Veritas — Etymology
Veritas is Latin for “truth.”
Etymology
- Root: Derived from the Proto-Indo-European root wer- meaning true, trustworthy, faithful.
- Latin: In Classical Latin, vēritās meant truth, reality, sincerity, honesty.
- Related Words:
- vērus (true) in Latin
- Old English wær (faithful, aware, cautious)
- Modern English: very, verify, verdict
Usage
- In Roman philosophy and law, veritas signified truth not only as factual correctness but also as a moral and ethical principle.
- In Christian theology and medieval scholasticism, it became tied to the idea of divine truth.
- Today, Veritas appears in mottos (e.g., Harvard University’s Veritas) symbolizing the pursuit of truth.