bidens

== Latin == === Alternative forms === duidēns === Pronunciation === (Classical Latin) IPA(key): [ˈbɪ.dẽːs] (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): [ˈbiː.dens] === Etymology 1 === From bi- (“two-”) +‎ dens (“tooth”). ==== Adjective ==== bidēns (genitive bidentis); third-declension one-termination adjective (literally) two-toothed (figuratively) two-pronged ===== Declension ===== Third-declension one-termination adjective. ===== Derived terms ===== bidental ===== Descendants ===== Translingual: Bidens English: bident === Etymology 2 === Ellipsis of bidēns ovis f (“two-toothed sheep or, a two-year-old sheep”), either: referring to a sheep of an age (typically between one and two years old) when only the two front incisors in its lower jaw have been replaced by permanent teeth, which are larger, thus standing out in contrast with the six remaining milk teeth (see this Wikipedia article). Or, derived from biennis (“two-year-old”), with epenthetic d as seen in derivatives prefixed with re- or prō- (e.g., redimō, from emō). The term thus originally referred to a two-year-old sheep or any sacrificial animal of that age. See the quote from Aulus Gellius below, himself referencing already conflicting opinions from earlier authors; more informations at biennis. ==== Noun ==== bidēns f a sheep of an age suitable for certain sacrifices; also more generally, any sheep or any sacrificial animal ===== Declension ===== Third-declension noun (i-stem, ablative singular in -e or -ī). === Etymology 3 === Nominalization of the adjective, perhaps by ellipsis of a phrase headed by a masculine noun such as ligō m (“mattock, hoe”). Compare tridēns m. ==== Noun ==== bidēns m a two-pronged agricultural tool, such as an iron hoe or mattock ===== Declension ===== Third-declension noun (i-stem, ablative singular in -e or -ī). === References === === Further reading === “bidens”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press “bidens”, in Charlton T. Lewis (1891), An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers "bidens", in Charles du Fresne du Cange, Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition with additions by D. P. Carpenterius, Adelungius and others, edited by Léopold Favre, 1883–1887) “bidens”, in Gaffiot, Félix (1934), Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette. “bidens”, in Harry Thurston Peck, editor (1898), Harper’s Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, New York: Harper & Brothers “bidens”, in William Smith et al., editor (1890), A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, London: William Wayte. G. E. Marindin