What is "Prius" Exactly ?!

Toyota have cited the Latin derivation, although often with slightly dodgy translations such as "to go before" - presumably that was via the Japanese...

"Prius" and "Prior" are neuter/masculine forms of a Latin adjective/adverb. One Latin dictionary I've seen suggested that it can also be used as a noun, meaning "that which came before", or something like that. In which case the plural of Prius is Priora.

 

From the official Toyota response, Prius is like what you've said, derive from Latin.

The acronym reminds me of Gundam Seed. Are you a gundam fan by any chance?

General
Unilateral
Neuro-Link
Dispersive
Automatic
Maneuver

http://seedgenesis.net/index.php?action=gundamacro



Sorry to hajack the thread~

 

I know what EXACTLY what a Prius is! :lol:

 

What does LEXUS stand for?

 

And don't forget the Greek god Priapus.

(I'll let you google that on your own and leave it at that. )

 

From Webster's Third New International Dictionary (1971):
"Something that precedes or takes precedence"
The pronunciation is shown as rhyming with "try us" and the plural as "priuses"

 

Yes, it is. And there are numerous cases of 'incorrect' application of a plural to a non-English based word. And they just become part of the vernacular, we are use to them and they work. Much of what we understand as 'good' English flows and just sounds 'right'.

That said, I would like to lobby against Prii as the plural of Prius. I know it's in somewhat common usage, along with Priuses. I hate them both. I cannot get use to them and they just don't sound right. Sometimes there just ain't no good way make a plural in English. :blink:

I suggest just using Prius for the plural of Prius. Before you hammer me, try it.
"I love my Prius"....."I saw three red Prius today!" (say that over and over to yourself 200 hundred times )

When you get use to it. It works. It flows, and I think it sounds better.

 

I think I'm used to hearing "use" used like you do, but I'm not used to seeing it written that way. Aw well, lobby away.

 

You are correct English is a language that adopts new words and adapts them, either that or invents new ones. I hate the new use of grow, as in grow a business, but I give up. The language has changed what can you do. Prii is in common usage now and time will tell. I think Prii sounds good and that is why it is used.

 

Yep, sloppy writing. Don't know what I was thinking, or not thinking as the case may be.

The English 101 police are everywhere.

But I still stand by my dislike for the use of Prii.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Astrotoy7 @ Dec 23 2005, 12:45 PM) [snapback]178014[/snapback]</div>

Is that where they really got the name "Lexus"? That is the lamest car name ever.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(larkinmj @ Jun 5 2006, 08:44 PM) [snapback]266461[/snapback]</div>

True. I like the name that Studebaker had for one of their cars, the Avanti. That's Italian for "forward," and seems to suit the Prius as well.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Jun 5 2006, 08:49 PM) [snapback]266467[/snapback]</div>

Certainly beats the hell out of "No va."

 

Every time I read and learn about how words enter the English language I am intrigued. It is wonderful how it modifies, adopts and uses words. If I could only spell I would have had another path in life. Unless I had well another arm, or head or something?