ziniperus

Alteration of Classical iūniperus, perhaps with vowel assimilation. Surfaces in this form in the Appendix Probi[1] where the initial ⟨z⟩ hints at an affricated fortis allophone of /j-/. Cf. Late Latin spellings such as ⟨zanuario⟩ for iānuāriō.

Later surfaces in various ninth-century manuscripts under the spellings ⟨giniperus, giniperu, geniperi⟩.[2]

• (Proto-Romance) IPA^(key): /jɪˈnɪperʊs/, (perhaps) [d͡ʑ-]

ziniperus m (genitive ziniperī); second declension (Vulgar Latin, Early Medieval Latin)

1. (proscribed) juniper
   • 3rd–4th century, Appendix Probi:

     iunipirus^[sic] non ziniperus[3]

     [Say or write] iunipirus^[sic], not ziniperus

Second-declension noun.