LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum
noun · neutersecond declension

ostrum

ostrum n (genitive ostrī)
Classical[ˈɔs.trũː]Ecclesiastical[ˈɔs.trum]

Meaning

  1. neuterthe blood of the sea snail
  2. neutervariety of Tyrian purple that was red

Declension

declension
formsingularplural
nominativeostrumostra
genitiveostrīostrōrum
dativeostrōostrīs
accusativeostrumostra
ablativeostrōostrīs
vocativeostrumostra

ostrum, i, n., = ὄστρεον.
I. Lit., the blood of the sea-snail, purple (cf.: murex, purpura): ostro Perfusae vestes, Verg. A. 5, 111; Vitr. 7, 13.—
II. Transf.
A. Stuff dyed with purple, a purple dress, purple covering, purple: textilibus si in picturis ostroque rubenti Jacteris, Lucr. 2, 35: stratoque super discumbitur ostro, on purple-covered couches, Verg. A. 1, 700: Sarrano dormire ostro, id. G. 2, 506: velare umeros ostro, id. A. 7, 814; 4, 134; Prop. 4 (5), 3, 51. cenae sine aulaeis et ostro, Hor. C. 3, 29, 15; id. Ep. 1, 10, 26.—
B. The brilliancy of purple, purple, Auct. Aetnae, 332.

Origins

Borrowed from Ancient Greek ὄστρεον (óstreon, “oyster”).

Descendants
  • Italianostro
  • Spanishostro

Quick answers

What does ostrum mean in Latin?
ostrum, a noun, means “the blood of the sea snail; variety of Tyrian purple that was red”.
What is the genitive of ostrum?
The genitive singular is ostrī. ostrum is neuter, second declension.
How do you pronounce ostrum?
In classical Latin, [ˈɔs.trũː]; in ecclesiastical (church) Latin, [ˈɔs.trum].