The use of the word gravid?

[ms381]

Does anyone know why the word 'gravid' is used for snakes and not pregnant.

This word is a scandinavian word, spelt exactly the same (pronounced differently) which means pregnant.

Ive always wondered why, and if This is answered i feel my life Will be a little more complete!

Matt

[dr del]

Hi,

I wonder if that means there was a latin influence in the Scandinavian language after all?

The common usage seems to be that gravid is used for egg bearing animals and pregnant for live bearing - but gravid more or less means heavy with young so I suppose it is technically correct for both.

I could of course be completely wrong.


dr del

[ed4281]

It's based off the Latin word gravidas meaning heavy. The medical term for pregnancy is gravid uterus

[ms381]

Hi,

I wonder if that means there was a latin influence in the Scandinavian language after all?

The common usage seems to be that gravid is used for egg bearing animals and pregnant for live bearing - but gravid more or less means heavy with young so I suppose it is technically correct for both.

I could of course be completely wrong.

Thanks dr del,

I have just made some searches, and yes the term gravid is a 16th century word derived from the latin word gravidas meaning 'burdended' or heavy, so you are right if you are an egg layer or a live bearer you are burdended with a load. So it seems the latin influenced the nordic language in This example.

The term pregnant comes from the latin Prae nasci meaning ( be born) so i Can see the idea of using both words for the method of gestation and birth in animals.

I wonder who first made the choice to use the distiction of words, is it for All the animal kingdom or just reptiles. For example some sharks produce life births and some egg sacks ?

Am i opening a Can of works here!




dr del

[ms381]

I have just made some searches, and yes the term gravid is a 16th century word derived from the latin word gravidas meaning 'burdended' or heavy, so you are right if you are an egg layer or a live bearer you are burdended with a load. So it seems the latin influenced the nordic language in This example.

The term pregnant comes from the latin Prae nasci meaning ( be born) so i Can see the idea of using both words for the method of gestation and birth in animals.

I wonder who first made the choice to use the distiction of words, is it for All the animal kingdom or just reptiles. For example some sharks produce life births and some egg sacks ?

Am i opening a Can of works here!

[ms381]

Dont know why but my post merged with tours, strange!