English → Latin
“pattern” in Latin
exempluma sample, example; a warning example, deterrent; torture, exemplary penalty, chastisementexemplarmodel, pattern, example, original or ideal; copyspecimenmark, token, sign, indication, specimen; example, pattern, model; ornament, honorauctorseller, vendor; author, originator; sponsor, advocate
The English word pattern itself goes back to Latin pater, through patrōnus.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
pattern
PROP., exemplum, exemplar (a sample; or, a model, example, and for imitation; Vid: Auct., ad Her., 4, 6, 9. ☞ Specimen, in this sense, would not be Latin): quod imitatur aliquis (that which is imitated; Vid: Quint., 10, 2, 11): a pattern for embroidery, exemplum ad imitationem acu pingendi propositum (after Quint., 1, 1, 35): to show a pattern (sample) of goods, mercis exemplum ostendere (Auct., ad Her., 4, 6, 9).
Figuratively, An example which deserves imitation, ad imitandum propositum exemplar; also simply exemplum, exemplar (which one is to follow): specimen (showing how a thing ought to be; ☞ never in the plur.): auctor (one who goes before as an example): a pattern of perfection, exemplum virtutis: a pattern of all perfection, auctor omnium virtutum: a pattern of innocence, innocentiae specimen: a pattern of ancient religion, exemplar antiquae religionis: a pattern of temperance and prudence, temperantiae prudentiaeque specimen: to take anything as a pattern, aliquid ad imitandum proponere; aliquid in exemplum assumere: to regard anyone as a pattern, aliquem sibi imitandum proponere; exemplum proponere sibi aliquem ad imitandum; aliquem exemplum sibi deligere; imitari aliquem: to take a pattern from anyone, exemplum ab aliquo sumere, repetere.
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for pattern?
- The usual Latin words for “pattern” are exemplum, exemplar, specimen; also auctor. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.