cuculus

Latin

cucūlus (a cuckoo)

Etymology

Echoic of the male bird's mating cry, similar to English cuckoo, Greek κόκκῡξ, Middle Irish cuach

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA: /kuˈkuː.lus/

Noun

cucūlus (genitive cucūlī); m, second declension

1. cuckoo (bird)
2. a term of reproach

Inflection

Number	Singular	Plural
nominative	cucūlus	cucūlī
genitive	cucūlī	cucūlōrum
dative	cucūlō	cucūlīs
accusative	cucūlum	cucūlōs
ablative	cucūlō	cucūlīs
vocative	cucūle	cucūlī

Related terms

• cucus

Descendants

• French: coucou
• Italian: cuculo
• Jèrriais: coucou