Humanist's Latin Dictionary
William Harris, Prof. Em. Middlebury
a (or ab, abs) prep., '(abl. obj.) from, away from; by means of' [VeryFreq.]
ab see prev. [VeryFreq.]
abacus -i, m., 'a square board; sideboard, counting board, gaming board' [Common]
abalienatio -onis, f., 'alienation of property by legal means' [Rare]
abalieno -are, 'make alien, separate' [Rare]
abavus -i, m., 'great-great-grandfather; an ancestor' [Common]
abdicatio -onis, f., 'act of disowning, renunciation' [Common]
abdico -are, 'renounce, abdicate'(The -i- is short. See next.) [Common]
abdico -dicere -dixi -dictum, 'disapprove of' (The -i- is long. See prev.) [Rare]
abditus -a -um, 'secret' [Freq.]
abdite adv., 'secretly' [Common]
abdo -dere -didi -ditum, 'put away, hide away' [VeryFreq.]
abdomen -inis, n., 'belly; greed, gluttony'. [Freq.]
abduco -ere -xi -ctum, 'lead away, draw away' [Freq.]
abeo -ire -ivi (or -ii) -itum, 'go away, depart; leave' [VeryFreq.]
abequito -are, 'ride away from (on a horse)' [Rare]
aberratio -onis, f., 'escape, relief' [Rare]
aberro -are, 'wander off' [Common]
abhinc adv., 'thence, hence; thereafter' [VeryFreq.]
abhorreo -ere, 'shrink back from'(As if with hair on end, for which see 'horreo' and 'horridus.') [Freq.]
abicio -icere -ieci -iectum, 'throw down or away; break off' [Freq.]
abiecte adv., 'without spirit, meanly' [Rare]
abiectio -onis, 'despair'(Lit., "act of throwing down [the mind]") [Rare]
abiectus -a -um (ppl. from abicio), 'low, [Common]
; prosaic' [Rare]
abiectus -us, f., 'despondency of mind ('animus'), dejection' [Rare]
abiegnus -a -um, 'made of fir wood' [Rare]
abies -etis, f., 'the silver fir tree; a ship' [UnCommon]
abigo -igere -egi -actum, 'drive away'(From 'ab' + 'ago,' with vowel weakening in the compound under initial stress accent.) [Freq.]
abitio -onis, f. (and abitus -us, m.), 'exit' [Rare]
abito -are, 'go away' [UnCommon]
abitus -us, m., 'act of going away, departure' [UnCommon]
abiudico -are, 'take away by a judgment (leg.)' [UnCommon]
abiungo -iungere -iunxi -iunctum, 'unharness, detach' [Common]
abiuro -are, 'deny an oath' [Common]
ablativus -a -um, 'ablative (case, gram.)'(From 'ab' + 'fero,' "bear away, carry off") [Rare]
ablegatio -onis, f., 'sending away, banishment' [Rare]
ablego -are, 'send away' [Common]
abligurio -ire, 'lick up (food)' [Rare]
abloco -are, 'rent, lease out' [Rare]
abludo -ere, 'be different from . . . ' [Rare]
abluo -luere -lui -lutum, 'wash off, wash away' [Common]
abnego -are, 'deny, refuse' [Common]
abnepos -otis, m., 'great-great-grandson' [UnCommon]
abneptis -is, f., 'great-great-grandaughter' [Rare]
abnormis -e, 'irregular, unconventional' [Rare]
abnuo -nuere -nui -nuiturus, 'deny' [Common]
abnuto -are, 'say no to, forbid . . . ' (See 'nutus,' "nod") [Rare]
aboleo -ere -evi -itum, 'do away with, abolish' [Common]
abolesco -escere -evi, 'disappear, be effaced [UnCommon]
abolitio -onis, f., 'abolition [UnCommon]
abolla -ae, f., 'a cloak of thick woolen cloth' [Rare]
abomino -are (and abominor -ari, dep.), 'pray against; detest [UnCommon]
aborior -oriri -ortus sum (dep.), 'fail' [Common]
abortio -onis, f., 'untimely birth, miscarriage' [Rare]
abortivus -a -um, 'prematurely born [UnCommon]
abortus -us, m., 'miscarriage' [Rare]
abrado -radere -rasi -rasum, 'scrape off, abrade' [Common]
abripio -ripere -ripui -reptum, 'rip off, tear off' [Freq.]
abrodo -rodere -rosi -rosum, 'chew away; gnaw off' [Rare]
abrogatio -onis, f., 'annulling, repealing (leg.)' [Rare]
abrogo -are, 'repeal' [Common]
abrotonum -i, n., 'an aromatic plant' [Rare]
abrumpo -rumpere -rupi -ruptum, 'break off, snap off; quit' [Freq.]
abruptio -onis, f., 'act of tearing away' [Rare]
abruptus -a -um (ppl. from abrumpo), 'steep, abrupt' [Freq.]
abscedo -cedere -cessi -cessum, 'go away, depart, leave' [Common]
abscessio -onis, f., 'act of going away, separation [UnCommon]
abscessus -us, m., 'act of going away, withdrawal' [Rare]
abscido -scidere -scidi -scisum, 'cut off, shear off'(Compare 'abscindo.' The perfects are confusing; this one has a long -i- in its stem.) [Common]
abscindo -scindere -scidi -scissum, 'cut off, tear off'(Compare 'abscido.' The perfect forms are confusing; this one has a short -i- in its stem.) [Common]
abscissus -a -um (ppl. from abscido), 'precipitous, abrupt; short' [Common]
abscondo -scondere -scondi (or -scondidi) -sconditum (or -sconsum), 'hide, put away' [Common]
absens -entis, 'absent' [Common]
absentia -ae, f., 'absence' [Common]
absilio -silire -sili (or -silui), 'jump up; leap up; leap away [UnCommon]
absimilis -e, 'unlike' [Common]
absinthium -i, n., 'wormwood' [Rare]
absisto -sistere -stiti, 'go away; cease, desist' [Common]
absolutio -onis, f., 'acquittal (leg.)' [Common]
absolutus -a -um (ppl. from absolvo), 'complete, unconditional'Note: The "ablative absolute" construction is just this, complete and separate in its own identity within the sentence. [Common]
absolutorius -a -um, 'pertaining to legal acquittal' [Rare]
absolvo -solvere -solvi -solutum, 'loosen, free; acquit (leg.)' [Freq.]
absonus -a -um, 'unharmonious, discordant [UnCommon]
absorbeo -ere -ui, 'swallow, gulp down [UnCommon]
absque prep., '(abl. obj.) without' [Freq.]
abstergeo -tergere -tersi -tersum, 'wipe off; clean off, clean up' [Common]
abstemius -a -um, 'temperate, moderate; abstemious' [Common]
absterreo -ere, 'frighten off' [Common]
abstinens -entis (ppl. from abstineo), 'holding back, holding off' [Common]
abstinentia -ae, f., 'fasting, temperance' [Common]
abstineo -tinere -tinui -tentum, 'hold back, hold off' [Freq.]
absto -are, 'stand at a distance' [Rare]
abstraho -trahere -traxi -tractum, 'drag away, draw off' [Freq.]
abstrudo -trudere -trusi -trusum, 'push away, conceal [UnCommon]
abstrusus -a -um (ppl. from abstrudo), 'concealed, secret [UnCommon]
absum abesse afui, 'be absent; fail to help; be free from fault'Note: Formerly used for school roll call in England: 'adsum' = "I am present" or 'abest' = "he is absent." But, sure enough, someone will call out, 'absum,' which is physically impossible, but mentally quite conceivable. [Freq.]
absumo -sumere -sumpsi -sumptum, 'consume; use up, drain' [Freq.]
absurdus -a -um, 'out of tune, out of place, absurd' (See 'surdus,' "deaf") [Common]
abundans -antis (pres. ppl. from abundo), 'overflowing; abundant, numerous; abounding in' [Common]
abundantia -ae, f., 'abundance, wealth' [Common]
abunde adv., 'abundantly [UnCommon]
abundo -are, '(of rivers, water in general) overflow; be abundant; exist in large numbers'(See 'unda,' "wave") [Common]
abusque prep., '(abl. obj.) away from'(ab + usque)Not [Common]
abutor -uti -usus sum (dep.), '(abl. obj.) use fully, use up; waste' [Common]
acanthus -i, m., 'the acanthus plant' [Freq.]
ac see atque [VeryFreq.]
accedo -cedere -cessi -cessum, 'approach, come to, come (in addition to)' [Freq.]
accelero -are, 'hurry up, accelerate' [Common]
accerso see arcessoaccendo -cendere -cendi -censum, 'kindle, set alight, set on fire; inflame, excite' [Freq.]
accenseo -censere -censui -censum, 'add on as an aide' [Rare]
accensus -a -um (ppl. from accenseo), 'reckoned with; (as noun) attendant'(As pl. noun, the 'accensi' are the "reserve troops, supernumeraries.") [Rare]
accepto -are, 'receive (payment) [UnCommon]
acceptus -a -um (ppl. from accipio), 'pleasant, agreeable' [Common]
accerso see arcessoaccessio -onis, f., 'an increase; a thing added on' [Common]
accessus -us, m., 'approach' [Common]
accido -cidere -cidi -cisum, 'cut into, hack at, weaken'(The -i- is long; from 'caedo.' See next.) [Common]
accido -cidere -cidi, 'fall down; happen, come about'(The -i- is short; from 'cado.' See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
accieo -ere, obsolete form of accio(See accio)accingo -cingere -cinxi -cinctum, 'bind on (a weapon-belt); (pass.) become armed, arm oneself' [Common]
accio -ire -ivi (or ii) -itum, 'call, summon' [Common]
accipio -cipere -cepi -ceptum, 'receive; take, accept' [Freq.]
accipiter -tris, m., 'a hawk [UnCommon]
accitus -us, m., 'a summons (leg.)' [Rare]
acclamatio -onis, f., 'acclaim [UnCommon]
acclamo -are, 'cry out, acclaim [UnCommon]
acclaro -are, 'make clear' [Rare]
acclinis -e, 'leaning towards [UnCommon]
acclino -are, 'lean towards, incline to' [Rare]
acclivis -e, 'inclined upward' [Rare]
acclivitas -tatis, f., 'slope' [Rare]
accola -ae, f., 'neighbor [UnCommon]
accolo -are, 'live near, near by, or neighboring upon . . . [UnCommon]
accommodatio -onis, f., 'accommodation, courtesy [UnCommon]
accommodatus -a -um (ppl. from accommodo), 'suitable'(See next)Not [Common]
accommodo -are, 'fit out, fit, furnish'(See next) [Common]
accommodus -a -um, 'well-adapted'(See prev.)Not [Common]
accredo -credere -credidi -creditum, 'trust, believe in, have trust in' [Common]
accresco -crescere -crevi -cretum, 'grow larger, increase [UnCommon]
accubitio -onis, f. (and accubitus -us, m.), 'act of reclining at a table'Note: The Roman writes at a table using a chair, but, being civilized, always eats reclining on a couch. See triclinium. [Rare]
accubo -are, 'recline on a couch at dinner'(Lit., 'ad' + 'cubo,' "lie forward")Not [Common]
accumbo -cumbere -cubui -cubitum, 'recline (at dinner, on a couch); lie sick in bed; go to bed with' (See accubitio) [Common]
accumulator -oris, m., 'a collector (of history)' [Rare]
accumulo -are, 'collect, bring together, amass; give in abundance [UnCommon]
accuratus -a -um (ppl. from accuro), 'careful, assiduous; accurate [UnCommon]
accuro -are, 'care for, take care of [UnCommon]
accurro -currere -cucurri (and -curri) -cursum, 'run towards, rush up to . . . ' [Common]
accursus -us, m., 'onrush, attack' [Rare]
accusabilis -e, 'blameworthy (leg.)' [Rare]
accusatio -onis, f., 'an accusation (leg.)' [Rare]
accusator -oris, m., 'prosecutor (leg.); informer (pol.)' [Common]
accusatorius -a -um, 'like a prosecutor [UnCommon]
accusatrix -icis, f., 'female accuser [UnCommon]
accuso -are, 'accuse; prosecute (leg.)' [Common]
acer -eris, n., 'maple'(The -a- is short. See next.) [Rare]
acer -cris -cre, 'sharp, cutting, keen; shrill'(The -a- is long. See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
acerbe adv., 'bitterly' [Common]
acerbitas -tatis, f., 'bitterness' [Common]
acerbiter adv., 'bitterly' [Freq.]
acerbo -are, 'make bitter [UnCommon]
acerbus -a -um, 'sharp, bitter; harsh, severe; morose' [VeryFreq.]
acernus -a -um, 'made of maple wood'(See 'acer,' "maple") [Rare]
acerra -ae, f., 'incense box' [Rare]
acersecomes -ae, m., 'a long-haired young man' [Rare]
acervatim adv., 'by accumulation' [Rare]
acervo -are, 'heap up' [Common]
acervus -i, m., 'a heap, pile' [Common]
acesco -escere -ui, 'grow sour (of vinegar)'Note: The chemist's weak solution of "acetic acid" is the same thing as purified vinegar, whence the name. [Rare]
acetum -i, n., 'vinegar'(See prev.) [Common]
acidus -a -um, 'sour, "vinegar-ish," acetic'(Often used of a tone of speech) [Common]
acies -ei, f., 'sharpness, edge of a sword, sharpness of sight or mind; the battle line (at the "edge" of the encounter)' [VeryFreq.]
acinaces -is, m., 'a Persian sword' [Rare]
acinus -i, m. (and acinum -i, n.), 'a grape, berry; seed' [Rare]
acipenser -eris (and acipensis -is), m., 'an expensive fish, possibly sturgeon' [Rare]
aclys -lydis, f., 'a javelin' [Rare]
aconitum -i, n., 'a vegetable poison [UnCommon]
acquiesco -escere -evi -etum, 'rest, go to sleep' [Common]
acquiro see adquiro
ACQ- FOR WORDS BEGINNING WITH ACQ-, POSSIBLY SEE ADQ-.
acratophrum -i, n., 'a punchbowl for straight wine' (Greek word, from 'a' + 'krates,' "unmixed") [Rare]
acriculus -a -um, 'somewhat sharp' [Rare]
acrimonia -ae, f., 'sharpness, acrimony' [Common]
acriter adv., 'sharply, keenly' [Freq.]
acroama -atis, n., 'an entertainment on stage, a musical performance'(Greek word)Not [Common]
acroasis -is, f., 'a recitation'(Greek word)Not [Common]
acta -ae, f., 'seashore, beach'(From Gr. 'akte')Not [Common]
acta -orum, n. pl. (ppl. from ago), 'acts, historical records, deeds' [Freq.]
actio -onis, f., 'action; legal action, a legal case; a speech' [Common]
actito -are, 'plead cases (leg.)' [Rare]
actor -oris, m., 'a herdsman, shepherd; doer; actor; lawyer, agent'(The basic concept is from 'ago,' "drive; do, perform.")Not [Common]
actuarius -a -um, 'swift (used for a ship or a court stenographer)'Note: From his skill and speed with numbers, our insurance agent is technically called an "actuary." [Rare]
actuose adv., 'actively [UnCommon]
actuosus -a -um, 'active' [Rare]
actus -us, m., 'act of driving (of herdsmen); action, performance (of a play), a social act [UnCommon]
actutum adv., 'immediately' [Rare]
aculeatus -a -um, 'having needles, barbs, stings, or fish scales; barbed (of words)'(See acus) [Common]
aculeus -i, m., 'sting of a wasp; barb on an arrow'(See acus) [Common]
acumen -inis, n., 'sharp point, sharpness (of intellect)' [Common]
acuo -ere -i -tum, 'sharpen, whet [UnCommon]
acus -us, f., 'a needle [UnCommon]
acutulus -a -um, 'rather subtle [UnCommon]
ad prep., '(acc. obj.) to, toward, near, at, for' (The basic idea is of motion in a forward direction, in space, time, or relevancy; but, unfortunately, there is no single, simple definition.) [VeryFreq.]
adactio -onis, f., 'a court swearing in (leg.)' [Rare]
adactus -us, m., 'bringing to, application, thrust' [Rare]
adaeque adv., 'in like manner'(ad + aeque) [Common]
adaequo -are, 'make equal; compare; match' [Common]
adamanteus -a -um, 'hard, unbreakable, impenetrable'(The Engl. "diamond" comes from the same root.) [Common]
adamantinus -a -um, 'made of diamond or adamant [UnCommon]
adamas -antis, m., 'adamant, the hardest substance known'Note: Early translations refer to this material as "hard as steel," but the 20th century uses the diamond as an industrial material of far greater hardness. The name, "diamond," actually comes from the same root; the main difference is the brightness and brilliance of diamonds used for jewelry, whereas Lat. 'adamas' is understood to be dark like hardened steel. Modern industrial diamonds are also dark in hue.Not [Common]
adambulo -are, 'walk to or near' [Rare]
adamo -are, 'fall in love with [UnCommon]
adaperio -aperire -aperui -apertum, 'open up (eyes, ears, mouth); expose, bring to light [UnCommon]
adapto -are, 'adapt, adjust to' [Rare]
adauctus -us, m., 'growth [UnCommon]
adaugeo -augere -auxi -auctum, 'grow larger, increase; augment' [Common]
adaugesco -escere, 'begin to increase' [Common]
adbibo -bibere -bibi -bibitum, 'drink in, imbibe' [Rare]
adbito -are, 'come toward, come near' [Rare]
addecet (impers.), 'it is fitting or proper; it is suitable [UnCommon]
addenseo -ere (and addenso -are), 'close the ranks (mil.)' (See densus) [Rare]
addico -dicere -dixi -dictum, 'sign over, assign, sell, surrender (leg.); condemn; give a good sign in augury' [Common]
addictio -onis, f., 'act of legally assigning' [Rare]
addictus -a -um (ppl. from addico), 'bound, pledged' [Rare]
addisco -discere -didici, 'learn in addition to . . . ' [Rare]
additamentum -i, n., 'an addition' [Rare]
addo -dere -didi -ditum, 'add, attach, put in addition to' [Common]
addoceo -ere, 'teach; teach new tricks' [Rare]
addubito -are, 'question, feel unsure about . . . ; feel doubtful [UnCommon]
adduco -ducere -duxi -ductum, 'bring forth, bring on, induce, adduce' [Freq.]
adductus -a -um, '(drawn up) frowning, strict, severe' [Rare]
adedo -esse -edi -essum, 'eat into' [Rare]
ademptio -onis, f., 'taking away' [Rare]
adeo adv., 'to that point, so far, so long, so much; furthermore (extending the idea); just so much (limiting it)' [Freq.]
adeo -ire -ivi (or -ii) -itum, 'go or come to, approach' [VeryFreq.]
adeps -ipis, c., 'animal fat, lard; a greasy verbal style' [Rare]
adeptio -onis, f., 'acquiring, getting; obtaining [UnCommon]
adequito -are, 'ride up on a horse (mil.)' [Rare]
ADF- FOR WORDS BEGINNING WITH ADF-, POSSIBLY LOOK UNDER AFF-
adfatim adv., 'enough [UnCommon]
adfatus -us, m., 'address, speech [UnCommon]
adfectatio -onis, f., 'act of striving [UnCommon]
adfectator -oris, m., 'a striver [UnCommon]
adfectio -onis, f., 'state of mind, disposition' [Common]
adfecto -are, 'grasp after, accomplish' [Common]
adfectus -a -um (ppl. from adficio), 'affected, influenced'(See next) [Common]
adfectus -us, m., 'state of mind, cast of mind'(See prev.) [Common]
adfero adferre attuli adlatum, 'carry to, bring to, bring to bear, bring forward; cite a reference or authority' [VeryFreq.]
adficio -ficere -feci -fectum, 'apply force, effort, influence' [Freq.]
adfigo -figere -fixi -fixum, 'fasten onto, nail on'(See 'figo,' but not 'fingo.' See next.) [Common]
adfingo -fingere -finxi -fictum, 'form, fashion on, fasten onto' (See prev.) [Common]
adfinis -e, 'of a relative by marriage [UnCommon]
adfinitas -tatis, f., 'relationship by marriage [UnCommon]
adfirmatio -onis, f., 'a statement, an assertion [UnCommon]
adfirmo -are, 'make firm, firm up; state firmly' [Common]
adflatus -us, m., 'blast of air, wind; stench' [Common]
adfleo -flere -flevi -fletum, 'weep at' [Rare]
adflictatio -onis, f., 'affliction; pain' [Rare]
adflictor -oris, m., 'an overthrower' [Rare]
adflictus -a -um (ppl. from adfligo), 'broken, damaged' [Common]
adfligo -fligere -flixi -flictum, 'strike down, weaken, ruin' [Common]
adflo -are, 'blow on, breathe on' [Common]
adfluens -entis (ppl. from adfluo), 'flowing forth; affluent' [Common]
adfluentia -ae, f., 'abundance [UnCommon]
adfluo -fluere -fluxi -fluxum, 'flow to, flow toward; flock together' [Common]
adfor -fari (dep.), 'speak to, address'(See 'for, fari')Not [Common]
adfulgeo -fulgere -fulsi, 'shine forth, gleam [UnCommon]
adfundo (affundo) -fundere -fudi -fusum, 'pour forth; (Rarely) bow low to . . . (as if pouring oneself out on the ground)' [Common]
adgero -gerere -gessi -gestum, 'heap up, pile up [UnCommon]
adgestus -us, m., 'bringing up; piling up earth, burying a body' [Rare]
adglomero -are, 'mass together' [Rare]
adglutino -are, 'glue to . . . [UnCommon]
adgravesco -escere, 'grow heavy; get sick, get sicker' [Rare]
adgravo -are, 'make heavier; aggravate' [Rare]
adgredior -gredi -gressus sum (dep.), 'approach, undertake, attack (mil.)' [VeryFreq.]
adgrego -are, 'attach to, associate with [UnCommon]
adgressio -onis, f., 'attack (in a speech)' [Rare]
adhaereo -haerere -haesi -haesum, 'adhere to, stick to; join (pol.)' [Common]
adhaeresco -haerescere -haesi -haesum, 'stick to, adhere to; hang on to; join forces with (pol.) [UnCommon]
adhaesio -onis, f. (and adhaesus -us, m.), 'act of adhering, adhesion' [Rare]
adhibeo -ere -ui -itum, 'supply, furnish' [Freq.]
adhinnio -ire, 'whinny at (of a horse)' (See hinnitus) [Rare]
adhortatio -onis, f., 'exhortation' [Rare]
adhortator -oris, m., 'one who exhorts' [Rare]
adhortor -ari (dep.), 'encourage (esp. of soldiers)' [Common]
adhuc adv., 'to this point; up to this time, up to now; still' [VeryFreq.]
adiaceo -ere, 'lie beside, lie near (geog.)' [Rare]
adicio (adiicio) -icere -ieci -iectum, 'throw at or towards, add, attach' [Freq.]
adiectio -onis, f., 'addition [UnCommon]
adiectus -us, m., 'impact, contact' [Rare]
adigo -igere -egi -actum, 'drive forth, hurl at, wound; compel, force' [VeryFreq.]
adimo -imere -emi -emptum, 'take away, deprive' [Freq.]
adipatus -a -um, 'fatty, rich (of pastry); of a gross or greasy written style' [Rare]
adipiscor -dipisci -deptus sum (dep.), 'get, acquire, get one's hands on' [Freq.]
aditio -onis, f., 'an approach; act of taking possession' [Rare]
aditus -us, m., 'an approach, the way in; any doorway, access; attack (mil.)' [Freq.]
adiudico -are, 'adjudicate by law [UnCommon]
adiumentum -i, n., 'aid, assistance' [Common]
adiunctio -onis, f., 'union, combination' [Rare]
adiunctor -oris, m., 'one who joins' [Rare]
adiunctus -a -um (ppl. from adiungo), 'belonging to, bound to; joined onto'(See next)Not [Common]
adiungo -iungere -iunxi -iunctum, 'join on, add on, assign (mil.), (in writing) add on an idea' (See prev.) [Freq.]
adiuro -are, 'swear an oath [UnCommon]
adiuto -are, 'aid, help; give succor [UnCommon]
adiutor -oris, m., 'a helper' [Common]
adiutrix -icis, f., 'an assistant, aid'(The fem. form comes from the use of this term for the reserve legions under the empire, since Lat. 'legio,' "legion," is fem.) [Common]
adiuvo -iuvare -iuvi -iutum, 'aid, help' [VeryFreq.]
ADL- FOR WORDS BEGINNING WITH ADL-, POSSIBLY SEE ALL-.
adlabor -labi -lapsus sum (dep.), 'slip, slide up onto (of ships or the mind)' [Common]
adlaboro -are, 'labor at [UnCommon]
adlacrimo -are, 'shed tears, weep at' [Rare]
adlapsus -us, m., 'act of gliding toward' [Rare]
adlatro -are, 'bark at (of a dog); rage at, roar (of the sea)'(See latro -are) [Rare]
adlaudabilis -e, 'praiseworthy' [Rare]
adlecto -are, 'entice, attract; invite' [Rare]
adlegatio -onis, f., 'mission, charge' [Rare]
adlego -are, 'send on a mission, employ' [Common]
adlego -legere -legi -lectum, 'elect, select for office [UnCommon]
adlevamentum -i, n., 'relief (of the mind)'(See levis) [Rare]
adlevatio -onis, f., 'a lifting up, alleviation' [Rare]
adlevo -are, 'lift up, raise up, extol; comfort, calm' [Common]
adlicio -licere -lexi -lectum, 'attract, allure, entice' [Common]
adlido -lidere -lisi -lisum, 'strike against, crush, collide' [Common]
adligo -are, 'bind up, tie up, chain up, immobilize, bind in friendship or by oath, bind by the laws' [Freq.]
adlino -linere -levi -litum, 'paint on, smear over; cover up' [Rare]
adlocutio -onis, f., 'an address' [Rare]
adloquium -i, m., n., 'exhortation, encouragement [UnCommon]
adloquor -loqui -locutus sum (dep.), 'address, talk to; appeal to' [VeryFreq.]
adluceo -lucere -luxi, 'shed light on, shine at [UnCommon]
adludo -ludere -lusi -lusum, 'play around, play with, play up to and humor . . . ' [Rare]
adluo -luere -lui, 'wash up (of sea, tears) [UnCommon]
adluvies -ei, f., 'flood, flood-silt; waves at the beach' [Rare]
adluvio -onis, f., 'flood, land silted in or deposited by flood' [Rare]
admaturo -are, 'hurry, hasten on' [Rare]
admetior -metiri -mensus sum (dep.), 'measure out [UnCommon]
adminiculo -are, 'prop up; support' [Rare]
adminiculum -i, n., 'tool, stake for gardening, support; support for an argument' [Rare]
administer -stri, m., 'attendant, assistant' [Rare]
administra -ae, f., 'a (female) assistant' [Rare]
administratio -onis, f., 'administration of government' [Rare]
administro -are, 'direct, administer' [Common]
admirabilis -e, 'admirable; astonishing' [Common]
admirabilitas -tatis, f., 'admiration' [Rare]
admirandus -a -um (gerundive from admiror), 'admirable, remarkable [UnCommon]
admiratio -onis, f., 'surprise, astonishment, admiration; a marvel' [Common]
admiror -ari (dep.), 'be surprised at, wonder at, admire' [Common]
admisceo -miscere -miscui -mixtum (or -mistum), 'mix in, add in, get involved with; get mixed up' [Common]
admissarius -i, m., 'male breeding stock (horse or ass); a macho-male' Note: This adj. comes from 'admitto -ere,' "put together (animals) in a field, specifically for breeding purposes." This is a distinctly uncomplimentary adjective for a man, like Engl. "stud." [Rare]
admissio -onis, f., 'audience granted with a person of importance' [Rare]
admitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'send in, send forth, admit someone, permit entrance, allow or permit, let go of the reins ( [Rare]
)' (See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
admixtio -onis, f., 'an admixture' [Rare]
admoderate adv., 'appropriately' [Rare]
admodum adv., 'to a great measure, really, quite, altogether, fully; precisely (as an answer)' [Freq.]
admolior -iri, 'struggle, press onto, push' [Rare]
admoneo -ere -ui -itum, 'warn, admonish, rebuke' [Freq.]
admonitio -onis, f., 'the act of reminding [UnCommon]
admonitor -oris, m., 'one who reminds' [Rare]
admonitus -us, m., see admonitioadmordeo -mordere -mordi (or -memordi) -morsum, 'gnaw at, nibble; nibble away at, cheat' [Rare]
admotio -onis f., 'moving towards' [Rare]
admoveo -movere -movi -motum, 'move towards, move on to, turn attention toward, bring up (the troops)' [Freq.]
admugio -ire, 'bellow at (of a bull)' [Rare]
admurmuratio -onis, f., 'murmuring' [Rare]
admutilo -are, 'crop close; prune heavily; cheat'(The figure is taken from the pruning of trees. See mutilus.) [Rare]
adnecto -nectere -nexui -nexum, 'tie on to, connect, attach [UnCommon]
adnitor -niti -nisus (or -nixus) sum (dep.), 'lean on (the knees); push on hard, strive [UnCommon]
adno -nare, 'swim to, near, or beside'(= adnato -are) [Rare]
adnoto -are, 'make a (mental) note; note; note down (in writing)' [Common]
adnumero -are, 'count, count up; make a total; pay out a sum [UnCommon]
adnuo -nuere -nui -nutum, 'make a written note, note mentally, mark something, register, designate (on a document) [UnCommon]
adnuto -are, 'give a nod to, approve' [Rare]
adoleo -ere -ui, 'make a burnt offering, cremate, burn up [UnCommon]
adolescens see adulescensadolescentia -ae, f., 'growing up, maturing; youth' [Freq.]
adolescentulus (adulescentulus) -i, m., 'a youth, young man' [Freq.]
adolesco -olescere -olevi -ultum, 'mature, grow up, come of age' [Freq.]
adoperio -ire -ui -tum, 'cloak, cover up' [Freq.]
adopertus -a -um, 'covered over, cloaked'(See prev.)Not [Common]
adopinor -ari (dep.), 'have a guess; estimate' [Rare]
adoptatio -onis, f., 'adopting' [Rare]
adoptio -onis, f., 'the adoption of a child' [Rare]
adoptivus -a -um, 'adopted; grafted (of plants)'(See 'insero' and 'insitivus' for ideas on the grafting of trees.) [Rare]
adopto -are, 'take over for one's self, adopt, give one's name to . . . [UnCommon]
ador -oris, n., 'a coarse grain; wheat' [Rare]
adoratio -onis, f., 'adoration' [Rare]
adoreus -a -um, 'wheaten'(See ador) [Rare]
adorior -oriri -ortus sum (dep.), 'rise up against, attack, come to grips with' [Freq.]
adorno -are, 'prepare, honor, decorate, embellish' [Common]
adoro -are, 'plead to, beg of, implore (a god or king); formally salute' [Common]
ADP-FOR WORDS BEGINNING IN ADP-, POSSIBLY SEE APP-.
adquiesco -quiescere -quievi -quietum, 'sleep, rest, repose in death, find peace or freedom from pain' [Common]
adquiro -quirere -quisivi -quisitum, 'get, acquire' [Common]
adrado -radere -rasi -rasum, 'shave; shave closely = cheat, fleece'Note: See 'tondeo,' "to shear," and 'tonstrix,' "a lady-barber," both with clear indications of dishonesty, "ripping off," and cheating. The figure must be one of looking stripped when coming out of the barber shop. One thinks of Samson. [Rare]
adrepo -repere -repsi -reptum, 'slither forth (like a snake)'(See repo and reptilis) [Rare]
adrideo -ridere -risi -risum, 'smile at, be pleasing to' [Common]
adrigo -rigere -rexi -rectum, 'raise up, erect, arouse [UnCommon]
adripio -ripere -ripui -reptum, 'grasp with the hands, grasp and understand, possess and hold, grab at (a suggestion), acquire or pick up . . . , catch a disease'Note: Cicero uses this word for "catching" diarrhea, which at least points to some awareness of communicable diseases. [Freq.]
adrisor -oris, m., 'a smiler' [Rare]
adrodo -rodere -rosi -rosum, 'gnaw at, corrode away' [Rare]
adrogans -ntis (ppl. from adrogo), 'demanding; arrogant [UnCommon]
adrogantia -ae, f., 'haughtiness' [Rare]
adrogo -are, 'claim, lay claim to . . . , adopt (legally)' [Common]
ADS-FOR WORDS BEGINNING WITH ADS-, POSSIBLY SEE ASS-.
adsectatio -onis, f., 'political support; study, research' [Rare]
adsectator -oris, m., 'political follower, devotee, student' [Common]
adsector -ari (dep.), 'follow up on, attend, support (pol.), court (of fame)' [Common]
adsecula (adsecla) -ae, m., 'follower, servant' [Rare]
adsensio -onis, f., 'agreement, consent, assent' [Common]
adsensor -oris, m., 'one who assents' [Rare]
adsensus -us, m., 'assent, agreement; (poet.) an echo'(Used for an echo in Ovid's "Narcissus and Echo" story in the 'Metamorphoses.') [Rare]
adsentatio -onis, f., 'flattering assent [UnCommon]
adsentatiuncula -ae, f., 'a little piece of flattery' [Rare]
adsentator -oris, m., 'an "agree-er"; a professional "yes-man" [UnCommon]
adsentatorie adv., 'flatteringly' [Rare]
adsentio -sentire -sensi -sensum, 'say "yes," agree; admit, admit the truth'(See next) [Common]
adsentior -sentiri -sensus sum (dep.), 'agree, admit, admit the truth'(See prev.) [Common]
adsentor -ari (dep.), 'assent constantly [UnCommon]
adsequor -sequi -secutus sum (dep.), 'follow after; achieve, succeed; grasp mentally' [Freq.]
adsero -serere -sevi -situm, 'plant'(See next) [Rare]
adsero -serere -serui -sertum, 'lay hands on, claim as your own; (as a special meaning:) claim a slave as free'(See prev.)Not [Common]
adsertor -oris, m., 'defender, champion' [Rare]
adservio -ire, 'devote oneself to . . . , give one's service to . . . ' [Rare]
adservo -are, 'preserve, save [UnCommon]
adsessor -oris, m., 'one who sits by, counsellor' [Rare]
adseveratio -onis, f., 'earnestness [UnCommon]
adsevero -are, 'be earnest [UnCommon]
adsideo -sidere -sedi -sessum, 'sit beside, counsel, encamp near (mil.), dwell near; be like' (See next) [Common]
adsido -sidere -sedi -sessum, 'take a seat, sit down'(See prev.) [Rare]
adsiduitas -tatis, f., 'continual attention, carefulness, assiduity [UnCommon]
adsiduus -a -um, 'assiduous, quite attentive' (See next) [Common]
adsiduus -i, m., 'a regularly taxpaying landholder, a taxpaying citizen (in legal sense)' (See prev.) [Rare]
adsignatio -onis, f., 'assignment' [Rare]
adsigno -are, 'assign, allot, refer; seal, put one's seal ('signum') on a letter'(See signum) [Common]
adsilio -silire -silui, 'leap up, leap at, rush at; mount' [Common]
adsimilis -e, 'like, similar [UnCommon]
adsimulatus -a -um (ppl. from adsimulo), 'fake, simulated' [Common]
adsimulo -are, 'pretend, assume a likeness, simulate; (also) assimilate' [Freq.]
adsisto adsistere adstiti (or astiti), 'take up a stand, stand near, be placed next to'(Never = Engl. "assist," which is a developed meaning not found in Latin, where 'adiuvo' would be used.) [Common]
adsoleo -ere, 'be accustomed to [UnCommon]
adsono -are, 'make a sound' [Rare]
ADSP-FOR WORDS BEGINNING WITH ADSP-, POSSIBLY SEE ASP-
adstipulator -oris, m., 'a supporter' [Rare]
adstipulor -ari (dep.), 'agree with' [Rare]
adsto -stare -steti, 'stand on one's feet, stand by, be waiting, assist' [Common]
adstrepo -ere, 'shout aloud, support by noise [UnCommon]
adstrictus -a -um (ppl. from adstringo), 'tight, compressed' [Common]
adstringo -stringere -strinxi -strictum, 'tie up, bind up, compress, hold back, bind (leg.); establish boundaries (i.e. encircle)' [Freq.]
adstruo -struere -struxi -structum, 'add on to a building, add to anything' [Common]
adstupeo -ere, 'be astonished at' [Rare]
adsuefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'make accustomed to . . . [UnCommon]
adsuesco -suescere -suevi -suetum, 'grow accustomed to . . . ' [Common]
adsuetudo -inis, f., 'custom, use [UnCommon]
adsuetus -a -um (ppl. from adsuesco), 'customary, usual' [Common]
adulter -tri, m., 'an adulterer' [Freq.]
adulterium -i, n., 'adultery' [Freq.]
adsulto -are, 'jump towards; assault (mil.) [UnCommon]
adsultus -us, m., 'assault [UnCommon]
adsum -esse -fui, 'be present, be right at hand, be at hand (to help), help, be ready for . . . ' (See absum) [VeryFreq.]
adsumo -sumere -sumpsi -sumptum, 'pick up (to eat or drink), pick up (a friend), take possession (leg.); choose, claim, acquire; draw upon' [Freq.]
adsumptio -onis, f., 'claim, logical assumption, presentation' [Rare]
adsumptivus -a -um, 'deriving its defense from an extraneous cause (leg.)' [Rare]
adsuo -ere, 'sew onto . . . ' [Rare]
adsurgo -surgere -surrexi -surrectum, 'rise up, stand up, project upwards (of hills); be promoted, attain fame' [Freq.]
