argenteum
|ar-gen-te-um|
🇺🇸
/ɑrˈdʒɛn.tiəm/
🇬🇧
/ɑːˈdʒɛn.tiəm/
silver / silvery
Etymology
'argenteum' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'argentum', where 'argent-' meant 'silver'.
'argenteum' derived from Classical Latin 'argentum' and through Medieval and Neo‑Latin usage (notably in scientific names and technical Latin) came to appear as 'argenteum' in modern taxonomic and scholarly contexts.
Initially it meant 'silver' (the metal) in Latin, but over time it has been used adjectivally in scientific/Neo‑Latin contexts to mean 'silvery' or 'of silver'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
(Neo‑Latin/Medieval usage) a reference to silver (the metal) or to a silvery substance; occasionally used as a noun in taxonomic or historical contexts.
In older texts, 'argenteum' may be cited to refer to silver used in coinage or decoration.
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Adjective 1
used chiefly in scientific names (Neo‑Latin), meaning 'silvery' or 'of silver; having a silvery sheen'.
The plant species Lupinus argenteum was named for its argenteum leaves that appear silvery beneath sunlight.
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Last updated: 2025/10/11 20:58