianbufu
- Aromanianbufã
- Megleno-Romanianbuf
- Albanianbuf
- Greekμπούφοςfrom Byzantine Greek μποῦφος
Ibero-Romance
- Portuguesebufofrom Old Galician-Portuguese bufo
- Spanishbúhofrom Old Spanish bufo
- Galicianbufofrom Old Galician-Portuguese bufo
Elsewhere
- Italiangufofrom Vulgar Latin *gūfus