Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • Late Latin: The form of the Latin language used in written texts from approximately the 3rd century to the 8th century AD. It represents the later, evolving stage of the classical language, showing developments in grammar, vocabulary, and style that would lead into the Medieval Latin and Romance languages.

Usage Notes

• "Late Latin" is a historical and linguistic classification used by scholars. It is not typically used in everyday conversation.
• It is always capitalized as it is the name of a specific historical period of a language.
• It is used to describe texts, authors, grammar, vocabulary, or features from that specific era.

Examples of Usage

• As a subject of study:
  • The grammarian specialized in the study of Late Latin.
  • This inscription shows clear features of Late Latin.
• Describing texts or authors:
  • The writings of St. Augustine are important sources for Late Latin.
  • We compared the Classical and Late Latin versions of the text.

Advanced Usage

• "Late Latin" in linguistic context: The term is used to mark a transitional phase between the Classical Latin of the Roman Republic/Empire and the Medieval Latin of the Middle Ages.
  • Many phonetic changes that distinguish the Romance languages began in Late Latin.

Variants and Related Words

• Classical Latin: The standard literary form of Latin used from the 1st century BC to the 3rd century AD.
• Medieval Latin: The form of Latin used as a written and scholarly language in the Middle Ages, from roughly the 9th to the 15th centuries.
• Vulgar Latin: The spoken, colloquial form of Latin from which the Romance languages evolved, contemporaneous with Late Latin.
• Late Latinity (noun): The character or quality of Late Latin.

Synonyms

• Later Latin: A less common, descriptive synonym.
• Low Latin: An older, sometimes pejorative term that is now generally avoided by scholars in favor of the more neutral "Late Latin."

Related Phrases

• "in Late Latin": Used to specify the linguistic period of a word or feature.
  • The word "caballus" (horse) became common in Late Latin, replacing the classical "equus".

Noun

1. the form of Latin written between the 3rd and 8th centuries