AllExperts > Etymology (Meaning of Words) 
Search      
Etymology (Meaning of Words)
Volunteer
Answers to thousands of questions
 Home · More Etymology (Meaning of Words) Questions · Answer Library  · Encyclopedia ·
More Etymology (Meaning of Words) Answers
Question Library

Ask a question about Etymology (Meaning of Words)
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login

Awards

About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer

 
 
 
 
About Ted Nesbitt
Expertise
I have an interest in the meanings of words and phrases, as well as how and when they became part of the English language. I enjoy researching idioms, colloquialisms, dialects, and obscurities of all kinds. I prefer short questions on a particular subject, and I will not accept lengthy research projects or term papers. NOTE: ALLEXPERTS CLAIMS THAT I TRANSLATE FROM ENGLISH TO LATIN AND FROM LATIN TO ENGLISH. I DO NOT. ALLEXPERTS REFUSES TO DELETE THE LATIN-TO-ENGLISH SERVICE -- ONE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE. TRUST ME ON THIS: ALLEXPERTS IS WRONG. I DO NOT TRANSLATE FROM ENGLISH TO LANGUAGE. LOOK FOR A LANGUAGE EXPERT INSTEAD. ETYMOLOGY AND TRANSLATING SERVICES ARE ENTIRELY DIFFERENT. ALLEXPERTS SHOULD KNOW THAT. ALLEXPERTS DOES NOT KNOW THAT. I HAVE TRIED FOR MANY YEARS TO GET THEM TO CHANGE. THEY WILL NOT. SORRY, BUT I DO NOT TRANSLATE FROM ENGLISH TO LATIN.

Experience
I am the bibliographic instruction and reference librarian at a public
college. My master's thesis concerns William Faulkner's tragic novels. I formerly taught advanced placement English at two schools in the Philadelphia area.
I have been a member of the grammar and writing section of Allexperts
for more than a year.



Education/Credentials
Masters degrees in English, philosophy, and library science.

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Arts/Humanities > Writing > Etymology (Meaning of Words) > translation please

Etymology (Meaning of Words) - translation please


Expert: Ted Nesbitt - 9/18/2007

Question
Can you please translate Ecce novum astrum

Answer
Ruth:

The word "ecce" means "behold."

"Novum astrum" means "new star."  "Novum can also mean "the very latest."

The phrase appears on a statue called "The Sourdough" or "The Prospector."  You can find more information about the statue at this site, from the Smithsonian Institution:

http://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?uri=full=3100001~!331382!0#fo...

In some very old Latin writings, an old house or estate or manor was called "antiquum astrum."  A new estate was called "novum astrum."

But, the word "astrum" itself means "star," not house.

The phrase is associated with the state of Alaska -- "Behold the new star."

Ted Nesbitt  

Ask a Question


 
User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy | Help
Copyright  © 2008 About, Inc. AllExperts, AllExperts.com, and About.com are registered trademarks of About, Inc. All rights reserved.