Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Latin term or phrase:
avis, volucer, passer
English translation:
bird
Added to glossary by
Joseph Brazauskas
Nov 3, 2004 12:57
19 yrs ago
Latin term
avis, volucres, passeri
Latin to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
I have seen the three terms AVIS, VOLUCRES, PASSERI translated as BIRDS. WHich one is correct? Are they all correct, but meaning different kinds of bird?
Could you please explain your answer and givre examples, if possible,
Many thanks
Could you please explain your answer and givre examples, if possible,
Many thanks
Proposed translations
(English)
| 5 +2 | bird(s) |
Joseph Brazauskas
|
| 3 +3 | avis is the most common word |
Kirill Semenov
|
| 3 | viz |
danya
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| 3 | birds |
Simon Molnar
|
Proposed translations
+2
3 days 3 hrs
Joseph Brazauskas
United States
United States
Native in English
Specializes in field
United States
When You Want It Done Right
Native in: English (Variant: British) 
, Spanish (Variant: Standard-Spain)
Works in: Latin to English, English to Latin, Greek (Ancient) to English, and 23 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
56
Selected
bird(s)
'Avis' (singular) is the generic term for 'bird'. It refers to any species.
'Volucres' (plural; the singular is 'volucer') is properly an adjective meaning 'flying'. It is used substantively to mean 'birds' (of any species), but it is almost entirely confined to poetry.
'Passeres' (not 'passeri'; it is plural, the singular being 'passer') refers to any small bird, especially to a sparrow.
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Note added at 3 days 3 hrs 48 mins (2004-11-06 16:45:49 GMT)
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The only form \'passeri\' which occurs in Latn, classical or otherwise, is the dative singular.
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Note added at 3 days 10 hrs 9 mins (2004-11-06 23:06:51 GMT)
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By form--I did not use the term in a biological sense--I meant grammatical form. As I\'ve already stated, thgough apparently not clearly enough, the only grammatical form \'passeri\' which exists in Latin, classical or otherwise, is the dative singular.
'Volucres' (plural; the singular is 'volucer') is properly an adjective meaning 'flying'. It is used substantively to mean 'birds' (of any species), but it is almost entirely confined to poetry.
'Passeres' (not 'passeri'; it is plural, the singular being 'passer') refers to any small bird, especially to a sparrow.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 days 3 hrs 48 mins (2004-11-06 16:45:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
The only form \'passeri\' which occurs in Latn, classical or otherwise, is the dative singular.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 days 10 hrs 9 mins (2004-11-06 23:06:51 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
By form--I did not use the term in a biological sense--I meant grammatical form. As I\'ve already stated, thgough apparently not clearly enough, the only grammatical form \'passeri\' which exists in Latin, classical or otherwise, is the dative singular.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you all. This is the explanation I was looking for"
5 mins
viz
Aves - the class of vertebrates comprising the birds. [pl. of Latin avis bird]
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Note added at 7 mins (2004-11-03 13:05:04 GMT)
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passerine (`pæs
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Note added at 7 mins (2004-11-03 13:05:04 GMT)
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passerine (`pæs
+3
8 mins
Kirill Semenov
Ukraine
Ukraine
Specializes in field
Ukraine
60+ books translated and published
Native in: Russian 
Works in: English to Russian, Russian
Related KudoZ points
:
36
avis is the most common word
Say, like in "rara avis" (a rare bird)
Volucres (from singulra "volucris", bird) means rather "a flying animal" (volucer volucris volucre, flying, winged; fleet, swift, fleeting. F. as subst. volucris -is, a bird or flying insect). You may compare it to "feathery" in English.
`Passeri' is rather "sparrows" (comes from singular passere, passeris). In wider sense, it's a small bird.
Passere, -eris, m. a sparrow or other small bird; a sea fish, a plaice or flounder.
Volucres (from singulra "volucris", bird) means rather "a flying animal" (volucer volucris volucre, flying, winged; fleet, swift, fleeting. F. as subst. volucris -is, a bird or flying insect). You may compare it to "feathery" in English.
`Passeri' is rather "sparrows" (comes from singular passere, passeris). In wider sense, it's a small bird.
Passere, -eris, m. a sparrow or other small bird; a sea fish, a plaice or flounder.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
danya
: ave magister))
4 mins
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íå ñîòâîðè ñåáå êóìèðà! ;-)))
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| agree |
laura rutigliano
29 mins
|
| agree |
sonja29 (X)
2 days 26 mins
|
| neutral |
Joseph Brazauskas
: The plural is 'passeres'. It is of the 3rd, not of the 2nd, declension.
3 days 3 hrs
|
26 mins
Simon Molnar
Works in field
Thorough. Work overnight.
Native in: Hungarian
Works in: English to Hungarian, Hungarian to English
birds
avis=birds as a class of vertebrates. All birds are included in this class.
passeri=within the above class the order of birds that have feet specialised for perching, are also called perching birds or songbirds (passeriformes if I recall correctly from Latin)
volucres=I do not know but may stem from volo (I fly) and be another general expersion for birds as such? I think this is not in the terminology of ornithology or biological classification.
passeri=within the above class the order of birds that have feet specialised for perching, are also called perching birds or songbirds (passeriformes if I recall correctly from Latin)
volucres=I do not know but may stem from volo (I fly) and be another general expersion for birds as such? I think this is not in the terminology of ornithology or biological classification.
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Joseph Brazauskas
: Again, the form 'passeri' does not exist.
3 days 3 hrs
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Again, the word 'passeri' does exist and is a suborder of passeriformes.
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Discussion