velox

Latin

Etymology

From Proto-Indo-European *h₂weh₁-lo- (“wind”), from *h₂weh₁- (“to blow”), named after the speed of wind.[1]

Older theories derive the word from Proto-Italic *weksloks, from Proto-Indo-European *weǵʰ- (“to bring, transport”) (whence vehō).

Pronunciation

Adjective

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

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

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

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

References
  1. De Vaan, Michiel (2008) “vēlōx”, in Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages (Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series; 7), Leiden, Boston: Brill, →ISBN, pages 659-60
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