LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum
adjectivefirst/second-declension adjective

hī̆rtus

hī̆rtus (feminine hī̆rta, neuter hī̆rtum)
Classical[ˈhiːr.tʊs]Ecclesiastical[ˈir.tus]

Meaning

  1. adjectivehairy, shaggy
  2. adjectiverough, rude, unpolished

Choosing the right word Döderlein's Latin Synonyms

Horridus · Hirtus · Hirsutus · Hispidus · Asper

Horridus (from χέρσος, χορταῖος), is the most general expression for whatever is rough and rugged, from want of formation; hirtus and hirsutus refer particularly to what is covered with rough hair, in opp. to what is soft and smooth; hispidus and asper, to rough elevations, in opp. to what is level; hispidus, to the roughness that offends the eye; asper, to the roughness that causes pain. Vell. P. ii. 4. describes Marius as hirtus et horridus; hirtus referring to his neglected exterior, horridus, to his rough nature. (vi. 161.)

Declension

singular
formmasculinefeminineneuter
nominativehī̆rtushī̆rtahī̆rtum
genitivehī̆rtīhī̆rtaehī̆rtī
dativehī̆rtōhī̆rtaehī̆rtō
accusativehī̆rtumhī̆rtamhī̆rtum
ablativehī̆rtōhī̆rtāhī̆rtō
vocativehī̆rtehī̆rtahī̆rtum
plural
formmasculinefeminineneuter
nominativehī̆rtīhī̆rtaehī̆rta
genitivehī̆rtōrumhī̆rtārumhī̆rtōrum
dativehī̆rtīshī̆rtīshī̆rtīs
accusativehī̆rtōshī̆rtāshī̆rta
ablativehī̆rtīshī̆rtīshī̆rtīs
vocativehī̆rtīhī̆rtaehī̆rta

hirtus, a, um, adj.,
I. rough, hairy, shaggy, = δασύς (mostly post-Aug.; cf. hirsutus, hispidus, pilosus, villosus, setosus).
I. Lit.: oves, Varr. R. R. 2, 2, 19: hirto corde quosdam homines nasci proditur, Plin. 11, 37, 70, § 185: ora (Scythis), Curt. 4, 13: frons, Sil. 16, 121: toga, Luc. 2, 386; Quint. 12, 10, 47; cf. tunica, Nep. Dat. 3, 2: setae in corpore, Ov. M. 13, 850; cf. comae, Curt. 5, 6 fin.: saxa dumis, Stat. S. 3, 1, 13; cf. saepes, Col. poët. 10, 27; and: ager spinigeris stirpibus, Prud. στεφ. 11, 120: hirtiora folia, App. Herb. 71: aequor, rough, uneven surface, Prud. στεφ. 9, 53.—
II. Trop., of character, rough, rude, unpolished: non tibi parvum Ingenium, non incultum est et turpiter hirtum, * Hor. Ep. 1, 3, 22: C. Marius hirtus atque horridus, Vell. 2, 11 (cf., of Marius sordidum me et incultis moribus aiunt, Sall. J. 85, 39).

Origins

From Proto-Italic *herztos, from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰérstos, from *ǵʰers- (“to bristle”), same root as horreo and hordeum.

Descendants
  • Italianirto
  • Esperantohirta

Quick answers

What does hī̆rtus mean in Latin?
hī̆rtus, a adjective, means “hairy, shaggy; rough, rude, unpolished”.
How do you pronounce hī̆rtus?
In classical Latin, [ˈhiːr.tʊs]; in ecclesiastical (church) Latin, [ˈir.tus].