nero

Ne-ro · proper_noun

imported

Definitions

proper_noun

  1. 1.

    A male given name of Latin origin; most notably, the fifth Roman Emperor (37-68 AD), infamous for his tyranny and persecution of Christians.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    fiddling while Rome burns — doing something trivial during a crisis (alluding to the legend of Nero playing music during the Great Fire of Rome)

Related words

See also: Rome, emperor

Etymology

From Latin Nero, a Roman cognomen possibly derived from a Sabine word meaning "strong" or "vigorous."