The etymologies of Isidore of Seville
By: translated by Stephen A. Barney ... [et al.].
Contributors: Barney, Stephen A.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2005
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 475
Subjects: Encyclopedias and dictionaries -- Early works to 1600; Latin language -- Etymology -- Early works to 1800; Didactic literature, Latin (Medieval and modern) -- Translations into English
Genres: Early works to 1600.; Early works to 1800.; Translations into English.
Description: "This work is the first complete English translation of the Latin Etymologies of Isidore, bishop of Seville (c. 560-636). Isidore compiled the work between c. 615 and the early 630s and it takes the form of an encyclopedia, arranged by subject matter. It contains much lore of the late classical world beginning with the Seven Liberal Arts, including Rhetoric, and touches on hundreds of topics ranging from the names of God, the terminology of the law, the technologies of fabrics, ships, and agriculture, to the names of cities and rivers, the theatrical arts, and cooking utensils. Isidore provides etymologies for most of the terms he explains, finding in the causes of words the underlying key to their meaning. This book offers a highly readable translation of the twenty books of the Etymologies, one of the most widely known texts for a thousand years from Isidore's time."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p.   ) and indexes.