Vates
/ˈveɪtiːz/noun
In Latin, a poet, seer, prophet, or inspired speaker; in English, a learned or poetic seer in classical contexts.
Did you know?The Latin *vates* could mean both “poet” and “prophet,” showing how deeply the Romans linked inspired speech with divine revelation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*weh₂t-
“to be excited, inspired, or to speak in a heightened state”
Latin
Latin
vates
“a seer, prophet, inspired poet, or inspired speaker”
Late Latin
Latin
vaticinari
“to prophesy or foretell”
Old French
Old French
vate
“a poet or prophet in learned/classical usage”
Modern English
English
vates
“a poet, seer, or prophetic singer in classical or literary contexts”