ADT- FOR WORDS BEGINNING IN ADT-, POSSIBLY SEE ATT-.
adulatio -onis, f., 'flattering, fawning [UnCommon]
adulator -oris, m., 'flatterer [UnCommon]
adulescens (adolescens) -entis, 'young, growing; (as noun) young man or young woman' [Common]
adulescentia -ae, f., 'youth [UnCommon]
adulescentulus -i, m., 'young man' [Rare]
adulo -are, 'adulate'Note: Also used of a dog wagging his tail at someone.Not [Common]
adulor -ari (dep.), 'adulate'Note: Used of dogs, but also of people! See prev.Not [Common]
adulter -eri, m., 'adulterer' [Common]
adultera -ae, f., 'adulteress' [Common]
adulter -era -erum, 'adulterous' [Common]
adulterinus -a -um, 'adulterous; adulterated, not genuine' [Common]
adulterium -i, n., 'adultery' [Common]
adultero -are, 'commit adultery; falsify' [Common]
adultus -a -um (ppl. from adolesco), 'adult; grown up' [Common]
adumbratim adv., 'in shadowy outline (of drawing)' [Rare]
adumbratio -onis, f., 'an outline; a drawn sketch' [Rare]
adumbro -are, 'make obscure; sketch in a black-and-white scale of values, sketch in outline; outline, merely adumbrate; fake' [Common]
adurgeo -ere, 'press on, pursue, follow after' [Rare]
aduncitas -tatis, f., 'hookedness' [Rare]
aduncus -a -um, 'hooked' [Common]
aduro -urere -ussi -ustum, 'burn, kindle, cauterize, windburn' [Freq.]
adusque prep. and adv., '(acc. obj.) as far as; thoroughly, entirely' [Freq.]
adustus -a -um (ppl. from aduro), 'burnt' [Common]
advecticius -a -um, 'imported (of merchandise)'(From 'ad' + 'veho') [Rare]
advecto -are, 'convey, import; travel abroad' [Common]
advectus -us, m., 'an import; an immigrant' [Rare]
adveho -vehere -vexi -vectum, 'carry, bring; (pass.) ride on . . . , be carried on (a ship, a horse)' [Freq.]
advelo -are, 'cover over'(See 'velum,' "sail,veil") [Rare]
advena -ae, c., 'a stranger, foreigner' [Freq.]
advenio -venire -veni -ventum, 'come to, arrive at; arrive' [Freq.]
adventicius -a -um, 'arising from external circumstances, adventitious' [Common]
advento -are, 'approach, come near to . . . ' [Common]
adventor -oris, m., 'stranger, a customer at a tavern or brothel; a renting tenant [UnCommon]
adventus -us, m., 'approach, arrival' [Freq.]
adversarius -a -um, 'opposed to, hostile to; (as noun) an adversary (in boxing, war, politics) [UnCommon]
adversio -onis, f., 'a turning; directing of the attention to ('adversio animi'), animadverting' [Common]
adversor -ari (dep.), 'resist, oppose, counteract' [Common]
adversus -a -um, 'turned to, towards, facing (of hills, weapons, troops)' [Freq.]
adversus (or adversum) adv., 'against, opposite' [Freq.]
adverto (advorto) -vertere -verti -versum, 'turn toward (of ships, arms), turn (attention, ears, eyes) toward, notice, attract notice, turn a penalty on' [Freq.]
advesperascit -ascere -avit (impers.), 'it becomes evening, evening falls' [Rare]
advigilo -are, 'watch over, watch [UnCommon]
advocatio -onis, f., 'body of lawyers, the bar (leg.); a trial adjournment' [Common]
advocatus -a -um (ppl. from advoco), 'one called forth; (as noun) a lawyer, legal assistant, witness'Note: Lit., "one called forth by the Roman court to defend or prosecute a case." [Common]
advoco -are, 'call on, summon, consult an advocate (leg.)' [Freq.]
advolatus -us, m., 'flying in a given direction' [Rare]
advolo -are, 'fly to, toward' [Common]
advolvo -volvere -volvi -volutum, 'roll to, roll toward; (hence) genuflect, prostrate oneself, bow to . . . [UnCommon]
advors- (advort-) = advers- (advert-) adytum -i, n., 'sanctuary, shrine'(Greek word) [Common]
aedes (or aedis) -is, f., 'building, room, temple, tomb' [Freq.]
aedicula -ae, f., 'small building or shrine [UnCommon]
aedificatio -onis, f., 'building (as a trade); a building' [Common]
aedificator -oris, m., 'a builder, architect' [Rare]
aedificium -i, n., 'a building' [VeryFreq.]
aedifico -are, 'build, erect, create' [Freq.]
aedilicius -a -um, 'of an aedile (officer in government); an ex-aedile' [Rare]
aedilis -is, m., 'an aedile, the public officer at Rome in charge of streets, markets, and public games' [Freq.]
aedilitas -tatis, f., 'aedileship [UnCommon]
aeditimus -i, m., = aedituens (From 'aedes,' in the sense of a shrine.) [Rare]
aedituens -entis (and aedituus -i), m., 'temple guardian' [Rare]
aeger -gra -grum, 'sick, ailing, debilitated, weary; mentally ill; "sick," depraved; difficult to do or conceive of' [VeryFreq.]
aegis -idis, f., 'shield' [Common]
aegre adv., 'sickly, depravedly; with great difficulty'(See aeger) [Common]
aegreo -ere, 'be sick' [Rare]
aegresco -escere, 'grow sick; become mentally troubled' [Common]
aegrimonia -ae, f., 'grief [UnCommon]
aegritudo -inis, f., 'sickness (mental or physical)' [Common]
aegrotatio -onis, f., 'a sick condition or state [UnCommon]
aegroto -are, 'be sick' [Common]
aegrotus -a -um, 'sick, sickly' [Common]
aelinos -i, m., 'dirge'Note: This is the Greek word, 'ailinos,' supposedly 'ai' ["alas!"] + 'Linos,' the name of a dead youth commemorated in Greek elegaic verse. There might well be a question about this standard derivation. [Rare]
aemulatio -onis, f., 'a striving after, emulation; (in a bad sense) jealousy, rivalry' [Common]
aemulator -oris, m., 'emulator, one who rivals' [Rare]
aemulor -ari (dep.), 'rival, vie with' [Freq.]
aemulus -a -um, 'rivalling, emulous' [Common]
aeneum (and aheneum) -i, n., 'a vessel or pot made of bronze [UnCommon]
aenigma -atis, n., 'a riddle, mystery'(Greek word)Not [Common]
aeneus (or aheneus) -a -um, 'made of bronze' [Freq.]
aequabilis -e, 'equal, equable, equitable, fair in measure; fair, just' [Common]
aequabilitas -tatis, f., 'equalness, equality [UnCommon]
aequaevus -a -um, 'having the same age' [Rare]
aequalis -e, 'equal, equalized, smooth, flat, uniform; general' [Freq.]
aequalitas -tatis, f., 'equality, uniformity, smoothness' [Common]
aequanimitas -tatis, f., 'good will; calmness, equanimity' [Rare]
aequatio -onis, f., 'equal division, distribution' [Rare]
aeque adv., 'equally, similarly; even-handedly, fairly' [Freq.]
aequilibritas -tatis, f., 'equilibrium, balance' [Rare]
aequinoctialis -e, 'equinoctial' [Common]
aequinoctium -i, n., 'the equinox'(aequus + nox) [Common]
aequiparo -are, see aequipero aequitas -tatis, f., 'evenness, flatness; fairness, even-handedness' [Freq.]
aequo -are, 'make level, line up, match, evaluate, consider (to be equal . . . )' [Freq.]
aequor -oris, n., 'a level area, a plain, (esp.) the open sea, the ocean' (See 'marmor' for a similar development.) [VeryFreq.]
aequorius -a -um, 'pertaining to the sea' [Rare]
aequus -a -um, 'level, smooth, flat, calm; equal, fair (leg.), matching, favorable to . . . ; likely' [VeryFreq.]
aer aeris., m., 'the air'(Greek word) [VeryFreq.]
aeramentum -i, n., 'articles made of bronze, bronze-ware [UnCommon]
aerarius -a -um, 'made of bronze (any coin, object), (as noun) a bronze-worker' (See 'aes aeris,' "bronze") [Common]
aerarium -i, n., 'treasury' [Freq.]
aeratus -a -um, 'bronzed, made of bronze' [Common]
aereus -a -um, 'of bronze' [Common]
aerifer -fera -ferum, 'bearing brazen cymbals'(A single occurrence, involving DIonysos, in Ovid.) [Rare]
aeripes -pedis, 'having feet of bronze' [Rare]
aerius (or aereus) -a -um, 'aerial, airy' [Common]
aerugo -inis, f., 'the verdigris (copper oxide, grey-green in color) on copper-based alloys; the patina on unused money (i.e. greed)' [Common]
aerumna -ae, f., 'trouble' [Common]
aerumnosus -a -um, 'troublesome [UnCommon]
aes aeris, n., 'bronze, brass, copper; money, payment, fee; implement, statue (cast in bronze), public legal tablet (engraved in brass)' [VeryFreq.]
aesculetum -i, n., 'an oak forest' [Rare]
aesculus -i, f., 'an oak' [Rare]
aestas -tatis, f., 'heat; the summer season'(Not to be confused with 'aetas') [Freq.]
aestifer -fera -ferum, 'bringing summer heat [UnCommon]
aestimabilis -e, 'valuable' [Rare]
aestimatio -onis, f., 'an appraisal in terms of money; (with 'lis, lites') assessment of damages; valuation, worth, value' [Freq.]
aestimator -oris, m., 'an appraiser [UnCommon]
aestimo (or aestumo) -are, 'value, evaluate; account, consider' [Freq.]
aestivus -a -um, 'relating to summer, summer-like' [Common]
aestuarium -i, n., 'a floodable bay, estuary [UnCommon]
aestuarius -a -um, 'pertaining to the tides [UnCommon]
aestuo -are, 'burn, swelter, be hot, boil (of water, waves), be agitated' [Freq.]
aestuosus -a -um, 'burning, boiling, agitated' [Common]
aestus -us, m., 'heat, summer, fever, boiling of the waves, tide, tumult of wind' [Freq.]
aetas -tatis, f., 'age, time of living, lifetime, human life, any length of time, an age = era'(Not to be confused with 'aestas') [VeryFreq.]
aetatula -ae, f., 'youth'(Seen as the "little age")Not [Common]
aeternitas -tatis, f., 'eternity, immortality' [Common]
aeterno -are, 'immortalize, make eternal' [Rare]
aeterno adv., 'eternally' [Rare]
aeternus -a -um, 'eternal, permanent' [Freq.]
aether -eris, m., 'the air, sky, heaven'(Greek word. Note the commonly used acc. sg., 'aethera,' following Greek declension.) [Freq.]
aetherius -a -um, 'air-borne, airy, heavenly, ethereal' [Common]
aethra -ae, f., 'brightness; the heavens [UnCommon]
aevitas -atis, f., = aetasaevum -i, n., 'time, age, century; the length of a human life; life (as such); old age' [VeryFreq.]
aevus -i, m., = aevumAFFFOR WORDS BEGINNING WITH AFF-, POSSIBLY SEE ADF-affabilus -us, m., 'speech, address' [Freq.]
affecto -are, 'seize, grip, grasp' [Freq.]
affero afferre attuli allatum, 'bring forth, bear a report; excite' [VeryFreq.]
afficio -ficere -feci -fectum, 'apply, affect; apply to' [Freq.]
affigo -figere -fixi -fixum, 'fasten onto, apply' [Freq.]
affingo -fingere -finxi -fictum, 'add onto, stick onto; apply falsely; bestow' [Freq.]
affinis -e, 'neighboring, adjoining, related to, connected with' [Freq.]
affinitas -tatis, f., 'affinity, contiguity; relationship' [Freq.]
afflicto -are, 'beat, hit, hammer on' [Freq.]
affligo -fligere -flixi -flictum, 'beat, strike on, hit'(See prev.) [Freq.]
afflo -are, 'blow on [UnCommon]
affluo -fluere -fluxi, 'flow to, come together' [Freq.]
affor -fari -fatus sum (dep.), 'speak to, address' [Freq.]
agaso -onis, m., 'stable boy, servant [UnCommon]
agellus -i, m., 'a small acreage, a little piece of land'(Diminutive of 'ager')Not [Common]
agema -atis, n., 'bodyguard division in the Macedonian army'(Greek word) [Rare]
ager agri, m., 'a field, cultivated land, estate; the countryside (i.e. as opposed to the city)' [VeryFreq.]
AGG- FOR WORD BEGINNING WITH AGG-, POSSIBLY SEE ADG-agger -eris, m., '(cultivated) ridge; rampart (mil.); breakwater, dam, anything piled up high . . . '(From 'ad' + 'gero,' "pile up") [Freq.]
aggero -are, 'pile up into a mound'(See agger) [Common]
aggero -gerere -gessi -gestum, 'bring together; pile up' [Freq.]
agglomero -are, 'crowd together, whirl around' [Freq.]
aggredior -gredi -gressus sum (dep.), 'approach, go towards; attack' [VeryFreq.]
aggrego -are, 'crowd together' [Freq.]
agilis -e, 'moving easily, quick, agile' [Common]
agilitas -tatis, f., 'agility [UnCommon]
agitabilis -e, 'easily moved, light' [Rare]
agitatio -onis, f., 'movement, shaking, occupation, activity' [Common]
agitor -oris, m., 'shepherd; charioteer'(The one drives sheep with a dog, the other drives horses with a whip.) [Common]
agito -are, 'move, drive, arouse (an idea), disturb, agitate, spend one's time, life, have in mind, move (for discussion)' [VeryFreq.]
agmen -inis, n., 'line, stream of water, column of soldiers (mil.), series of persons, group; a series'(The military meaning is most [Freq.]
and probably influences the others.) [Freq.]
agna -ae, f., 'lamb' [Common]
agnascor -nasci -natus sum (dep.), 'grow on (later), grow along with'(See 'agnatus' for a [Common]
legal meaning.) [Common]
agnatio -onis, f., 'agnation (leg.)' [Rare]
agnatus -i, m., '(leg.) child born after father's will has been established; a male blood relative on father's side, an agnate [UnCommon]
agnellus -i, m., 'a little lamb' [Rare]
agnina -ae, f., 'lamb (as meat)' [Rare]
agninus -a -um, 'lamb-like' [Rare]
agnitio -onis f., 'recognition [UnCommon]
agnomen -inis, n., 'part of a personal Roman name'Note: Originally, it was often a title-adjective for an important achievement, e.g. Scipio 'Africanus,' for his Carthaginian victories, or a descriptive nickname based on a farm-based characteristic ('Porcius,' "piggy," 'Brutus,' "animal"), or a personal trait ('Paetus,' "Squinty," 'Claudius,' "Gimpy," etc. The Roman names are singularly unhonorific for a people much concerned with national pride and image.Not [Common]
agnosco -noscere -novi -notum, 'recognize, acknowledge as one's own, recognize the truth or value of something, become aware of' [Freq.]
agnus -i, m., 'lamb' [Common]
ago agere egi actum, 'drive (anything) on, drive one's self (i.e. go on), force along; shoot out (branches, one's breath), do something, accomplish, perform (duties), deal with, transact (business), deliver a legal speech, go to court (with 'actio')' [VeryFreq.]
agon -onis, m., 'athletic game, contest'(Greek word) [Rare]
agoranomus -i, m., 'inspector of the public markets'(From Gr. 'agora,' "marketplace") [Rare]
agonius -a -um, 'pertaining to the public games or sacrifices [UnCommon]
agrarius -a -um, 'land oriented'(This word is especially related to the agrarian reforms of the Gracchi and others.) [Rare]
agrestis -e, 'rustic, rural; boorish, yokelish; wild (of non-domesticated plants and animals)' [Freq.]
agrestis -is, m., 'a country person, yokel, person from "the sticks"' [Common]
agricola -ae, m., 'farmer' [VeryFreq.]
agricultura -ae, f., 'agriculture, farming' [VeryFreq.]
agripeta -ae, m., 'a settler (on the land), a squatter' [Rare]
ah (or a) interj., (expression of surprise or satisfaction) [Common]
aha interj., (expression of surprise) (See prev.)Not [Common]
ai interj., (expression of grief) (This is a borrowing with Greek and poetic associations.) [Rare]
aio (defective verb with only a few forms), 'say ("he or she says"); say "yes" (rather than "no"); talk about'(The form, 'ain,' is actually 'ais' + 'ne,' "you don't say?", implying disbelief.) [VeryFreq.]
ala -ae, f., 'wing of a bird, upper arm of a mammal or person, wing of troops (mil.), side-nave of a temple' [VeryFreq.]
alabaster -tri, m. (but pl.: alabastra, -orum, n.), 'a (conical) perfume box'(Engl. "alabaster" is the material from which the above is made.) [Rare]
alacer -cris -cre, 'quick, keen, sharp' [Freq.]
alacris -e, 'quick, keen, sharp' [Common]
alacritas -tatis, f., 'quickness, liveliness' [Common]
alapa -ae, f., 'a slap, whack' [Rare]
alarius -a -um (and alaris -e), 'auxiliary cavalry'(From 'ala' in the military sense.) [Rare]
alatus -a -um, 'winged' [Rare]
alauda -ae, f., 'the (bird) lark'(It is generally used in reference to the "Lark Legion" of Caesar in Gaul.)Not [Common]
albatus -a -um, 'clothed in white' [Rare]
albeo -ere, 'be white or pale; become light (in the sky) [UnCommon]
albesco -escere, 'become white, light, gleam, glow' [Common]
albico -are, 'be white, gleam' [Rare]
albitudo -inis, f., 'whiteness' [Rare]
albidus -a -um, 'whitish' [Rare]
albulus -a -um, 'somewhat whitish' [Rare]
album -i, n., 'whiteness of the skin, white of the eyes; chalk writing, white notice sheet of the praetor (leg.); an official list or roll' [Common]
albus -a -um, 'white, translucent, light-skinned; white with age, pale, sickly, (also) favorable and famous' [Freq.]
alcedo -inis (and alcyon -onis), f., 'halcyon, the sea bird'(Greek word) [Rare]
alcedonia -orum, n. pl., 'winter solstice'(This was supposedly the breeding time of the halcyon. See prev.) [Rare]
alces -is (or, as Greek form, alke -es), f., 'elk'Note: In Caesar [Bk. 6], the passage on how to hunt elk is most interesting. Hunters chop halfway through trees and leave them just standing, knowing that the elk (who have no knee joints!) must lean on something when they sleep. When the elk lean on these tottering trees, they fall to the ground, and since they lack joints they cannot arise, they are easy prey for the clever hunters. Is this gullible stupidity, or the telling of a tall tale without a trace of a giveaway grin? [Rare]
alcyon see alcedoalea -ae, f., 'dice, game of dice; chance, pure chance; "chanciness"' [Freq.]
aleator -oris, m., 'gambler' [Rare]
aleatorius -a -um, 'of a gambler' [Rare]
alec see allecaleo -onis, m., 'a gambler, dicer' [Rare]
ales alitis, 'winged; (as noun) a bird'(See ala) [Common]
alesco -escere, 'grow up' [Rare]
alga -ae, f., 'seaweed (= a worthless thing), water plant as such'Note: Our biological term, "algae," is a fixed plural of this word. [Common]
algeo -gere -si, 'be cold, shiver, be left out in the cold (neglected)' [Common]
algidus -a -um, 'cold' [Rare]
algor -oris, m., 'cold, cold weather [UnCommon]
algus -us, m., = algor(Older usage, mainly in the abl. sg., 'algu') [Rare]
alia adv., 'by another route; in another direction'(Actually, short for 'alia via') [Freq.]
alias adv., 'at another time, at another place, elsewhere'(Sometimes, the same as Engl. "alibi"; but not like Engl. "alias," = "using another name." When used in a tandem sequence, 'alias . . . alias . . . ', it means "at one time . . . and at another time . . . ") [Common]
aliatum -i, n., 'a dish using much garlic' (See alium) [Rare]
alibi adv., 'at another place, elsewhere'Note: The Engl. noun, "alibi," is an abbreviated version of the phrase, 'alibi fui,' "I was somewhere else." [Common]
alica -ae, f., 'groats, buckwheat' [Rare]
alicubi adv., 'anywhere, somewhere' [Common]
alicula -ae, f., 'undershirt' [Rare]
alicunde adv., 'from somewhere' [Common]
alienatio -onis, f., 'alienation; stupor, insanity; transferral of ownership (leg.)' [Common]
alienigena -ae, m., 'a foreigner' [Common]
alieno -are, 'alienate, desensitize, transfer (leg.)' [Freq.]
alienus -a -um, 'strange, foreign, alien; inappropriate, unconnected, unrelated, useless; non-simpatico' [VeryFreq.]
aliger -gera -gerum, 'winged' [Common]
alimentarius -a -um, 'relating to food, alimentary' [Rare]
alimentum -i, n., 'food as such, livelihood, food or fuel (for fire, thought, encouragement, nourishment)' [Common]
alimonium -i, n., 'nourishment'(Compare Engl. "alimony," used in a specific legal sense of financial support for an ex-spouse and/or children from a former marriage.)Not [Common]
alio adv., 'to another place; in another way' [Common]
alioqui (and alioquin) adv., 'otherwise, in another manner' [Freq.]
aliorsum (and aliorsus) adv., 'in another direction, elsewhere, (also) in another manner' [Freq.]
alipes -pedis, 'having wings on the feet'(Compare the 'talaria' of Mercury/Hermes.) [Common]
alipta (aliptes) -ae, m., 'wrestling coach'(Greek word) [Rare]
aliqua adv., 'by some road, in some way'(aliqua + via) [Common]
aliquam adv., 'in some other way, somewhat'(See aliquamdiu, aliquammultus) [Common]
aliquamdiu adv., 'for some time' [Common]
aliquammultus -a -um, 'considerable in number or quantity' [Common]
aliquando adv., 'at some time (whenever), at some time in the past; at some time in the future, at times, from time to time, sometimes, sometime'(Basically, an indefinite adv. based on a very loose time-concept.) [Freq.]
aliquantum -i, n., 'a little bit, a good bit, quite a bit'(Note the unusual progression from small to large.)Not [Common]
aliquantus -a -um, 'of some size [UnCommon]
aliquatenus adv., 'to a certain degree' [Common]
aliqui aliqua aliquod, 'some, any, some . . . or other' [VeryFreq.]
aliquis aliqua aliquid, 'some one . . . or other, a particular or certain (unnamed) person or thing, somebody, something' Note: Remember the silly, but useful, old verse: "After 'si,' 'nisi,' 'num,' and 'ne,' the 'quis' of 'aliquis' goes away." [VeryFreq.]
aliquo adv., 'in some direction or other, somewhere' [Common]
aliquot (indecl.), 'a number of . . . ; several; some' [VeryFreq.]
aliquoties (or aliquotiens) adv., 'several times' [Common]
alis alid (old forms of alius, aliud)alid see alisaliter adv., 'otherwise' [Freq.]
alium -i (or allium), n., 'garlic'(The -a- is long. See next.)Not [Common]
alius -a -um, 'other, the other; another'('Alius . . . alius . . . ,' "the one . . . the other . . . ," can be used in a matching pair, which is a very [Common]
construction. The -a- is short. See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
allium see alium aliusmodi adv., 'of another kind' [Freq.]
ALL-FOR WORDS BEGINNING ALL-, POSSIBLY SEE ADL-allabor -labi -lapsus sum (dep.), 'glide toward, sail toward' [Freq.]
allec see alecallicio -licere -lexi -lectum, 'entice, attract' [Freq.]
alligo -are, 'bind fast, tie up; constrain' [Freq.]
alloquor -loqui -locutus sum (dep.), 'speak to, address' [VeryFreq.]
almus -a -um, 'nourishing, (actually) breast-feeding; kindly, gentle'Note: The connection of the term, 'alma mater,' with one's old college is unsupported, or largely illusionary, since nowadays it is the other way around: the alumnus is expected to offer kindly support to his mother institution. [Common]
alnus -i, f., 'alder tree, wood; a ship's plank [UnCommon]
alo -ere -ui -tum (or -itum), 'nourish, support, nurture, allow to grow; sustain, encourage' [Freq.]
aloe -es, f., 'a plant with bitter medicinal taste' [Rare]
alsius -a -um, 'liable to harm from cold'(See algeo) [Rare]
alsus -a -um, 'cold, chilly' [Rare]
altaria -ium, n. pl., 'altars; the offerings burnt on altars' [Common]
alter -tera -terum, 'either (one . . . or the other) of a pair; second in a series; another; ('alter . . . alter . . .') the one, the other'Note: Latin often uses this word for "other" to mean "both." The idea seems to be this: If it is either the one or the other (and you don't have a preference), then it is both, since both are equally probable. This may be one of the partial reasons that the Romans never progressed toward algebra or Boolean logic, where distinctions of this sort are very important. [VeryFreq.]
altercatio -onis, f., 'dispute, altercation, debate' [Common]
altercor -ari (dep.), 'argue, discuss; debate' [Common]
alterno -are, 'alternate; first do one thing, then another; vacillate, wobble' [Common]
alternus -a -um, 'one after the other; alternating (i.e. skipping); mutual, reciprocating' [VeryFreq.]
alteruter -utra -utrum, 'one of a set of two' [Common]
altilis -e, 'raised for the table, for food; (as noun) a fat hen, capon [UnCommon]
altisonus -a -um, 'sounding from on high [UnCommon]
altitonans -antis, 'thundering from on high'(A formal adj. of Zeus/Juppiter.) [Rare]
altitudo -inis, f., 'height, high social position' [Freq.]
altivolans -ntis, 'flying high above, overhead' [Rare]
altor -oris, m., 'nourisher, foster-father [UnCommon]
altrinsecus adv., 'on the opposite, the other side' [Freq.]
altrix -icis, f., 'nourisher, foster-mother [UnCommon]
altrovorsum adv., 'on the other side' [Common]
altus -a -um, 'high, lofty (of thoughts, style, or the mountains); deep (of thoughts or the sea)'Note: English separates "high" and "deep," whereas Lat. 'altus' encompasses both ideas. [VeryFreq.]
alucinor -ari (dep.), 'wander (in mind), hallucinate; be crazy [UnCommon]
alumnus -a -um (adj. used as noun), 'nursling, foster-child; pupil' [Freq.]
aluta -ae, f., 'soft leather; a shoe, a purse; a leather patch [UnCommon]
alvearium -i, n., 'a beehive' [Rare]
alveolus -i, m., 'a bowl; dice board for playing' [Common]
alveus -i, m., 'boat'(See alvus) [Freq.]
alvus -i, f., '(any hollow, convex form) the stomach, womb; hull of a ship; hive of bees; any cavity'(See alveus) [Freq.]
amabilis -e, 'lovable, delightful' [Common]
amandatio -onis, f., 'banishment' [Rare]
amando -are, 'banish' [Rare]
amans -ntis (pres. ppl. from amo), 'lover'(This is the regular word, parallel to 'amator,' which is also used.) [Freq.]
amanuensis -is, m., 'secretary' [Rare]
amaracus -i, c. (and amaracum -i, n.), 'a sweet-smelling herbal plant'(Greek word) [Rare]
amaranthus -i, m., 'the plant amaranth'(Lit. meaning "un-withering," according to the Greek name) [Rare]
amarities -ei, f., 'bitterness [UnCommon]
amaritudo -inis, f., 'bitterness [UnCommon]
amaror -oris, f., 'bitterness' [Rare]
amarus -a -um, 'sharp and bitter, harsh (of sound); harsh, sarcastic' [Freq.]
amasiunculus -i, m., 'a gigolo, a paid male escort' [Rare]
amasius -i, m., 'a lover-boy (sarcastic)' [Rare]
amatio -onis, f., 'love-making, sexual intercourse' [Rare]
amator -oris, m., 'lover, friend; devotee, admirer'('Amans' is used as equivalent to this word.) [Freq.]
amatorius -a -um, 'pertaining to love or lovers, amatory' [Common]
amatrix -icis, f., 'female lover'(This is used as a negative term.) [Rare]
ambactus -i, m., 'a (Gaulish) retainer, bond-servant' [Rare]
ambages -um, f. pl., 'a round-about path, "beating around the bush," confusion; long-windedness'(In the sg., only abl., 'ambage' is actually used.) [Freq.]
ambedo -esse -edi -esum, 'eat around (of fire burning, water eroding, insects devouring) [UnCommon]
ambigo -ere, 'drive all around, contend, argue, be of uncertain mind about . . . ' [Freq.]
ambiguitas -tatis, f., 'uncertainty, ambiguity' [Rare]
ambiguus -a -um, 'uncertain, shifting, ambiguous' [Freq.]
ambio -ire -ivi (or- ii) -itum, 'go around, solicit, surround, encircle, wrap up, close up, embrace' [VeryFreq.]
ambitio -onis, f., 'act of going around (to canvass votes); ambition (real, but also boastful), favoritism' [Freq.]
ambitiosus -a -um, 'ambitious'Note: The word comes from canvassing for votes ('ambio -ire'), pointing to a basic characteristic of politicians of every age, who have to be "ambitious," or they would not be doing the "ambulatory" routine of canvassing.Not [Common]
ambitus -us, m., 'circular motion (geog., geometric perimeter, cycle time of stars); ambition, corruption, bribery'(See ambio) [Freq.]
ambo -ae -o, 'both (of any natural pair: eyes, ears, etc.); both political parties, both sides' [VeryFreq.]
ambrosia -ae, f., 'solid food of deities (as opposed to their liquid 'nectar'), a magic herbal'(Greek word: 'a' + 'brotos,' "im-mortal") [Freq.]
ambrosius -a -um, 'immortal' [Common]
ambubaia -ae, f., 'a (Syrian) female flautist'Note: Horace uses this word for a low-class, Syrian flute-playing hooker! [Rare]
ambulacrum -i, n., 'pathway for leisurely promenading' [Rare]
ambulatio -onis, f., 'a walk or walkway [UnCommon]
ambulatiuncula -ae, f., 'a nice little stroll' [Rare]
ambulator -oris, m., 'peddler who goes around on foot' [Rare]
ambulo -are, 'go strolling, walk around, parade around'Note: Compare old-fashioned Brit. "perambulator" [later abbreviated to "pram"], = Amer. "baby-carriage." [Common]
amburo -urere -ussi -ustum, 'burn, scorch, char'(Also used of the "burn" of frostbite) [Common]
amellus -i, m., 'the (flower) purple aster' [Rare]
amens -entis, 'out of one's mind, distracted; insane'(Compare 'demens') [Common]
amentia -ae, f., 'madness' [Common]
amento (or ammento) -are, 'add or use a throwing strap on a spear, shoot . . . , speed on its way' [Rare]
amentum (or ammentum) -i, n., 'a strap or thong'Note: The throwing strap, used with a stick or spear, was a well-known improvement to the regular thrown spear; it is still employed worldwide in many spear-using cultures. [Rare]
ames -itis, m., 'pole used with the bird-catching net' [Rare]
amethystus -i, f., 'amethyst (a semi-precious stone)'(Also, a non-alcoholic wine, based on the Greek etymology: 'a,' "not" + 'meth,' "drunk, inebriated")Not [Common]
amica -ae, f., 'female friend, girlfriend' [Freq.]
amfractus see anfractusamicio -micire -micui (or -mixi) -mictum, 'toss (a coat) around the shoulders; clothe, dress; dress up (verbally)' [Common]
amicitia -ae, f., 'friendship' [VeryFreq.]
amictus -us, m., 'mantle, coat, dress in general; "drapery" (used of sky, woods, clouds)' [Common]
amicula -ae, f., 'a little girlfriend' [Common]
amiculum -i, n., 'little jacket'(From 'amictus,' "garb") [Rare]
amicus -a -um, 'friendly, loyal, favorable, dear; (as noun) a friend, befriender; a lover' [VeryFreq.]
amigro -are, 'emigrate' [Rare]
amissio -onis, f., 'loss (fin., mental, or of a friend by death)' [Common]
amita -ae, f., 'aunt [UnCommon]
amitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'send away, dismiss, release, let slip, omit and forgive, lose (possessions in war, at law)' [VeryFreq.]
ammentum see amentumamnicola -ae, c., 'a person dwelling by the river' [Rare]
amnis -is, m., 'river' [Freq.]
