bellum

Latin

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA: /ˈbel.lum/

• Audio (Classical)

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Etymology 1

From older form duellum. Then later changed the initial duellum into bellum (compare the change from duis to bis).

Noun

bellum (genitive bellī); n, second declension

1. war
   • Flavius Vegetius

     Sī vīs pācem parā bellum.

     If you want peace, prepare for war.

Inflection

Number	Singular	Plural
nominative	bellum	bella
genitive	bellī	bellōrum
dative	bellō	bellīs
accusative	bellum	bella
ablative	bellō	bellīs
vocative	bellum	bella

Synonyms

• duellum

Related terms

• belligerō
• belligerāns
• bellō
• horrida bella

Descendants

• English: antebellum, postbellum, belligerent

Etymology 2

Inflection of bellus (“pretty”).

Adjective

bellum

1. nominative neuter singular of bellus
2. accusative masculine singular of bellus
3. accusative neuter singular of bellus
4. vocative neuter singular of bellus