campestral

adjective

cam·​pes·​tral kam-ˈpe-strəl How to pronounce campestral (audio)
: of or relating to fields or open country : rural

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Campestral Has Latin Roots

Scamper across an open field, and then, while catching your breath, ponder this: scamper and campestral both ultimately derive from the Latin noun campus, meaning "field" or "plain." Latin campester is the adjective that means "pertaining to a campus." In ancient Rome, a campus was a place for games, athletic practice, and military drills. Scamper probably started with a military association as well (it is assumed to have evolved from an unattested Vulgar Latin verb, excampare, meaning "to decamp"). In English, campestral took on an exclusively rural aspect upon its introduction in the late 17th century, while campus, you might say, became mainly academic.

Word History

Etymology

Latin campestr-, campester, from campus

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of campestral was in 1670

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Cite this Entry

“Campestral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/campestral. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

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