Ervum
/ˈɛr.vəm/noun
A Latin botanical term for vetch, especially a leguminous plant of the genus Ervum, including bitter vetch.
Did you know?In classical Latin, ervum referred to vetch, a legume cultivated and consumed in the ancient Mediterranean, though some varieties were considered coarse or inferior food.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*werǝg-
“A reconstructed root associated with legumes or vetch-like plants; the connection is tentative rather than certain.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὄροβος (órobos)
“Bitter vetch, a leguminous plant used as food.”
Classical Latin
Latin
ervum
“Vetch or bitter vetch, especially a plant used as fodder or food.”
Late Latin
Latin
ervilia
“A derivative referring to the bitter-vetch plant.”
Middle English
English
ervil
“The bitter-vetch plant, borrowed through French from Latin.”
Modern botanical Latin
Scientific Latin
Ervum
“A historical genus name applied to vetches and related legumes.”