Genuinum

Genuinum is the neuter singular form of the Latin adjective genuinus, meaning genuine, authentic, real, or proper. In Latin grammar, genuinus has masculine genuinus, feminine genuina, neuter genuinum. The term is encountered in classical and medieval Latin especially in contexts discussing the authenticity or origin of a thing, such as a manuscript, document, or work of art.

In scholarly Latin, phrases employing genuinum are used to designate authenticity: for example, textus genuinus ('genuine text'), exemplar genuinum ('genuine copy'), or opus genuinum ('genuine work'). It is also used to distinguish an authentic tradition or lineage from a later corruption. The word retains its semantic sense in modern scholarship when Latin phrases are quoted.

English usage: In English-language scholarship, genuinum as a standalone term is rare; scholars typically translate it as genuine or authentic, or quote it in Latin. The concept remains important in textual criticism, philology, art authentication, and theology, where distinguishing genuine sources from interpolations or forgeries is essential.

Etymology: The term derives from Latin genuinus.