From Ancient Greek Ἀδώνιος (Adṓnios, “of Adonis”) and Ἄδωνις (Ádōnis, “Adonis”). The meaning referring to a plant is a misreading in Pliny the Elder's Naturalis Historia. The meaning referring to meter, μέτρον (métron, “meter”) Ἀδώνιον (Adṓnion), reportedly named for its use in the festival of Adonis.
adōnium n (genitive adōniī or adōnī); second declension
The precise meaning of adōnium as a botanical term is uncertain, though multiple meanings have been proposed.
Second-declension noun (neuter).
Case | Singular | Plural |
---|---|---|
Nominative | adōnium | adōnia |
Genitive | adōniī adōnī1 |
adōniōrum |
Dative | adōniō | adōniīs |
Accusative | adōnium | adōnia |
Ablative | adōniō | adōniīs |
Vocative | adōnium | adōnia |
1Found in older Latin (until the Augustan Age).