stultus

Stupidus, brutus, and bardus, denote a merely negative quality, want of intellect; stupidus (from τύφω, ταφεῖν), that of a human being who comprehends with difficulty, as dull-witted, like ἀναίσθητος; brutus (μαυρωτός), that of beasts, and of men whose organization is like that of beasts, who comprehend nothing, as without reason, like βλάξ; bardus, who comprehends slowly, as without talent, like βραδύς; whereas stultus, fatuus, and stolidus, denote a positive quality of the mind, which has false notions and a perverse judgment; stultus (from τέλλω, ἀτάλλω, ἀταλόφρων), a want of practical wisdom, as folly, like μωρός, in opp. to prudens; fatuus, a want of æsthetical judgment, as silliness; stolidus, a want of reasonable moderation, as brutality. Liv. xxv. 19. Id non promissum magis stolide quam stulte creditum. (iv. 229.)