PATAVINITY, among critics, denotes a peculiarity of Livy's diction; derived from Patavium or Padua, the place of his nativity; but wherein this patavinity consists, they are by no means agreed.
Asinius Pollio, according to Quintilian, taxed Livy with patavinity. But what he meant by this censure
Patavinity || Patella. we believe no man can say. Morhof believes it to be a singular turn of expression, and some phrases peculiar to the Paduense. All we certainly know about it is, that it was a fault in the language of Livy, not in the sentiments or manners. In all probability, it is one of those delicacies that are lost in a dead language. Dan. Georg. Morhof published a treatise De Patavinitate Liviana, at Kiel, in 1685, where he explains, very learnedly, the urbanity and peregrinity of the Latin tongue.