amo -are, 'love, like, favor, have a good feeling toward . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
amoenitas -atis, f., 'pleasantness (specifically of places) [UnCommon]
amoenus -a -um, 'lovely to behold (of nature), pleasant and enjoyable (of art, music, culture)'Note: For example, 'locus amoenus' is a term used in Latin literary criticism. [Common]
amolior -iri (dep.), 'clear away, clear away an argument, etc.'('a' + 'moles,' "load, weight") [Common]
amomum -i, n., 'an ointment made with imported herbs'Note: Used for general annointing and specifically for corpses, as a preservative embalming grease. The word is borrowed from the Arabic, 'mumiya,' and has a base of natural asphalt, a material which has some light-sensitive properties. This may have been the material used on the Shroud of Turin, if it is genuine, but this seems questionable in l990 on the basis of some Carbon-14 tests done on strands submitted by the Church. [Common]
amor -oris, m., 'love, sexual love; a fondness, a liking for someone or something . . . '('Amor' = Cupid, son of Venus as a divine personality. See 'cupido' as a [Common]
noun.) [VeryFreq.]
amotio -onis, f., 'removal' [Common]
amoveo -movere -movi -motum, 'remove, put out of mind, allay a fear or suspicion' [Freq.]
amphibolia -ae, f., 'double meaning, double entendre'(Greek word) [Rare]
amphitheatrum -i, n., 'amphitheater [UnCommon]
amphora -ae, f., 'a large, earthenware storage-jar (holding about seven gallons)'(A Greek word and measure, which became part of Roman culture.) [Common]
amplector -plecti -plexus sum (dep.), 'embrace (physically, also mentally), "grasp" intellectually; include' [Freq.]
amplexor -ari (dep.), 'an embrace' [Common]
amplexus -us, m., 'embracing; inclusion' [Common]
amplificatio -onis, f., 'enlarging, amplification, rhetorical development "with all the frills"' [Common]
amplificator -oris, m., 'one who develops, extends (ideas, philosophy)' [Rare]
amplifico -are, 'increase, add and advance, loudly praise, develop (rhet.)' [Common]
amplio -are, 'enlarge, increase' [Common]
amplitudo -inis, f., 'size, bulk, amplitude' [Freq.]
amplius adv., 'more' [VeryFreq.]
amplus -a -um, 'big, large, ample' [VeryFreq.]
ampulla -ae, f., 'a small (balloon-shaped) bottle; flask' [Common]
ampullarius -i, m., 'a flask-maker' [Rare]
ampullor -ari (dep.), 'inflate, blow up in speaking'(See ampulla) [Rare]
amputatio -onis, f., 'pruning [UnCommon]
amputo -are, 'cut off, lop off (used of trees)' [Common]
amygdalum -i, n., 'almond' [Rare]
amystis -idis, f., 'drinking with one huge gulp'Note: Precisely the same as Amer. army-jargon, "chug-a-lug." [Rare]
an conj., '(direct questions) or; (indirect questions) whether, or' [VeryFreq.]
anabathrum -i, n., 'raised seat' [Rare]
anadema -atis, n., 'head-band'(Greek word) [Rare]
anagnostes -ae, m., 'a servant who reads aloud to you'(Greek word, from 'anagignosko,' "read aloud." See lippus.) [Rare]
analecta -ae, m., 'clean-up boy at the table'(Like the young sub-waiter in modern Greek restaurants.) [Rare]
analogia -ae, f., 'ratio, proportion; analogical reasoning [UnCommon]
anancaenum -i, n., 'a large cup from which one drinks an 'amystis''Note: Greek word, from 'anankaion,' "necessary," the necessity being to drain the whole draught at one gulp, i.e. "chug-a-lug." See 'amystis' and note. [Rare]
anapaestus -a -um, 'anapest (poet.)'(A sequence of "short-short-long" in poetic metrics.) [Rare]
anas anatis, f., 'a duck [UnCommon]
anaticula -ae, f., 'duckling' [Rare]
anatocismus -i, m., 'compound interest'Note: Greek word. Interest was regarded with suspicion in ancient times, despite a lively preoccupation with growth of funds in business. See 'faenus' and note. [Rare]
anceps -cipitis, 'two headed, Janus-like; (hence) uncertain, ambivalent' [Freq.]
ancile -is, n., 'a sacred "figure-eight"-shaped shield'(It was said to have fallen from the heavens in Roman mythology.) [Rare]
ancilla -ae, f., 'house maid, woman servant, attendant' [Common]
ancillariolus -i, m., 'a lecher after housemaids' [Rare]
ancillor -ari (dep.), 'serve (as a maid)' [Rare]
ancisus -a -um, 'cut, chopped up' [Rare]
ancora -ae, f., 'a ship's anchor; any hook' [Common]
ancorale -is, n., 'anchor cable' [Common]
andabata -ae, m., 'a gladiator who fought blindfolded' [Rare]
androgynus -i, m. (or androgyne -es, f.), 'a hermaphrodite (part man and part woman'Note: From Gr. 'andro-,' "male" and 'gyn-,' "female." The word is used for a variety of dieties characterized by having both male and female genitals. We see this as a defect of nature which must be surgically corrected, whereas the ancients regarded it as a holy manifestation to be marvelled at and worshipped. What is really demonstrated is the fact that both sexes have the same embryological origin as a female, out of which the male was formed, rather than the reverse version portrayed in the myth of Adam's rib. [Rare]
andron -nis, m., 'the mens' section of a house; a passageway'(From Gr. 'aner andros,' "man") [Rare]
anellus -i, m., 'finger ring [UnCommon]
anethum -i, m., 'the herb dill' [Rare]
anfractus -us, m., 'a bend, winding figure, coil, spiral; circumlocution in speech' [Common]
angellus -i, m., 'a very small angle'(See angulus) [Rare]
angina -ae, f., 'sore throat; possibly strep-throat'Note: Not Engl. 'angina,' which is associated with heart disease. However, heart attacks are often accompanied by a sensation of soreness at the back of the throat. [Common]
angiportum -i, n. (and angiportus -us, m.), 'lane, alley' [Common]
ango -ere, '(physically) choke, confine, vex' [Freq.]
angor -oris, m., 'choking (physical or emotional)' [Common]
anguicomus -a -um, 'having snaky hair'(See anguis) [Common]
anguifer -fera -ferum, 'snake-bearing'(See anguis) [Common]
anguigena -ae, f., 'snake-born' [Common]
anguilla -ae, f., 'an eel'(Incorrectly transferred from 'anguis,' "snake") [Common]
anguimanus -a -um, 'snake-handed'(Having hands which look like snakes, not the "hands" [?] of snakes.)Not [Common]
anguineus -a -um, 'of a snake, snaky [UnCommon]
anguinus -a -um, 'snaky' [Common]
anguipes -pedis, 'snake-footed'Note: This is an odd compound adjective, since the best known characteristic of snakes is their lack of feet! See anguimanus. [Rare]
anguis -is, c., 'snake' [VeryFreq.]
angulus -i, m., 'angle, corner' [Common]
angulatus -a -um, 'having angles, corners' [Rare]
angustiae -arum, f. pl., 'narrowness, confinement, scantiness (of money, breath, or words), financially "straightened circumstances"' [Common]
angusto -are, 'make narrow, confine [UnCommon]
angustus -a -um, 'narrow, tight, small, brief; poor, petty' [Freq.]
anhelatio see anhelitusanhelitus -us, m., 'puffing, shortness of breath' [Common]
anhelo -are, 'puff, breathe heavily' [Freq.]
anhelus -a -um, 'puffing, panting' [Rare]
anicula -ae, f., 'old woman [UnCommon]
anilis -e, 'belonging to or like an old woman' [Rare]
anilitas -atis, f., 'old age (of women)' [Rare]
anima -ae, f., 'breath; life, spirit, soul, ghost; the air, wind'(Used as "my soul, my love" in exclamations in love poetry.) [VeryFreq.]
animadversio -onis, f., 'notice, perception, attention'(animum + adverto) [Common]
animadversor -oris, m., 'an observer [UnCommon]
animadverto (or animadvorto) -vertere -verti -versum, 'notice, note, observe; perceive'(Lit., 'animum ad vertere,' "turn the mind toward, (hence) notice") [Freq.]
animal -alis, n., 'anything having an "anima"'Note: This word can apply to all living beings, not excluding the plant kingdom. Roman animism, as a religious code, included the plants as well as the animals, in its perception of the living world around human beings. [Common]
animans -antis, see animal [Rare]
animatio -onis, f., 'making alive' [Rare]
animo -are, 'blow air into, give life to, arouse' [Common]
animosus -a -um, 'full of 'anima' or 'animus,' i.e "spirited"' [Common]
animula -ae, f., 'the little soul' [Rare]
animus -i, m., 'the "rational" or thinking part of the mind; anger, courage, pride'Note: The 'animus' is probably near to our idea of the "conscious mind," seen as against the 'anima,' "the real soul" or "unconscious mind." [VeryFreq.]
annalis -e, 'yearly; (as pl. noun, 'Annales') annals, history volumes by the year'(Yearly history, as against trend-history, was a special Roman interest.) [Common]
anniversarius -a -um, 'recurring yearly, anniversary-wise [UnCommon]
annitor -niti -nisus sum (dep.), 'push hard, strain at . . . ' [Common]
anno -nare, 'swim up to' (See 'no, nare') [Freq.]
annona -ae, f., 'produce, marketable crops, especially wheat; the price-index of wheat and other farm products' [Common]
annotinus -a -um, 'just one year old' [Rare]
annosus -a -um, 'old, aged; full of years' [Common]
annuo -ere, 'nod to; give the nod (= "yes") to . . . 'Note: The ancients nodded sideways for "yes," up and down for "no," the opposite of our practice, and an indication of the mutability of what is often thought of as a human constant. But, in every part of the world, the human smile does seem to be universal, according to anthropologists. However, to chimps, it represents anger, which may say something about the often sharp edge of human humor. [Freq.]
annus -i, m., 'a year (solar), the course of a given historical year; a date by year; year of a human life; the year seen as composed of four seasons; (hence) the weather' [VeryFreq.]
annuus -a -um, 'yearly, annual' [Freq.]
anquiro -quirere -quisivi -quisitum, 'seek out carefully, make an inquiry; do a legal inquiry or investigation' [Common]
ansa -ae, f., 'handle of a cup, loop at the end of a rope, hook; an opportunity, the act of grasping an opportunity "by the horns"' (The 'ansa' represents anything one can get a handle or a grip on.) [Common]
ansatus -a -um, 'handled'(See ansa) [Rare]
anser -eris, m., 'goose'Note: Since geese are loud-voiced, vicious, and highly territorial, the Romans used them in place of watchdogs in temples. In ancient Thailand, Siamese cats were used in temples for the same purpose. [Common]
ante adv. and prep., '(acc. obj.) before, in front of' [VeryFreq.]
antea adv., 'before (in time)' [VeryFreq.]
anteambulo -onis, m., 'a servant who clears the way for an official'Note: Functioning as a private "police" escort, in a way. [Rare]
antecapio -capere -cepi -ceptum, 'grab first (actually), grab or "get it" (mentally); anticipate, forestall, grab onto first' [Common]
antecedo -cedere -cessi -cessum, 'walk before, precede; take precedence, excel; be older than, be better than' [Freq.]
antecello -ere, 'precede in excellence, surpass' [Common]
antecessio -ionis, f., 'logical antecedent' [Rare]
antecessor -oris, m., 'a military scout' [Rare]
antecursor -ris, m., 'forward scout (mil.)' [Freq.]
anteeo -ire -ivi (or -ii) -itum, 'precede, go ahead of' [Freq.]
anteferro -ferre -tuli -latum, 'put in front, prefer; anticipate' [Common]
antegredior -gredi -gressus sum (dep.), 'precede, go ahead or in front of . . . ' [Freq.]
antehabeo -ere, 'hold as first, prefer' [Rare]
antehac adv., 'before this (in time)' [VeryFreq.]
antelucanus -a -um, 'just before the dawn' [Rare]
antemeridianus -a -um, 'of the time before noon'Note: "Morning," or 'ante meridiem' (A.M.), and "noon," 'meridies,' come from 'medi-dies,' "mid-day,'phonetically altered by dissimilation of the two -d-'s into -r- + -d-. [Rare]
antemitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'send on before' [Common]
antepes -dis, m., 'the forefoot of an animal (quadruped)' [Rare]
antemna (antenna) -ae, f., 'rope on a ship's sail; sheet (naut.)'Note: An insect's string-like "antennae" are the same word, specialized in meaning. [Freq.]
anteoccupatio -onis, f., 'anticipation of an opponent's argument line (in rhetoric)' [Rare]
antepilani -orum, m., 'the front-line soldiers'('ante + pilum,' "spear") [Common]
antepono -ponere -posui -positum, 'put before (physically), give preference to . . . ' [Common]
antepotens see omnipotensantequam conj., 'before'Note: This word is compounded from 'ante + quam,' but the two are often severed in long sentences: ante . . . quam . . . , which means literally, "first (this will happen), then (something else will happen)." In such situations, "before" is not a sufficient translation. [VeryFreq.]
antes -ium, m., 'rows of plants; rows of soldiers' [Rare]
antesignanus -i, m., 'leader; (pl.) front-line troops'(From signum)Not [Common]
antesto (antisto) -stare -steti, 'stand before; precede, surpass'(From ante + sto)Not [Common]
antestor -ari (dep.), 'call as a witness (leg.)'(From 'testis,' "witness")Not [Common]
antevenio -venire -veni -ventum, 'come first, forestall, excel' [Common]
anteverto (-vorto) -vertere -verti -versum, 'go first, forestall, outweigh [UnCommon]
anticipatio -onis, f., 'preconception' [Rare]
anticipo -are, 'get the lead, anticipate, perform (early); have an idea' [Rare]
anticus -a -um, 'anterior' (As opposed to "posterior") [Rare]
antidotum -i, n., 'an antidote'(Greek word) [Rare]
antiquarius -a -um, 'a student of the past, an ancient-historian' [Rare]
antiquitas -tatis, f., 'oldness, men of older times, antiquity, Ancient History, customs of ancient times' [Common]
antiquitus adv., 'in olden times' [Common]
antiquo -are, 'reject, block, "table" a bill'(That is, leave it in its "original" ('antiquus') state, i.e. unpassed.)Not [Common]
antiquus -a -um, 'old, ancient, living long ago, prehistoric, time-honored, old-time, old-fashioned; ( Rarely) out-of-date'Note: The word is generally honorific, reflecting the Romans' lack of a compulsive sense of Progress, such as ours. The modern cultist youth-culture tends to damage old notions and older people's social standing. [VeryFreq.]
antistes -stitis, c., 'one who presides, a priest, teacher, or patron [UnCommon]
antitheton -i, n., 'antithesis'(Greek word) [Rare]
antlia -ae, f., 'bilge pump on a boat; farm pump (for slaves' operation)'(Greek word, 'antlos,' "bilge") [Rare]
antrum -i, n., 'a cave, grotto, abode of an oracle, den of wild animals; any hollow space' [Freq.]
anulus -i, m., 'a finger ring, signet, ring as sign of equestrian order; a ring-shaped piece of metal, chain link, ringlet of hair'(See next) [Freq.]
anus -i, m., 'a ring or circle; the anus'(The -a- is long. See next.)Note: In Latin, this is not used derogatorily for a person like the modern English "asshole." But 'mentula' is used for a real "prick" by Catullus. [Common]
anus -us, f., 'old woman, senile old crone; (often) witch, sorceress'(The -a- is short. See prev.) Note: Petronius puns on this and the previous word in a rather gross passage. [Freq.]
anxietas -tatis, f., 'extreme care, worry [UnCommon]
anxifer -fera -ferum, 'causing worry' [Rare]
anxitudo -dinis, f., 'anxiety, angst' [Rare]
anxius -a -um, 'worried, anxious; meticulously careful' [Freq.]
apage interj., 'away! be off! scram!'(Gr. 'apage,' 'ap-' + 'age,' "be off." Use is mainly in early authors [Plautus, Terence]; the word is replaced by 'abite' in later Latin.)Not [Common]
aper apri, m., 'wild boar (pig); roast pig as food, the Boar used as a military standard ( [Rare]
)'Note: The boar is a dangerous animal to hunt; he must be lifted aloft by a spear jammed into his chest, so he comes down on the spear and impales himself. Jaguars in Brazil are hunted in the same way. [Common]
aperio -ire -ui -tum, 'open up (of a door or wall), evacuate land for building, clear a path or roadway; slit open; uncover (the body); open eyes or mouth, open up a process or project, elucidate a story or argument'Note: The drink called an "apertif" is intended to open the esophagus before dinner! [VeryFreq.]
aperto -are, 'open up, uncover' [Rare]
apex -icis, m., 'tip-top, highest point, summit, apex; priest's headdress, king's crown; bird's crest' [Common]
aphractus -i, f., 'an open boat' [Rare]
apicatus -i, m., 'wearing the priest's headdress (mitre)'(See apex) [Rare]
apinae -arum, f., 'little nothings, trifles' [Rare]
apis (apes) -is, f., 'a bee'(Also the [Rare]
diminutive, 'apicula.' See 'fucus' for the "drone.") [Common]
apiscor apisci aptus sum (dep.), 'get, obtain, grasp (mentally); win (legally)' [Common]
apium -i, n., 'parsley (perhaps celery?)'Note: Identification of many ancient plants is often difficult. D'Arcy Thompson's book, "Greek Plants" [1906], which goes into the ancient materials which aid in identification of plants, is still a classic. [Rare]
aplustre -is, n., 'a decorated ship's stern' [Rare]
apocolocyntosis 'turning into a pumpkin or gourd'Note: The Greek title of Seneca's hilarious lampoon on the Emperor Claudius, his "Gourdification." This is a [Rare]
example of a Roman writer being genuinely witty in lampooning humor. Text with translation can be found at the back of the Loeb edition of Petronius. [Rare]
apologus -i, m., 'a story, fable'(With no traces of Engl. "apology" or of Gr. 'apologia,' meaning "legal defense.") [Rare]
apophoreta -orum, n., 'things to be taken away; memento gifts for dinner-guests'(Greek word) [Rare]
apoproegemena -orum, n. pl., 'things that are rejected'(Stoic philosophical term, from the Greek) [Rare]
aposiopesis -is, f., 'silencing off; the rhetorical term for breaking off a sentence for dramatic effect'(Gr. 'apo' + 'siope,' "silence") [Rare]
apotheca -ae, f., 'wine-cellar, cupboard for food storage' [Rare]
apparatio -onis, f., 'careful preparation' [Rare]
apparatus -a -um, 'prepared, ornate, decorated'(See next) [Common]
apparatus -us, m., 'provisioning, sumptuousness, paraphernalia; an instrument (not musical), machinery, equipment (mil.)'(See prev.) [Freq.]
appareo -ere -ui -itum, 'appear, show up, become evident or clear'(The impersonal use of 'apparet,' "it is clear that . . . " [with indirect discourse] is fairly [Common]
.) [Freq.]
appario -ere, 'acquire' [Rare]
apparitio -onis, f., 'service, preparation; service = the servants [UnCommon]
apparitor -oris, m., 'clerk to a magistrate' [Rare]
apparo -are, 'prepare, get ready, outfit; prepare, plan to . . . ' [Freq.]
appellatio -onis, f., 'a formal addressing [UnCommon]
appellator -oris, m., 'a person who appeals (leg.)' [Rare]
appellito -are, 'call repeatedly' [Rare]
appello -are, 'speak to, apply to, address, make a (legal) appeal; call by name' (Compare 'nuncupo' for meaning of "calling by name." See next.) [VeryFreq.]
appello (adpello) -pellere -puli -pulsum, 'drive, move, turn to . . . '(Literally, 'ad' + 'pello,' "drive." See prev.) [Freq.]
appendix -icis, f., 'an addition; the appendix'(Literally, something that "hangs onto" something else; hence, the vestigial human organ, the "appendix.")Not [Common]
appetentia -ae, f. (and appetitio -onis, f.), 'appetite for something; desire, act of reaching after [UnCommon]
appetitio -onis, f., 'appetite for something; seeking, reaching after [UnCommon]
appetitus -us, m., 'appetite for something; reaching after [UnCommon]
appeto -ere -ivi (or -ii ) -itum, 'reach out for, seek, desire, seek (in marriage, as a friend), attack, tackle (a job); reach out and get (i.e. import)' [VeryFreq.]
appingo -pingere -pinxi -pictum, 'add on (in painting); paint over [UnCommon]
applaudo -plaudere -plausi -plausum, 'strike at; applaud, clap the hands [UnCommon]
applicatio -onis, f., 'the act of joining; the relationship between a patron and a client (leg.)' [Rare]
applico -are -avi -atum (and -ui -itum), 'place near or beside, bring (ships) in close, bind in friendship, adapt, make suitable' [Freq.]
applicatus -a -um (ppl. from applico), 'placed over, situated (geog.)' [Common]
apploro -are, 'cry for, lament' [Rare]
appono -ponere -posui -positum, 'place near, serve food, apply (medicine, force); assign someone (a position)' [VeryFreq.]
apporrectus -a -um, 'stretched out beside' [Rare]
apporto -are, 'bring forth, take someone (somewhere), bring news, betake oneself to . . . ' [Common]
apposco -ere, 'ask in addition' [Rare]
appotus -a -um, 'drunk, soused, inebriated'Note: There are enough Latin words for inebriation to point to alcoholism as a regular feature of Roman society, despite the fact that wine was always mixed with an equal quantity or more of water, and no wine could be fermented with more than 10% alcohol. Apparently, the tolerance to alcohol was different from ours. [Rare]
apprecor -ari (dep.), 'pray to . . . ' [Rare]
apprehendo -hendere -hendi -hensum, 'lay hands on, grasp, seize (leg.), seize as a topic of discussion' [Common]
apprime adv., 'especially, most of all [UnCommon]
apprimo -primere -pressi -pressum, 'press on, hold tight, clench the teeth [UnCommon]
approbatio -onis, 'approval; a decision, proof [UnCommon]
approbator -oris, m., 'an approver' [Rare]
approbo -are, 'prove good, demonstrate as "OK," approve' [Common]
appromitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'promise in addition'(ad + promitto) [Rare]
appropero -are, 'hurry up, hurry on along, perform hurriedly' [Common]
appropinquo -are, 'approach, be close to' [Common]
appugno -are, 'attack' [Rare]
appulsus -us, m., 'the act of bringing in close [UnCommon]
apricatio -onis, f., 'act of sun-bathing'(See apricus) [Rare]
apricor -ari (dep.), 'sun oneself, sunbathe' [Rare]
apricus -a -um, 'sunny, warmed by the sun'(Only physically, never of warmth or sunniness of personality.) [Common]
aprugnus -a -um, 'of a boar'(See aper) [Rare]
apto -are, 'fit together, join, join together' [Freq.]
aptus -a -um, 'well-adjusted, fitting, suitable; put in place, fit together, prepared; adapted (of a thing, or the mind)' [Freq.]
apud prep., '(acc. obj.) at, near, or in somebody's house (like Fr. 'chez'); among . . . (a people), in (a country or a book); in the care of, in the power of, on the part of'(These various meanings center on the idea of presence, whether it is in a place, country, someone's house, a book, etc.) [VeryFreq.]
aqua -ae, f., 'water'(With a special adj. naming the course, or the 'ductus,' this word is used to form "aqueduct." See next.) [VeryFreq.]
aquaeductus -us, m., 'aqueduct'(Actually, a compounded phrase retaining the gen. sg. ending of 'aquae' + 'ductus') [Common]
aquarius -a -um, 'pertaining to water supply; (as noun) a waterworks employee, water carrier, the zodiac constellation and sign Aquarius' [Rare]
aqualicius -i, m., 'water-pot; potbelly' [Rare]
aquatio -onis, f., 'act of drawing water; a well' [Rare]
aquator -oris, m., 'a water carrier' [Rare]
aquila -ae, f., 'eagle, the constellation Aquila, eagle as standard of a legion (mil.); a gable ( [Rare]
)'(See 'aquilus' for an entirely different word.) [Freq.]
aquilifer -fera -ferum, 'bearing the "eagle" (military standard)' [Freq.]
aquilo -onis, m., 'NE or NNE wind; bad weather from the north'Note: From 'aquilus,' "dark," rather than 'aquila,' "eagle," although the "un-etymological" Romans wouldn't have thought so. The word refers to the darkening cloud formations of the North which usher in a storm. [Common]
aquilonius -a -um, 'northern' [Rare]
aquilus -a -um, 'dark-colored; dusky; having a dark complexion [UnCommon]
aquor -ari (dep.), 'draw water [UnCommon]
aquosus -a -um, 'watery, well-watered; (of weather) rainy' [Common]
aquula -ae, f., 'rivulet; stream' [Rare]
ara -ae, f., 'a raised base used for an altar; divine protection; the constellation Ara ( [Rarely); any altar-like rock or location' [VeryFreq.]
arabarches -es, m., 'an Egyptian tax-collector'(A Greek word, used with contempt. Compound of 'arabs' + 'archon.') [Rare]
aranea -ae, f., 'a spider; a spider's web' [Common]
araneola -ae, f. (and araneolus -i, m.), see araneaaraneus -i, m., 'a spider' [Rare]
araneum -i, n., 'a spider's web [UnCommon]
aratio -onis, f., 'act of ploughing; a plowed field' [Rare]
aratiuncula -ae, f., 'a little piece of plough-land; a small estate' [Rare]
arator -oris, m., 'one who plows, a farmer [UnCommon]
aratrum -i, n., 'plow'Note: It was made of wood with a metal tip, pulled by ox or horse, and light enough to be turned over and dragged when not plowing. It was used for the thin tilth of Mediterranean lands, which don't require deep turning over, whereas the wheeled plow was developed for northern areas of Europe, which have heavy, clay soils. [Common]
arbiter -tri, m., 'an onlooker, an overseer, arbitrator, judge'Note: This word is questionably used as the "title" of the novelist, Petronius, the evidence resting on one passage in Tacitus, which describes the Bohemian life of an unconventional Roman, who was, however, an able administrator and 'arbiter elegantiarum' at Nero's court. But Tacitus makes no reference to his writings, let alone the 'Satyricon' or anything in a novelistic style. Petronius was an old and [Common]
Roman name; there are over thirty Petronii listed in Pauly-Wissowa, and in this case we do not even have a praenomen. The title, 'Arbiter,' should not be assigned automatically to the author of the 'Satyricon,' who was probably not the man mentioned by Tacitus. [Rare]
arbitra -ae, f., 'a female witness' [Rare]
arbitrarius -a -um, 'discretionary, arbitrary [UnCommon]
arbitratus -us, m., 'deciding, decision-making'(Compare 'arbitrium' [next], which is a much more legal word.) [Rare]
arbitrium -i, n., 'decision, choice, jurisdiction (leg.), control; wishes, inclination; observation, supervision' [Freq.]
arbitro -are (and arbitror -ari, dep.), 'judge, consider, decide, think' [Freq.]
arbor (arbos) -oris, f., 'tree, wood; wooden objects (mast, beam, spar, etc.)' [VeryFreq.]
arboreus -a -um, 'tree-like, wooden' [Common]
arbuscula -ae, f., 'shrub' [Common]
arbustum -i, n., 'woods, forest, a plantation' [Common]
arbutum -i, n., 'fruit of the "arbutus," strawberry'(See next) [Rare]
arbutus -i, f., 'wild strawberry' [Rare]
arca -ae, f., 'a box, a money box, a simple coffin-box; jail-cell' [Common]
arcanum -i, n., 'mystery' (See next) [Common]
arcanus -a -um, 'secret, hidden, mysterious, arcane'(From 'arca,' "box") [Freq.]
arceo -ere -ui, 'keep closed up, keep away, keep at a distance, separate, prevent, try to prevent' [Freq.]
arcessitus -a -um, 'summoned up, demanded; imported, foreign' [Rare]
arcessitor -oris, m., 'a man who delivers a legal summons, a summons-server' [Rare]
arcesso (accerso) -ere -ivi -itum, 'summon up (mil., leg.); order, import; bring about (death, misfortune, tears, etc.)' [Freq.]
archetypus -a -um, 'an original (manuscript); a genuine, true copy' [Rare]
arch- The Greek term for any "head or leading person," used in a compound in Latin as first element. For examples, browse through the next words in this series.archimagirus -i, m., 'head cook' [Rare]
archimimus -i, m., 'head clown' [Rare]
archipirata -ae, m., 'chief pirate' [Rare]
architecton -onis, m., 'master-builder' [Freq.]
architector -ari (dep.), 'build, devise [UnCommon]
architector (architecton) -oris, m., 'master-builder; architect' [Common]
architectura -ae, f., 'architecture' [Common]
architectus -i, m., 'an architect, master-builder; any inventor, maker' [Freq.]
archon -ontis, m., 'an archon, the Athenian magistrate [UnCommon]
arcitenens -entis, 'holding the bow'(See 'arcus,' "bow," an attribute of Artemis, Apollo, and constellation Sagittarius.)Not [Common]
arctous -a -um, 'northern; referring to the constellation Bear' [Common]
arcula -ae, f., 'small box'(See arca) [Common]
arcularius -i, m., 'box maker; cabinetmaker' [Rare]
arcus -us, m., 'a bow (for arrows), an arch, anything curved or arch-shaped'('Arcus pluvius' is the "rainy-bow" = English "rainbow." See pluvius.) [Freq.]
ardalio -onis, m., 'busybody; fussbudget' [Rare]
ardea -ae, f., 'a heron' [Rare]
ardens -ntis, 'glowing, gleaming, eager, zealous, passionate' [Common]
ardeo ardere arsi arsum, 'be on fire, burn, glow, gleam; be eager to, be "hot" for; be "burned up" at' [VeryFreq.]
ardesco -escere, 'catch fire; become enraged, passionate, violent' [Common]
ardor -oris, m., 'burning, gleam, flash, heat; eagerness; a love-and-hate passion' [Freq.]
arduus -a -um, 'high (mountains), steep (ascent); difficult; sublime, lofty' [Freq.]
area -ae, f., 'an open space, flat and clear space, an area'Note: Used for a threshing floor, a garden plot, the space before a temple and a playground. It can be used for any open space of any size, from a civic forum to the bald patch on a man's head. [Common]
arefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'make dry, dry up'(areo + facio)Not [Common]
arena see harena(See area)areo -ere, 'be dry, dehydrated, thirsty, parched; be dried up (of feeling) [Common]
areola -ae, f., 'courtyard' [Rare]
aresco -escere, 'become dry, become dried-up' [Common]
aretalogus -i, m., 'a teller of miracle-stories'Note: A Greek word, from 'arete,' as the Homeric history of a hero, not yet in the developed sense of 'arete' as "virtue." It is surprising that this ancient usage of the word survived into 2nd century A.D. [Rare]
argentarius -a -um, 'of silver, silvery; moneyed, financial; (as noun) a banker' [Common]
argentatus -a -um, 'silvered, decorated with silver; supplied with money' [Rare]
argenteus -a -um, 'silvered, silvery; financial' [Common]
argentum -i, n., 'silver; coin, money'('Argentum' can be seen as metal, but also as money; both uses are fairly [Common]
.) [Common]
argila -ae, f., 'clay'Note: Clay is the most widely used material in the Roman world, filling much of the place we reserve for plastics. Important uses include pottery, a traditional art and craft dating back to the Mesopotamian and Indus Valley beginnings of civilization, and the making of bricks, which became a major Roman industry and the property of persons associated with the Imperial household. Rome was built basically of bricks, then veneered with half-inch thick marble slices, just as we do on concrete and steel office buildings. [Freq.]
argumentatio -onis, f., 'arguing, proving [UnCommon]
argumentor -ari (dep.), 'argue, prove by argumentation [UnCommon]
argumentum -i, n., 'argument, proof, motive, basis; theme, story; an illustration in a work of art' [Freq.]
arguo -ere -i -tum, 'make clear, show up, prove out as . . . , convict (leg.), refute (rhet.), criticize' [Freq.]
argutus -a -um, 'sharp-sounding, crisp-sounding; clear-voiced; pungent (of smell or taste); babbling, eloquent, shrewd (mentally)'(Behind all uses of this word lies the basic idea of a crisp, snapping sound.) [Freq.]
argutatio -onis, f., 'a rustling sound [UnCommon]
argutiae -arum, f. pl., 'adroitness of verbal style, wit, pleasantry, clever refinement' [Common]
argutulus -a -um, 'rather acute' [Rare]
aridulus -a -um, 'somewhat dry' [Rare]
aridus -a -um, 'dry, arid (used of land, crops); harsh-voiced, mean, poor; physically desiccated; verbally "dry"'(But not of "dry" wit, for which see 'sal, salsum.') [Freq.]
aries -ietis, m., 'ram (a male sheep), battering-ram (mil.), zodiac constellation Aries; the "Golden Fleece"' [Common]
arietatio -onis, f., 'head-ramming of sheep, goats; butting' [Rare]
arietinus -us, m., 'chick-pea' [Rare]
arieto -are, 'act like a battering-ram' [Common]
arista -ae, f., 'the hair on corn (corn-silk), the fuzz on any grain in flower; any ear of grain'Note: It is also used to describe what we call "goose-pimples" on frightened or sexually aroused humans. [Common]
aristolochia -ae, f., 'a medical herb (used in child-birthing)' [Rare]
arithmeticus -a -um, 'pertaining to arithmetic, the art of reckoning' [Rare]
arma -orum, n. pl., 'weapons, arms, military force, troops, defenses (mil.); equipment (naval, military and hunting)' [VeryFreq.]
armamenta -orum, n. pl., 'equipment on a ship, tackle, any implements' [Common]
armamentarium -i, n., 'a military arsenal' [Rare]
armarium -i, n., 'cupboard, bookcase, storage cabinet [UnCommon]
armatu adv., 'in arms, with armament'(Used as abl. sg. only, as if supine in '-u.')Not [Common]
armatura -ae, f., 'equipment [UnCommon]
armentalis -e, 'of a herd of animals'(See armentum)Not [Common]
armentarius -i, m., 'herdsman'(See armentum) [Rare]
armentum -i, n., 'a herd of cattle; a single (herd) animal'(Specifically, used of domesticated herd animals, the tamed ungulates.) [Freq.]
armifer -fera -ferum, 'bearing arms [UnCommon]
armiger -gera -gerum, 'bearing arms [UnCommon]
armilla -ae, f., 'bracelet; a ring-like metal band [UnCommon]
armipotens -entis, 'powerful in arms [UnCommon]
armisonus -a -um, 'resounding with arms' [Rare]
armo -are, 'outfit with arms, equip, put into the field (mil.), incite to war, to arm-up, strengthen' [Freq.]
armus -i, m., 'shoulder of beef; a man's shoulder [UnCommon]
aro -are, 'plow, plow up, cultivate land, (also) wrinkle the brow, plow the sea'Note: This word, drawn from the world of agriculture, is often used with sexual symbolism, the "plow" representing the male sexual role, and the 'sulcus' or "furrow" the female. This was felt to be an acceptable figure for poetic use and in no way obscene. [VeryFreq.]
