Etymology and Vocabulary
Etymology
“Defective” Nouns. Some nouns are used only in the singular (recall vulgus, -ī, from our last chapter, and that a number of fifth-declension nouns aren’t found in the plural), only in the plural, and/or are only found in some cases. And—some nouns and adjectives do not decline! You have already met the phenomenon of undeclinable cardinal adjectives (chapter 15). Indeclinable words do, of course, perform the same functions as words which change their form to show their case.
As always, categorize your vocabulary words by parts of speech and further by declension and conjugation as suitable. Also try to think of other derivatives—in English or in other languages you’ve studied—in addition to those listed in your textbook, and of cognates where you can. Occasional examples of derivatives in other languages will be given.
Vocabulary
Listen to the audiofiles of the vocabulary words on pp. 143-144. Then write out, pronounce aloud, and commit these words to memory.
| diēs,diēī (m) day |
ferrum, -ī (n) iron; sword |
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| fidēs, fideī (f) faith, trust, trustworthiness, fidelity, promise, guarantee, protection |
ignis, ignis (m) fire |
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| modus, modī (m) measure, bound, limit; manner, method, mode, way |
rēs, reī (f) thing, matter, business, affair |
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| rēs pūblica, reī pūblicae (f) state, commonwealth, republic |
spēs, spēī (f) hope |
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| aequus, -a, -um level, even; calm; equal, just; favorable |
fēlīx, fēlīcis lucky, fortunate, happy |
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| incertus, -a, -um uncertain, unsure, doubtful |
Latīnus, -a, -um Latin |
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| medius, -a, -um middle; used partitively, the middle of |
quondam formerly, once |
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| ultrā adv. and prep + acc. on the other side of, beyond |
prōtinus adv. immediately |
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| cernō, cernere, crēvī, crētum to distinguish, discern, perceive |
ēripiō, ēripere, ēripuī, ēreptum to snatch away, take away; rescue |
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| inquit defective verb he says or said, placed after one or more words of a direct quotation but usually translated first |
tollō, tollere, sustulī, sublātum to raise, lift up; take away, remove, destroy |