LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum
noun · masculinesecond declension

oestrus

oestrus m (genitive oestrī)
Classical[ˈoe̯s.trʊs]Ecclesiastical[ˈɛs.trus]

Meaning

  1. masculinegadfly

Declension

declension
formsingularplural
nominativeoestrusoestrī
genitiveoestrīoestrōrum
dativeoestrōoestrīs
accusativeoestrumoestrōs
ablativeoestrōoestrīs
vocativeoestreoestrī

oestrus, i, m., = οἶστρος.
I. Lit., a gad-fly, horse-fly, breese (pure Lat. asilus): volitans, cui nomen asilo Romanum est, oestrum Graii vertere vocantes, Verg. G. 3, 148: nascuntur in extremis favis apes grandiores, quae ceteras fugant: oestrus vocatur hoc malum, Plin. 11, 16, 16, § 47.—
II. Transf., frenzy of a prophet or poet, inspiration, enthusiasm (in post-Aug. poets), Stat. Th. 1, 32; Nemes. Cyneg. 3; Juv. 4, 123; cf.: oestrum furor Graeco vocabulo, Paul. ex Fest. p. 195 Müll.

Origins

From Ancient Greek οἶστρος (oîstros).

Descendants
  • Romanianstrechefrom Vulgar Latin *oestricula
  • Catalanestre
  • Englishoestrus
  • Englishestrus
  • Frenchœstre
  • Romanianestrufrom French œstre
  • Italianestro
  • Portugueseestro
  • Spanishestro
  • Aromanianstrecljifrom Vulgar Latin *oestricula

Quick answers

What does oestrus mean in Latin?
oestrus, a noun, means “gadfly”.
What is the genitive of oestrus?
The genitive singular is oestrī. oestrus is masculine, second declension.
How do you pronounce oestrus?
In classical Latin, [ˈoe̯s.trʊs]; in ecclesiastical (church) Latin, [ˈɛs.trus].