LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum
noun · masculinesecond declension

cucūlus

cucūlus m (genitive cucūlī)
Classical[kʊˈkuː.ɫʊs]Ecclesiastical[kuˈkuː.lus]

Meaning

  1. cuckoo (bird)
  2. a term of reproach (specifically a cuckold)

Declension

declension
formsingularplural
nominativecucūluscucūlī
genitivecucūlīcucūlōrum
dativecucūlōcucūlīs
accusativecucūlumcucūlōs
ablativecucūlōcucūlīs
vocativecucūlecucūlī

cŭcūlus (cŭcŭlus, Auct. Carm. Philom. 35), i, m. Sanscr. ku-, to cry; cf. κωκύω,
I. a cuckoo, Plin. 18, 26, 66, § 249; as a term of reproach, Plaut. As. 5, 2, 73; id. Ps. 1, 1, 94; esp. of foolish men, id. Trin. 2, 1, 18; and of dilatory husbandmen, who are not through with their pruning until the cuckoo is heard (after the vernal equinox), Plin. 1. 1.; Hor. S. 1, 7, 31; cf. Plin. 18, 26, 66, § 249; Voss ad Verg. G. 2, 403.

Origins

Echoic of the male bird's mating cry, similar to English cuckoo, Ancient Greek κόκκυξ (kókkux), Middle Irish cuach, Polish kukułka, Sanskrit कोकिल (kokila), Finnish kukkua.

Descendants
  • Catalancugul
  • Catalancucut
  • Frenchcoucou
  • Italiancuculo
  • Italiancocco
  • Spanishcuco
  • Asturiancuquiellu
  • Siciliancuccu
  • Normancoucou
  • Venetancuco

Quick answers

What does cucūlus mean in Latin?
cucūlus, a noun, means “cuckoo (bird); a term of reproach (specifically a cuckold)”.
What is the genitive of cucūlus?
The genitive singular is cucūlī. cucūlus is masculine, second declension.
How do you pronounce cucūlus?
In classical Latin, [kʊˈkuː.ɫʊs]; in ecclesiastical (church) Latin, [kuˈkuː.lus].