[ˈwɪr.ɡa], [ˈvir.ɡa]
OrigoUncertain. Traditionally, the term is derived from earlier *wizgā, itself from Proto-Indo-European *wis-g-, an extension of *weys-. De Vaan suggests a possible connection with Germanic forms such as Old Norse visk or Old English wisc, perhaps also entailing a PIE form of the shape *wis-g-. The term might be related to Latin vireō and virāgō.
- declension-1, femininetwig, young shoot
- declension-1, femininerod, switch for flogging.
“flagellum equō et cāmus asinō et virgā dorsō inprūdentium” — A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
(trans.: Douay-Rheims Bible)
- declension-1, femininestaff, walking stick
“8 AD . Fasti, Publius Ovidius Naso, Liber II, 703-704.
Illic Tarquinius mandata latentia nati
Accipit, et virga lilia summa metit.
There Tarquinius is receiving secret mandates of the son
And is knock”
- declension-1, femininewand (magical)
“Tum virgam capit: Hāc animās ille ēvocat Orcō” — Then [Mercury] takes up his wand: With this he calls pale souls from Orcus, or sends others down to sorrowful Tartarus, ….
(Specifically, the caduceus that Mercury uses in his role as psychopompus.)
- Late-Latin, Medieval-Latin, declension-1, feminine, figurativelypenis
“sunt etiam singularia in medio constituta ne in unam partem praeiudicialiter vergentia alteram competenti decore nudarent: nasus, os, guttur, pectus, umbilicus, et genitalium virga descendens, quae la” — These [body parts] are one by one placed in the middle, because if they converged to the same place, one would deprive the honour of another part. The nose, mouth, throat, chest, navel, and the rod of
- Medieval-Latin, declension-1, femininea unit of measurement, a rod; of either 3 feet in length, or 16½ feet, also known as a pole or perch; a square of land of the same length and breadth
Formaevirgae(genitive) · virga(nominative, singular) · virgae(nominative, plural) · virgae(genitive, singular) · virgārum(genitive, plural) · virgae(dative, singular) · virgīs(dative, plural) · virgam(accusative, singular) · virgās(accusative, plural) · virgā(ablative, singular) · virgīs(ablative, plural) · virga(singular, vocative) · virgae(plural, vocative)
Fons: Vicitionarium