Etymology
Some believe that the poetical carmina originated from the carmen, saying that the name was used from the resemblance to these spells. Others, on the contrary, say that the spells had their origin from the poetical verses. Vigenere derived carmen from Carmenta, because the prophetess couched her predictions in verses, or short periods. Others say, the prophetess took the name Carmenta, from carmen, on the same account.
Paul Pezron claimed the origin of carmen from the Celtic carm, the shout of joy, or the verses which the ancient bards sang, to encourage the soldiers before combat. He added, that the Greek χαρμη signified combat and joy, which is correct. However, the Greek term does not come from the Celtic carm, but from χαρω, gaudeo.
Read more about this topic: Carmen (verse)
Famous quotes containing the word etymology:
“Semantically, taste is rich and confusing, its etymology as odd and interesting as that of “style.” But while style—deriving from the stylus or pointed rod which Roman scribes used to make marks on wax tablets—suggests activity, taste is more passive.... Etymologically, the word we use derives from the Old French, meaning touch or feel, a sense that is preserved in the current Italian word for a keyboard, tastiera.”
—Stephen Bayley, British historian, art critic. “Taste: The Story of an Idea,” Taste: The Secret Meaning of Things, Random House (1991)
“The universal principle of etymology in all languages: words are carried over from bodies and from the properties of bodies to express the things of the mind and spirit. The order of ideas must follow the order of things.”
—Giambattista Vico (1688–1744)