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avis, volucres, passeri

English translation: bird

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

Latin term or phrase:	avis, volucer, passer
English translation:	bird
Entered by:	Joseph J. Brazauskas

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12:57 Nov 3, 2004

Latin to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature

Latin term or phrase: avis, volucres, passeri

I have seen the three terms AVIS, VOLUCRES, PASSERI translated as BIRDS. WHich one is correct? Are they all correct, but meaning different kinds of bird?
Could you please explain your answer and givre examples, if possible,
Many thanks

Arcoiris KudoZ activity Questions: 37 (none open) Answers: 482 United Kingdom
Local time: 21:52

bird(s)

Explanation:
'Avis' (singular) is the generic term for 'bird'. It refers to any species.

'Volucres' (plural; the singular is 'volucer') is properly an adjective meaning 'flying'. It is used substantively to mean 'birds' (of any species), but it is almost entirely confined to poetry.

'Passeres' (not 'passeri'; it is plural, the singular being 'passer') refers to any small bird, especially to a sparrow.

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Note added at 3 days 3 hrs 48 mins (2004-11-06 16:45:49 GMT)
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The only form \'passeri\' which occurs in Latn, classical or otherwise, is the dative singular.

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Note added at 3 days 10 hrs 9 mins (2004-11-06 23:06:51 GMT)
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By form--I did not use the term in a biological sense--I meant grammatical form. As I\'ve already stated, thgough apparently not clearly enough, the only grammatical form \'passeri\' which exists in Latin, classical or otherwise, is the dative singular.

Selected response from:

Joseph J. Brazauskas
United States
Local time: 16:52

Grading comment

Thank you all. This is the explanation I was looking for
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

5 +2

bird(s)

Joseph J. Brazauskas

3 +3

avis is the most common word

Kirill Semenov

viz

danya

birds

Tardonplo

Discussion entries: 1

Answers

5 mins confidence:

viz

Explanation:
Aves - the class of vertebrates comprising the birds. [pl. of Latin avis bird]

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Note added at 7 mins (2004-11-03 13:05:04 GMT)
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passerine (`pæs

danya
Russian Federation
Local time: 00:52
Native speaker of:

Russian
PRO pts in category: 4

8 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

avis is the most common word

Explanation:
Say, like in "rara avis" (a rare bird)

Volucres (from singulra "volucris", bird) means rather "a flying animal" (volucer volucris volucre, flying, winged; fleet, swift, fleeting. F. as subst. volucris -is, a bird or flying insect). You may compare it to "feathery" in English.

`Passeri' is rather "sparrows" (comes from singular passere, passeris). In wider sense, it's a small bird.

Passere, -eris, m. a sparrow or other small bird; a sea fish, a plaice or flounder.

Kirill Semenov
Ukraine
Local time: 23:52
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

Russian
PRO pts in category: 36

26 mins confidence:

birds

Explanation:
avis=birds as a class of vertebrates. All birds are included in this class.
passeri=within the above class the order of birds that have feet specialised for perching, are also called perching birds or songbirds (passeriformes if I recall correctly from Latin)
volucres=I do not know but may stem from volo (I fly) and be another general expersion for birds as such? I think this is not in the terminology of ornithology or biological classification.

Reference: http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/passerine

Tardonplo
Hungary
Local time: 22:52
Works in field
Native speaker of:

Hungarian