Dulus
DUE-lus
Genus
The slave-bird (a servant)
Literally: slave / servant
| Part | Meaning | Language | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| dul- | a slave, servant | Greek (dul, -io, -o) | root taken directly into the genus name |
| -us | Latin nominative singular masculine ending | Latin | standard Latinized genus ending |
A single-word genus name. The Greek root dul- (slave, servant) is given the standard Latin masculine nominative singular ending -us, forming a Latinized New Latin genus name. The diminutive suffix -ulus (Latin 'little') is a possible alternative segmentation — 'little one' — but the direct Greek dul- + Latin -us reading is preferred because dul- is an attested dictionary root and the resulting meaning ('servant') is more likely to be the author's intent for a bird genus.
Pronunciation
- DUE-lus Two-syllable word: stress falls on the penult (rule 1)
Other readings
d- + -ulus (Latin diminutive, 'little one'); possible but the Greek dul- reading is more satisfying etymologically
Dulus is a genus of passerine birds (family Dulidae), the Palmchat of Hispaniola; the name likely alludes to its industrious, servant-like nest-building habits. The -ulus diminutive reading ('little one') cannot be entirely ruled out but is considered the secondary interpretation.