clxxiv

gutta, guttae f.

Definition: drop, spot

Sententia: Vergil Georgics, 4.98-99

elucent aliae et fulgore coruscant

ardentes auro et paribus lita corpora guttis.

others both shine and burning with golden lightening brandish bodies blessed with even spots.

(or the alliterative translation: others both blaze and with golden branched-fire brandish bodies blessed with balanced blemishes)

*I am taking this word to be 'lito,' 'to give favorable omens,' though the PPP form of that really would be "litata," not "lita"--if this is the case, it is a syncopated form. The other option, the acc pl form of the noun "lis," meaning "quarrel," did not make sense.

This bit of Vergil is describing different breeds of bees, some of which are very ugly (turpae) and others of which, described in this passage, are beautiful, just as humans have diversity in appearance. It is found here.

"Gutta" is rather similar to yesterday's word--it is not very common, and its etymology is not clear.