gallus

gallus uit.-lat. Hahn; kelt.-lat. Gauler, Galater; agr.-lat. Gallus;

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /ˈɡal.lus/, [ˈɡälːʲʊs̠]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈɡal.lus/, [ˈɡälːus]

Etymology 1

From Proto-Italic *galsos, enlargement of *gl̥s-o-, zero-grade of Proto-Indo-European *gols-o-, from *gelH- (“to call”); compare Proto-Balto-Slavic *galsas (“voice”), Proto-Germanic *kalzōną (“to call”), Albanian gjuhë (“tongue; language”), and perhaps Welsh galw (“call”).

Noun

gallus m (genitive gallī); second declension

1. a cock, rooster

Usage notes

The term gallus is inherently masculine and refers to a "rooster"/"cock" (male chicken). The term gallīna is used for a "hen" (female chicken). The term pullus refers to a "chicken" without specifying the sex of the animal, although it often refers to a "chick".

Declension

Second-declension noun.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	gallus	gallī
Genitive	gallī	gallōrum
Dative	gallō	gallīs
Accusative	gallum	gallōs
Ablative	gallō	gallīs
Vocative	galle	gallī

Etymology 2

Likely derived from Proto-Celtic *galnati (“to be able”). See also Ancient Greek Γαλάτης (Galátēs), which might be from the same source.

Alternative forms

• Gallus

Noun

gallus m (genitive gallī, feminine galla); second declension

1. a Gaul, an inhabitant of Gaul
2. a Galatian

Declension

Second-declension noun.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	gallus	gallī
Genitive	gallī	gallōrum
Dative	gallō	gallīs
Accusative	gallum	gallōs
Ablative	gallō	gallīs
Vocative	galle	gallī

Adjective

gallus (feminine galla, neuter gallum); first/second-declension adjective

1. Gallic
2. Galatian

Declension

First/second-declension adjective.

Number	Singular				Plural
Case / Gender	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter		Masculine	Feminine	Neuter
Nominative	gallus	galla	gallum		gallī	gallae	galla
Genitive	gallī	gallae	gallī		gallōrum	gallārum	gallōrum
Dative	gallō		gallō		gallīs
Accusative	gallum	gallam	gallum		gallōs	gallās	galla
Ablative	gallō	gallā	gallō		gallīs
Vocative	galle	galla	gallum		gallī	gallae	galla

Etymology 3

From Ancient Greek γάλλος (gállos). Considered by some ancient and modern authorities to derive from the river Gallus, due to the notion that "its water made those who drank of it mad". A connection to the similar Sumerian priests of Inanna called gala has been suggested, but evidence is lacking.

Noun

gallus m (genitive gallī); second declension

1. one of the priests of Cybele in Phrygia and Rome who wore feminine clothes and typically castrated themselves

Usage notes

• Some writers, such as Catullus, use the feminine singular galla (or feminine plural gallae, or both) instead.

Declension

Second-declension noun.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	gallus	gallī
Genitive	gallī	gallōrum
Dative	gallō	gallīs
Accusative	gallum	gallōs
Ablative	gallō	gallīs
Vocative	galle	gallī