noun · masculinesecond declension
fiber
fiber m (genitive fibrī)
Classical[ˈfɪ.bɛr]Ecclesiastical[ˈfiː.ber]
Meaning
- masculinebeaver
Declension
| form | singular | plural |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | fiber | fibrī |
| genitive | fibrī | fibrōrum |
| dative | fibrō | fibrīs |
| accusative | fibrum | fibrōs |
| ablative | fibrō | fibrīs |
| vocative | fiber | fibrī |
fĭber, fibri[ī], m., = castor, late Lat. beber [whence Germ. Biber; Eng.
I. beaver], a beaver, Pontici, Plin. 8, 30, 47, § 109; 32, 3, 13, § 28; Plaut. Fragm. ap. Paul. ex Fest. p. 90 Müll.; Sil. 15, 490; Varr. L. L. 5, § 79 Müll.
2. † fiber, extremus, Varr. L. L. 5, § 79 Müll.
Origins
Uncertain. The term possibly derives Proto-Indo-European *bʰébʰrus (perhaps via Proto-Italic *feβr-), with the raising of the initial vowel to /i/. Alternatively, the term may derive directly from a PIE form of the shape *bʰibʰr- (perhaps via Proto-Italic *fiβr-). According to De Vaan, due the varying usage of /e/ and /i/ as reduplication vowels in PIE, it is impossible to decide between either form. Moreover, the o-stem of the Latin term conflicts with the u-stem of the PIE form. It is perhaps possible that there existed a PIE o-stem term *bʰebʰros or *bʰibʰros. Doublet of beber.