That was very interesting. Thanks for the research! Now, is it pronounced "lorz" or "lor-eez?"
Eric Ollie Ames According to the third usage in the Oxford English Dictionary, the word derives from Latin *lorum*, strap or thong, and it gives the following definition: 2. *Natural Hist*. A strap-like appendage or surface in certain animals: a. in insects a horny appendage in the mouth of certain Hymenoptera, upon which the mentum or chin is carried (also in quasi-Latin form *lora*) b. in birds, a space between the eye and the side of the superior mandible, sometimes naked. c. in snakes, a region between the eye and the nostril, sometimes covered by certain plates called lorals. They give the following quotations: 1826 W. Kirby & W. Spence *Introd. Entomol*. III. 367 Lora (the Lora), a corneous angular machine observable in the mouth of some insects, upon the intermediate angle of which the Mentum sits. 1828 J. Fleming *Hist. Brit. Animals* 132 Horned Grebe..Lores crimson. 1837–43 W. Yarrell *Hist. Brit. Birds* I. 97 The black hairs on the lore, or space between the base of the beak and the eye. 1890 E. Coues *Handbk. Field & Gen. Ornithol*. ii. 145 The next commonest [form of head-nakedness] is definite bareness of the lores, as in all herons and grebes. Not being entirely satisfied with OED’s etymology, I consulted my little bitty Latin-English dictionary and found this: *loreus -a -um* *adj.* striped Even though this is an adjective and lores is a noun, I think my etymology makes more sense, at least for the ornithological usage. But I’m not going to contact the editors of the OED about it. Elizabeth Aubrey Amateur Etymologist (not Entomologist) -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto: [email protected]] On Behalf Of Rick Hollis Sent: Friday, May 02, 2014 21:51 To: IA-BIRD Subject: [ia-bird] Derivation of lores What is this word derived from. The adj is loreal Rick Hollis rural North Liberty IA --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]. Unsubscribe at http://iowabirds.org/Reporting/Listserv.aspx. --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]. Unsubscribe at http://iowabirds.org/Reporting/Listserv.aspx. --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]. Unsubscribe at http://iowabirds.org/Reporting/Listserv.aspx.
