Murus
/ˈmʊ.rus/noun
A Latin noun meaning a wall, especially a city wall or fortification.
Did you know?Latin *murus* is the source of English *mural* and *muralism*, but its deeper origin is uncertain, which makes this ancient “wall” one of Latin’s more mysterious building words.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*móri- / *muro-
“Uncertain pre-Latin wall/enclosure root proposed by some scholars, but not securely established”
Classical Latin
Latin
murus
“A wall, especially a city wall or defensive wall”
Late Latin
Latin
muralis
“Of or pertaining to a wall”
Old French
Old French
mural
“Of a wall; wall-painting or wall-related”
Middle English
English
mural
“A wall painting”
Modern English
English
mural
“A painting or decoration applied directly to a wall”