Vocabulum XV: When I becomes J
English adopted many words beginning with "I" from Latin, but often substituted "J"
If you have ever seen a Catholic crucifix with the letters “INRI” above the figure of Jesus, you may have wondered what that means. It is an abbreviation of the sign placed by Pontius Pilate on the top of Jesus’ cross to declare the following: Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews. In Latin, however, it would read as follows: Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeroum. Hence, the INRI inscription. English, however, has changed many of those “i” words to “j” words, as we shall see. (Welcome to Manuscribit, a unique study of English grammar through Latin. It’s best to start with the first post and work your way through with sketchbook in hand. If you are interested in learning Latin, follow my Loqui Substack which just started in August. Both are free.) There are also many words which use the in- prefix, meaning in, into or not. At times, the in- was dropped for il- or im- if it is connecting with another word beginning with l or m for ease of pronunciation. We also see the prefixes infra- (under, below), inter- (between, among), and intra- (within).
iactare, iactus: to throw, a throwing or a throw This is the basis for all -ject suffix words in English. Using Latin prefixes, we get eject (throw out), inject (throw in), object (in the way of the throw), abject (thrown away), reject (repeatedly thrown), adjective (toward or in support of the throwing) and project (to throw for). Add all of their modifications, and there are many derivatives here.
Iesus: Jesus
ignis: fire igneous, ignite, ignition
illicere, illicitus: to mislead, unlawful illicit
illuminare: to light up or embellish illuminate, illumination
illustrare: to make clear or famous illustrate, illustration, illustrious
imago: likeness, picture, apparition image, imagery, imagination, imagine
imitor: to copy imitate, imitation
immaturus: untimely immature, immaturity
immensum: infinity, not measurable immense
imminere: to overhang imminent
immodestus: extravagant, not humble immodest, immodesty
implicare: to entangle or entwine implicate, implication
incubare: to brood over, to lie on incubate, incubation, incubator
indicare: to point out indicate, indication
indignus: not worthy, undeserving indignant, indignity
inducere: to lead in induce, induction
inertia: lack of skill, idleness inert, inertia
infidelitas: disloyalty infidel, infidelity
inflatus: blown up, full of flatulence inflated, inflation
insomnis: unable to sleep insomnia, insomniac
insula: island insular, insulate, insulation
integer: whole, complete, unimpaired integer, integral, integrity
intermittere, intermissum: to interrupt or come between intermission, intermittent
iocor: to jest or joke jocular, jocularity, joke
iudicis, iudicare: judges, to judge judge, judicial, judiciary
Iudaea, Iudeaus: Judea, Jew
Iulius: Julius
iuris: law, right jurisdiction, jurisprudence
iuste, iustus: duly, rightly, fair just, justice
iuvenis: young juvenile
iuxta: near by, close juxtapose, juxtaposition
Our next letter will be L, as there was no traditional use of the letters “j” or “k” in Latin. In the meantime, we are now in the “ember” months. September comes from the Latin septum temporum or the “seven of times.” In ancient times, it was indeed the seventh month, but with the addition of two months honoring the emperors Julius Caesar and Caesar Augustus, it was bumped back to ninth place. We are surrounded by Latin!
Until next time, may God’s peace be with you!