Centesimus Vicesimus Septimus: February 15, 2009: Cerasus
cerasus, cerasi, f.
Definition: cherry tree; cherry
Sententia: Georgius Washingtonius uno narratore vitae fertur cecidisse cerasum et tum dixisse, "Non possum mentiri--cecidi id!"
George Washington is said by one biographer/historian of life to have cut down a cherry tree and then to have said, "I cannot tell a lie--I cut it down!"
This week's word is in honor of President's Day tomorrow. This word is rather rare, being found only 38 times in Latin literature according to the Perseus Project database. It comes from the Greek word κερασός (kerasos, if the Greek alphabet doesn't work for you), meaning bird-cherry. And if you are interested in a more accurate biography of Washington than the one claiming that he cut down a cherry tree, Francis Glass wrote "Washingtonii Vita," a biography of Washington in Latin! The link to this work on Perseus can be found here. Also, two days ago was the Ides of February, and the Ides of March are only one month away! Cave Idus Martias!
NB: Bold and underline == macron