How do you say "dog" in Latin? - briefly
In Latin, the word for "dog" is "canis." This term is the root of many English words related to dogs, such as canine and canary.
How do you say "dog" in Latin? - in detail
In classical Latin, the word for "dog" is "canis." This term is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*kwon-," which means "dog." The word has been preserved in many Romance languages, reflecting the enduring influence of Latin on modern European languages. For instance, in French, the word for dog is "chien," in Italian it's "cane," and in Spanish it's "perro" (though this latter term has a more complex etymology).
The use of "canis" in Latin literature is widespread, appearing in works by prominent authors such as Virgil and Ovid. In the Aeneid, Virgil describes the fierce hounds that guard the entrance to the underworld, using the phrase "canes inferni," which translates to "hellhounds." This vivid imagery underscores the importance of dogs in ancient Roman culture and mythology.
Moreover, the term "canis" has given rise to a number of Latin-derived scientific terms related to dogs. For example, the taxonomic name for the domestic dog is "Canis lupus familiaris," where "lupus" means "wolf," indicating the close evolutionary relationship between wolves and dogs. This classification highlights the historical and biological significance of the Latin term for dog.
In summary, the Latin word for "dog" is "canis," a term with rich historical and linguistic roots that have influenced various aspects of modern language and science.