arquatus -a -um, 'suffering from jaundice, yellowed by hepatitis'Note: The med. use of this word is indirectly drawn from the noun, 'arcuspluvius,' "the rainbow," which has an orange-yellow color at one end of the optical spectrum. The Romans had no sense of the polychrome quality of sunlight, which was not to be analysed until well into the 17th century.Not [Common]
arrabo -onis, m., 'a deposit of money on a purchase [UnCommon]
arrigo see adrigoarripio see adripioarrodo see adrodoarrogo see adrogoarroganter adv., 'arrogantly' [Common]
arrogantia -ae, f., 'arrogance, insolence' [Common]
ars artis, f., 'skill, technical craft, craft (of a worker, painter, poet); body of knowledge; profession, method'Note: 'Ars' is not equivalent to Engl. "Art" or "the arts," for which there is strangely no exact Latin or Greek term, the ancient focus being on the craft of the artist, rather than his psychological orientation. In the l9th century, "Art" took on a new meaning, which was personal, experimental, and psychological in spirit, something the ancients were aware of, but did not see fit to verbalize. For examples of the Roman craft-sense of art, see the 'Ars Poetica' of Horace as an example of a literary treatise, or the 'Ars Amatoria' of Ovid, an early example of a clever lover's manual in verse. [VeryFreq.]
arteria -ae, f., 'trachea, windpipe; vascular artery' [Rare]
arthriticus -a -um, 'rheumatic, arthritic' [Rare]
articulatim adv., 'limb by limb; piece by piece' [Rare]
articulo -are, 'divide into parts, articulate (clearly)' [Rare]
articulus -i, m., 'joint of the body; juncture in time; clause of a sentence; pronoun' [Freq.]
artifex -ficis, m., 'craftsman, workman, actor, creator'(Also used as an adj., meaning "clever, productive") [Common]
artificiosus -a -um, 'technically proficient; artificial' [Common]
artificium -i, n., 'craft, skill, cleverness; a work of art' [Freq.]
arto -are, 'pull in together, wedge in, cramp, pack in, compress; encompass'(See the adj., 'artus') [Freq.]
artolaganus -i, m., 'a rich cookie or cake'(Greek word) [Rare]
artopta -ae, m., 'a bread pan' [Rare]
artus (arctus) -us, m., 'joint of a body, arm, leg, limb; (pl.) the body'(See next) [Freq.]
artus -a -um, 'narrow, tight, dense'(See prev.) [Freq.]
arula -ae, f., 'an altar'(A diminutive of 'ara,' "altar") [Rare]
arund- see harund-arvina -ae, f., 'lard'(Borrowed from Gr. 'arbinna') [Rare]
arvum -i, n., 'a ploughed field, farmland, countryside' [Common]
arx -cis, f., 'citadel, a fortress, fort; the tip-top (of anything); retreat, asylum' [VeryFreq.]
as assis, m., 'a penny (copper), a pound weight; a unit' [Freq.]
ascaules -is, m., 'man who plays on the "bag-flute," a bagpiper'Note: Gr. 'askos,' "bag," + 'aulos,' "flute." The bagpipe is a very ancient European instrument, pictured in artwork of the 3rd millennium B.C., and clearly not restricted to the Highlands of Scotland. [Rare]
ascendo -scendere -scendi -scensum, 'climb up (a hill), move up; embark on a ship; mount, rise (of a river)' [Freq.]
ascensio -onis, f., 'rising up, progress' [Rare]
ascensus -us, m., 'rising up, progress, advancement' [Common]
ascia -ae, f., 'an axe' [Rare]
ascio -ire, 'take on as staff (of aides)' [Rare]
ascisco asciscere ascivi ascitum, 'take on, take over; take an opinion, adopt a policy' [Freq.]
ascopa -ae, f., 'wallet, purse' [Rare]
ascribo ascribere ascripsi ascriptum, 'add on in writing, enroll, ascribe, assign, attribute . . . ' [Freq.]
ascripticius -a -um, 'enrolled as supernumerary' [Rare]
ascriptio -onis, f., 'post-script' [Rare]
ascriptivus -a -um, 'enrolled as a supernumerary' [Rare]
ascriptor -oris, m., 'seconder (of a motion)' [Rare]
asella -ae, f., 'female donkey, female ass (the animal)' [Rare]
asellus -i, m., 'ass (the animal)' [Rare]
asilus -i, m., 'horse-fly, gad-fly' [Rare]
asinus -i, m., 'donkey, ass; a fool' [Common]
asotus -i, m., 'libertine'(Greek word) [Rare]
asparagus -i, m., 'asparagus' [Rare]
aspargo see aspergoaspectabilis -e, 'visible, worth seeing' [Rare]
aspecto -are, 'look at, look at respectfully; face toward (geog.)' [Common]
aspectus -us, m., 'seeing, vision, appearance (of face), a supernatural vision' [Freq.]
aspello -ere, 'banish' [Common]
asper -era -erum, 'rough to the touch, jagged, harsh, rough (of roads, terrain, seas, newly-minted coins); violent, cruel, harsh in personality or speech, oppressive, unpleasant'Note: The analgesic "aspirin" was so named because of its presumed ability to take off the harsh edges of pain. [VeryFreq.]
aspere adv., 'harshly, roughly' [Common]
aspergo (aspargo) -spergere -spersi -spersum, 'sprinkle, bespatter, cast "aspersions" on, slur; add a sprinkling (in cooking); diversify' [Freq.]
asperitas -tatis, f., 'roughness, harshness, violence'(See asper) [Freq.]
aspernatio -onis, f., 'spurning, rejection' [Rare]
aspernor -ari, 'spurn, despise' [Freq.]
aspero -are, 'make rough, harsh, violent' [Common]
aspersio -onis, f., 'a sprinkling of coloring, an even sprinkling' [Rare]
aspersus -us, m., 'a sprinkling' [Rare]
aspicio -spicere -spexi -spectum, 'look at, see, spy' [VeryFreq.]
aspiro -are, 'breath, blow (of winds); infuse an idea or emotion, favor, influence; pant after with longing' [Common]
aspis -idis, f., 'asp'(The highly poisonous, North African snake) [Common]
asportatio -onis, f., 'removal' [Rare]
asporto -are, 'carry away, remove' [Common]
aspretum -i, n., 'a piece of rough ground'(See asper) [Rare]
ASS- FOR WORD BEGINNING WITH ASS- POSSIBLY SEE ADS-assa -ae, f., 'nurse'(See next) [Rare]
assa -ae, f., 'sauna'(See prev.) [Rare]
assentio -sentire -sensi -sensum, 'agree, give assent' [Freq.]
assequor -sequi -secutus sum (dep.), 'follow up; pursue' [Freq.]
asser -eris, m., 'beam, pole [UnCommon]
asservo -are, 'guard, watch' [Freq.]
assido -sidere -sedi -sessum, 'be seated, sit down' [Common]
assiduitas -tatis, f., 'assiduity, persistence' [Common]
assiduus -a -um, 'constant, [Freq.]
; persistent' [Common]
assimilis -e, 'like, similar to . . . ' [Common]
assuefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'train, domesticate, make . . . get used to . . . ' [Common]
assuesco -escere -evi -etum, 'get used to, become accustomed to . . . ' [Common]
assula -ae, f., 'a shaving, a chip' [Rare]
assultus -us, m., 'leaping upon, assault' [Freq.]
assurgo -surgere -surrexi -surrectum, 'rise up' [Common]
assus -a -um, 'dried, roasted' [Rare]
ast see atasto -are, 'stand by, stand ready at hand'(ad + sto) [Common]
astrologia -ae, f., 'Astronomy; Astrology'Note: In the Greco-Roman period, it is impossible to separate these two branches of thought. Astrology dominated people in the ancient world for millennia and is still active today, although without scientific or rational basis. Our names of the weekdays, as well as the seven-day week itself, are astrological in origin. Perhaps, the greatest obstacle to the development of Science in the Roman world was the immense popularity of Astrology.Not [Common]
astrologus -i, m., 'an astronomer or astrologer [UnCommon]
astrum -i, m., 'star, planet, constellation; the heavens' [Freq.]
astu (acc. and abl.) n., 'the old central city of Athens'(Greek word. See next.) [Rare]
astus -us, m., 'cleverness, cunning (often unscrupulous)'(See prev.) [Common]
astutia -ae, f., 'cleverness' [Common]
astutus -a -um, 'clever, crafty' [Common]
asylum -i, n., 'sanctuary'Note: But not quite the same as our use of the word, "asylum," for a mental hospital, which is often no sanctuary at all for the mentally ill. [Common]
asymbolus -a -um, '"scot-free"; contributing nothing toward entertainment costs' [Rare]
at (ast) conj., 'but, yet, moreover' [VeryFreq.]
at atatt att attat attatae attattatae(All exclamations of surprise, used only in comedy.) [Common]
atavus -i, m., 'forefather, ancestor [UnCommon]
ater atra atrum, 'black, dark, stained, funereal, dreadful, gloomy' [VeryFreq.]
atheus (atheos) -i, m., 'atheist, "god-less" person'(Greek word, 'a' + 'theos')Not [Common]
athleta -ae, m., 'athlete; expert, prize-winner' [Common]
athletice adv., 'athletically [UnCommon]
athleticus -a -um, 'relating to an athlete [UnCommon]
atomus -i, f., 'atom'Note: This word, borrowed from Greek, is the origin of our "atom." It was a very important word for Lucretius, who develops a complex atomic theory following the Greek "atomist" philosophers. It is reasonable to wonder if Dalton and the scientists of the l9th century would have been as adroit as they were in developing atomic theory, if they had not been preceded by generations of Greek "intellectual atomists," with whose work they were well-acquainted, as part of the humanist tradition.Not [Common]
atque (ac) conj., 'and, and also, and indeed' [VeryFreq.]
atqui adv., 'nonetheless, to be sure' [VeryFreq.]
atramentum -i, n., 'black pigment [UnCommon]
atratus -a -um, 'clothed in black for mourning' [Rare]
atriensis -is, m., 'major-domo, head butler'(See atrium) [Common]
atriolum -i, n., 'antechamber' [Rare]
atritas -tatis, f., 'blackness' [Rare]
atritus -a -um, 'blackened'(From ater) [Rare]
atrium -i, n., 'foyer, anteroom, office, house'Note: The name of this room comes from 'ater,' "black," a characteristic of the central room in early Roman huts, which had a smoke hole in the roof for the central fire. Although the room got a little brighter as houses grew in size and the fire was moved to a kitchen and replaced with a pool to catch rain, the original name remained. [Common]
atrocitas -tatis, f., 'horror, barbarousness; severity' [Common]
atrociter adv., 'horribly' [Common]
atrox -ocis, 'terrible, awful, atrocious' [Freq.]
attactus -us, m., 'sense of touch; touching [UnCommon]
attagen -enis, m., 'partridge, grouse'(Very possibly, any edible game bird, since bird identifications in the ancient world are fairly uncertain.) [Rare]
attagena -ae, f., 'partridge, grouse'(See prev.) [Rare]
attamen (at-tamen) conj., 'but yet' [VeryFreq.]
attegia -ae, f., 'a hut, hovel' [Rare]
attempto -are, 'grasp, deal with, attempt' [Common]
attendo -tendere -tendi -tentum, 'pay attention, observe, note down; stretch out (in space)' [Freq.]
attentio -onis, f., 'attention' [Rare]
attento -are, 'grasp, deal with, attempt' [Common]
attenuo -are, 'thin out, weaken, exhaust' [Common]
attenuatus -a -um (ppl. from attenuo), 'weakened [UnCommon]
attenuate adv., 'barely, simply' [Rare]
attero -terere -trivi (or -terui) -tritum, 'wear away, diminish, grind away at, impair' [Freq.]
attestor -ari (dep.), 'attest, witness (leg.)' [Common]
attexo -texere -texui -textum, 'weave onto . . . , add on' [Rare]
atticisso -are, 'speak in Attic Greek'Note: Greek was the upper-class language of the educated aristocracy at Rome, and educated Romans were as bilingual as 19th-century Russians, who spoke French almost as well as their native tongue. Caesar, dying of dozens of stab wounds, addressed his friend, Brutus, in colloquial Greek, not the histrionic Latin of 'et tu, Brute.' But speaking Greek could be taken as an affectation, in which spirit Martial bitterly criticizes a fellow Roman who always said 'chaire,' instead of the normal 'ave.' 'Bonjour' would sound equally affected on a Harvard law student's lips. [Rare]
attineo -tinere -tinui -tentum, 'hold onto, retain, detain; pertain to, be relevant to' [Freq.]
attingo -tingere -tigi -tactum, 'touch, control, join onto, extend to, refer to, appeal to, be connected with' [Freq.]
attollo attollere attuli allatum, 'raise up, lift up, set up; raise a building, carry aloft; raise (the voice, spirits, etc.) [Freq.]
attondeo -tondere -tondi -tonsum, 'shear hair, fleece an animal; "fleece" (cheat) a person; prune a vine' [Common]
attonitus -a -um (ppl.. from attono), 'thunderstruck, amazed' [Common]
attono -tonare -tonui -tonitum, 'strike with lightning (lit.), drive crazy (fig.)'('Juppiter Tonans' governs thunder and lightening, and his name often comes up in constructions using this verb.)Not [Common]
attorqueo -ere, 'whirl, spin at' [Rare]
attraho -trahere -traxi -tractum, 'drag forth, compel onwards, attract, sniff up, breath in' [Freq.]
attrectatus -us, m., 'handling, treatment' [Rare]
attrepido -are, 'move along (fearfully)' [Rare]
attrecto -are, 'touch, handle, deal with' [Common]
attribuo -ere -i -tum, 'assign, allot, appoint, refer to' [Freq.]
attributio -onis, f., 'attribution, assignment of a debt (leg.) [UnCommon]
attritus -a -um, 'worn down by use; brazen in character; thin-styled in wording (rhet.)' [Common]
au interj., 'oh!'(A word of surprise used by women in comedy)Not [Common]
au- FOR WORD BEGINNING IN AU-, POSSIBLY SEE AB- [Common]
auctarium -i, n., 'additional sum, overpayment (fin.)' [Rare]
auctificus -a -um, 'increasing' [Rare]
auctio -onis, f., 'sale by auction' [Common]
auctionarius -a -um, 'auctioneering' [Rare]
auctionor -ari (dep.), 'auction off [UnCommon]
auctito (aucto) -are, 'keep on growing' [Rare]
aucto see auctitoauctor -oris, m., 'grower, doer, maker; authority, authentication; writer; originator, founder (of a city, family, etc.)' [VeryFreq.]
auctoramentum -i, m., 'salary, payment (leg.) [UnCommon]
auctoritas -tatis, f., 'authority, ownership (leg.); leadership, esteem and reputation' [Freq.]
auctoro -are, 'hire out for money [UnCommon]
auctumnus see autumnusauctus -a -um, 'enlarged, great, grand, full'(See next) [Common]
auctus -us, m., 'increase, enlargement'(See prev.) [Common]
aucupatio see aucupiumaucupium -i, n., 'bird-catching; hunting; hunting after . . . 'Note: The Romans caught birds on glued branches, which seems unsporting, and definitely repulsive to the Audubon Society. But what would the Romans think of our explosive shotgun blasts propelling hundreds of steel pellets at lethal speeds. [Common]
aucupor -ari (dep.) (or aucupo -are), 'catch birds, keep an eye out for someone or something, deal deviously with' [Common]
audacia -ae, f., 'boldness (good, but also bad); literary boldness of expression' [Common]
audax -acis, 'bold (good and bad), audacious' [Freq.]
audeo audere ausus sum (semi-dep.), 'dare, have the courage to . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
audientia -ae, f., 'attention; an audience' [Common]
audio -ire -ivi (and -ii) -itum, 'listen, hear, understand; hear lectures from a professor; give ear, learn about; harken, hear and obey' [VeryFreq.]
auditio -onis, f., 'hearing, hearsay; a formal lecture, discourse' [Common]
auditor -oris, m., 'hearer, pupil, auditor' [Common]
auditorium -i, n., 'an auditorium, an audience, public hearing of a legal case [UnCommon]
auditus -us, m., 'hearing; hearsay [UnCommon]
aufero auferre abstuli ablatum, 'carry away, remove, destroy; steal, "rip off"'('ab' + 'fero' gives 'aufero.') [Freq.]
aufugio -fugere -fugi, 'flee away, escape' [Common]
augeo augere auxi auctum, 'make larger, augment, cause to grow larger, glorify, magnify, help' [VeryFreq.]
augesco -escere, 'become larger, grow (in size, courage, feelings, etc.)' [Common]
augmen -inis, n., 'increase' [Rare]
augur -uris, c., 'a bird-observing priest; a seer, augur'Note: Their function certainly was based on a detailed understanding of the organized and highly social behavior of birds, as we now understand it under the heading of Sociobiology. Birds are very sensitive to seismological disturbances, changes of weather and the seasons, even such human disturbances in their territory as approaching armies. We have not yet begun to understand the full meaning of Roman augury. [Freq.]
auguralis -e, 'pertaining to an augur [UnCommon]
auguratio -onis, f., 'augural prophesy' [Rare]
auguratus -a -um, 'performed with augural observance' [Rare]
auguratus -us, m., 'the office of augur' [Rare]
augurium -i, n., 'augury (as art and practice), a portent, a prediction, foreboding in general'(See augur) [Freq.]
augurius -a -um see auguralis [Rare]
auguro -are, 'make an augural observance' [Rare]
auguror -ari (dep.), 'make an augural observance' [Rare]
augustus -a -um, 'Magnified, Magnificent, Most Worthy; the title of emperor Augustus; the formal title of any imperial Emperor after Augustus' [VeryFreq.]
aula -ae, f., 'courtyard, inner court of a Mediterranean house; a king's court' [Freq.]
aula see olla aulaeum -i, n. (usually pl.), 'curtain of a theater; tapestry in general, cloth hangings' [Common]
aulicus -a -um, 'member of the court staff [UnCommon]
auloedus -i, m., 'a reed pipe-player' [Rare]
aura -ae, 'air, breeze; odor or fragrance' [VeryFreq.]
aurarius -a -um, 'concerned with gold' [Rare]
auratus -a -um, 'gold colored, golden' [Common]
aureolus -a -um, 'golden = lovely, wonderful' [Common]
aureus -a -um, 'golden, gilt, splendid; of the "Golden Age"; (as noun) a gold coin'(See 'solidus' for another gold coin.) [Freq.]
aurichalchum see orichalchum auricomus -a -um, 'golden-tressed' [Rare]
auricula -ae, f., 'the ear; hearing as a process'Note: The ear was touched in legal swearing-in, which is the historical origin of our hand-raising gesture with a legal oath, done quite incidentally above the Bible. The hand motion indicated that the witness was not deaf, and that he understood Latin, two critical prerequisites to the operation of any legally sound trial procedure. See testis. [Freq.]
aurifer -fera -ferum, 'gold-producing (of countries, rivers)' [Common]
aurifex -ficis, m., 'goldsmith [UnCommon]
auriga -ae, f., 'charioteer; as a constellation, The Wagoneer' [Common]
aurigarius -i, m., 'owner of a racing chariot-rig' [Rare]
aurigo -are, 'drive a chariot' [Rare]
auris -is, f., 'the ear; hearing; a "good ear"' [VeryFreq.]
auriscalpium -i, n., 'an ear-pick' [Rare]
auritulus (auritus) -i, m., 'donkey = (lit.) the (long-) eared one' [Rare]
aurora -ae, f., 'dawn, daybreak; the goddess Aurora; the East' [Freq.]
aurum -i, n., 'gold, money, decorative jewelry, money, treasure; the "Golden Fleece"'Note: The "Golden Fleece" represented the wool trade from Colchis, which generated gold in the purses of smart Greek entrepreneurs. A fleet expedition, the new technology of its day, was sent to the Black Sea to bring back to Greece the sheep-breeding stock for a European wool-trade, much as the American clipper ships brought breeding rams from Scotland for a Vermont wool industry [which soon evaporated into Australia.] Mythologizing turned this remarkable enterpreneurial venture into something quite trivial, a single (golden) sheepskin! [VeryFreq.]
auscultator -oris, m., 'a listener' [Rare]
auscultatio -onis, f., 'listening' [Rare]
ausculto -are, 'listen to, hear, heed, overhear' [Common]
ausim (1st person sg. pres. subjunctive of audeo)auspex -icis, c., 'sacral bird watcher; priest at ceremonies, any patron' [Common]
auspicium -i, n., 'divination by bird observation, omen reading' [Freq.]
auspicor -ari (dep.), 'take auspices' [Freq.]
auster -stri, m., 'the south wind; the south' [Common]
austeritas -tatis, f., 'strictness, austerity' [Rare]
austerus -a -um, 'harsh, bitter (of dry wine), sour, acrid; austere, plain, "Puritanical" [UnCommon]
australis -e, 'southern'(Hence, the source of the name, Australia.) [Rare]
austrinus -a -um, 'southern [UnCommon]
ausum -i, n., 'daring deed, adventure; criminal outrage [UnCommon]
aut conj., 'or'('Aut . . . aut . . . ' used as a pair means "either . . . or . . . '; see '-ve.') [VeryFreq.]
autem conj., 'on the other hand, however' [VeryFreq.]
authepsa -ae, f., 'a kitchen oven' [Rare]
autographus -a -um, 'written in one's own handwriting, autographic; genuine [UnCommon]
autochthon -onis, m., 'a native'(Greek word, from 'chthon,' "earth") [Rare]
automatum -i, n., 'an automatic device'Note: Nowadays, one thinks that the world's earliest self-regulating mechanism was Watt's steam engine and the devices of the Industrial Revolution. For such people, Philo of Alexandria's Greek textbook on a variety of automatic devices is an eye opening piece of reading. The main different between our automatics and theirs is this: they considered the engineering of 'automata' to be an art associated with the philosophy of the phenomena of nature, and they made no industrial use of their inventions; while we consider only the industrial and economic implications and ignore completely the artistic and intellectual side of engineering. Our inventions bring in money, theirs brought wonder and pleasure. [Rare]
autumnus -i, m., 'autumn, fall season' [Freq.]
autumo -are, 'say, assert, call, think' [Freq.]
auxiliaris -e, 'helping, aiding, auxiliary troops (mil.)' [Rare]
auxiliarius -a -um, 'helping, aiding, auxiliary troops (mil.)' [Rare]
auxiliator -oris, m., 'helper, aide, auxiliary troops (mil.)' [Rare]
auxilior -ari (dep.), 'give aid, help' [Common]
auxilium -i, n., 'aid, help (often military)' [Freq.]
avaritia -ae (and avarities -ei), f., 'avarice, miserly greed' [Common]
avarus -a -um, 'greedy, miserly, hungering for . . . ' [Common]
aveho -vehere -vexi -vectum, 'carry off, carry something off; betake oneself off' [Common]
avello -vellere -velli and -vulsi (-volsi) -vulsum (-volsum), 'pluck off, tear off, violently rip off; extort' [Freq.]
avena -ae, f., 'the oat plant'(Also, a grass-like, hollow straw, used as a shepherd's pipe, a musical instrument.) [Common]
ave (imper. of aveo), 'hail! (or) farewell!'Note: Since salutation (whether coming or going) is the main idea, "hello" and "goodbye" are not, to the Roman, essentially different. See vale. [VeryFreq.]
aveo -ere, 'want, long for, crave'(See next) [Common]
aveo (haveo) -ere, 'be well (often used in greeting)' (The greeting, 'ave,' is an imperative from this verb. See 'ave' and prev.) [Common]
averro -ere, 'sweep away [UnCommon]
averrunco -are, 'avert, ward off (catastrophe, etc.)' [Rare]
aversabilis -e, 'from which one must turn away, terrible' [Rare]
aversor -ari (dep.), 'turn away (in disgust, fright, etc.)' [Freq.]
aversor -oris, m., 'he who turns away = diverts (funds), an embezzler' [Rare]
aversus -a -um, 'turned away, turned around; far away; distant, hostile' [Common]
averto (avorto) -vertere -verti (-vorti) -versum (-vorsum), 'turn away, divert (attention), cause the enemy to swerve (mil.), alienate, steal' [Freq.]
avia -ae, f., 'a grandmother' [Common]
avia -ae, f., 'pathless areas, trackless wilderness'('a' + 'via,' "road")Not [Common]
aviarium -i, n., 'bird-house' [Rare]
aviditas -tatis, f., 'greed, gluttonous appetite, passion, lust' [Common]
avidus -a -um, 'greedy for, hungry for; passionate, lustful for, desirous of . . . ' [Freq.]
avis -is, f., 'bird; bird of omen; an omen' [VeryFreq.]
avitus -a -um, 'of a grandfather, ancestral' [Common]
avius -a -um, 'pathless, trackless'('a' + 'via'; see 'avia -ae') [Common]
avocatio -onis, f., 'diversion of the attention' [Rare]
avoco -are, 'call aside, call away' [Common]
avolo -are, 'fly away' [Common]
avunculus -i, m., 'uncle on mother's side' [Common]
avus -i, m., 'grandfather, forefather, ancestor' [Common]
axis (or assis) -is, m., 'board; wagon; wheel, axle; line of rotation, axis, the north pole, a part of the heavens (poet.)' [Freq.]
baca (bacca) -ae, f., 'berry; pearl' [Common]
bacatus -a -um, 'pearl-studded' [Rare]
Baccha -ae, f., 'a female involved in the ritual of Bacchus (or Dionysus)' [Common]
Bacchanal -is, n., 'Shrine of Bacchus [UnCommon]
Bacchanalia -ium, n. pl., 'the service or rites of Bacchus [UnCommon]
bacchatio -onis, f., 'an orgy [UnCommon]
bacchor -ari (dep.), 'act like a "bacchant," rave, rage' [Freq.]
Bacchus -i, m., 'god of wine' [Freq.]
baciballum -i, n., 'a girl, "a sweet, little woman" (used leeringly)'(Colloquial, in Petronius only) [Rare]
baceolus see stultus [Rare]
bacifer -fera -ferum, 'berry-bearing [UnCommon]
bacillum -i, n., 'a stick; a lictor's staff (leg.)'Note: The English word, 'bacillus,' comes from the stick-like form of these micro-organisms, as observed by early researchers in the 17th century.Not [Common]
baculum -i, n., see bacillum badizo -are, 'march, walk along'Note: This is a humorous neologism from Greek 'badizo,' often used like "OK, guys, march!" [Rare]
baiulo -are, 'carry a load' [Rare]
baiulus -i, m., 'a porter' [Rare]
balaena (ball(a)ena) -ae, f., 'a whale or dolphin' [Rare]
balanatus -a -um, 'anointed with an aromatic nut-oil'(See next) [Rare]
balanus -i, f., 'an acorn, chestnut; a date'(Much confusion exists about most ancient trees, fruit, and birds, as to exactly which is which.)Not [Common]
balatro -onis, m., 'jester, joker' [Rare]
balatus -us, m., 'bleating, the "baaah" of sheep [UnCommon]
balbe adv. (from balbus), 'with a stammer' [Rare]
balbus -a -um, 'stammering, lisping' [Rare]
balbutio -ire, 'speak with a speech defect; babble, talk nonsense'Note: The same root, -/bar-, occurs in the Old Testament name, "Babel," in Skt. 'barbarah,' in Gr. 'barbaros,' and in Engl. "blah" and "blabber." Man has alternately been called the "Thinking Animal," the "Weeping Animal," and the "Political Animal," but his performance might incline one to rename him, "The Blabbering Animal."Not [Common]
balinneum see balneumbaliscus -i, m., 'bath attendant' [Rare]
ballista -ae, f., 'a cannon shooting stones'Note: Tightly twisted ropes supply the force for these formidable pieces of Roman weaponry, which could drive a rock through a masonry wall, or pin a man to the woodwork with an iron bolt at a hundred yards. [Common]
balneae -arum, f. pl., 'the sumptuous Roman public baths'(The singular, 'balneum,' refers to a single "bathtub.") [Common]
balnearius -a -um, 'belonging to the bath [UnCommon]
balneator -oris, m., 'bath attendant [UnCommon]
balneolum -i, n., 'a little bathroom [UnCommon]
balneum see balneaeNot [Common]
balo -are, 'to bleat (of sheep)' [Common]
balsamum -i, n., 'a resinous, aromatic gum used in ointments [UnCommon]
balteus -i, m. (and balteum -i, n.), 'belt, armor-belt; girdle' [Common]
barathrum -i, n., 'a pit, the pit of hell, the bottomless pit; the pit of the stomach' [Common]
barba -ae, f., 'beard of men; any tuft; chin whiskers of goats' [Freq.]
barbaria -ae (barbaries -ei), f., 'foreignness; barbarousness' [Common]
barbaricus -a -um, 'foreign, i.e. specifically not Greek or Roman' Note: Ethnocentrism was a feature more of Hellenic than of Roman culture. See 'balbutio' and note on the root, -bal-. [Common]
barbarus -a -um, 'foreign, strange, lacking in "couth," ignorant, savage'(A word generated in Greece with the typical ethnocentrism of the Hellenic mind. See prev. and balbutio.) [Freq.]
barbatulus -a -um, 'with a light beard [UnCommon]
barbatus -a -um, 'bearded' [Common]
barbiger -gera -gerum, 'wearing a beard' [Rare]
barbitos -i, m. and f., 'a lyre'(The final '-os' shows the newness of this word, borrowed from Greek along with the instrument.) [Rare]
barbula -ae, f., 'a little beard' [Rare]
bardocucullus -i, m., 'a Gallic overcoat' [Rare]
bardus -a -um, 'stupid, dull [UnCommon]
baris -idos, f., 'an Egyptian barge' [Rare]
baritus (barritus) -us, m., 'the savage Germanic war-cry'(Tacitus, in his fascinating monograph on Germany, is our sole witness for this word.) [Rare]
baro -onis, m., 'yokel, clown' [Rare]
barrus -i, m., 'elephant' [Rare]
bascauda -ae, f., 'a basket'(The Engl. word probably of Brit. origin) [Rare]
basiatio -onis, f., 'act of kissing, a kiss' [Rare]
basiator -oris, m., 'one who kisses' [Rare]
basilica -ae, f., 'Roman law court and exchange; (later) a Christian "basilica" (a special type of church)'Note: A Greek word ultimately coming from 'basileus,' "king, lord"; hence, quite naturally recycled in the early Church for "the Lord's House," the Christian "Basilica." [Common]
basilicus -a -um, 'royal [UnCommon]
basiliscus -i, m., 'snake [UnCommon]
basio -are, 'kiss' [Common]
basiolum -i, n., 'a little kiss' [Rare]
basis -is (and -eos, after Greek inflection), f., 'basis, base of a pedestal, sculpture, support of a machine' [Common]
basium -i, n., 'a kiss' [Freq.]
battuo (batuo) -ere, 'beat'Note: This was originally a Gaulish word, linguistically connected with Lat. 'futuo,' "have sex with"; it was used like Engl. "fuck," in both sexual and non-sexual (but usually hostile) senses. Roman writers used sex slang freely; they were not "word-Puritans." See 'futuo' and the Rare verb, 'depso. [UnCommon]
baubor -ari (dep.), 'howl (of dogs)'(See ululo and latro) [Rare]
beatitas -tatis, f. (and beatitudo -inis, f.), 'happiness' [Rare]
beatus -a -um, 'happy, blissful; rich, very well off'Note: The word has a distinct flavor of financial ease and happiness, the kind of economic security in the lap of which one can be truly happy. Remember that the Romans, like us, were not unaware of the power of money. [VeryFreq.]
bellaria -orum, n. pl., 'candy, sweets, dessert'Note: Roman dessert was often fruit, as in modern Italy.Not [Common]
bellator -oris, m., 'soldier' [Common]
bellatorius -a -um, 'warlike' [Rare]
bellatrix -icis, f., 'lady warrior [UnCommon]
belliatulus (or belliatus) -a -um, 'pretty-little, "cutesy"' [Rare]
bellicosus -a -um, 'warlike, bellicose' [Freq.]
bellicum -i, n., 'trumpet signal for attack [UnCommon]
bellicus -a -um, 'military, war-like' [Common]
belliger -gera -gerum, 'waging war, war-like' [Common]
belligero -are, 'wage war' [Common]
bellipotens -entis, 'mighty in war' [Common]
bello -are (and bellor -ari, dep.), 'wage war, fight' [Freq.]
bellua see beluabellulus -a -um, 'nice little . . . (with a sneer)' [Rare]
bellum -i, n., 'war, fighting, battle; an army; any contention'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
bellus -a -um, 'pretty'Note: This is the colloquial word, as against 'pulc(h)er,' "beautiful," (with it's elegant -ch- as if from the Greek, which it isn't). But it is 'bella' which has come down as the word for pretty girls in the Romanic tongues. [Common]
belua -ae, f., 'monster, beast, brute'(Also used for persons, i.e. 'You brute!') [Freq.]
beluatus -a -um, '(of a cloth) decorated with beasts' [Rare]
beluosus -a -um, 'full of monsters' [Rare]
bene adv., 'well, nicely' [VeryFreq.]
benedico -dicere -dixi -dictum, 'speak well of, speak well to' [Rare]
benefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'do a good deed to . . . ' [Common]
beneficentia -ae, f., 'good doing, good will, kindliness' [Common]
beneficium -i, n., 'a favor, a political favor, a benefit by law' [Freq.]
beneficus -a -um, 'kind, generous' [Common]
benevolens -entis, 'well-wishing' [Common]
benevolentia -ae, f., 'good will' [Common]
benevolus -a -um, 'kind, obliging [UnCommon]
benignitas -tatis, f., 'kindness, generosity' [Common]
benignus -a -um, 'generous, liberal; fair, favorable; abundant' [Freq.]
beo -are, 'make happy, enrich, make wealthy'(See beatus, beatitudo) [Common]
beryllus -i, c., 'beryl, a semiprecious gemstone [UnCommon]
bes bessis, m., 'two thirds' [Common]
bestia -ae, f., 'any animal, bird, unusual fish; beast of prey (gladiatorial); (when used of other people) a brute' [Freq.]
bestiarius -i, m., 'a gladiator who fights wild animals [UnCommon]
bestiola -ae, f., '(a "beastie" = ) an insect'Note: Burns called his mouse a "beastie," while the Romans think of bugs.Not [Common]
beta -ae, f., 'the beet (root) [UnCommon]
beta (indecl.) n., 'beta'(Greek letter) [Rare]
betizo -are, 'be languid' [Rare]
bibliopola -ae, m., 'book seller' [Rare]
bibliotheca -ae, f., 'library'(See next) [Common]
bibliothece -es, f., 'library'(Greek word with the orig. Greek endings. See prev.) [Common]
bibo bibere bibi bibitum, 'drink, suckle, nurse; get drunk; absorb, "drink in" (words, sounds, etc.)'Note: Suetonius records the humorous name for Tiberius as 'Biberius,' or "Mr. Bibulous," but goes one better for Nero, who is renamed 'Mero' (see 'merum,' "straight wine"). The bibulous Romans were fond of their drinking, but the whole alcoholism syndrome changed in the 18th century, when commercial distillation started turning out 40% alcohol liquor, at bargain prices. See Hogarth's pictures of "Beer Alley" and "Gin Lane." [VeryFreq.]
