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.

Afinius Pollio, according to Quintilian, taxed Livy with patavinity. But what he meant by this censure we believe no man can say. Morhof believes it to be a singular turn of expression, and some phrases peculiar to the Paduene. 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 perspicuity of the Latin tongue.