locus
From Old Latin stlocus, probably from Proto-Italic *stlokos, from Proto-Indo-European *stel- (“to put, place, locate”). However, De Vaan is skeptical of this derivation due to the suffix *-okos not being attested in any other word, and leaves the origin open.[1]
Pronunciation
- (Classical Latin) IPA(key): /ˈlo.kus/, [ˈɫ̪ɔkʊs̠]
- (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): /ˈlo.kus/, [ˈlɔːkus]
Noun
locus m (genitive locī); second declension
- place, spot (a specific location) [ quotations ▼]
- aliquem in alicuius locum substituere ― to put someone in place of another
- a passage of literature
- in the plural with neuter gender: a region or general geographic area
Declension
Second-declension noun (otherwise or neuter).
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | locus | locī loca |
| Genitive | locī | locōrum |
| Dative | locō | locīs |
| Accusative | locum | locōs loca |
| Ablative | locō | locīs |
| Vocative | loce | locī loca |
The inflection is irregular. For senses one and two, the declension follows the regular masculine pattern. For sense three, the plural forms become neuter in gender and form.