versipellis

Latin

FWOTD – 31 January 2024

Alternative forms

• vorsipellis

Etymology

From vertō (“turn”) + pellis (“skin, hide”).

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /u̯er.siˈpel.lis/, [u̯ɛrs̠ɪˈpɛlːʲɪs̠]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ver.siˈpel.lis/, [versiˈpɛlːis]

Adjective

versipellis (neuter versipelle); third-declension two-termination adjective

1. shape-shifting, capable of transforming itself or altering its appearance
2. (figuratively) sly, cunning, crafty

Declension

Third-declension two-termination adjective.

Number	Singular			Plural
Case / Gender	Masc./Fem.	Neuter		Masc./Fem.	Neuter
Nominative	versipellis	versipelle		versipellēs	versipellia
Genitive	versipellis			versipellium
Dative	versipellī			versipellibus
Accusative	versipellem	versipelle		versipellēs versipellīs	versipellia
Ablative	versipellī			versipellibus
Vocative	versipellis	versipelle		versipellēs	versipellia

Descendants

• → Italian: versipelle (learned)

Noun

versipellis m (genitive versipellis); third declension

1. (fantasy, mythology) a werewolf, lycanthrope

Declension

Third-declension noun (i-stem).

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	versipellis	versipellēs
Genitive	versipellis	versipellium
Dative	versipellī	versipellibus
Accusative	versipellem	versipellēs versipellīs
Ablative	versipelle	versipellibus
Vocative	versipellis	versipellēs

Descendants

• → Italian: versipelle (learned)

References

• “versipellis”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• versipellis in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette.
• “versipellis”, in Harry Thurston Peck, editor (1898), Harper's Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, New York: Harper & Brothers