Lacrima
/ˈlæk.rɪ.mə/noun
A tear or tear-shaped drop, especially as a Latin or literary term.
Did you know?The Latin phrase lacrimae rerum—“the tears of things”—comes from Virgil and suggests that sorrow is woven into the fabric of the world.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dakru-
“Tear; the reconstructed ancient root behind words for tears across several Indo-European languages.”
Ancient Sanskrit
Sanskrit
aśru
“Tear; an early cognate preserving the same inherited root.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
δάκρυ (dákry)
“Tear; also the source of scientific terms beginning in dacry-.”
Classical Latin
Latin
lacrima
“Tear; the Latin form developed through sound changes from the older Indo-European root.”
Late Latin
Latin
lacryma
“Tear; an alternative spelling influenced by the Greek form dakry.”
Modern English
English
lacrima
“A literary, scientific, or botanical term for a tear or tear-shaped drop.”
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