proper noun · masculinethird declension
Moenis
Moenis m sg (genitive Moenis)
Classical[ˈmoe̯.nɪs]Ecclesiastical[ˈmɛː.nis]
Meaning
- masculinesingularThe river Main
Declension
| form | singular | plural |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | Moenis | — |
| genitive | Moenis | — |
| dative | Moenī | — |
| accusative | Moenem | — |
| ablative | Moene | — |
| vocative | Moenis | — |
Moenis, is, m.,
I. the River Main, in Germany, Mel. 3, 3, 3.—Called also Moenus, i, Tac. G. 28; Plin. 9, 15, 17, § 45; Amm. 17, 1, 6.
Origins
Of Celtic origin: the Celts originally called it *Moïn, *Mogin, later Latinized by the Romans to Moenus, the form Moenis first attested 43 CE by Pomponius Mela. The meaning is uncertain, possibly Proto-Indo-European *mey- (“to strengthen”) (comparable to moenia (“walls”), or Proto-Celtic *mānis < Proto-Indo-European *meh₂- (“damp, wet, moist”) (see also Irish móin (“bog, moor”)). Compare the river Meon in England.
Descendants
- GermanMain
- ItalianMeno