noun · femininefirst declension
excetra
excetra f (genitive excetrae)
Classical[ˈɛk.skɛ.tra]Ecclesiastical[ˈɛk.ʃe.tra]
Meaning
- femininethe Hydra of Lerna
- femininefigurativelyviper, snake (a spiteful or treacherous person)
Declension
| form | singular | plural |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | excetra | excetrae |
| genitive | excetrae | excetrārum |
| dative | excetrae | excetrīs |
| accusative | excetram | excetrās |
| ablative | excetrā | excetrīs |
| vocative | excetra | excetrae |
excē^tra, ae, f. perh. corrupted from ἔχιδνα,
I. a snake, serpent (very rare).
II. Transf., a reproachful epithet for a bad, intriguing woman, Plaut. Cas. 3, 5, 19; id. Ps. 1, 2, 82; Liv. 39, 11.
Charlton Lewis's shorter dictionary for students: the same scholarship in plain, modern definitions.
excetra ae, f
a snake, serpent, dragon, C. poët.—In reproach, of a woman, L.
Origins
Unclear, but a derivation from Ancient Greek ἔχιδνα (ékhidna) through Etruscan is possible.