bibulus -a -um, 'fond of drinking, alcoholic; porous, absorbent' [Common]
biceps -cipitis, 'two-headed (Janus), double, duplex' [Common]
biclinium -i, n., 'dining couch for two'(See the more usual 'triclinium') [Common]
bicolor -oris, 'of two colors' [Common]
bicornis -e, 'having two horns; two-pointed (of mountains)' [Common]
bicorpor -oris, 'having two bodies'(Used of the Centaurs)Not [Common]
bidens -entis, 'having two teeth, two prongs; sheep, sheep for a sacrifice'Note: Applied to sheep because of their two protruding teeth. Or, are sheep named from 'bi' + euphonic -d- + 'ennis' ('annus'), since it is the two-year-old sheep which show the front teeth? [Common]
bidental -alis, n., 'a place where lightning hit'(Later enclosed as a sacred place or temple.)Not [Common]
biduum -i, n., 'period of two days' [Freq.]
biennium -i, n., 'a space of two years'(See triennium) [Common]
bifariam adv., 'in two parts, in twain; in two ways' [Common]
bifer -fera -ferum, 'used of a plant that fruits twice a year [UnCommon]
bifidus -a -um, 'split in two'Note: Often used of the foot of the even-toed ungulates, the pig, cow, and deer, whose two-toed foot looks split, as compared with the single hoof of a horse or camel. This is, of course, wrong; the two-toed animals merely show the central two toes of an ancestral five, while the horse has enlarged the center toe in size and lost all the rest.Not [Common]
biforis -e, 'having two doors, windows; the double pipe (musical instrument) [UnCommon]
biformatus see biformisbiformis -e, 'having two forms' [Common]
biformatus -a -um, 'having two forms'(Used, naturally, of the Centaurs.) [Rare]
bifrons -frontis, 'having two faces, foreheads (Janus-like)' [Rare]
bifurcus -a -um, 'having two forks' [Rare]
bigae -arum, f. pl. (and sg. biga -ae), 'a pair of horses; a two-horse chariot' [Freq.]
bigatus -a -um, '(of a coin) stamped with figure of a two-horse rig ('bigae')' [Rare]
biiugis -e (and biiugus -a -um), 'double-yoked (of horses, oxen) [UnCommon]
bilibra -ae, f., 'weighing two pounds'(See next) [Rare]
bilibris -e, 'weighing or containing two pounds'Note: See Juv. 6, 372 for a shock. [Rare]
bilinguis -e, 'having two tongues, i.e. bilingual; double-talking, deceitful' [Common]
bilis -is, f., 'bile; anger, resentment' [Common]
bilix -icis, 'having a double thread' [Rare]
bilustris -e, 'lasting ten years' [Rare]
bimaris -e, 'on two seas [UnCommon]
bimaritus m., 'bigamist' [Rare]
bimatris -e, 'having two mothers' [Rare]
bimatus -a -um, 'two years old' [Common]
bimembris -e, see biformis bimenstris -e, 'two months long, two months old' [Rare]
bimulus -a -um, 'two years old' [Rare]
bimus -a -um, 'two years old, lasting two years' [Common]
bini -ae -a, 'two each, two in a pair; double, doubles' [Freq.]
binoctium -i, 'period of two nights (leg.)' [Rare]
binominus -e, 'having two names' [Rare]
bipalmus -a -um, 'two palms (hands) wide'Note: Hands are still used in measuring the height of a horse's withers, a system of measurement going back to pre-Roman times. See cubitus. [Rare]
bipartito adv., 'in two parts' [Freq.]
bipartitus -a -um, 'in two parts; divided in two' [Common]
bipatens -entis, 'open in two directions' [Rare]
bipedalis -e, 'two feet long, broad, thick, or high' [Common]
bipennifer -fera -ferum, 'having a two-edged axe'(See next) [Rare]
bipennis -e, 'an axe with two blades' [Common]
bipes -pedis, 'having two feet (of man, birds, and a rearing horse)' [Common]
biremis -e, 'double-oared'(Of a boat, i.e. having two tiers of rowers.)Not [Common]
bis 'twice' [VeryFreq.]
bisulcus -a -um (and bisulcis -e), 'split into two parts [UnCommon]
bito -ere, 'go'(Only in comedy)Not [Common]
bitumen -inis, n., 'asphalt'(See amomum)Not [Common]
bitumineus -a -um, 'bituminous' [Rare]
bivium -i, n., 'a place where two roads converge'('bi' + 'via'; see 'trivium' and 'quadrivium,' with different associations.) [Common]
blaesus -a -um, 'having a speech impediment'(Used also of a drunkard, parrot, or fool. See balbus.) [Common]
blande (blanditer) adv., 'sweetly, charmingly' [Common]
blandimentum -i, n., 'allurement, charm, wheedling, coaxing' [Freq.]
blandior -iri (dep.), 'coax sweetly, allure, charm; fawn upon' [Freq.]
blanditia -ae, f., 'blandishment, flattery' [Common]
blandus -a -um, 'sweet-talking, coaxing, flattering, charming' [Freq.]
blattero -are, 'babble, blabber, speak incoherently'(Has the same consonants as 'balbus,' which see.)Not [Common]
blatio -ire, 'prattle, babble' [Rare]
blatta -ae, f., 'an unknown insect, perhaps a moth, bookworm, or cockroach' [Common]
blennus -a -um, 'babbling' [Rare]
bliteus -a -um, 'worthless' [Rare]
blitum -i, n., 'spinach?' [Rare]
boarius (bovarius) -a -um, 'relating to cattle [UnCommon]
boia -ae, f., 'neck collar worn by criminals [UnCommon]
boletus -i, m., 'mushroom' [Rare]
bolus -i, m., 'cast of the dice; haul of a fisherman's net'(Greek word, 'bolos,' from 'ballo') [Common]
bombax interj., 'Wow!' [Rare]
bombus -i, m., 'a rumble' [Rare]
bombycinus -a -um, 'silken [UnCommon]
bombyx -bycis, m. and, f., 'silkworm; silk (from the Coan pseudo-silkworm)' Note: Under the Roman Empire, the Persians brought silk from China, ruining the tenuous Coan silk industry, which was based on a less productive insect than the one standardized in China. The Romans never saw the Chinese, but imported great quantities of silk knitted up into loose skeins, which were unravelled and rewoven into quality cloth--in Juvenal's time, even into a summer-weight toga! In this and many other ventures, the Romans led the way in developing worldwide economic contacts.Not [Common]
bonitas -atis, f., 'excellence, high-quality' [Common]
bonum -i, n., 'good fortune, wealth, ease; what is morally equitable; property, an estate' [Freq.]
bonus -a -um, 'good (in all senses), nice, pleasing; correct, substantial; reliable (mil.); good-hearted, healthy, sound in mind' [VeryFreq.]
boo -are, 'moo (like a bull)'(From the sound of a 'bos.' See next.) [Common]
bos bovis, c., 'bull, cow' [Freq.]
botulus -i, m., 'a blood-sausage'Note: Botulism is a most dangerous food poisoning, often originating in processed meats, especially in sausages! It may be true that some of the sodium nitrates and nitrites now [Common]
in much of our processed foods are not conducive to the best of health. But they do avoid the possibility of botulism, which can easily be fatal. See tomacula. [Rare]
bovillus -a -um, 'pertaining to cattle' [Rare]
brabeuta -ae, m., 'an umpire'(Greek word) [Rare]
bracae (braccae) -arum, f. pl., 'pants'Note: The typical dress of Gauls, but never of Roman gentry, for whom anything less than a toga was unthinkable.Not [Common]
bracatus (braccatus) -a -um, 'wearing pants' [Common]
bracchium -i, n., 'forearm, arm, forefoot of an animal, anything arm-like or projecting (a peninsula, shoot of a plant, a catapult in warfare)' [Freq.]
bractea (brattea) -ae, f., 'gold-leaf, sheet metal' [Common]
bracteatus -a -um, 'gilt [UnCommon]
brassica -ae, f., 'cabbage' [Common]
brattea see bracteabreviarium -i, n., 'summary [UnCommon]
breviculus -a -um, 'rather short; (as noun) a "Shorty"' [Rare]
breviloquens -entis, 'brief in speech'Note: A word of single occurance, surprisingly used only by the long-winded Cicero. [Rare]
breviloquentia -ae, f., 'brevity of speech'(See prev.) [Rare]
brevis -e, 'small in physical size, short in time, concise in written style; a short syllable in metrics' [VeryFreq.]
brevitas -tatis, f., 'shortness, brevity [UnCommon]
bruma -ae, f., 'the shortest day of winter; winter; winter as the mark of one year'(Contracted from 'brevissima dies') [Freq.]
brumalis -e, 'relating to the shortest day in winter' [Common]
brutus -a -um, 'like an "animal," brutal, dumb, insensitive'Note: Curiously, this was a [Common]
Roman cognomen, like Porcius, Ovidius, and many another name drawn directly from the farmyard. The later Romans may have inclined toward Greek-style elegance, but the early Republicans were earthy and aware of their rural origins. [Common]
bubile -is, n., 'ox-stall' [Rare]
bubo -onis, m., 'owl'( . . . from the sound of its hoot. See ulula and ululo.) [Rare]
bubula -ae, f., 'beef (as meat)'(Compare 'agnina,' "lamb meat") [Rare]
bubulcito -are (and bubulcitor -ari, dep.), 'tend cattle' [Rare]
bubulcus -i, m., 'an ox-ploughman, a rustic; a yokel' [Rare]
bubulus -a -um, 'relating to cows or oxen' [Common]
bucaeda -ae, m., 'beef butcher'Note: Compare the [Common]
Italian family name, "Tagliabue," with exactly the same meaning, although from a different verb. [Rare]
bucc- FOR WORDS BEGINNING WITH BUCC- POSSIBLY SEE SEE BUC-bucca -ae, f., 'cheek (seen as puffed out to blow a trumpet), the mouth; a game of some sort'(Petronius 64.12?) [Freq.]
buccella -ae, f., 'a little mouthful, a bite of . . . ' [Rare]
bucco -onis, m., 'a sap, idiot' [Rare]
buccula -ae, f., 'a small cheek [UnCommon]
bucculentus -a-um, 'having fat cheeks' [Rare]
bucerus (and bucerius) -a -um, 'horned'(From Gr. 'bous' + 'keras') [Rare]
bucina -ae, f., 'a military trumpet' [Rare]
bucinum -i, n., 'a blast on the trumpet, fanfare [UnCommon]
bucinator -oris, m., 'trumpeter [UnCommon]
bucolica -orum, n. pl., 'pastoral poems [UnCommon]
bucula -ae, f., 'female calf, heifer [UnCommon]
bufo -inis, m., 'a toad' [Rare]
bulbus -i, m., 'a bulb (plant), onion'(Greek word) [Rare]
bulla -ae, f., 'a bubble; a bauble, ornament'Note: The 'bulla' appears often as a locket with certain objects on every child's neck, an ancient form of the 'dog tag' or I.D. bracelet. Many a lost or kidnapped child was restored to his family by recognition of the objects in the 'bulla,' which is a [Common]
part of the plot of many Plautine comedies. [Common]
bullatus -a -um, 'knobbed; wearing the 'bulla' (a child's charm, usually worn on a necklace)'(See prev.) [Rare]
bullio -ire, 'boil, bubble over; bubble up' [Common]
bumastus -i, f., 'large, swollen grapes'(Originally, the Greek word for a cow's udder, 'bous' + 'mastos.' Compare Engl. 'mastitis.') [Rare]
bura -ae, f. (buris -is, f.), 'plow beam' [Rare]
burdubasta -ae, m., 'a down-and-out gladiator' [Rare]
bustarius -a-um, 'of a worker in the crematory'(See combustus)Not [Common]
bustirapus -i, m., 'thief who steals from the crematory' [Rare]
bustuarius -a -um, 'belonging to the crematorium [UnCommon]
bustum -i, n., 'funeral pyre, crematorium' [Common]
buthysia -ae, f., 'sacrifice of oxen'(In the venerable tradition of the Homeric hecatomb, perhaps with less than the prescribed 100 oxen.) [Rare]
buxifer -a -um, 'bearing box-wood'(This is the tree, 'buxus,' not wood for boxes.) [Rare]
buxus -i, f. (and buxum -i, n.), 'the box-tree; box-wood' [Common]
caballus -i, m., 'horse, old nag'Note: This is the slang word, as against the noble 'equus.' But 'caballus' came through in all the Romanic languages as the word for "horse," while 'equus' was only revived for formal usage in the wake of the Renaissance. [Freq.]
cachinnatio -onis, f., 'violent laughter, hee-haw'Note: The popular word, as against the formal Latin, 'risus.' It is cognate with Gr. 'kachazo,' Skt. 'haha-ti,' both meaning "laugh," and is clearly onomatopoetic. See next. [Common]
cachinno -are, 'laugh aloud'(Slangish, from Gr. 'cachazo,' Skt. 'hahati.' See prev. and next.) [Common]
cachinno -onis, m., 'joker, scoffer'(See prev.) [Common]
cachinnus -i, m., 'loud (vulgar) laughter' [Common]
cacumen -inis, n., 'peak, crest of a mountain, pinnacle, height, tip of anything, top of the head' [Freq.]
cacumino -are, 'point, make pointed' [Rare]
cadaver -eris, n., 'corpse' [Freq.]
cadaverosus -a- um, 'corpse-like' [Rare]
cado cadere cecidi casum, 'fall down, collapse, fall back, drop; (of persons) fall from position, die, "pass away"; fall from one's mouth = say; fall out thus = "come to pass"; fall in with = be compatible with'(The -i- in the perfect stem is short, which differentiates it from 'caedo.') [VeryFreq.]
caduceator -oris, m., 'messenger' [Rare]
caduceus -i, m., 'a messenger's staff; the staff of Hermes'(The word has nothing to do with 'caducus,' "falling," but comes from Doric Greek, 'karux,' Att. 'kerux,' "messenger." This symbol is the logo for the medical professions, but by another tradition.) [Rare]
caducifer -fera -ferum, 'bearing the 'caduceus''(See caduceus) [Rare]
caducus -a -um, 'dropping, falling, falling in battle, ripe (ready to fall, of fruit), ready to drop dead, useless, vain, not legally transferable (leg.)' [Freq.]
cadus -i, m., 'a jar for wine, food, dye, or cremated remains' [Common]
caecitas -tatis, f., 'blindness' [Common]
caeco -are, 'make blind [UnCommon]
caecus -a -um, 'blind; (mentally) blind, insensitive; aimless, dark as night; concealed, mysterious; dead-ended'(The med. anatomical term, "cecum" [a pouch at the beginning of the large intestine], comes from this last meaning.) [VeryFreq.]
caedes -is, f., 'slaughter (of animals as a sacrifice), a battle; victims of a battle' [Freq.]
caedo caedere cecidi caesum, 'strike, hit, knock down, murder, smash, cut-up, sever, carve into'(The root -i- of the perfect is long, which distinguishes the form from the perfect of 'cado,' which has a short vowel.) [VeryFreq.]
caelamen -inis, n., 'bas-relief [UnCommon]
caelator -oris, m., 'chaser, carver [UnCommon]
caelatura -ae, f., 'the art of engraving [UnCommon]
caelebs -ibis, 'unmated (of male), unmarried, bacheloring, unproductive, sterile (of trees)' [Common]
caeles -itis, 'dwelling in heaven, God-like'(Often used as a noun plural, 'Caelites,' "the Gods.") [Common]
caelestis -e, 'belonging to the heavens, celestial; (as noun) a god, the Gods' [Freq.]
caelicola -ae, 'dwelling in heaven; (as noun) a god [UnCommon]
caelifer -fera -ferum, 'sky-supporting'(Specifically, Atlas) [Rare]
caelo -are, 'engrave, sculpt in relief' [Common]
caelum -i, n., 'the burin tool for engraving'(See next)Not [Common]
caelum -i, n., 'the heavens, sky, home of the gods, sky; climate; the universe'(See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
caementum -i, n., 'rubble stones (for concrete)'Note: The Romans used cement extensively for mortar and poured foundation work in bridges, aqueducts, underwater, and even the major structure of the dome-shaped Pantheon. One important question remains: Since cement is made by calcining ground limestone at a temperature near 600 degrees Fahrenheit, where did the Romans get enough fuel for the firing? Perhaps, this explains the early deforestation from which Italy never fully recovered. [Common]
caenosus -a -um, 'muddy [UnCommon]
caenum -i, n., 'mud, filth, scum; the "scum" of society'(Compare the parallel social uses of 'faex.') [Common]
caepa (cepa) -ae, f. (caepe or cepe, -is, n.), 'onion'(Greek word)Not [Common]
caerimonia -ae, f., 'ceremony, sanctity, religious rites' [Common]
caerula -orum, n. pl., 'the blue sky; the blue sea [UnCommon]
caeruleus -a -um, 'blue (of sky); dark blue (of the Mediterranean sea)'(The poet. form is 'caerulus,' which suits dactylic meter.) [Freq.]
caesaries -ei, f., 'long hair' [Common]
caesim adv., 'slashingly, (rhet.) in short phrases [UnCommon]
caesius -a -um, 'referring to eyes of grey-green color' [Common]
caespes (cespes) -itis, m., 'sod of turf, turf altar; a turf rampart (mil.); a grave tumulus' [Freq.]
caestus -us, m., 'boxing glove'Note: Roman boxing gloves had metal studs and no padding, obviously intended to hurt, maim, or, preferably, kill. They are more in the tradition of the "brass knuckles" that American gangsters used in the l920's, than the padded gloves used in the modern sport.Not [Common]
caetra (cetra) -ae, f., 'a light shield [UnCommon]
calamister -tri, m. (and calamistrum -i, n.), 'a hair curling-iron [UnCommon]
calamistratus -a -um, 'fancy-locked, having a fancy hairdo'(See prev.)Not [Common]
calamitas -tatis, f., 'disaster (of crops, warfare, life)' [Freq.]
calamitosus -a -um, 'disastrous, wretched, causing disaster' [Freq.]
calamus -i, m., 'a reed, the reed (used for a flute, writing pen, fishing rod, arrow, vineprop)'(The uses are as varied as the Asian use of bamboo. See avena.) [Freq.]
calathiscus -i, m., 'a (small) basket' [Rare]
calathus -i, m., 'a basket, container; cup for liquids' [Common]
calator -oris, m., 'attendant, valet; a priest's servant [UnCommon]
calcar -aris, n., 'spur (for horses, etc.); stimulus' [Common]
calceamentum -i, n., 'shoe'(See calx) [Common]
calceo -are, 'shoe, put shoes on (men, animals)' [Common]
calceus -i, m., 'shoe' [Freq.]
calco -are, 'grind down with the heel, trample, crush, tread, tread on; trip on' [Freq.]
calculus -i, m., 'a small stone used in the Roman calculator-board or abacus; (hence) calculations'Note: Used of any stone [concrete, kidney-stone, "marbles" and other games for children]. [Freq.]
caldus see caliduscalefacio (calfacio) -facere -feci -factum (pass., calefio), 'warm up, heat up; warm up for action' [Common]
calefacto -are, 'make warm, heat [UnCommon]
caleo -ere -ui, 'be warm, get hot, be flushed with drink, be "hot" for, be ardent about . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
calesco -escere, 'become warm [UnCommon]
calidus (caldus) -a -um, 'warm, hot (of persons, climate, thoughts)'Note: Hot water at the baths is called 'calida (aqua)' and used like a sauna, as opposed to the 'frigida (aqua),' with which Romans cooled off later. [Common]
caliendrum (caliandrum) -i, n., 'wig' [Rare]
caliga -ae, f., 'soldier's boot, (hence) military service'(See caligula)Not [Common]
caligatus -a -um, 'wearing heavy boots; (as noun) a soldier'(Also, 'caligaris -e,' with similar meaning.) [Rare]
caliginosus -a -um, 'foggy [UnCommon]
caligo -inis, f., 'darkness, smog, fog; gloom, darkness of mind, obscurity' [Freq.]
caligo -are, 'darken, obscure (the sky, the atmosphere) [UnCommon]
caligula -ae, f., 'a little (mil.) boot'Note: The Emperor Caligula's nickname, conferred on him by the soldiers. The historians' comment, that it was because he often wore military boots, seems insufficient and oddly circumstantial, although it may be true. Apparently, there was a tradition of joking about Emperors' names, for which, see 'bibo' and note. [Rare]
calix -icis, m., 'drinking cup for wine' [Freq.]
calleo -ere, 'be tough, be hard, have an experienced idea of, be smart, be skilled' [Freq.]
calliditas -tatis, f., 'cleverness' [Common]
callidus -a -um, 'smart (from experience), clever, wily (in both good and bad senses)'(See calidus) [Freq.]
callis -is, m., 'footpath, small road over bad country' [Common]
callosus -a -um, 'hard, tough, calloused' [Common]
callum -i, n., 'a callous; tough-hided insensitivity' [Freq.]
calo -onis, m., 'a (mil.) servant, aide; a low-level helper' [Rare]
calor -oris, m., 'warmth, heat, fever, zeal, passion; life' [Common]
caltha -ae, f., 'marigold (?)' [Rare]
calumnia -ae, f., 'false accusations, calumny; trickery; criticism' [Freq.]
calumniator -oris, m., 'false accuser' [Rare]
calumnior -ari (dep.), 'accuse falsely, libel' [Common]
calvities -ei, f. (and calvitium -i, n.), 'baldness' [Rare]
calvus -a -um, 'bald, shaved bald; smooth, bare' [Common]
calx -cis, f., 'heel, hoof'(See next) [Freq.]
calx -cis, f. ( [Rarely, m.), 'stone, pebble; chalk (line)'(See prev.) [Common]
camella -ae, f., 'a cup, bowl' [Rare]
camelus -i, m., 'camel'Note: See the 'camelo-pardus,' "giraffe," in Horace, Ep. 2.Not [Common]
Camena -ae, f., 'water goddess, (later) goddess(es) of poetry; Poetry' [Common]
camera (camara) -ae, f., 'a (vaulted) chamber [UnCommon]
caminus -i, m., 'furnace, forge, stove; volcano' [Common]
cammarus -i, m., 'lobster' [Rare]
campester -tris -tre, 'field-like, of meadowland [UnCommon]
campus -i, m., 'field, plain, open land, field for military encounter, (poet.) the sea'(The Campus Martius in Rome was used for military exercise.) [VeryFreq.]
camus -a -um, 'curved inward, arched (of forms)'(Engl. "cam," in industrial machinery.) [Rare]
canalis -is, m., 'channel, drain, gutter, (open) pipe for water' [Freq.]
cancellus -i, m., 'lattice'(Generally, in the plural, as latticework to fence off an area, esp. in the lawcourts.)Not [Common]
cancer -cri, m., 'a crab; the constellation Cancer, the Crab; a (med.) cancer'Note: The connection with med. "cancer" is the crab's ability to grow limbs, vaguely seen to be like the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells in malignancies. [Freq.]
candefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'make white' [Rare]
candela -ae, f., 'a candle [UnCommon]
candelabrum -i, m., 'candelabra [UnCommon]
candeo -ere -ui, 'shine, be bright, gleam, gleam with heat' [Common]
candesco -escere -ui, 'grow white [UnCommon]
candidatus -a -um, 'clothed in white; (as noun, m.) candidate for office'Note: Political aspirants regularly whitened their electioneering toga as a way of marking their presence in public, whence the term "candidate." See 'ambio,' 'ambitio,' and notes. [Common]
candidus -a -um, 'bright white; fair-skinned, pretty; clear, fortunate; lucid (in style)' [Freq.]
candor -oris, m., 'whiteness, brightness (of complexion), kindness' [Common]
caneo -ere -ui, 'be gray, white-headed, hoary, ancient' [Common]
canesco -escere, 'become white or hoary' [Common]
canicula -ae, f., 'little bitch (pejorative); the dog star Sirius = hot weather'(See canis)Not [Common]
caninus -a -um, 'dog-like, of dogs'(Not complimentary, in general.) [Common]
canis -is, c., 'dog, watchdog, hound, the star Sirius; a bad throw of dice'Note: The dice throw called "dog's eyes" is one black dot on each of two dice, a bad throw for Roman gamblers. [VeryFreq.]
canistrum -i, n., 'a wicker basket [UnCommon]
canities -ei, f., 'grayness; old age' [Common]
canna -ae, f., 'a pan-pipe'Note: The word is from the Greek, ultimately from Assyrian, 'qanul.' A number of Greek musical instruments come from the Near East, among them the reed-equipped pipe, the bowed monocord, and drums. [Common]
cannabis -is, f. (acc. -im, abl. -i, also cannabus, -i, m., and cannabum -i, n.), 'hemp; a hemp rope'Note: Possession and even use of hemp rope was legal throughout the entire Greco-Roman period. Greek word. [Common]
cano canere cecini cantum, 'sing, chant; write of in verse; play a musical instrument, sound a trumpet (mil.), sing (of birds); chant a prophecy, foretell' [VeryFreq.]
canor -oris, m., '(vocal) song, a poetic-musical utterance' [Common]
canorus -a -um, 'resonant, sweet-sounding, tuneful (of birds, animals, people)' [Freq.]
cantamen -inis, n., 'incantation' [Rare]
cantharis -idis, f., 'Spanish fly'Note: Long known to the Romans as a drug, medicine, and aphrodisiac, and still used in the modern world as an aphrodisiac. It is actually an intense irritant to the urinary tract, which gives a general impression of sexual arousal. [Rare]
cantharus -i, m., 'a large drinking cup with handles [UnCommon]
cantherius -i, m., 'horse of poor quality, old nag [UnCommon]
canthus -i, m., 'a tire (of steel) on a wooden wheel [UnCommon]
canticum -i, n., 'choral passage in Roman comedy, a song; musically intoned speech-patterns'Note: A small amount of musical notation accompanying the comedies of Plautus has survived, but interpretation is very difficult. In Roman comedy, we have the libretti without the musical interludes. But this is exactly the situation with Greek tragedy! What would we think of "Oklahoma" or "Parzifal," if we were to read the text alone? [Common]
cantilena -ae, f., 'refrain, ditty, a little song [UnCommon]
cantilo -are, 'sing a song' [Rare]
cantito -are, 'sing (repeatedly) [UnCommon]
cantiuncula -ae, f., 'a mere song' [Rare]
canto -are, 'sing, play an instrument, recite; sing magic incantations' [Freq.]
cantor -oris, m., 'singer'Note: He regularly accompanies himself on an instrument, not unlike American Country-Western singers with their ubiquitous guitar, or the Serbian "guslars." [Common]
cantus -us, m., 'song, playing, poetry; instrumental music; song of birds' [Freq.]
canus -a -um, 'white-grey; old, aged, age-old' [Freq.]
capax -acis, 'big, large, capacious; having the mental capacity to understand' [Freq.]
capeduncula -ae, f., 'a little bowl used in rituals and sacrifices' [Rare]
capella -ae, f., 'she-goat [UnCommon]
caper -ri, m., 'goat, billy-goat [UnCommon]
caperro -are, 'get wrinkles' [Rare]
capesso -ere -ivi (and -ii) -itum, 'grasp at, grasp (mentally); adopt a stance or position' [Freq.]
capillamentum -i, n., 'hairs on the head [UnCommon]
capillatus -a -um, 'having long hair'Note: A mark of boys and foreigners, as well as a much older generation, but not a normal standard of male Roman hair-style, which was fairly short, like the American haircut of the mid-20th century.Not [Common]
capillus -i, m., 'a single hair; hair, fur; fiber ( [Rare]
)' [Freq.]
capio capere cepi captum, 'grasp, take in the hands, grab, appropriate, capture (mil.), choose, take (nourishment); put on clothes, arms; capture (with enticements); take in, comprehend or understand' [VeryFreq.]
capis -idis, f., 'a one-handled cup used in rites' [Rare]
capistrum -i, n., 'halter (for horses) [UnCommon]
capitalis -e, 'pertaining to the head; dangerous, deadly; ( Rarely) first-rate = capital'(Sometimes, when used as noun, "the supreme penalty, capital punishment.") [Freq.]
capo -onis, m., 'a capon (de-sexed rooster)' [Rare]
capra -ae, f., 'she-goat; star in Auriga [UnCommon]
caprea -ae, f., 'a type of deer, a dappled doe [UnCommon]
capreolus -i, m., 'a roebuck; (pl.) rafters, props, supports'(Compare Engl. "saw-buck" for a parallel meaning as support.)Not [Common]
caprificus -i, m., 'the wild fig [UnCommon]
caprigenus -a -um, 'born of goats' [Rare]
caprimulgus -i, m., 'goat-milker, i.e. country-yokel' [Rare]
caprinus -a -um, 'goat-like [UnCommon]
capripes -pedis, 'goat-footed'(This was a basic characteristic of the Greek mythological character, Pan, and the Roman native "woodsies.") [Rare]
capsa -ae, f., 'a box (square or round); receptacle (for books) [UnCommon]
capsarius -i, m., 'book-bag carrier (a servant)' [Rare]
capsula -ae, f., 'small box' [Rare]
captatio -onis, f., 'an eager reaching for; inheritance-chasing [UnCommon]
captator -oris, m., 'one who seeks; an inheritance chaser' [Common]
captio -onis, f., 'a trick, verbal trick; the result of trickery' [Common]
captiosus -a -um, 'captious, tricky, harmful' [Common]
captiuncula -ae, f., 'a verbal piece of sophistry' [Rare]
captivitas -tatis, f., 'captivity, capture' [Common]
captivus -a -um, 'captive, captured, seized in war' [Common]
capto -are, 'grasp at, seek out, seek for, try to get; captivate' [Freq.]
captura -ae, f., 'act of capturing' [Rare]
captus -us, m., 'the act of grasping' [Common]
capularis -e, 'ready for the coffin = half dead already'(See next) [Rare]
capulus -i, m., 'handle of an implement or sword; coffin (as receiver of a body)'(See prev.) [Common]
caput -itis, n., 'head; life; a person; an individual "head"; the head or top of anything, source (of a river); head-of-state; beginning' [VeryFreq.]
carbaseus -a -um, 'of linen-canvas' [Rare]
carbasus -i, f., 'linen clothes, canvas, sail; awning of linen'(N. pl. 'carbasa' is used for "sails" specifically.) [Common]
carbo -onis, m., 'charcoal (fuel); a marking pencil; charred embers' [Common]
carbonarius -i, m., 'man whose job is as a charcoal burner' [Rare]
carbunculus -i, n., 'a live coal' [Rare]
carcer -eris, m., 'jail, prison; cages' [VeryFreq.]
carchesium -i, n., 'a large drinking cup' [Rare]
cardiacus -a -um, 'pertaining to the heart or abdomen' [Rare]
cardo -inis, m., 'pivot, axis, axis of earth; cardinal point (astronomy), base-line (in surveying); hinge on a door; critical point on which an argument hinges' [Freq.]
carduus -i, m., 'thistle' [Rare]
carectum -i, n., 'sedge, moss' [Rare]
careo -ere -ui, 'be lacking in, be without, go without, be deprived of, be free from'(Takes an abl. obj. for what one lacks or is in need of.) [VeryFreq.]
carex -icis. f., 'sedge grass' [Rare]
caries (acc. -em, abl. -e, only cases found), f., 'decay, rot'(Only of organic materials, not of dental "caries," whose use is modern.) [Common]
carina -ae, f., 'keel (of a ship); a ship' [Common]
cariosus -a -um, 'rotten, decayed' [Common]
caritas -atis, f., 'dearness (of affections); dearness (of price)'Note: In the Latin New Testament, 'caritas' is used as the translation for Gr. 'agape,' which is clearly "love," notwithstanding the familiar King James translation as "charity." Engl. "charity" is "alms-giving" or Gr. 'eleemosyne,' perhaps done at times with love, but not the same thing as spiritual Love. Some newer translations have restored the word, "Love," at long last! [Common]
carmen -inis, n., 'song, poems (as the "Odes" of Horace); song of any sort; an evil incantation, magic; an oracular response' Note: The phrase, 'malum carmen,' is much in the mind of the superstitious Romans, as a Roman voodoo of real and effective power. Even the word carmen by itself is often understood to mean magical incantation and witchcraft, which the Romans really believed in. [VeryFreq.]
carnarium -i, n., 'meat-rack, place for storing fresh meat'(See caro, carnis) [Rare]
carnifex -ficis, m., 'butcher; executioner, villain' [Common]
carnificina -ae, f., 'what the 'carnifex' does, i.e. torture and death' [Freq.]
carnifico -are, 'kill, execute' [Common]
caro carnis, f., 'meat, flesh; body tissue' [Freq.]
carnosus -a -um, 'fleshy' [Rare]
carpentum -i, n., 'a light, one-horse buggy [UnCommon]
carpo carpere carpsi carptum, 'pluck (as fruit), pick off, pick up, select, pull apart (by plucking); decimate'Note: There may be some indirect influence from Gr. 'karpo,' "pluck fruit," added to the Roman word. This tone surely surfaces in the phrase, 'carpe diem,' that is, "pluck each day" like a ripe fruit, which will not be good for the morrow. Consider, too, Trimalchio's great pun in the Cena to his servant, Carpus, at the table: 'carpe, Carpe!' [VeryFreq.]
carptim adv., 'bit by bit, piece by piece' [Common]
carptor -oris, m., 'carver (at the table)'(See carpo) [Rare]
carruca see carruscarrus -i, m., 'a wagon'(Gaulish word) [Rare]
caruncula -ae, f., 'a (fleshy) growth [UnCommon]
carus -a -um, 'dear and loving; dear = costly'Note: Who would have thought that the same IE root could have produced this endearing Latin adjective, and also the Gothic infinitive 'horinon,' "to go to the whores"? But a prostitute must be dear to somebody, or there would be no business at all! [Freq.]
casa -ae, f., 'little house, cottage, small shop'Note: . . . as against 'domus,' 'villa,' etc. This is the word which has come down in the Romanic tongues as the main word for "house." See 'caballus' and note. [Common]
cascus -a -um, 'ancient, primitive; old-fashioned' [Rare]
caseolus -i, m., 'a little cheese' [Rare]
caseus -i, m., 'cheese'Note: Cheese-making is very much the product of the Western world. The processes probably arose in eastern Turkey before 4000 B.C, and they represent a combination of the large-scale domestication of cows, sheep, and goats with the lucky discovery that rennen from the lining of cows' stomachs acts on whole milk to produce cheese. The end product, after the whey is pressed out and the cheese chunk immersed in melted beeswax, keeps for a year or more without refrigeration--an important discovery in providing a stable, year-round food supply. [Common]
casia -ae, f., 'casia (a perfumed plant product) [UnCommon]
cassida -ae, f., see cassiscassis -idis, f., 'helmet, i.e. military service' [Common]
cassus -a -um, 'lacking, hollow, empty, vain' [Freq.]
castanea -ae, f., 'chestnut or chestnut tree [UnCommon]
castellanus -a -um, 'relating to a fortress [UnCommon]
castellum -i, n., 'a fort, a garrisoned settlement (mil.), castle' [Common]
castigatio -onis, f., 'punishment, blame' [Common]
castigo -are, 'reprove, blame' [Freq.]
