Dictionary formavis, avis(feminine)
Translation
bird; omen, sign
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Grammar
Cases
| Case | singular | plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativethe subject | avis | aves |
| Vocativecalling someone: O ... | avis | aves |
| Accusativethe direct object; after ad, in (into), per | avem | aves |
| Genitiveof | avis | avium |
| Dativeto, for | avi | avibus |
| Ablativeby, with, from; after a, ab, cum, de, e, ex, in (in), sine | avi / ave | avibus |
Examples
.
The birds are sitting in the tree.
.
The small bird looks for food.
.
The song of the birds is heard in the morning.
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Without omens they did nothing.
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They began the journey under favourable omens.
Avis, avis, f., third declension i-stem: genitive plural avium, accusative plural aves, ablative singular ave. Feminine even when the bird is obviously male, which catches people out in agreement.
Beyond feathers, avis is a technical term of Roman religion. Birds were how the gods answered a question, so an avis is a sign, and the standing idiom uses the plural: bonis avibus, "under good birds", meaning with favourable omens, and malis avibus for the opposite. The official who watched them was the auspex, avis plus specio, "bird-watcher", from which auspices and auspicious; augur is probably from the same nest. English aviary, aviation and avian are later borrowings straight from the noun. Do not confuse it with ovis, "sheep", which differs by one letter and never flies.
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Free printable study downloads for the Latin word "avis" (bird; omen, sign): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is taught in chapter 7, lesson 6: avis, praesentia, scelus and 7 more words.