Re: Aquila
in reply to a message by nate_h
It looks feminine all right, with that -a ending, though the eagle that is the American national bird is ferocious in a very male, potentially violent way. 'Bird' in Latin is 'avis', but that doesn't prove anything - 'sparrow' for instance in Latin is masculine - 'passer'. Aquila could be a feminine adjective, agreeing with avis even though avis doesn't appear/is understood: aquilus, aquila, aquilum meant dark coloured, so that could well be how the bird got its name.
I would really, really discourage its use on any human.
I would really, really discourage its use on any human.