castimonia -ae, f., 'purity [UnCommon]
castitas -tatis, f., 'chastity' [Common]
castor -oris, m., 'the beaver' [Common]
castoreum -i, n., 'medical or perfumery product derived from the testicles of the beaver' [Rare]
castrensis -e, 'pertaining to a military camp'(See castrum)Not [Common]
castrum -i, n. (usually, castra -orum, n., pl.), 'military camp, encampment, war, active service, campaign' [VeryFreq.]
castus -a -um, 'pure, moral, chaste, virginal; pure, clean (of style)' [Freq.]
casula -ae, f., 'a cottage [UnCommon]
casus -us, m., 'act of falling, dropping, ceasing; an accident, a chance occurrence, a bad accident; pure chance, danger'Note: The grammatical "case" of a noun is this same word, but only because nouns were seen to "drop" or "descend" on the page in the ancient grammar books. The word translates Gr. 'ptoma,' "fall," since it was the Greek schoolmasters who "invented" the paradigm. [VeryFreq.]
cataphractes -ae, m. (and catafractes -ae, f.), 'coat of mail; soldier wearing a coat of mail' (Greek word) [Rare]
cataphractus -a -um, 'in a coat of mail (metal mesh, mil.)' [Rare]
cataplus -i, m., 'sailing into port'(Greek word) [Rare]
catapulta -ae, f., 'catapult [UnCommon]
cataracta -ae, f., 'cataract; sluiceway, waterfall' [Rare]
catasta -ae, f., 'a stand in the slave market'(Greek word) [Rare]
catellus -i, m. (and catella -ae, f.), 'a puppy-dog [UnCommon]
catena -ae, f., 'a chain; restraint; bond of any attachment' [Freq.]
catenatus -a -um, 'chained, bound, tied together'("Concatenated" has surfaced again in computer lingo for elements inexorably tied to each other.) [Common]
caterva -ae, f., 'crowd, band of followers, cluster of people' [VeryFreq.]
catervatim adv., 'group-by-group; in (large) groups [UnCommon]
cathedra -ae, f., 'an arm chair, easy-chair, academic chair'Note: Greek word; in the Christian world, the "seat" of a bishop is quite naturally called a "cathedral." [Common]
catillus -i, m., 'a small dish, plate [UnCommon]
catinus -i, m., 'a large dish, plate [UnCommon]
catomidio -are, 'put somebody on another's shoulders'(Greek word, 'kata' + 'omos') [Rare]
catulus -i, m., 'young of any mammalian, a puppy, whelp, etc.' [Common]
catus -a -um, 'clever, sharp, shrewd'(The elder Cato was appropriately named, as his extant book on farming demonstrates.) [Common]
cauda (coda) -ae, f., 'tail, extreme end; penis'(The musical "coda," as a repeat, is just another form of tail.) [Common]
caudex see codexcaudicalis -e, 'concerned with logs, logging' [Rare]
caulae -arum, f. pl., 'a lattice fence; apertures, holes [UnCommon]
caulis -is, m., 'cabbage'Note: English "cole-slaw" is a word borrowed directly from Latin, since the -c- has not passed by Verner's Law into an -h-, as it would have done if inherited by the usual historical linguistic routing. The fact that it is a loan-word probably reflects on its southern origin in warmer climates. Also, compare Engl. "cauliflower," a member of the cabbage family. [Common]
caupo -onis, m., 'shopkeeper; (often) innkeeper' [Common]
causa (caussa) -ae, f., 'cause, case (leg.), plea, causative principle (philosophy), reason for . . . , situation'(Special use: 'causa' in abl. with a connected gen., which usually comes first, = "for the sake of . . . ," a [Common]
idiom. E.g. 'honoris causa,' "for the sake of honor.") [VeryFreq.]
causarius -i, m., 'military dischargee; a very sickly person'(During WWII, the Section 8 classification had about the same meaning, but on psychiatric grounds.)Not [Common]
causea -ae f., 'a wide-brimmed hat (Macedonian-style)' [Rare]
causidicus -i, m., 'attorney who does trial work [UnCommon]
causor -ari (dep.), 'plead a case, institute a "case"'(Here 'causa' means "case" in the legal sense.) [Common]
causula -ae, f., 'an insignificant little legal case' [Rare]
cautes -is, f., 'a rock, a hard place'(Actually, and also figuratively, as in the English idiom.) [Common]
cautio -onis, f., 'precaution, care; a legal exception or addition to a document; a guarantee' [Freq.]
cautor -oris, m., 'a wary person' [Rare]
cautus -a -um, 'wary, cautious; secure (of financial dealings)' [Freq.]
cavea -ae, f., 'a birdcage; a fence around a garden; the audience space in the theater, a hollow'Note: The fact that this word is used for space in the theater reflects the round shape of all ancient theaters. [Common]
caveo cavere cavi cautum, 'be careful, beware, refrain from, shun'(There are special legal uses pertaining to surety. 'Caveat emptor!') [Freq.]
caverna -ae, f., 'cave, cavern, hollow, the open sky (as empty, hollow), a hole; a ship's hold' [Freq.]
cavilla -ae, f., 'joking, bantering [UnCommon]
cavillatio -onis, f., 'verbal banter, verbal quibbling [UnCommon]
cavillator -oris, m., 'a banterer; an over-critical critic' [Rare]
cavillor -ari (dep.), 'banter, quibble on a merely verbal level' [Common]
cavo -are, 'hollow out, perforate, carve out' [Freq.]
cavum -i, n. (and cavus -i, m.), 'hollow, hole, depression' [Freq.]
cavus -a -um, 'hollow, hollowed out, empty; concave'(See prev.) [Freq.]
-ce demonstrative particle (joined onto pronouns and adverbs) (As an example, the singular of the paradigm of 'hic' was originally 'hi-c,' acc. 'hum-ce.' This particle also appears in double strength in 'ecce' [ec + ce), "behold!" [Fr. 'voici!'], and in the [Rare]
r 'cette' [ce + date], from 'cedo' [ce + do]. See second 'cedo' entry following.) [Freq.]
cedo cedere cessi cessum, 'go, proceed, walk forth, move on, walk away from = yield, withdraw; concede'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
cedo (defective verbal imperative, pl. 'cette'), 'hand it over; tell me about it; "come-on now," "give it here"'(From 'ce-,' "here," + 'do,' "give; hand it over." Sg. 'cedo,' pl. 'cette.' These forms are used in old comedy and archaizing prose, but they must not be confused with the regular verb, 'cedo -ere.' See prev.)Not [Common]
cedrus -i, f., 'cedar tree, aromatic cedar oil'(Used as a preservative and also as a medicine.) [Common]
celator -oris, m., 'one who conceals, hides' [Rare]
celeber -bris -bre, 'crowded, [Freq.]
ed, famous; (also) infamous, notorious' [Freq.]
celebratio -onis, f., 'gathering, crowd; vogue [UnCommon]
celebrator -oris, m., 'one who praises' [Rare]
celebritas -tatis, f., '"busy-ness," crowding in public; fame' [Common]
celebro -are, 'throng together, crowd around, have a feast or ceremony; praise, celebrate, honor' [Freq.]
celer -eris -ere, 'quick, agile, fast-thinking; fast-occurring (of events)' [VeryFreq.]
celeripes -pedis, 'swift-footed' [Rare]
celeritas -tatis, f., 'speed, quickness' [Freq.]
celero -are, 'hurry, hasten' [Common]
celeuma -atis, 'the call of time for rowers; beat, rhythm'(Greek word, meaning "an order," from 'keleuo.') [Rare]
cella -ae, f., 'a small room, storeroom, chamber' [Freq.]
cello -ere, 'raise up, elevate, raise on high' [Common]
cellarius -i, m., 'steward' [Rare]
celo -are, 'conceal, hide, keep secret' [Freq.]
celox -ocis, f., 'a fast, light boat'(From celer)Not [Common]
celsus -a -um, 'tall, high, lofty, high-spirited, noble' [Freq.]
cena -ae, f., 'dinner (the main Roman meal); a banquet'Note: The "'Cena' par excellence" is the central portion of Petronius' book, "The Satyricon," which is a wonderful piece of writing, our only document on the behavior of the Roman nouveau-riche and their lower-class Latin speech, and a great introduction to the niceties (or "grosseties") of Roman dining. For a note on Petronius, see arbiter. [VeryFreq.]
cenaculum -i, n., 'attic of a house, garret, space under the eaves [UnCommon]
cenatio -onis, f., 'dining-room [UnCommon]
cenatus -a -um, 'having dined' [Rare]
cenito -are, 'dine regularly somewhere [UnCommon]
ceno -are, 'dine, have dinner' [Freq.]
censeo -ere -ui -um, 'think, reckon, have an opinion, evaluate' [VeryFreq.]
censor -oris, m., 'a judge, censor (of morals); the magistrate "censor" in charge of the census, property evaluation, and other population related duties'Note: The word, 'Censor,' is often associated with the elder Cato, whose book on farming outlines every mean and despicable way in which one can eke from the land and wrench out of the slave workers a comfortable living. The book dates from the middle of the 2nd century B.C.; it is written in straightforward and unadorned Latin, and it documents, in paintaking detail, a petty breed of grassroots capitalism at work. A most interesting book, withal! [Freq.]
censorius -a -um, 'referring to a 'censor' (the magistrate); censorious' [Common]
censura -ae, f., 'the offices of a 'censor' (the magistrate); severe moral judgment, judgment in general' [Common]
census -us, m., 'the censor's list of population, the "census"' [Freq.]
centaureum (and centaurium) -i, n., 'a plant (not identifiable), apparently a purgative (med.)'Note: Presumably, a laxative which makes a man's bowel movement as copious as that of a centaur, who has, after all, a horse's behind. [Rare]
centaurus -i, m., 'centaur, a mythological creature, half man and half horse'Note: The Centaurs, and particularly Chiron, were reputed to be the teachers of the ancient Greek heroes, such as Achilles, Perseus, Jason, and Hercules. [Rare]
centeni -ae -a, 'one hundred each' [Common]
centesimus -a -um, 'one hundredth, one percent' [Common]
centiceps -cipitis, 'having a hundred heads' [Rare]
centiens (or centies), '100 times' [Common]
centimanus -a -um, 'having a hundred hands' [Rare]
cento -onis, m., 'a patchwork quilt'Note: This word provides a title for Ausonius' 'Centones,' a literary patchwork quilt of famous passages of poetry, re-stitched together in startlingly obscene senses. It is amazing to see Vergilian lines escalated to a simple-minded level of pornography. [Rare]
centrum -i, n., 'center, proof; point in a compass, pivot, lump or point' [Common]
centuarius -a -um, 'having a 100-count or 100-weight [UnCommon]
centum 'hundred; a hundred (as a round number)' [Common]
centumgeminus -a -um, 'hundred-fold [UnCommon]
centupondium -i, n., 'one hundred pound weight [UnCommon]
centumviralis -e, 'pertaining to a board of l00 men [UnCommon]
centuplex -icis, 'a hundred-fold' [Rare]
centuria -ae, f., 'things characterized by having 100 parts, as follows: a platoon of 100 soldiers; a voting unit of the people ('comitia centuriata'); a plot of 100 acres' [Common]
centuriatus -us, m., 'divided into 'centuriae''(See prev.)Not [Common]
centurio -onis, m., 'a centurion, a sort of master sergeant'(See 'centuria' and next) [Common]
centurio -are, 'divide soldiers into hundreds, lay out land in 100-acre plots'(See prev.)Not [Common]
cenula -ae, f., 'a little meal, supper [UnCommon]
cenum see caenumcera -ae, f., 'wax, beeswax; wax as a bottle seal; the coating on temporary writing tablets ("scratch pads"); a wax bust (the original for lost-wax bronze casting)'Note: But not used for a candle, for which Romans used ceramic olive oil lamps with either single or double wicks, in a sense, burning the midnight oil, literally. See lychnus and bilychnus. [Freq.]
cerarium -i, n., 'a fee for sealing a document' [Rare]
cerastes -ae, m., 'an asp'(So called from its horn-like head, from the Gr. 'keras,' "horn.") [Rare]
cerasus -i, f., 'the cherry tree; a cherry (as fruit) [UnCommon]
cercopithecus -i, m., 'a tailed monkey' [Rare]
cerdo -onis, m., 'an artisan, craftsman [UnCommon]
cerebellum -i, n., 'brain; mind [UnCommon]
cerebrosus -a -um, 'hot-headed'(See next) [Rare]
cerebrum -i, n., 'brain, skull; [Common]
sense'Note: Ennius has a curious example of 'tmesis,' or "word-splitting," in which he rends 'cerebrum' into 'cere-,' followed in the sentence by a head-splitting sword stroke, and then '-brum.' Nice effect, although he seems unaware of the normal Homeric Greek separation of prefix from verb--an entirely different matter. [Freq.]
cereus -a -um, 'waxen; wax, pale-yellow colored, pallid' [Common]
cerintha -ae, f., 'a flower, probably wax-colored (type unknown)' [Rare]
cerinus -a -um, 'wax-colored, light yellow (of dresses)' [Rare]
cerno cernere crevi cretum, 'see, perceive, decide; discern with eye or mind, examine closely' [VeryFreq.]
cernuus -a -um, 'head-first, headlong' [Rare]
ceroma -atis, n., 'the earth or mud floor of the wrestling arena; a wrestling place [UnCommon]
ceromaticus -a -um, 'mud-covered (of a practicing wrestler)' [Rare]
cerritus -a -um, 'frenzied, mad (possessed by Ceres)'Note: This word suggests the possibility of "ergotism," an often fatal epidemic involving a type of rye-grain poisoning, well-attested in both ancient and modern times. Symptoms are mental confusion and disorientation, and the course of the disease often ends in death. This is the only reasonable explanation of this word, which is clearly associated with the ancient grain deity, Ceres.Not [Common]
certamen -inis, n., 'struggle, battle, dispute; any contest of the arts' [Freq.]
certatim adv., 'competitively' [Common]
certatio -onis, f., 'competition for excellence' [Common]
certe adv., 'in fact, indeed, "for sure"' [VeryFreq.]
certo adv., see certe(See next) [Freq.]
certo -are, 'contend for, struggle for, fight; contend (leg.), compete (pol.)'(See prev.) [Freq.]
certus -a -um, 'definite, sure, fixed, firm, indisputable, steady, sure to be . . . '(The very [Common]
idiom, 'certiorem facere,' means "inform somebody, make him more certain of . . . ") [VeryFreq.]
cerula -ae, f., 'a little piece of wax' [Common]
cerussa -ae, f., 'white lead'Note: The Romans had some idea of the poisonous qualities of this material, which was used as a whitening cosmetic by prostitutes, as voiced in the caution: "Handle if you will, but do not taste!Ó [since tasting might be the kiss of death]. See plumbum and note.Not [Common]
cerussatus -a -um, 'painted with white lead'(See note on prev.) [Common]
cerva -ae, f., 'deer'(It is female grammatically, but can also be a male deer.) [Common]
cervical -alis, n., 'pillow [UnCommon]
cervicula -ae, f., 'the neck [UnCommon]
cervinus -a -um, 'pertaining to deer [UnCommon]
cervix -icis, f., 'the neck' [Freq.]
cervus -i, m., '(orig.) stag, deer; (later) stakes in a military fortification'(The stakes must have looked like deer antlers.) [Rare]
cespes see caespescessatio -onis, f., 'relaxation, idleness' [Common]
cessator -oris, m., 'an idler [UnCommon]
cessio -onis, f., 'a cessation (leg.)' [Rare]
cesso -are, 'be still, stay; be inactive, motionless; cease' [Freq.]
cestrosphendone -es, f., 'a catapult (mil.)' [Rare]
cestus see caestuscestus (cestos) -i, m., 'a girdle'(Greek word with a long -e-; do not confuse with 'cestus' [= 'caestus'], "boxing glove.") [Rare]
cetarium -i, n., 'a fish-pond' [Rare]
cetarius -i, m., 'a fish-seller' [Rare]
cetera adv., 'besides, moreover' [Common]
ceteroqui (or ceteroquin), adv., 'in other respects' [Freq.]
ceterus -a -um, 'other, the other, the rest, remaining; the other part (the one left over)'(The [Common]
Engl. abbreviation, "etc." = 'et cetera,' "and the others.") [VeryFreq.]
cette see cedocetus -i, m. (and cetos, n.; pl. cete), 'a whale, dolphin, sea-monster'Note: Engl. cetology is the study of the marine mammals, all of whom are carnivorous, except the Florida "manatee" and the "dugong" of the Pacific. [Rare]
ceu adv., 'as if, just so . . . '(Often used to introduce similes in poetry. See velut.) [VeryFreq.]
ceveo -ere, 'pulsate, thrust'Note: The Romans have sex-specific verbs for sexual activity, just as they have separate words for a man and woman marrying. 'Ceveo' is used specifically for the motion of a man in the sexual act. See 'crisso,' the reciprocal motion of a woman. [Rare]
chaere (chere) interj., 'greetings!'Note: Directly taken from the Greek imperative, 'chaire,' = Latin 'ave'; but, when encountered in normal social usage, it has the mark of social phonyism, according to Martial's cutting epigram on a man who always said 'chaire!' Just so in Persius' prolog, the parrot is taught to say 'chaire,' a cultural word, but without meaning for him. And if an American Harvard Law School professor enters the lecture hall and says 'bonjour!', we know right off that he is putting on the dog. [Rare]
chalybeius -a -um, 'of steel' [Rare]
chalybs -lybis, m., 'steel [UnCommon]
chaos n., 'Chaos, mythological father of Night and Erebus (darkness)'Note: In the 17th century, a Dutch physicist casting about for a word to use for his study of equidistant molecules filling a space by bumping away from each other, coined the word "gas" from his own Dutch pronunciation of the Greek word, 'chaos.' [Common]
charta (carta) -ae, f., 'papyrus paper, writing, a book'Note: The Romans were still using papyrus paper until the deterioration of the Egyptian papyrus fields in the 2nd century A.D., when Near Eastern leather or parchment (from Pergamum), previously used only for permanent books, became the standard available writing material. Paper (in our sense) was available by the time of Cicero, but not much used because of the unpredictable way in which it soaked up ink. [Common]
chartula -ae, f., 'a scrap of paper' [Rare]
chelidon -onis, f., 'the swallow (bird)'Note: Also used of the female sex organs (Juvenal). [Rare]
chelydrus -i, m., 'a water snake' [Rare]
chelys (acc. chelyn), f., 'tortoise; the lyre'Note: A basic Greek musical instrument made from a turtle shell--or, later, a wooden resonance box--across which five strings were drawn taut. The shape of the round-backed lute and the Italian mandolina probably were influenced by earlier Greco-Roman designs, although the stringing and fingering were different. [Rare]
cheragra -ae, f., 'arthritis of the hands'(See next) [Rare]
chiragra -ae, f., 'arthritis of the hands'(See prev.) [Rare]
chiriamaxium -i, n., 'wheel barrow, hand-wagon'(Greek word, 'cheir-' and 'hamaxe.') [Rare]
chirographum -i, n., 'handwriting, an original manuscript, a signed (legal) statement' [Common]
chironomos -os -on, 'gesticulating like a mime'Note: Ancient mimes did charades with voice and music, far different from our "dumb-mimes," the basic technique of which appeared in the 18th century. The Greek poetic Mimes of Herondas show a still different variety of the basic notion, which is the imitation ('mimein') of life scenes. Greek inflection is used in all the forms, since the word remains foreign. [Rare]
chironomon -ontis, m., 'gesticulator' [Rare]
chirurgia -ae, f., 'surgery'Note: Since the l8th century, it has been spelled "surgery," but before that in older English books, "chirurgery." Celsus' later books describe Roman surgery in clear detail, surprising us by the daring of some of the operations performed, e.g. surgical removal of bladder and kidney stones, apparently working through the rectal wall! Peritonitis? Did these operations actually work, or were they only textbook outlines of surgical possibilities? [Rare]
chlamydatus -a -um, 'dressed in a soldier's cloak' [Rare]
chlamys -mydis, f., a cloak (mil. or equestrian) (Greek word)Not [Common]
choragium -i, n., 'production of a chorus' [Rare]
choragus -i, m., 'an agent for a chorus' [Rare]
choraules -ae, m., 'pipe-player'(This word partly follows Greek declension.) [Common]
chorea -ae, f., 'dance' [Common]
chorda -ae, f., 'the string of a musical instrument' [Common]
chorea -ae, f., 'a circular dance sequence' [Common]
choreus (chorius) -i, m., 'a trochee (metre, poet.)' [Rare]
chorus -i, m., 'a singing and dancing sequence in a play, a choral passage in (Greek or Senecan) drama; any group of people characterized by "song and dance"' [Common]
Christianus -a -um, 'Christian'(See next) [Rare]
Christus -i, m., 'Christ'Note: The only references to Christ and Christians in earlier, pagan Latin are Tacitus, Ann. 15.44, and Pliny, Epistulae 10.96 and 97, which are very interesting documents, indeed, and should be read by every serious student of the Classics. Pliny, serving as judge in a local court, before which were brought Christians who refused to salute the Emperor's statue or go into military service, laid out the whole problem in a letter to the Emperor, who responded in a taut but incisive note (which would have force of law as an "Imperial Rescript"). The situation recalls the American Congressional Hearings on Communists of the l950's, when a conservative country realized the extent and danger of a new, growing minority and overreacted with fear and legal reprisals. Trajan is much more civilized: "No prosecutions to be based on anonymous documentation, and abundant opportunity for being readmitted to the society as such." But his successors were much less rational and restrained, until Christianity finally emerged as the religion of the Roman state. In our century, the young men who objected to the war in Vietnam, burning flags and refusing to go into the army, were unconsciously reduplicating the role of the early Christians. See offula and note. [Rare]
chrysanthus -i, m., 'a flower, marigold' [Rare]
chrysolithos -i, m. and f., 'the gem-stone, topaz' [Rare]
cibaria -orum, n., 'rations (mil.), food; provisions, or pay for rations' [Freq.]
cibarius -a -um, 'relating to food' [Common]
cibatus -us, m., 'food' [Rare]
ciborium -i, n., 'a large drinking vessel' [Rare]
cibus -i, m., 'food, fodder, a meal; sustenance' [Freq.]
cicada -ae, f., 'cicada; a golden cicada as a hairpin design' [Common]
cicaro -onis, m., 'an urchin, street-boy [UnCommon]
cicatrix -icis, f., 'a scar; the scar on a pruned tree' [Freq.]
cicer -eris, n., 'the chick pea'Note: The origin of Cicero's name. Perhaps, also used for the male genitals ("nuts") in Juvenal 6.373. If this were a [Common]
usage some centuries earlier, it may have caused some risibility among Cicero's critics. [Freq.]
ciccum -i, n., 'something of no value, junk' [Rare]
cichoreum -i, n., 'chicory' (An edible salad vegetable) [Rare]
ciconia -ae, f., 'the stork'Note: In Persius, this is mentioned as an obscene gesture, apparently like today's raised third finger, which is incidentally equated with a procedure called "goosing." It is the long neck of the stork or goose which is responsible for this minor bit of colloquial obscenity. [Rare]
cicur -uris, 'tame (of animals), mild, quiet'(The same word is used for a hybrid animal, according to Festus.) [Rare]
cicuta -ae, f., 'the poison hemlock; a pipe made from hemlock-wood' Note: "Hemlock" is the English name used for the poison administered to Socrates, but surely not the same as the American native conifer called hemlock. Drinking turpentine would be emetic, but not a sure way of dispatching someone.Not [Common]
cieo ciere civi citum, 'move, make to move, rouse up, stir, raise (sounds, emotions, etc.)' [Common]
cimex -icis, m., 'a bed-bug [UnCommon]
cinaedus -i, m., 'a male homosexual; a lusty dancer' Note: The etymology is obscure, probably not the usual explanation, from Gr. 'kinein' + 'aoida,' "moving the genitals," which is too vague. The word is used for one who takes an "active" or "masculine" sex-role; his passive reciprocal is the 'pathicus,' from Greek 'pathein.' See pathicus.Not [Common]
cincinnatus -a -um, 'having curled hair' [Rare]
cincinnus -i, m., 'a curl of hair, curled hair' [Rare]
cinctura -ae, f., 'act of tying in clothes with a belt' [Rare]
cinctus -us, m., 'dress; the belted toga' [Freq.]
cinctutus -a -um, 'dressed, wearing a belted toga, belted-around; encircled' [Freq.]
cinefactus -a -um, 'burned down to the ash' [Rare]
cinerarius -i, m., 'a hair-curling hairdresser (cosmetics)' [Rare]
cingo cingere cinxi cinctum, 'encircle, belt around, belt in, bind up, ring around' [VeryFreq.]
cingula -ae, f., 'a girdle' [Rare]
cingulum -i, n., 'belt, sword-belt; dog-collar' [Common]
cingulus -i, m., 'a geographical "band" or zone' [Rare]
ciniflo -onis, m., 'hairdresser in the fancy style' [Rare]
cinis -eris, m., 'ashes, embers; ashes from the funerary pyre' (Often used like Engl. "the grave.") [VeryFreq.]
cinnamum -i, n., 'cinnamon, an aromatic herbal' (But, perhaps, not the same as our modern kitchen cinnamon.) [Rare]
cippus -i, m., 'a boundary stone, tombstone' [Rare]
circa adv. and prep., '(acc. obj.) around, round-about, about' [VeryFreq.]
circamoerium -i, n. = pomoerium(This is a coined word in Livy to explain 'pomoerium.' See 'pomoerium.') [Rare]
circensis -e, 'belonging to the circus'(Used in the pl. as subst. with 'ludi' understood, "the circus games.") [Common]
circino -are, 'make round, circular' [Rare]
circinus -i, m., 'a drafting compass' [Rare]
circiter adv. and prep., '(acc. obj.) about, near, around' [Freq.]
circitor -oris, m., 'salesman; night-watchman'(Lit., "one who makes the rounds")Not [Common]
circueo see circumeocircuitus -us, m., 'circle, circuitous passage [UnCommon]
circulator -oris, m., 'an itinerant street entertainer, a busker' [Rare]
circulo -are, 'to make circles, travel in circles'(See circinus)Not [Common]
circulus (circlus) -i, m., 'circle, ring; an audience (in a circle)' [Freq.]
circum adv. and prep., '(acc. obj.) around, round about' [VeryFreq.]
circumago -agere -egi -actum, 'drive around, rotate, turn around, turn (opinions) about' [Freq.]
circumaro -are, 'plow around'(Used for outlining a plot of land, by plowing a furrow around, according to Livy.) [Rare]
circumcaesura -ae, f., 'surface of a body' [Rare]
circumcido -cidere -cidi -cisum, 'cut in a ring around, girdle a tree; circumcise a man; whittle down or diminish'Note: The ancient practice of girdling trees to allow them to air-dry dead, as still done in Japan, seems to be the base for this word. This is the most convenient and economical way of getting fine, air-dried lumber, since it avoids unnecessary handling and exposes the wood to the wind equally on all sides. [Freq.]
circumcirca adv., 'all around' [Rare]
circumcludo -cludere -clusi -clusum, 'surround (with fortifications; with troops)' [Common]
circumcolo -ere, 'dwell around' [Rare]
circumcurso -are, 'run about, rotate, revolve [UnCommon]
circumdo -dare -dedi -datum, 'place around, grow around, encircle (mil.); clothe, cloak' [Freq.]
circumduco -ducere -duxi -ductum, 'lead around, manuever around (mil.), encircle' [Freq.]
circumeo (circueo) -ire -ii (or -ivi) -itum, 'go around, encircle, surround (mil.), go the rounds; examine each thing in sequence' [Freq.]
circumequito -are, 'ride around on horseback' [Rare]
circumerro -are, 'wander around, go back and forth' [Rare]
circumfero -ferre -tuli -latum, 'carry around, trace a circular course; pass food and drink around at dinner (i.e. serve); show and demonstrate (by carrying around); compare; spread (war, famine, disease)'Note: From this our comes our abbreviation, 'cf.,' short for the imperative form, 'confer,' "compare." [Freq.]
circumflecto -flectere -flexi -flexum, 'turn a course (in horse-racing)' [Rare]
circumflo -are, 'blow from all directions' [Rare]
circumfluo -fluere -fluxi -fluxum, 'flow around (of a river), spread around (of an audience), enshroud; spread around (mil.), surround' [Common]
circumfluus -a -um, 'flowing around' [Common]
circumforaneus -a -um, 'forum-related; of the market (the forum) [UnCommon]
circumfundo -fundere -fudi -fusum, 'pour around, flow around, encircle (mil.), inundate (rivers)' [Common]
circumgemo -ere, 'roar around' [Rare]
circumgesto -are, 'carry around' [Rare]
circumgredior -gredi -gressus sum (dep.), 'march around, encircle (mil.)' [Rare]
circumiaceo -ere, 'lie near (of places) [UnCommon]
circumicio -icere -ieci -iectum, 'fling around (weapons), throw up encircling defenses (mil.); surround' [Common]
circumiectus -us, m., 'surrounding, enclosing (geog.)' [Rare]
circumitio -onis, f., 'rotation (astron.), orbit; coursing around; circumlocution [UnCommon]
circumligo -are, 'tie around, attach with ropes' [Rare]
circumlino -linere -levi -litum, 'smear around, paint, bedaub, seal around (a bottle)' Note: Sealing flasks was done with gypsum, which was smeared with a black tar when set. Some wine bottles from shipwrecks are still tightly sealed, although the wine has turned to vinegar. Chemical analysis, if done with great care, gives some indication of the chemistry of the earth and the atmosphere in ancient times. In a parallel kind of recent investigation, identification of many ancient pollens has contributed to our knowledge of the ancient flora of Europe. [Common]
circumluo -luere, 'wash around (of seas encircling land)' [Rare]
circumlustro -are, 'travel around, go around' (Used mainly in the formal ritual of purification.) [Rare]
circumluvio -onis, f., 'a delta (geog.)' [Rare]
circummingo -ere, 'urinate all around' Note: Petronius uses this in his story about the ritual of a man pissing on his clothes before turning into a werewolf. Lycanthropic myths range from Scandinavia to India; they are always colorful and interesting. [Rare]
circummitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'send around embassies, encircle (mil.)' [Rare]
circummugio -ire, '"moo" around (of a cow)' [Rare]
circummulceo -ere, 'lick all around with the tongue' [Rare]
circummunio -ire, 'surround with a wall' [Rare]
circumpendeo -ere, 'hang down around (of decorations, jewelry)' [Rare]
circumplaudo -ere, 'surround with applause' [Rare]
circumplector -plecti -plexus sum (dep.), 'surround, enclose; embrace (bodily)' [Rare]
circumplico -are, 'coil around (of a serpent)' [Rare]
circumpono -ponere -posui -positum, 'place (something) all around [UnCommon]
circumpotatio -onis, f., 'act of passing the cups around (at a party)'(See 'poto -are' and 'poculum') [Rare]
circumretio -ire, 'enclose in a net' [Rare]
circumrodo -rodere -rosi -rosum, 'nibble around (like a rat), gnaw at; gnaw at (someone's reputation)' [Rare]
circumsaepio -saepire -saepivi -saeptum, 'fence in'(See saepes) [Rare]
circumsaeptus -a -um, 'walled in, encircled by fencing [UnCommon]
circumscindo -ere, 'strip off (clothes)' [Rare]
circumscribo -scribere -scripsi -scriptum, 'draw a line around, prescribe; describe, restrict; cheat (by legalistic chicanery)' [Freq.]
circumscriptio -onis, f., 'encircling, defining, cheating [UnCommon]
circumscriptor -oris, m., 'a cheat' [Rare]
circumscriptus -a -um (ppl. from circumscripto), 'concise; periodic (of style)' [Common]
circumseco -secare -secavi -sectum, 'clip around (of trees); clip, circumcise a man' [Rare]
circumsedeo -sedere -sedi -sessum, 'sit around, settle around, besiege (mil.)' [Common]
circumsessio -onis, f., 'the act of surrounding in a threatening manner, "be-mobbing"' [Rare]
circumsido see circumsedeo circumsilio -ire, 'jump around' (Used of his lady's pet sparrow, with tongue in cheek, by Catullus.) [Rare]
circumsisto -sistere -steti (-stiti), 'gather around, stand around, crowd around' [Common]
circumsono -sonare -sonui, 'resound, echo, sound in all directions' [Common]
circumsonus -a -um, 'sounding all around [UnCommon]
circumspectio -onis, f., 'careful observation' [Rare]
circumspecto -are, 'look all around with care, search for, survey; review' [Freq.]
circumspectus -a -um, 'cautious, guarded, wary' [Common]
circumspectus -us, m., 'visual inspection' [Common]
circumspicio -spicere -spexi -spectum, 'look all around oneself, survey, examine carefully; seek out' [Freq.]
circumsto -stare -steti, 'stand around, be present (of persons, of conditions, of dangerous situations), beset' [Common]
circumstrepo -ere, 'surround with sound or noises' [Common]
circumtendo -ere, 'stretch all around' [Rare]
circumtero -terere, 'rub against; push, crowd' [Rare]
circumtextus -a -um, 'elaborately embroidered' [Rare]
circumtono -tonare -tonui, 'resound all around' [Rare]
circumtonsus -a -um, 'having hair cut all around' Note: Used of a cypress tree, which has this clipped shape. Also, the Romans clipped childrens' hair evenly all around, like the modern Chinese standard children's haircut. [Rare]
circumtorqueo -ere, 'twist all around' [Rare]
circumvado -vadere -vasi, 'surround (mil.)' [Rare]
circumvagus -a -um, 'encircling' [Rare]
circumvallo -are, 'surround in a siege with fortifications and/or troops (mil.)' [Common]
circumvectio -onis, f., 'a circuit, rotation; peddling of merchandise' [Rare]
circumvector -ari, 'travel around'(Similar to 'circumvehor'; see next.) [Rare]
circumvehor -vehi -vectus sum (dep.), 'travel around (on horse or ship); be transported' (In English, one usually translates this as active, "ride" or "sail," since the passive, "be carried on," seems forced.) [Common]
circumvelo -are, 'envelop, veil over' [Rare]
circumvenio -venire -veni -ventum, 'surround, attack, extend, persecute; get around = cheat' [Freq.]
circumverto -ere, 'turn oneself around; turn around; set a slave free'Note: A master's "manumission" of a slave involved a procedure of putting a hand on the slave's head, turning him around, and saying 'ESTO LIBER,' which constituted legal conversion from the status of a 'servus' to a 'libertus.' Roman masters generally freed slaves as a favor for long service, or at least on their death. A slave could also purchase his liberty under certain conditions, if he saved from his minor wages.Not [Common]
circumvolito -are, 'fly around, flit around; [Freq.]
a place' [Common]
circumvolo -are, 'fly around, flutter around' [Common]
circumvolvo -volvere -volvi -volutum, 'rotate, revolve, coil up' [Rare]
circus -i, m., 'circle, ring; horse-racing ring, the Roman "circus"' [Freq.]
cirratus -a -um, 'curly-haired [UnCommon]
cirrus -i, m., 'a curl of hair'(Used of any tuft on a plant, or even the "foot" of a bivalve oyster or clam.)Not [Common]
cis prep., '(acc. obj.) on this side of, on the nearer side of; before (in time)'(May be compounded as a preposition, as in 'Cisalpinus,' "on this side of the Alps.") [VeryFreq.]
