contemporaneus

Contemporaneus is a Latin adjective meaning existing at the same time, coeval, or belonging to the same time period. In Latin grammar it is the masculine nominative singular form, with contemporanea (feminine) and contemporaneum (neuter) as the other common endings. The word is formed from con- "together" and tempus "time" with the adjectival suffix -aneus.

For Latin literature and scholarly uses, contemporaneus serves to describe events, persons, or phenomena that occur concurrently. It also appears in scientific naming as a descriptive epithet in botanical or zoological Latin, where the ending varies to agree with the genus gender (e.g., contemporaneus, contemporanea, contemporaneum).

In English, contemporaneus is rarely used outside of Latin quotations or discussions of Latin grammar; standard English terms are contemporary (adjective or noun) and contemporaneous (adjective), both derived from the same Latin root.

Latin phrases such as tempora contemporanea or aetates contemporaneae illustrate its application, expressing ideas like "contemporary times" or "contemporary ages."

Contemporaneus also appears in historical or philosophical contexts to contrast past and present, though modern usage tends to favor native English equivalents.

See also: Contemporary, Contemporaneous, Contemporaneity.