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Recto/Verso

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:08 pm
by kate
The right hand page of a book is recto with verso being the page to the left. Both are great words but even after looking and tooting in various places I haven't got a clue where their roots began.

Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:34 pm
by Stargzer
Here 'tis: 8)

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

recto

SYLLABICATION: rec·to
PRONUNCIATION: rĕk'
NOUN: Inflected forms: pl. rec·tos
A right-hand page of a book or the front side of a leaf, on the other side of the verso.
ETYMOLOGY: From Latin (foliō) rēctō, (the leaf) being right, ablative of rēctus, straight, right. See reg- in Appendix I.

verso

SYLLABICATION: ver·so
PRONUNCIATION: vûr'
NOUN: Inflected forms: pl. ver·sos
1. A left-hand page of a book or the reverse side of a leaf, as opposed to the recto. 2. The back of a coin or medal.
ETYMOLOGY: New Latin versō (foliō), (with the page) turned, verso, from Latin versō, ablative of versus, past participle of vertere, to turn. See version.

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:03 pm
by Grogie
Wonderful words Katy. Thanks so much.

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:24 pm
by KatyBr
Wonderful words Katy. Thanks so much.
That would be Kate, not Kt. lol

Kt

Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:20 pm
by Grogie
Thanks so much Kate. Pardon me Katy.