cisium -i, n., 'a buggy' [Rare]
cista -ae, f., 'a wooden box, wicker basket (with religious associations drawn from Roman ritual); money box; ballot box' [Common]
cistella -ae, f., 'a little box' [Common]
cistellarius -i, m., 'slave in charge of the money-chest' (See Plautus' play, the "Cistellaria.") [Rare]
cistellula -ae, f., 'a little tiny "boxlet"'(Used in comedy, as an intentionally comical word. See prev.) [Rare]
cisterna -ae, f., 'cistern' [Common]
cistophorus -i, m., 'bearer of a cista' (On a Near Eastern coin, depicting the bearing of the cista of Dionysos.) [Rare]
cistula -ae, f., 'a little box' [Rare]
citatus -a -um, 'speedy, fast-moving, speeded-up'(See next) [Common]
citatus -us, m., 'impulse'(See prev.) [Rare]
citerior -ius (compar. of citer), 'nearer, closer; previous, earlier'('Gallia citerior' was a name for the portion of France closer to Italy, also called 'Provincia,' modern Fr. "Provence.") [Common]
cithara -ae, f., 'lyre' Note: The standard Greek plucked instrument with strings and no fingerboard, used largely as accompaniment to song or poetry throughout the ancient world. Engl. "zither" and "guitar" both come from this word. See chelys. [Rare]
citharista -ae, m., 'a player of the 'cithara' (musical instrument)' [Rare]
citharistria -ae, f., 'a female player of the 'cithara' (musical instrument)' [Rare]
citharoedus -i, m., 'a musician (singing and playing the 'cithara,' a musical instrument)' [Rare]
cito adv., 'quickly'(Often appears in its comparative form, 'citius,' with 'quam,' to mean "sooner than" or "rather than.") [VeryFreq.]
cito -are, 'set in motion, activate, excite; cite (leg.), cite (literary)' [Freq.]
citra adv. (f. abl. from 'citer'), 'on the nearer side, on this side of . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
citreus -a -um, 'citrus, citrus wood [UnCommon]
citro adv., 'on this side, on the nearer side' [VeryFreq.]
citrus -i, m., 'citrus tree ('Callitris quadrivalis') [UnCommon]
citus -a -um (ppl. from cieo), 'fast, fast-moving, speedy'(But less agitated than its cousin word: 'citatus -a -um') [Common]
civica -ae, f., 'the civic crown ('corona' understood)' [Rare]
civicus -a -um, 'of one's city or state, civic; relating to citizenship' [Rare]
civilis -e, 'relating to a Roman citizen or 'civis'; civil (war); civil (law, administration)' [VeryFreq.]
civilitas -tatis, f., 'civility; "Political Science"' [Rare]
civis -is, c., 'a (Roman) citizen par excellence, any citizen, countryman, "paisano"' [VeryFreq.]
civitas -tatis, f., 'citizenship; citizenry; the state (as guardian of citizenship)' [VeryFreq.]
clades -is, f., 'a disaster (earthquake, plague, etc.); a significant military defeat, slaughter; destruction in general' [VeryFreq.]
clam adv., 'silently, secretly'Note: Housman's remarkable poem on "the quietest places under the sun," is based on reiteration of the consonants of this word, -c- and -l-, in the North of England's Clungerford, Clunbury, and Clun. Housman knew his Latin so well that he didn't speak of it; he just let it shine through his remarkable little Horatian poems, filed, and polished to perfection, in the spirit of the word, 'ars.' See ars. [VeryFreq.]
clamator -oris, m., 'a Roman-style filibusterer (considered more for loudness than long-windedness), a roarer' [Rare]
clamito -are, 'shout out again and again, clamor, call out' [Freq.]
clamo -are, 'shout, roar, shout out . . . ' [Freq.]
clamor -oris, m., 'a loud shout, clamor' [Freq.]
clamosus -a -um, 'noisy, yapping, clamorous; "big-mouthed" [UnCommon]
clancularius -a -um, 'anonymous'(From clam) [Rare]
clanculum adv., 'secretly, by stealth, unbeknownst to . . . ' [Rare]
clandestinus -a -um, 'clandestine, secret, hidden [UnCommon]
clangor -oris, m., 'a shout, resounding sound, blast, blare' [Common]
clare adv., 'clearly, visibly' [Common]
clareo -ere, 'shine clearly, be evident, be "in the lime-light" [UnCommon]
claresco -escere -ui, 'become loud, clear, evident or notorious' [Rare]
clarigo -are, 'demand satisfaction (in war reparations)' [Rare]
clarigatio -onis, f., 'a fine' [Rare]
clarisonus -a -um, 'clear-sounding' [Rare]
claritas -tatis, 'loudness, clarity, fame' [Freq.]
claritudo -inis, f., 'fame, brightness, clarity, loudness' [Common]
claro -are, 'make visible, evident, famous' [Common]
clarus -a -um, 'loud, clear, bright, evident, famous; infamous' Note: As a title, used regularly on inscriptions, V.C. ['Vir Clarus' or 'Vir Clarissimus'] meant something perhaps like our V.I.P. ["Very Important Person"] or the British, "Sir." [Freq.]
classarius -a -um, 'of the fleet'(In the pl. as a noun, "soldiers attached to the navy" = "marines.")Not [Common]
classicula -ae, f., 'a small fleet [UnCommon]
classicum -i, n., 'the sound of a military bugle' [Common]
classicus -a -um, 'high-class, classy; Classical (of literature); of the Marines; of the bugle-call' Note: There are two ideas here: a) outstanding in rank, i.e. by a social, literary, or any other index of performance; b) the military as such, esp. the classes of "the Fleet," with the Marines attached to it. The modern use of the word "Classical" seems to be applicable to anything old and good, from Latin literature to Sanskrit poetry and the purest strain of the Arabic language, while its companion adjective "Classic" is used nowadays for anything from a computer to an especially delectible catfood. Then, just what are "The Classics"? The books they read in English at St. John's? Or the writings in Greek and Latin which all praise but few can read in the original anymore? [Freq.]
classis -is, f., 'a class of society (Rome originally had five); the draft (mil.); the fleet (naval); a grade or class of anything' [Freq.]
clatri -orum, m. pl. (and clatra, -orum, n. pl.), 'a lattice, grill' [Rare]
clatro -are, 'a trellis, grate' [Rare]
claudeo -ere (and claudo -ere), 'limp, stutter; fail at . . . 'Note: One thinks of the sad fate of the Roman emperor, Claudius, with all of his terrible personal and familial problems, a limp, and a stutter, and, on top of it all, to be the bearer of a name like this! [Common]
claudicatio -onis, f., 'a limping' [Rare]
claudico -are, 'be lame; be defective' [Common]
claudo claudere clausi clausum, 'close, shut, shut off, close up, conceal; blockade (mil.); close out, terminate' [VeryFreq.]
claudo see claudeoclaudus -a -um, 'limping, lame, defective, halting (of poetry, speech)'(See claudeo) [Common]
claustrum -i, n., 'a bolt to lock a door; prison; a narrow passage, barrier' [Freq.]
clausula -ae, f., 'end, verse; conclusion, clause (leg.); the cadenced end of a well-tuned sentence'Note: This last meaning is retained intact in the study of cadences in the final phrases of sentences in prose, as polished and refined by all serious ancient writers, from Plato to Cicero. It is hard to determine how much of this was originally intuitive, although by the time of the Romans it had become a regularly taught part of the formal system of rhetorical instruction. [Freq.]
clava -ae, f., 'a club, stick, wooden practice sword; the club of Heracles' [Common]
clavarium -i, n., 'an allowance to soldiers for buying hobnails for their boots'(See salarium, cibarium and clavus.) [Rare]
claviger -geri, m., 'the club-bearer, Hercules'(See next) [Rare]
claviger -geri, m., 'the "key-bearer," Janus (preceding St. Paul)' (See prev. and next) [Rare]
clavis -is, f., 'a key' [Common]
clavus -i, m., 'nail, hobnail, spike; the tiller of a ship; purple band on the senatorial toga ('lati-clavus')' [Rare]
clemens -entis, 'mild, lenient, gentle' [Freq.]
clementer adv., 'gently, mildly' [Common]
clementia -ae, f., 'mildness, gentleness, mercy' [Common]
clepo clepere clepsi cleptum, 'steal' (This word is a direct borrowing from the Gr. 'klepto,' "steal," refurbished with Latin endings!) [Rare]
clepsydra -ae, f., 'water clock'Note: Not unlike the old-fashioned, three-minute-egg timer, formerly found in every kitchen in America, which dropped grains of fine sand rather than water. The 'clepsydra' was found unreliable in its original form, which was a tank of water with a small jet at the base, since the water-pressure varied with the amount left in the tank. But the Greeks developed an improved version, which filled the tank to a constant overflow and diverted the extra water away, while the tank remained full and, therefore, maintained the same hydraulic pressure on the jet. The water which went through the jet was measured in a calibrated vessel, giving the hour and some small fraction. Since water viscosity varies hardly at all with atmospheric temperature changes, this was an effective method of measuring out the time of a day, simpler than our clock and far more economical than the medieval tower-clocks with their huge apparatus of moving parts. [Rare]
cleptes -es, m., 'thief' (Greek word) [Rare]
clibanus -i, m., 'baking-pot' [Rare]
cliens -entis, m., 'a dependent, client' [Freq.]
clienta -ae, f., 'woman client' [Rare]
clientela -ae, f., 'clientship, clients as a group' [Freq.]
clinamen -inis, n., 'swerve'Note: The word for Lucretius' famous "atomic swerve," something which Classicists find hard to explain. It may be something like Einsteinian curved space and time. So many guesses of the Greek physical thinkers have found parallels in modern science, that this is worth looking into seriously, especially since Greek three-dimensional mathematics, on which such an idea would have been based, is available for comparison. [Rare]
clinatus -a -um, 'slanting' [Rare]
clinopale -es, f., 'wrestling' Note: Used by Plautus for "bed-wrestling" (= having sex). [Rare]
clipeatus -a -um, 'armed with a small, round shield' [Rare]
clipeus -i, m. (and clipeum -i, n.), 'a small, round (metal) shield' [Common]
clitellae -arum, f. pl., 'pack-saddle [UnCommon]
clivis -e, 'inclined [UnCommon]
clivosus -a -um, 'hilly, steep' [Common]
clivus -i, m., 'a slope (in the ground)' [Common]
cloaca -ae, f., 'sewer' [Common]
clodico see claudicoclueo -ere (also cluo -ere), 'be called, be known as, be said to be . . . ' [Common]
clunis -is, m. and f., 'rear end, buttocks; haunches of an animal' [Common]
coacervo -are, 'pile up, heap up in a pile' [Rare]
coacesco -acescere -acui, 'become acid or sour' [Rare]
coacto -are, 'compel' [Rare]
coactor -oris, m., 'tax-collector (the ancient "I.R.S."); military troops in the rear; (pl.) rounding up troops' [Rare]
coactus -a -um, 'contrived, forced, compulsory (leg.)' [Common]
coactus -us, m., 'constraint' [Common]
coaedificio -are, 'develop (a town with buildings)' [Rare]
coaequo -are, 'level out, make equal [UnCommon]
coagmentatio -onis, 'union, a joint' [Rare]
coagmento -are, 'join, fasten together [UnCommon]
coagmentum -i, n., 'a joining, a joint' [Rare]
coagulum -i, n., 'binding; curdling of milk, congealing'Note: Using rennen from the lining of cows' stomachs for turning milk into yogurt and cheese is a well developed part of the agricultural technology of the Western world, from ancient time on. See caseus. [Common]
coalesco -alescere -alui -alitum, 'join together, coalesce, become strongly rooted, become strong' [Common]
coarcto see coartocoarguo -ere -i, 'make clear, prove, prove a point; convince, refute' [Freq.]
coartatio -onis, f., 'crowding together' [Rare]
coarto -are, 'make narrow, compress, abridge (a book), pack closely in . . . ' [Common]
coaxo -are, 'croak like a frog'(Taken from Arisophanes' frog-sound, 'koax, koax,' in "The Frogs," which had become a classic in the canon of Greek literature by Roman times.) [Rare]
coccinatus -a -um, 'wearing red-dyed garments' [Rare]
coccinus see coccinatusNot [Common]
coccum -i, n., 'a red dye' (Derived from an insect the 'coccus ilicis.' Compare the Engl. med. term, "streptococcus," of an entirely different order.) [Common]
cocio -onis, m., 'a dealer in any goods' [Rare]
coclea (cochlea) -ae, f., 'snail, spiral'Note: The "cochlea" of the inner ear has a snail-like, spiral form. [Common]
cocleare (cochleare) -is, n. (and coclearium -i, n.), 'a spoon'Note: Originally, a shell glued to a stick, the spoon is Roman, but the fork appeared in England after the 15th century. Modern tableware is only a few centuries old, and a general uneasiness about the use of "silverware" persists into modern times. In fact, the standard joke about an ignoramus eating peas off the blade of his table knife would have been less risible in Shakespeare's time, when the only choice would have been between the knife blade and a soup-ladle. And the American mannerism of relinquishing the knife after a slice and using the right hand for the fork, is probably a transitional stage of manners in which it becomes important to show that the knife is no longer the main table accessory, as it had been for centuries before.Not [Common]
coco coco 'cock-a-doodle-doo' (Bad onomatopoeia) [Rare]
cocta -ae, f., 'ice-sherbet, sorbet' [Rare]
coctilis -e, 'baked; made of burnt brick (of walls)' [Rare]
coctor -oris, m., 'a cook' [Rare]
coctum -i, n., 'cooked food' [Rare]
coctus -us, m., 'clever (used sarcastically); roasted; baked bricks' (Compare the same sarcastic note in the Engl. phrase "half-baked.") [Rare]
coda see caudacodex (older = caudex) -dicis, m., 'block of wood, wooden tablet book, a book in general; blockhead'Note: This is the block-shaped form of a book, like the modern book, rather than the scroll form or volumen. After the decline of papyrus and its replacement by sheets of goat or sheep skin (vellum or parchment), it was found easier to pile the heavier leathern sheets of written material and sew them together, rather than glue them up for a roll. The immediate advantage which made the roll obsolete, was the ability to do reference work, to skim back and forth between parts of a book, something which was inconvenient or impossible with the papyrus roll. Tape recorded music offers the same problems as the roll. The last living use of the roll in the West is the Torah, found in every Jewish synagogue, a symbolic anachronism. [Common]
codicarius -i, m., 'a kind of boat, barge' [Rare]
codicilli -orum, m., 'wooden pieces, tablets, "papers," notes [UnCommon]
coel- see cael-coemo -emere -emi -emptum, 'purchase, buy up' [Common]
coemptio -onis, f., 'purchase; the formal marriage agreement'Note: This is an archaic remnant in the ancient Roman formal marriage contract, which was originally a "purchase" agreement. It survived with specialized legal meanings, although a Roman man no longer actually purchased his bride. Yet, it was significant that she did come under the 'manus' of a 'Paterfamilias,' who had control over her and her financial assets, though with certain exceptions, as under the 'ius trinoctii.' See trinoctium.Not [Common]
coeo -ire -ii (and -ivi) -itum, 'come together (mil.), close over (of a wound, gash), be contracted or compressed, to ally oneself with, come to an understanding; come together sexually, have sexual intercourse' [VeryFreq.]
(coepio) coepere coepi coeptum (defect., perf. form = pres. meaning), 'begin'(This verb is defective and occurs in only a limited set of forms; but these are [VeryFrequently used!) [VeryFreq.]
coeptum -i, n., 'something begun, an undertaking [UnCommon]
coeptus -us, m., 'a beginning' [Rare]
coerceo -ere -ui -itum, 'force, restrain, constrict, control' [Freq.]
coercitio -onis, f., 'constraint, legal punishment' [Common]
coetus (also coitus) -us, m., 'a coming together, gathering; a gang, group, society' [Freq.]
cogitatio -onis, f., 'thinking, reflection, mind, opinion' [Freq.]
cogito -are, 'think, consider, imagine'Note: Decartes was making an unnecessary assumption in his famous statement, "Cogito ergo sum," whereas he could only say with complete authenticity, "Cogito ergo cogito." [VeryFreq.]
cognatio -onis, f., 'blood relationship, kinship, affinity' [Common]
cognatus -a -um, 'kindred, related' Note: Compare the linguistic term, "cognate," employed to describe the interrelationship of words from associated languages in a historical matrix. [Common]
cognitio -onis, f., 'knowing, learning, an investigation (leg.)' [Common]
cognitor -oris, m., 'one who knows; an attorney [UnCommon]
cognomen -inis, n., 'family name, last name, surname' [VeryFreq.]
cognomentum -i, n., 'a surname, a name' [Common]
cognominis -e, 'synonymous, having the same name, "same-named" [UnCommon]
cognosco -gnoscere -gnovi -gnitum, 'know, learn about, recognize, investigate (leg.); get acquainted with, know (as result of experience)' [VeryFreq.]
cogo cogere coegi coactum., 'bring together, gather (troops), coerce, force'(From 'co-' + 'ago,' which explains the military use in this verb.) [VeryFreq.]
cohaerentia -ae, f., 'internal structure, the way things stick to each other' [Rare]
cohaereo -haerere -haesi -haesum, 'cohere, stick together' [Rare]
cohaeresco -haerescere -haesi -haesum, 'start to cohere, stick together'(The incohative verb from 'cohaereo.')Not [Common]
coheres -edis, m., 'co-heir [UnCommon]
cohibeo -ere -ui -itum, 'hold together, constrain, restrain [UnCommon]
cohonesto -are, 'honor, respect; make respectable [UnCommon]
cohorresco -horrescere -horrui, 'shudder [UnCommon]
cohors -hortis, f., 'a troop of soldiers, cohort, bodyguard, staff of an official, a band, group of people'Note: The original meaning came from the barnyard, and the technical authors on farming preserve this use for a team of farm-workers. Later, Catullus uses the term for a consular staff. But, much further back in the history of the Latin language, we find the same root in the noun, 'hortus,' "a garden; an orchard of vines or olives." In a few hundred years, the Romans escalated from a nation of small farmers to a nation of imperialistic capitalists, something which Americans were able to do more adroitly between l9l0 and l960. The longterm results for the Romans were ultimately devastating. [Freq.]
cohortatio -onis, f., 'encouragement' [Common]
cohortor -ari (dep.), 'encourage' [Common]
coitio -onis, f., 'meeting, coming together, conspiracy [UnCommon]
coitus -us, m., 'coming together, meeting'(Used for sexual intercourse in Latin, as in English.) [Common]
colaphus -i, m., 'a whack' (Greek word)Not [Common]
coleus -i, m., 'testicle'Note: The word is usually plural for obvious reasons, often used as slang, much like English "balls" or "nuts." [Common]
coliphia (colyphia) -orum, n., 'a special meat dish for athletes' [Rare]
colis see cauliscoll-FOR WORDS IN COLL-, POSSIBLY SEE ALSO CONL-collaris -e, 'belonging to the neck; (as noun, n.) "collar," neck-band for slaves' [Rare]
collaudo -are, 'praise strongly, extoll, sing the praises of . . . ' [Freq.]
collectio -onis, f., 'a gathering together' [Common]
collega -ae, m., 'colleague, associate' [Common]
collegium -i, n., 'board, association; review board' [Common]
colligo -are, 'tie, bind together' [Common]
colligo -ere, 'bring together; collect' [Freq.]
collino -are, 'smear over, soil'(See lino) [Rare]
collinus -a -um, 'hilly' (See collis) [Rare]
collis -is, m., 'hill, hillock, hilly ground' [Freq.]
colloco -are, 'place, establish; place as a loan, investment; give in marriage'(In reference to this last meaning, see 'coemptio.') [Freq.]
colloquium -i, n., 'conference, talking together, discussion' [Freq.]
colloquor -loqui -locutus sum (dep.), 'talk together, discuss; confer on a topic' [Freq.]
colluceo -ere, 'shine, be aglow, resplendent' [Common]
collum -i, n. (also collus -i, m.), 'neck (of a person, animal); any neck-like shape (stem of flower, neck of a bottle)' [Freq.]
collustro -are, 'look at, watch, shine one's "lights" (= eyes) over' [Common]
collybus (collubus) -i, m., 'cost of changing money; ready coin, hard cash' [Rare]
collyrium -i, n., 'eye-salve (of Egyptian origin)' Note: "Collyrium" is the name of a product dating from the "classical" days of the early 20th century, still available in any drugstore in a fine, blue bottle with an eye-cup attached. The Romans were plagued by epidemic conjunctivitis and had dozens of exotic remedies, few of which did any perceptible good. See lippus. [Rare]
colo colere colui cultum, 'live in, inhabit, cultivate land, cultivate one's appearances, cherish a deity by worship (i.e. practice a religion); foster and develop . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
colocasia -orum, n. pl., 'an Egyptian bean' (Greek word)Not [Common]
colona -ae, f., 'farm-wife' [Rare]
colonia -ae, f., 'a settlement, colony' [Freq.]
colonus -i, m., 'a farmer, member of a state-planned Roman "settlement" on the frontiers'Note: The Roman 'coloniae' were much like the modern Israeli 'kibbutzim,' in that they demanded a lifetime of work, rewarded by proximity to dangerous enemy fire. Yet, they prospered and often survived into dozens of modern cities, like Cologne, Aosta (Colonia Augusta), etc. [Common]
color (colos) -oris, m., 'color, coloring, shade, hue' [VeryFreq.]
coloro -are, 'color, ripen to a given hue; tan by sunburn [UnCommon]
colosseus (colossicus) -a -um, 'gigantic' (From the Greek name of the gigantic statue, the Colossus of Apollo at the ancient harbor of Rhodes.) [Rare]
colossus -i, m., 'a colossus, a gigantic statue or structure [UnCommon]
colostra -ae, f., 'first milk; "my darling, my love"' Note: "Colostrum" is still the med. term for the pre-milk liquid which a nursing mother produces in the first days after childbirth. [Rare]
coluber -bri, m., 'snake' (See next) [Common]
colubra -ae, f., 'snake, serpent; the Furies'(See prev.) [Common]
colum -i, n., 'sieve, strainer'(Engl. "colander")Not [Common]
columba -ae, f., 'dove (the bird of Venus); "my lovey-dove!"'Note: The modern "dove," as symbol for peace, must come from the opposition between Lucretian Venus (= peace) and Mars (= war). The hawk has another origin, the ancient raptor eagle used as symbol of empire on monuments and coins from the days of the Hittites, and eagerly adopted by the warlike Romans. [Common]
columbar -aris, n., 'pigeon house; restraint, jail?'Note: One thinks of Amer. Engl. "jail-bird." Ezra Pound was reported as saying, in the days when he was held captive in St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington D.C., on being asked when he would write more "Cantos," that "this bird ain't going to sing till it gets out of jail." [Rare]
columbinus -a -um, 'pertaining to pigeons' [Rare]
columbus -i, m., 'a male dove or pigeon'Note: Christopher Columbus, the "dove" of European Imperialism. [Rare]
columella -ae, f., 'a little column' [Rare]
columen -inis, n., 'roof, top, summit, zenith, peak, acme' [Freq.]
columna -ae, f., 'a pillar, a column [UnCommon]
columnarium -i, n., 'a tax on pillars'Note: It is interesting what gets taxed by different governments: pillars and windows in Rome, stairs in l7th century Amsterdam, the windows of cars in England, and the number of cylinders in America (in the early days of motoring). China is now taxing the number of children, while Rome had a tax exemption for those with more than three, the 'ius trium liberorum.' [Rare]
columnarius -i, m., 'an idler'(Lit., "one who hangs around columned or collonaded arcades.") [Rare]
colurnus -a -um, 'of hazel-wood' [Rare]
colus -i , m. or f., 'spinning bobbin, "women's work"; the bobbin of the Fates' [Common]
coma -ae, f., 'a head of hair, locks, fleece; foliage' [Common]
comans -antis, 'having long hair, crested, covered with foliage'Note: Used of a comet from its "trail," which looks like tresses of hair in the wind.Not [Common]
comarchus -i, m., 'leader' [Rare]
comatorius -a -um, 'for the hair' [Rare]
comatus -a -um, 'hairy [UnCommon]
combardus -a -um, 'really dumb' (See bardus) [Rare]
combibo -bibere -bibi, 'drink up, absorb, swallow up; drink together (as friends at a 'convivium')' [Common]
combibo -onis, m., 'a drinking companion' [Rare]
comburo -urere -ussi -ustum, 'burn up completely; cremate' [Freq.]
comedo -esse -edi -esum (-estum), 'eat up, consume, squander (money)' [Freq.]
comes -itis, c., 'companion, one who travels along with . . . , an assistant, associate' [VeryFreq.]
cometes -ae, m., 'comet'(See comans) [Common]
comicus -a -um, 'pertaining to Greco-Roman comedy, comic; (as noun) a Comic Actor' (But not in the sense of Brit. "comical" or Amer. "funny.")Not [Common]
cominus see comminuscomis -e, 'kind, friendly, tasteful' [Common]
comissabundus -a -um, 'revelling' [Rare]
comissatio -onis, f., 'act of feasting, revelling [UnCommon]
comissator -oris, m., 'carouser [UnCommon]
comissor -ari (dep.), 'carouse' [Common]
comitas -tatis, f., 'friendliness, amity; elegance of behavior' [Common]
comitatus -us, m., 'escort, train, retinue' [Freq.]
comiter adv., 'in a friendly manner'(See comis) [Common]
comitia see comitiumcomitiatus -us, m., 'the assembly of the people in the 'comitium' [UnCommon]
comitium -i, n., 'voting assembly (leg., pol.)' [Freq.]
comito -are, 'accompany' (See comes) [Common]
comitor -ari (dep.), 'accompany, attend, escort' [Freq.]
commaculo -are, 'stain (with a 'macula'), defile, contaminate, stain one's reputation [UnCommon]
commanipularis -is, m., 'fellow-soldier' [Rare]
commaritus -i, m., 'fellow-husband' [Rare]
commeatus -us, m., 'going back and forth, trade, commerce, carrying cargo, provisions (mil.); leave of absence, being off duty (as going back and forth)' [Freq.]
commeditor -ari (dep.), 'study, practice' [Rare]
commeio -ire, 'urinate all over; defile'Note: Used in an unappealing and uncomplimentary manner, like "piss on it" in English slang.Not [Common]
commemini -isse, 'recollect' (This is an old-fashioned word, often found in early comedy: "I do recall . . . ". As with all forms of this verb, the perfect is used with present meaning, while the pluperfect is used for the past.) [Common]
commemoratio -onis, f., 'recalling, recollection, recalling (leg.)' [Common]
commemoro -are, 'recall, refer back to, record' [Common]
commendabilis -e, 'commendable, praiseworthy' [Rare]
commendaticius -a -um, 'of a letter of introduction, a recommendation' [Common]
commendatio -onis, f., 'entrusting (leg.); recommendation' [Common]
commendator -oris, m., 'recommender'Note: There is a striking similarity to the Ital. Mafia's term, the 'commendatore,' a word probably taken from the Latin of the 3rd century A.D. army, from which the Mafia probably derived its organizational system and sense of absolute fidelity to the leader's word. [Common]
commendatrix -icis, f., 'female recommender' [Common]
commendatus -a -um, 'recommended, suitable [UnCommon]
commendo -are, 'entrust, recommend, point out the agreeable characteristics of . . . ' [Freq.]
commentariolum -i, n., 'notebook, a minor treatise' [Rare]
commentarius -i, m. (and commentarium -i, n.), 'private notebook memoranda' Note: Caesar's book is titled thus, in order to be disarmingly simple and really just a "Notebook on the Gallic Wars," despite its obvious propagandistic value. This little masterpiece of fine history writing is so defaced, by being treated as an instrument of grammatical torture, that it may never regain the fame of stylistic purity which it had in Roman times. The challenge to teachers still stands: to do Caesar justice by introducing geography, ethnology, politics, and a study of comparative warfare, which should go far in reclaiming bright students' interest. To use Caesar as mere grammar and, what is worse, sheer discipline and rote-memorization is no service to the cause of education. [VeryFreq.]
commentatio -onis, f., 'thinking, reasoning; a treatise [UnCommon]
commenticius -a -um, 'devised, fictitious, fanciful' [Common]
commentor -ari (dep.), 'think about, study, argue out . . . ; imagine (including literary imagination)' [Common]
commentor -oris, m., 'an inventor' [Rare]
commentum -i, n., 'fabrication, scheme' [Common]
commeo -are, 'travel back and forth (as of salesman); be carried back and forth (products)' [Rare]
commercium -i, n., 'business, commerce, exchange of goods or money' [VeryFreq.]
commercor -ari (dep.), 'buy, purchase' (This is an early word, largely replaced by 'emere' and 'compa [Rare]
.')Not [Common]
commereo -ere (and commereor, dep.), 'fully deserve . . . (generally in a bad sense); 'be guilty of something'(Like Engl. "get what you deserve," which could be used in good sense, but is usually assumed to be bad.)Not [Common]
commetior -metiri -mensus sum (dep.), 'lay out, measure out (in dimensions) [UnCommon]
commeto -are, 'come and go repeatedly [UnCommon]
commigro -are, 'migrate (of peoples)' [Common]
commilitium -i, n., 'military service [UnCommon]
commilito -onis, m., 'a fellow-soldier, comrade' (Used incisively by Petronius of rulers, as if they are "comrades." One might also think of Comrade Stalin and Comrade Kruschev in modern times.) [Common]
comminatio -onis, f., 'threat [UnCommon]
commingo -mingere -minxi -mictum, 'urinate on, defile [UnCommon]
comminiscor -minisci -mentus sum (dep.), 'think up, invent, imagine; falsely state [UnCommon]
comminuo -ere -i -tum, 'break up, smash, shatter' [Common]
comminus adv., 'near, face to face, at close hand (in hunting, fighting, arguing)' [Freq.]
commisceo -miscere -miscui -mixtum, 'mix together, combine; make love; mix (racially)' [Common]
commiseratio -onis, f., 'pity [UnCommon]
commiseresco -escere, 'pity [UnCommon]
commiseror -ari (dep.), 'pity [UnCommon]
commissio -onis, f., 'engagement in contests, competitions [UnCommon]
commissum -i, n., 'an undertaking, a criminal undertaking' [Common]
commissura -ae, f., 'joining; a [Common]
point (rhet.) [UnCommon]
committo -mittere -misi -missum, 'bring together, contact, engage (in battle); consign (mercantile), entrust to . . . (leg.), commit to ceremony; make it happen so that . . . ' [Freq.]
commode adv., 'suitably, nicely, fittingly; easily, agreeably' [Freq.]
commoditas -tatis, f., 'suitability, good timing, usefulness' [Freq.]
commodo see commodecommodo -are, 'lend, furnish, help (by lending), lend; accomodate' [Freq.]
commodus -a -um, 'convenient, easy, useful, nice'(The modern bathroom device, traditionally referred to as "the commode," is named from this adjective--and is, indeed, "convenient, easy to use," is it not?) [Freq.]
commodum -i, n., 'a benefit, advantage, reward' [Freq.]
commodum adv., 'just now, at this moment, presently' (Used early in comedy and much later by Apuleius.)Not [Common]
commolior -iri (dep.), 'pile up, move; construct [UnCommon]
[Common]
efacio -facere -feci -factum, 'remind, warn (a person); bring to mind, recall (a thing)' [Common]
[Common]
eo -ere, 'remind, call to mind' [Common]
[Common]
stro -are, 'point out, demonstrate, show' [Common]
commoratio -onis, f., 'delay, waiting; dallying, staying (somewhere)' [Rare]
commorior -i (dep.), 'perish along with . . . [UnCommon]
commoror -ari (dep.), delay, dally, remain, dwell (verbally) on' [Common]
commotio -onis, f., 'excitement, emotionalism' (A [Common]
English word, but in Latin solely in Ciceronian vocabulary.) [Common]
commoveo -movere -movi -motum, 'arouse, agitate, disturb, cause a commotion (war), rouse emotionally, bother, worry' [VeryFreq.]
communicatio -onis, f., 'act of communicating, sharing [UnCommon]
communico -are, 'share, unite, hold in [Common]
; discuss' [Freq.]
communio -ire, 'surround with walls (mil.), reinforce' [Rare]
communio -onis, f., 'sharing, partnership; [Common]
possession' [Common]
communis -e, 'held in [Common]
(leg.), public, [Common]
to, in the public interest (or " [Common]
wealth")' [VeryFreq.]
communitas -tatis, f., 'joint possession, society, a community' [Common]
commutabilis -e, 'liable to vary, changeable [UnCommon]
commmutatio -onis, f., 'exchange' [Common]
commutatus -us, m., 'change, alteration' [Rare]
commuto -are, 'change entirely, alter, exchange, substitute' [Freq.]
como comere compsi comptum, 'do up hair; beautify; fancify in writing'Note: Roman women sported very complicated hairdo's, with complex curled tresses raised up over wire-frame holders and woolen filler pads. Many styles were so heavily overdone under the Empire that they attracted the sarcastic notice of the satirists. [Common]
comoedia -ae, f., 'comedy as a type, Greek New Comedy; a specific comedy or play'(But never "comedy" in the modern sense, as something funny in general or the art of stand-up comedy.) [Freq.]
comoedus -a -um, 'comic; (as noun) a comic actor [UnCommon]
comosus -a -um, 'having long hair; with much foliage' [Rare]
compactio -onis, f., 'framework' [Rare]
compactum -i, n., 'an agreement, compact [UnCommon]
compages -is, f., 'bond, joining, joint, framework' [Freq.]
compago -inis, f., 'joining, framework' [Common]
compar -paris, 'equal, matched, one of a natural pair, mated' [Common]
comparabilis -e, 'comparable' [Rare]
comparatio -onis, f., 'act of buying, preparation-making, putting together (arch.)'('Compa [Rare]
' is the standard word for buying, from 'paro -are.' Unfortunately, this word and the one that follows are identical. See next.) [Freq.]
comparatio -onis, f., 'comparison'(This word is from 'par,' "equal," as in English, "compare," but not to be confused with the other 'compa [Rare]
' and 'comparatio.' See prev.) [Freq.]
comparativus -a -um, 'comparative [UnCommon]
comparco (comperco) -parcere -parsi (or -persi) -persum, 'save penuriously, spare, refrain from' [Rare]
compareo -parere -parui, 'appear, be in evidence' [Common]
comparo -are, 'buy, prepare'(This is from 'paro -are,' meaning "prepare, purchase"; it must not be confused with the identical verb, 'comparo, -are' from 'par,' "equal." See next.) [VeryFreq.]
comparo -are, 'compare' (See prev.) [Freq.]
compectum -i, n., 'an agreement, compact [UnCommon]
compedio -ire, 'shackle, put in chains' (From pes, pedis) [Rare]
compeditus -a -um, 'fettered, shackled' [Rare]
compellatio -onis, f., 'reproach, blame' [Rare]
compello -pellere -puli -pulsum, 'drive together (cattle, armies, winds, waves); constrict, coerce'(See next) [Freq.]
