incarnatus

Incarnatus is a Latin adjective meaning “made flesh” or “incarnate.” It derives from in- “into” and carn- “flesh” (from Latin caro, carnis) and has gendered forms incarnatus (masculine), incarnata (feminine), and incarnatum (neuter). In English-language scholarly writing, incarnatus may appear in quotations or titles, but the term is typically encountered via its linguistic relatives, such as incarnation and incarnate.

In theology, incarnatus is closely associated with the doctrine of the Incarnation—the belief that the divine Word became fully human in Jesus Christ. Latin patristic and medieval scholastic writings may use incarnatus to discuss the nature of Christ or the state of being made flesh. The canonical biblical phrasing most often cited in Latin is Verbum caro factum est, “the Word became flesh.”

In other contexts, incarnatus (and its feminine incarnata and neuter incarnatum) can occur as an epithet in scientific or descriptive nomenclature to indicate flesh-colored or pinkish hues, though such uses are relatively rare and often superseded by other descriptors. The root carn- remains productive in many languages for terms related to flesh, meat, or living matter.

See also: incarnation, incarnate, carnal.