Capra
/ˈkeɪ.prə/noun
A genus of domesticated goats or related wild species.
Did you know?In ancient mythology, goats were often associated with fertility and the underworld, symbolizing both life and death in various cultures.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʰebʰ-
“To take, to seize, a root associated with the act of capturing.”
Latin
Latin
caper
“Male goat; a symbol of wildness and fertility.”
Late Latin
Late Latin
capra
“She-goat; also used metaphorically in literature and religion.”
Old French
Old French
cabré
“Goat; often used in pastoral and allegorical texts.”
Middle English
Middle English
capre
“Goat; reflecting the animal's importance in agrarian societies.”
Modern English
English
capra
“Scientific classification referring to the goat genus, emphasizing its domestication and wild relatives.”
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