Latin edit

Etymology edit

From Proto-Italic *weksloks, from Proto-Indo-European *weǵʰ- (to bring, transport) (whence vehō).

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

vēlōx (genitive vēlōcis, comparative vēlōcior, superlative vēlocissimus, adverb vēlōciter); third-declension one-termination adjective

  1. swift, quick, fleet, rapid, speedy
    Synonyms: rapidus, celer, properus, levis, prōmptus, facilis
    Antonyms: lentus, tardus, sērus

Usage notes edit

According to Döderlein, celer and citus mean "swift, fast, quick" in terms of quick motion (in general) with tardus as their antonym. More specifically, citus refers to a lively motion, whereas celer refers to an eager or impetuous motion.

On the other hand, vēlōx and pernīx as "quick" denote a level of athletic nimbleness in terms of bodily activity, with lentus as their antonym. More specifically, pernīx involves a level of dexterity and quickness in an eclectic range of actions (such as climbing, hurdling, jumping, vaulting, etc.); whereas vēlōx is especially used for running, swimming and flying (moving in a direction)

Thirdly, properus and festīnus as "quick" refer specifically to one's speed in terms of the shortest time to reach a destination, with sēgnis as their antonym. More specifically, festīnus intimates a certain level of impatience, whereas properus simply indicates a haste from energy simply.

Declension edit

Third-declension one-termination adjective.

Number Singular Plural
Case / Gender Masc./Fem. Neuter Masc./Fem. Neuter
Nominative vēlōx vēlōcēs vēlōcia
Genitive vēlōcis vēlōcium
Dative vēlōcī vēlōcibus
Accusative vēlōcem vēlōx vēlōcēs vēlōcia
Ablative vēlōcī vēlōcibus
Vocative vēlōx vēlōcēs vēlōcia

Derived terms edit

Descendants edit

  • Catalan: veloç
  • English: velocity
  • French: véloce
  • Galician: veloz
  • Italian: veloce
  • Portuguese: veloz
  • Romanian: veloce
  • Sicilian: viluci
  • Spanish: veloz

References edit