compello -are, 'speak out, speak to . . . , accuse, reprove' (From the root, 'pell-,' "strike," but in the first conjugation here; it is always used of verbal accosting. See prev.) [Freq.]
compendiarius -a -um, 'short' (See next) [Rare]
compendium -i, n., 'gain, profit, saving away; a "short-cut," quick and easy way of doing something, a "how-to" treatise on writing, speaking, painting, etc.'Note: Engl. "compendium" is usually thought of as a condensed manual, although it is really a short-cut to knowledge for those who have to have answers quickly. See the negative remark on the compendium for art teaching in Petronius, at the very beginning of the Satyricon. See next. [Freq.]
compensatio -onis, f., 'remuneration, compensation [UnCommon]
compenso -are, 'balance off, weigh against, make up for, compensate (fin.); balance in the mind' [Freq.]
comperco (comparco) -percere -persi (or -parsi), 'save penuriously, spare, refrain from . . . ' [Rare]
comperendinatio -onis, f. (and comperendinatus -us, m.), 'a two-day trial adjournment' [Rare]
comperendino -are, 'adjourn for two days' [Rare]
comperio -ire -i -tum, 'find out, investigate, learn, prove' [Freq.]
compertus -a -um, 'known, proven; known to be . . . ' [Common]
compes -edis, f., 'fetters, foot-irons'(From pes, pedis) [Common]
compesco -ere -ui, 'stamp down (with the foot); suppress, check, restrain, subdue' ('Com' + 'ped' + 'sco'; the stamping foot metaphor is generally felt.) [Freq.]
competitor -oris, m., 'rival candidate (pol.) [UnCommon]
competo -ere -ivi (or -ii) -itum, 'come together, coincide, be suitable for, refer to, be a candidate for office (politics)' [Freq.]
compilatio -onis, f., 'burglary' [Rare]
compilo -are, 'rob, "rip-off," plagiarize'(See prev.) [Common]
compingo -pingere -pegi -pactum, 'shut away, bind up, put together; construct, build'(From pango, not pingo.) [Common]
compitum -i, n., 'a three or four-way crossroads; the place for a choice'(Compare bivium, trivium, and quadrivium.) [Common]
complaceo -ere -ui -itum, 'capture the fancy of, please the mind of someone' [Common]
complector -plecti -plexus sum (dep.), 'put the arms around, embrace; grasp (an idea), embrace (an opinion), include in one's scope (in a treatise or document)' [VeryFreq.]
complementum -i, n., 'filler, completion' [Rare]
compleo -plere -plevi -pletum, 'fill up, fill out (the mind, body, places, anything), complete, make complete' [VeryFreq.]
complexio -onis, f., 'a "complex," an unfolding process'(Used as a technical rhetorical term)Not [Common]
complexus -us, m., 'embrace, grasp; comprehension (mental), bringing together, combination' [Freq.]
complico -are, 'roll up, bundle up, wrap up, fold up'(This is a physical word not much associated with any mental"complications" of ideas. See plico -are.) [Common]
comploratio -onis, f., 'lamentation (aloud) [UnCommon]
comploratus -us, m., 'lamentation (aloud) [UnCommon]
comploro -are, 'bewail, lament in loud tones [UnCommon]
complures -ium, 'several, quite a few, many' [VeryFreq.]
compluriens adv., 'many times' [Rare]
complusculi -ae -a, 'several, a number of . . . [UnCommon]
compluvium -i, n., 'inward-tilted roof of private Roman houses, designed to catch water for the 'impluvium''(See impluvium)Not [Common]
compono -ponere -posui -positum, 'place together, put together, place, draw up (troops); compose (a book, music), organize, arrange (differences)' [VeryFreq.]
compositus -a -um, 'constructed, assembled; put together' [Common]
composite adv., 'in an orderly way' [Common]
comporto -are, 'carry into one place, collect' [Common]
compos -potis, '(gen. obj.) in control of, in command of (one's mind, feelings)' Note: From this comes our legal phrase for a person not able to stand trial: 'Non compos mentis.' [Common]
compositio -onis, f., 'fitting together, arranging, composing (in writing); an agreement (leg.)' [Freq.]
compositor -oris, m., 'a writer (literary composer)' [Rare]
compositus -a -um, 'compound, made up of various parts; well-arranged, orderly' [Freq.]
compotatio -onis, f., 'drinking party' [Rare]
compotor -oris, m., 'a drinking-companion' [Rare]
compotrix -icis, f., 'a female drinking-companion' [Rare]
compransor -oris, m., 'a dinner companion'(See prandeo) [Rare]
comprecatio -onis, f., 'group-prayer' [Rare]
comprecor -ari (dep.), 'pray' [Common]
comprehendo (and comprendo) -dere -di -sum, 'sieze, grasp with the hands or mind, bind together, encircle; comprehend (mentally)' [VeryFreq.]
comprehensibilis -e, 'understandable' [Rare]
comprehensio -onis, f., 'grasping; grouping (of words in stylistics); mental grasp, comprehension' [Common]
comprendo see comprehendocompresse adv., 'succinctly' [Rare]
compressio -onis, f., 'squeezing, compression, shortening; copulation, sexual intercourse'(See next two items) [Rare]
compressor -oris, m., 'rapist' (See next and prev.) [Rare]
comprimo -primere -pressi -pressum, 'compress, pack closely, restrain, be restrained; sexually assault, rape' [Freq.]
comprobatio -onis, f., 'approval' [Rare]
comprobator -oris, m., 'one who approves' [Rare]
comprobo -are, 'approve, prove (something to be as it seems)' [Freq.]
compromissum -i, n., 'joint legal agreement, contract' [Rare]
compromitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'enter into a joint agreement [UnCommon]
comptus -a -um (ppl. from como), 'adorned, smartly dressed, elegantly coiffed; well-groomed, highly polished (of writing)' [Common]
comptus -us, m., 'a well-coiffed hairdo' [Rare]
compungo -pungere -punxi -punctum, 'puncture, stick; tattoo [UnCommon]
computo -are, 'calculate, compute, figure up, reckon' [Freq.]
computresco -escere, 'rot, putrefy' [Rare]
conamen -minis, n., 'effort, endeavor [UnCommon]
conatum -i, n., 'an undertaking' [Common]
conatus -us, m., 'an effort, attempt, push' [Common]
concaco -are, 'befoul, make dirty; give trouble to, dump on'(Used in a figurative sense generally, but the word has excretory origins and connotations.) [Rare]
concaedes -ium, f. pl., 'a barricade' [Rare]
concalefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'make hot, heat up, warm up' [Rare]
concalesco -calescere -calui, 'become warm'(With one -l- here, but see next.)Not [Common]
concallesco -callescere -callui, 'become hard (physically or mentally)'(With two -l-'s here, but see prev. and 'callus.') [Rare]
concastigo -are, 'severely punish' [Rare]
concavo -are, 'hollow out' [Rare]
concavus -a -um, 'hollow (as against solid), hollow or sunken, concave' [Common]
concedo -cedere -cessi -cessum, 'withdraw, give way, agree to something, yield, admit; concede' [VeryFreq.]
concelebro -are, 'honor publicly; make known publicly; throng publicly' [Common]
concenatio -onis, f., 'dinner party [UnCommon]
concentio -onis, f., 'singing in unison; speaking as one' [Rare]
concentus -us, m., 'singing, instrumental music, song, chorus, harmony; an agreement' [Common]
conceptio -onis, f., 'conception (sexual); a system of organization, a concept or idea' [Common]
conceptus -a -um, 'formal (words), of clearly defined intent'(Often used in the phrase 'verba concepta.')Not [Common]
conceptus -us, m., 'conception (sexual) [UnCommon]
concerpo -cerpere -cerpsi -cerptum, 'pluck off; tear to pieces (in terms of criticism) [UnCommon]
concertatio -onis, f., 'controversy'(But the Engl. 'concert,' whether musical or political, means just the opposite.) [Rare]
concertator -oris, m., 'a rival' [Rare]
concertatorius -a -um, 'controversial' [Rare]
concerto -are, 'contend, dispute' [Rare]
concessio -onis, f., 'yielding, conceding a point [UnCommon]
concesso -are, 'desist, stop' [Rare]
concessus -a -um, 'conceded; permissable, acceptable' [Common]
concessus -us, m., 'permission [UnCommon]
concha -ae, f., 'shell, shellfish, seashell'(The Tyrian 'murex' provided the purple dye of royalty. See 'purpura' for full discussion. See next.) [Common]
conchyliatus -a -um, 'purple (dyed with murex coloring)'(See 'murex,' 'purpura,' and prev.) [Rare]
conchylium -i, n., 'a shellfish'(Often refers to 'murex,' the shellfish producing the purple dye. See murex.)Not [Common]
concido -cidere -cidi, 'fall, collapse (including empires); fail'(The root is 'cado,' "fall," weakened internally by a strong initial stress-accent, so the -i- is short. See next.) [Freq.]
concido -cidere -cidi -cisum, 'cut up, chop into pieces' (The root is 'caedo,' "cut," so the -i- of the stem is long as opposed to 'concido,' "fall." See prev.) [Freq.]
concieo -ciere -civi -citum (and concio -ire), 'stir up, arouse' [Common]
conciliabulum -i, n., 'a meeting place; (public) assembly [UnCommon]
conciliatio -onis, f., 'the act of gaining favor, conciliation [UnCommon]
conciliator -oris, m., 'an agent of mediation' [Common]
conciliatrix -icis, f., 'a lady match-maker'Note: An invaluable social adjunct to any society, like the Yiddish 'yentl.' [Rare]
concilio -are, 'bring together, introduce for an association, fix it up with . . . , procure (sexually); render one person acceptable to another' (The word often has shady associations, like Engl. "fix . . . up with . . . ; serve as a fixer.") [Rare]
concilium -i, n., 'popular assembly, a society or club, any band of individuals working together; a council' [VeryFreq.]
concinnitas -tatis, f., '"nice-ness," pleasantness, grace and charm [UnCommon]
concinnitudo -inis, f., '"nice-ness," pleasantness' [Rare]
concinno -are, 'put in order, arrange, fix up, put together' [Common]
concinnus -a -um, 'orderly, neat, elegant' [Common]
concino -cinere -cinui, 'sing, sing out, praise; play an accompaniment on a musical instrument; "sing along with" = agree'(The root is 'cano,' "sing"; the vowel is changed by shift of the accent.) [Common]
concio see concieoconcio -onis, see contioconcipio -cipere -cepi -ceptum, 'conceive (sexually), conceive (ideas), give form to, perceive; state formally (in an oath or in a carefully weighed statement)' [Freq.]
concisio -onis, f., 'division into clauses (rhet.)' [Rare]
concisus -a -um, 'abrupt, snapped off (of verbal style); detailed, minute [UnCommon]
concitatio -onis, f., 'the state of being animated, violent, or passionate' [Common]
concitator -oris, m., 'an agitator (pol.) [UnCommon]
concito -are, 'stir up, arouse, bother, drive on; arouse feelings, incite' [Freq.]
concitor -oris, m., 'an agitator (pol.)' [Rare]
concitus -a -um, 'fast-moving, headlong' [Rare]
conclamatio -onis, f., 'crying, wailing, lamenting' [Rare]
conclamito -are, 'cry out loud' [Rare]
conclamo -are, 'shout out, yell, yell out a signal (mil.), lament, wail in distress' [Freq.]
conclave -is, n., 'chicken coop; a room in a house; a latrine' Note: The smallness of space, the lack of fresh air, and the stench, respectively, must be the conceptual base for this oddly-joined triad of meanings.Not [Common]
concludo -cludere -clusi -clusum, 'close up, close in, close off; conclude (mentally)' [Freq.]
conclusio -onis, f., 'a siege (closing off), completion; conclusion, end; a deduction or mental conclusion [UnCommon]
conclusiuncula -ae, f., 'a (silly) little conclusion' [Rare]
conclusus -a -um, 'confined, closed off [UnCommon]
concolor -oris, 'similar in color [UnCommon]
concoquo -coquere -coxi -coctum, 'boil down (in cookery); digest, mature and ripen; endure (as if digesting); consider (as if ruminating); digest (mentally)' [Freq.]
concordia -ae, f., 'agreement, peace, concord' [Freq.]
concordo -are, 'agree with, be agreeable to, live in harmony with [UnCommon]
concors -cordis, 'agreeing, concordant with; harmonious (of sounds)' [Freq.]
concredo -credere -credidi -creditum, 'entrust (for keeping), confide to . . . ' ('Mando' has some of the same meanings.) [Freq.]
concremo -are, 'burn up, combust; cremate' [Rare]
concrepo -are -ui, 'make a noise'Note: The sound is always harsh, squeaky, grating, smashing, or clanging--in short, very unpleasant. It might include snapping the fingers at someone or, perhaps, the professor intentionally squeaking the chalk across the blackboard. [Common]
concresco -crescere -crevi -cretum, 'grow hard, congeal, set'Note: The building material, 'concrete,' which was heavily used in Roman architecture, is from this word, as anyone who has mixed a bag of "Sacrete" might understand, while watching it magically harden and set. See next. [Freq.]
concretus -a -um, 'ground together, melted; fused, hardened and set'(See prev.)Not [Common]
concretio -onis, f., 'formation into a solid' [Rare]
concriminor -ari (dep.), 'accuse (leg.)' [Rare]
concrucio -are, 'torture' [Rare]
concubina -ae, f., 'a concubine [UnCommon]
concubinus -i, m., 'homosexual male prostitute' Note: A [Rare]
word, used once by Catullus, but probably known to anyone who hung around the forum and the public toilets. See sella and sellarius.Not [Common]
concubitus -us, m., 'the act of lying down together; sexual intercourse [UnCommon]
concubia (nocte), adv., 'in the early part (of the night)' [Rare]
conculco -are, 'trample, oppress'(From 'calx,' "heel")Not [Common]
concumbo -cumbere -cubui -cubitum, 'lie down with; sleep with (sexually) [UnCommon]
concupisco -iscere -ivi (or -ii) -itum, 'desire, lust after, covet'(Compare the "sin of Concupiscence.") [Common]
concuro -are, 'attend to, care for' [Rare]
concurro -currere -curri (or -cucurri) -cursum, 'run together, rush, engage in battle; concur, come together (i.e. agree)' [VeryFreq.]
concursatio -onis, f., 'running together, skirmish (mil.)' [Common]
concursator -oris, m., 'a skirmisher' [Rare]
concursio -onis, f., 'running or happening together' [Rare]
concurso -are, 'run together, course back and forth, run up to see' [Common]
concursus -us, m., 'crowd, assemblage, concourse, attack (mil.); agreement, concurrence' [Freq.]
concussus -us, m., 'blow, explosion, shock' [Common]
concustodio -ire, 'watch out' [Rare]
concutio -cutere -cussi -cussum, 'strike, smash against, damage; drive into action' [Freq.]
condalium -i, n., 'finger-ring' [Rare]
condecet see decet(This is an intensive form of 'decet,' meaning "it is completely suitable [to . . . ]")Not [Common]
condecoro -are, 'adorn, decorate [UnCommon]
condemnator -oris, m., 'legal prosecutor [UnCommon]
condemno -are, 'condemn (leg.), convict; blame (non-legal)' (Compare 'contemno.') [Freq.]
condenseo -ere, 'condense, densify'(See next) [Rare]
condenso -are, 'condense, densify'(See prev.) [Rare]
condensus -a -um, 'closely packed, dense [UnCommon]
condicio -onis, f., 'agreement (pol.), contract (leg.); any circumstance or arrangement' [Freq.]
condico -dicere -dixi -dictum, 'give indication, notice (leg.), make a fixed agreement' [Common]
condictor -oris, m., 'a "fixer," a person responsible for making up agreements' [Rare]
condignus -a -um, 'most worthy [UnCommon]
condimentum -i, n., 'spice (for cooking); "the spice of life," one's interest [UnCommon]
condio -ire, 'season food; pickle or preserve food with vinegar, salt, spice'(Compare Engl. "condiment")Not [Common]
condiscipulus -i, m. (and condiscipula -ae, f.), 'schoolmate' Note: If a teacher is going to use conversational Latin with elementary students, 'condiscipuli' is the word to use for "the students," since it is certified for use by Nepos and Cicero and lasted into the times of Martial and Statius. [Rare]
condisco -discere -didici, 'learn all about . . . [UnCommon]
conditio see condicioconditio -onis, f., 'spicing, pickling'(See condio and condimentum) [Rare]
conditor -oris, m., 'founder (of a city), originator (of a practice or a cult); author (of books)' [Common]
conditor -oris, m., 'seasoner (cookery)'(See prev.)Note: Cicero puns on this word in its sole occurrence, in relation to 'conditor' as "author" (prev.), indicating that an author must spice up the words somehow! The Romans do know and use puns, whereas some cultures, such as the French, don't seem to relish or employ them much. The English have always loved punning, from Shakespeare on. Plautus is the great mine of Roman pun-making. [Rare]
conditorium -i, n., 'burial place, tomb' [Rare]
condo -dere -didi -ditum, 'put away (food), put away in the ground (bury), hide; found (a city), originate (a custom, law, cult, etc.), compose (a poem, book)'Note: One of the standard Roman dating systems, 'ab urbe condita' (A.U.C.), dates everything from the semi-mythical founding of Rome by Romulus in 753 B.C. More usual in history writing is an ablative absolute with the names of the two consuls for that year. Dating from the birth of Christ is a much later system, of course, applied to Roman dates in retrospect. [VeryFreq.]
condocefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'teach' [Rare]
condolesco -dolescere -dolui, 'be in pain, grieve for . . . ' [Rare]
condonatio -onis, f., 'a giving away' [Rare]
condono -are, 'give as a gift, free from an obligation; give the gift of amnesty, pardon; hand over (as a gift)'(From donum) [Common]
condormisco -iscere -ii (or -ivi) -itum, 'snooze off, nap; fall asleep' [Rare]
conduco -ducere -duxi -ductum, 'collect, bring together, hire, rent; be conductive to (profit), bear on (ideas)' [Freq.]
conducticius -a -um, 'hired'(See prev.) [Rare]
conductio -onis, f., 'summoning an argument; leasing, renting (commercial)' [Rare]
conductor -oris, m., 'boss; renter; contractor'(Not unlike Engl. "contractor," in the sense of one who engages in any contract, whether building, renting, etc.) [Rare]
conduplico -are, 'double' [Rare]
conduro -are, 'make firm, harden' [Rare]
conecto -nectere -nexui -nexum, 'weave or join together, connect, link together' [Freq.]
conexio -onis, f., 'a sequence of events' [Rare]
conexus -a -um, 'joined, related, bound together' [Common]
confabulor -ari (dep.), 'have a conversation [UnCommon]
confarreatio -onis, f., 'marriage' ( . . . when done with the ancient "purchase" ceremony. See 'coemptio.')Not [Common]
confarreo -are, 'marry by the ceremony of 'confarreatio''(See prev. and 'coemptio.') [Rare]
confectio -ionis, f., 'preparing, composing, tallying up, concluding [UnCommon]
confector -oris, m., 'one who completes, ends; finishes up = destroys'(See conficio) [Rare]
confercio -fercire -fersi -fertum, 'stuff up, pack in closely, densely [UnCommon]
confero -ferre -tuli -latum, 'bring together, share, compare; set one's self opposite to . . . , carry over, betake one's self to . . . 'Note: The [Common]
English abbreviation, "cf.," meaning "compare," is a shortening of the imperative singular of this verb: 'confer.' [VeryFreq.]
confertus -a -um, 'crowded together [UnCommon]
confervefacio -facere, 'make very hot' [Rare]
confervesco -fervescere -ferbui, 'become heated'(In the perfect system, the -v- becomes a bilabial, spirant -b- before the back vowel -u-.) [Rare]
confessio -onis, f., 'admission, confession' [Common]
confessus -a -um, 'confessed, admitted; evident [UnCommon]
confestim adv., 'immediately, without delay' [VeryFreq.]
conficio -ficere -feci -fectum, 'do, perform, bring to completion; compose (a book, record); bring together (troops); finish, finish off (kill)' [VeryFreq.]
conficiens -entis, 'skilled at accounting' [Rare]
confictio -onis, f., 'fabrication' [Rare]
confidens -ntis, 'bold, over-confident [UnCommon]
confidentia -ae, f., 'confidence, over-confidence [UnCommon]
confido -fidere -fisus sum (semi-dep.), 'have faith in, have trust in, trust' [Common]
configo -figere -fixi -fixum, 'fasten together, transfix (mil.)' (See next) [Common]
confingo -fingere -finxi -fictum, 'construct, construct artificially, fabricate falsely'(See prev.) [Common]
confinis -e, 'adjacent (of land)' [Rare]
confinium -i, n., 'a [Common]
boundary, a border (geog.)' [Common]
confio -fieri -factus sum, 'be done, be made, happen, be made manifest, be done with (of money spent)' [Common]
confirmatio -onis, f., 'firming up, confirmation (of ideas), proof (leg. or rhet.)' [Common]
confirmator -oris, m., 'one who gives bond, guarantee for . . . ' [Rare]
confirmo -are, 'make firm, strong, strengthen (mil.), confirm, affirm' [Freq.]
confisco -are, 'confiscate, hold in reserve (funds)'(See 'fiscus.' Compare Engl. "fiscal.") [Rare]
confisio -ionis, f., 'trust' [Rare]
confiteor -fiteri -fessus sum (dep.), 'confess, admit; disclose a fact, admit that . . . ' [Freq.]
conflagro -are, 'burn down, be destroyed (by fire); become inflamed (emotionally)' [Common]
conflictatus -a -um, 'harrassed; assailed' [Common]
conflictio -onis, f., 'conflict (leg.); disagreement between two points, conflict in law [UnCommon]
conflicto -are, 'strike; conflict, struggle against' [Common]
conflictus -us, m., 'clash' [Rare]
confligo -fligere -flixi -flictum, 'smash together, fight; disagree verbally' [Common]
conflo -are, '(blow together) blow on a flame, blow up a lie, blow together a plot, stir up anything' (The word generally has an unpleasant and negative tone.) [Freq.]
confluens -ntis, f., 'place where two rivers combine'Note: Compare the name of the German city, Coblenz, from 'confluentes (amnes).' The etymology of the names of the European cities shows the history of the last two thousand years graphically. [Rare]
confluo -fluere -fluxi, 'flow together (rivers), flock or gather together (people, supplies)'(See prev.) [Freq.]
confodio -fodere -fodi -fossum, 'dig a ditch around (mil.), dig into = gash, wound severely [UnCommon]
conformatio -onis, f., 'shape, nature; form (rhet.) [UnCommon]
conformo -are, 'shape, fashion, cast into a certain mold; educate' [Common]
confragosus -a -um, 'rough, uneven (of terrain); difficult [UnCommon]
confremo -fremere -fremui, 'roar' [Rare]
confringo -fringere -fregi -fractum, 'break up, break down'(From frango) [Common]
confugio -fugere -fugi, 'flee, get away, find a way out, find a refuge'(The word always involves an escape to safety.) [Freq.]
confugium -i, n., 'refuge [UnCommon]
confulcio -fulcire -fulsi -fultus, 'press together, compress [UnCommon]
confundo -fundere -fudi -fusum, 'mingle (liquids), spread around, disorder, destroy; confound, confuse' [Freq.]
confusio -onis, f., 'mixing together, mixing up; subsumption (leg.)' [Common]
confuto -are, 'check, stay, refute' [Common]
confutuo -uere -ui -utum, 'work over, confuse, "screw up"'Note: Literally, "fuck up," with the same associations as the English slang. See battuo, futuo and depso. [Rare]
congelo -are, 'freeze, set up, harden; put a chill on' [Common]
congemino -are, 'redouble' [Rare]
congemo -gemere -gemui -gemitum, 'groan, groan over' [Rare]
conger -gri, m., 'eel' [Rare]
congeries -ei, f., 'a mixture, a random bringing together'(See next)Not [Common]
congero -gerere -gessi -gestum, 'bring together, pile up, confer (honor, shame, etc.)' [Freq.]
congestus -us, m., 'a heap, pile [UnCommon]
conglarium -i, n., 'the quantity of a gallon; a gift of one gallon (orig. of oil); a donation, a gift; any gift or bonus in cash for soldiers or the populace [UnCommon]
congius -i, m., 'gallon' [Rare]
conglacio -are, 'freeze up' [Rare]
conglobatio -onis, f., 'a crowd in public' [Rare]
conglobo -are, 'ball up, gather into a crowd, mass' [Common]
conglomero -are, 'be compacted, concentrated' [Common]
conglutinatio -onis, f., 'act of gluing together, sticking together; a carpentry joint' [Rare]
conglutino -are, 'glue together, cohere, stick together (of people)' [Common]
congraeco -are, 'spend money like a Greek (i.e. freely); "Greek it up"! Note: Remember how sharp, canny, and Puritanical the Roman character actually was. Reading Cato's 'De Re Rustica,' one could easily see the author as an earlier-day Scrooge without stretching the imagination much. Old-style Romans must have been shocked to see other peoples using and especially spending money freely, something they never permitted themselves to do. From such a mentality comes such a word as the above. [Rare]
congratulor -ari (dep.), 'congratulate' [Rare]
congredior -gredi -gressus sum (dep.), 'approach, approach (mil.) for battle, contend (leg.)' [Common]
congregabilis -e, 'gregarious' [Rare]
congregatio -onis, f., 'congregation, assemblage [UnCommon]
congrego -are, 'bring together, collect'(The word is broadly social in use, since it derives from 'grex,' "herd," and points to the social behavior of most mammalians.) [Common]
congressio -onis, f., 'engagement (mil.), meeting (social), meeting; coming together (sexual) [UnCommon]
congressus -us, m., 'meeting, compact, encounter (mil.)'(The American Congress is a perfect example of this usage, since they meet in order to encounter each other!) [Common]
congruens -entis, 'fitting together, fitting or suitable' [Common]
congruo -uere -ui, 'come together, fit, match; concur' [Freq.]
congruus -a -um, 'agreeing' [Rare]
conicio -icere -ieci -iectum, 'hurl together, shoot a weapon, throw (into jail); aim at something' [Freq.]
coniectatio -onis, f., 'act of throwing; throwing together a guess, conjecturing'(See next)Not [Common]
coniectio -onis, f., 'throwing, throwing together a guess, conjecturing'(See prev.)Not [Common]
coniecto -are, 'make a conjecture' [Common]
coniector -oris, m., 'a dream-interpreter' (See prev.)Not [Common]
coniectrix -icis, f., 'female dream-interpreter' [Rare]
coniectura -ae, f., 'conjecture, surmise; prophecy' [Freq.]
coniecturalis -e, 'conjectural' [Rare]
coniectus -us, m., 'act of throwing; directing; directing one's attention to . . . [UnCommon]
conifer -fera -ferum, 'a (cone-bearing) pine tree'(Engl. "conifer" is technically a "gymnosperm." See next.) [Rare]
coniger -gera -gerum, '(cone-bearing) pine tree'(See prev.) [Rare]
conitor -niti -nisus (or nixus) (dep.), 'strain, try very hard to . . . '(Used of either physical or mental effort) [Common]
coniugalis -e, 'marital [UnCommon]
coniugatio -onis, f., 'marriage' [Common]
coniugator -oris, m., 'Hymenaeus, the "Uniter," the god of marriage'Note: See Catullus 61 for a delicate and quite lovely paean to Hymenaeus, summarizing the old, conservative Roman attitudes toward marriage as a social institution.Not [Common]
coniugialis -e, 'marital'(See coniugalis)Not [Common]
coniugium -i, n., 'marriage, union of man and woman'Note: 'Coniugium' is the right word for Romans marrying, while 'conubium' denotes a lesser state for mixed marriages, a detail which Vergil is pointedly aware of in his portrayal of Dido. He comments pithily about her incipient relationship with Aeneas: 'Coniugium vocat'; although it is clear to the Roman audience that she should be saying 'conubium.' She is saying to herself that their "affair" is acceptable; but, in justifying it to herself, she uses the wrong word; and, in fact, it is not acceptable at all. But after all, how should a Carthaginian princess be knowledgeable about such (important) details of Roman law? [Common]
coniugo -are, 'join in marriage' [Rare]
coniunctio -onis, f., 'any joining together, literary composition, a bond between friends; a grammatical juncture, conjunction' [Common]
coniunctus -a -um, 'linked, joined, complex, composite' [Freq.]
coniungo -iungere -iunxi -iunctum, 'join together = marry, join forces; communicate, sub-join, add-on' [Freq.]
coniunx -iugis, c., 'husband, wife, marriage partner'Note: Often spelled 'coniux,' or even 'coiux,' in inscriptions, since the -n- in this position had been reduced to the status of a nasalized vowel, which was not recorded in the written system. One must remember that our formal, literary Latin is only the tip of the linguistic iceberg which comprised the complete Latin Language phenomenon. [Freq.]
coniurati -orum, m., 'conspirators' [Rare]
coniuratio -onis, f., 'a conspiracy bound by an oath'(Compare 'con-iuratio' and 'con-spiratio.') [Common]
coniuro -are, 'swear together, conspire' [Freq.]
coniux see coniunxconiveo (conniveo) -nivere -nivi (or nixi), 'squint, close the eyes; (hence) connive, overlook a purpose'Note: Engl. "connive" stresses the criminal overlooking of something which one is suppose to be examining, squinting aside at important facts and thereby colluding. See colludo. [Common]
conlabefacto -are, 'make fall over, totter, collapse' [Rare]
conlabefio -fieri -factus sum, 'totter, collapse' [Rare]
conlabor -labi -lapsus sum (dep.), 'fall over, collapse' [Freq.]
conlaceratus -a -um, 'wounded badly' [Rare]
conlacrimatio -onis, f., 'heavy weeping' [Rare]
conlacrimo -are, 'weep direly' [Rare]
conlatio -onis, f., 'putting together, payment; comparison'(The word comes from 'confero,' "bring together, compare." The standard English abbreviation in scholarly books, "cf.," is the imperative, 'confer,' "compare, refer to.") [Freq.]
conlatus -us, m., 'engaging in battle' [Rare]
conlaudo -are, 'praise, laud' [Common]
conlaxo -are, 'free up, relax, loosen' [Rare]
conlecta -ae, f., 'a donation in cash' (Compare Engl. church "collection") [Rare]
conlectio -onis, f., 'accumulation; a cogent argument (rhet.) [UnCommon]
conlega -ae, m., 'colleague (political; priesthood), any associate in general' [Common]
conlegium -i, n., 'an official group of magistrates, a priests' club; a trade union or brotherly association' [Common]
conlibet (or conlubet) -libuit (or -libitum est, impers.), 'it pleases, it is quite pleasing . . . ' [Common]
conlido -lidere -lisi -lisum, 'collide, smash, batter; disgree with' [Freq.]
conligatio -onis, f., 'bond, connection [UnCommon]
conligo -ligere -legi -lectum, 'collect, gather in, accumulate, deduce, collect (from the evidence) that . . . '(See next) [Freq.]
conligo -are, 'tie up, bind, bring together, unite'(See prev.) [Freq.]
conlineo -are, 'direct, aim [UnCommon]
conlino -linere -levi -litum, 'besmear, smear up, smear over [UnCommon]
conlocatio -onis, f., 'arrangement, ordering; an investment (fin.)' [Common]
conloco -are, 'locate, place (geog.), arrange; arrange troops (mil.); place funds (as an investment)' [Freq.]
conlocupleto -are, 'enrich' [Rare]
conloquium (colloquium) -i, n., 'conversation, interchange of ideas, parley (mil.)' [Common]
conloquor -loqui -locutus sum (dep.), 'talk, discuss, talk over as business, parley (mil.)' [Freq.]
conluceo -ere, 'glitter, shine' [Common]
conludo -ludere -lusi -lusum, 'play with; collude (pol.) [UnCommon]
conluo -luere -lui -lutum, 'wash out, wash off; wash away, purify' [Common]
conlusio -onis, f., 'collusion'(See conludo) [Rare]
conlusor -oris, m., 'fellow player, fellow gambler [UnCommon]
conlustro -are, 'shine light over, glance the eyes over, survey; explore' [Common]
conluvio -onis, f. (and conluvies -ei, f.), 'junk, rot, pig-food, scum' [Common]
CONM - FOR WORDS BEGINNING WITH CONM- POSSIBLY SEE COMM-CONN FOR WORDS BEGINNING WITH CONN- POSSIBLY SEE CONM-conn- see con-conopeum (conopium) -i, n., 'mosquito-netting'Note: From this word comes the English, "canopy." The 'conopeum' is originally from Gr. 'konops,' "gnat," and is an important item in a malaria-infested area, like much of ancient central Italy. [Rare]
conor -ari (dep.), 'try, make an attempt to . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
conquasso -are, 'shake up (with violence)' [Rare]
conqueror -queri -questus sum (dep.), 'complain (about)' [Common]
conquestio -onis, f., 'complaint [UnCommon]
conquiesco -quiescere -quievi -quietum, 'rest from . . . , repose, cease activity, stop motion' [Freq.]
conquinisco -ere, 'crouch' [Rare]
conquiro -quirere -quisivi -quisitum, 'search out, investigate' [Common]
conquisitio -onis, f., 'a search (for soldiers, funds, an idea) [UnCommon]
conquisitor -oris, m., 'one who searches; a recruiter (mil.)' [Rare]
consaepio -saepire -saepsi -saeptum, 'fence in, hedge in, enclose [UnCommon]
consalutatio -onis, f., 'greetings' [Rare]
consaluto -are, 'give salutations to, greet [UnCommon]
consancio -are, 'wound badly' [Rare]
consanesco -sanescere -sanui, 'heal (med.), make healthy, make sound [UnCommon]
consanguineus -a -um, 'of a blood relative' [Common]
consanguinitas -tatis, f., 'relationship by blood [UnCommon]
conscelero -are, 'stain with crime' [Rare]
consceleratus -a -um, 'wicked, criminal [UnCommon]
conscendo -scendere -scendi -scensum, 'mount, climb up, get up on . . . (a ship, horse, mountain, high position)' [Freq.]
conscensio -onis, f., 'embarkation'(A specialized nautical meaning, from 'conscendo.' See prev.) [Rare]
conscientia -ae, f., 'awareness of something; inner awareness or conscience' [Freq.]
conscindo -scindere -scidi -scissum, 'tear in pieces [UnCommon]
conscio -ire, 'have something on one's mind or conscience' [Rare]
conscisco -sciscere -scivi (and -scii) -scitum, 'decide, decree' [Rare]
conscius -a -um, 'having knowledge of, aware of; inwardly aware; guilty-minded' [Freq.]
conscreor -ari, 'hack (in clearing the throat)' [Rare]
conscribillo -are, 'scribble over' [Rare]
conscribo -scribere -scripsi -scriptum, 'write down, write about, write to someone; conscribe soldiers (enlist)' [Common]
conscriptio -onis, f., 'a treatise' [Rare]
conscriptum -i, n., 'a document' [Rare]
conscriptus -a -um, 'enrolled (esp. [Common]
in the phrase: 'patres conscripti' = "senators")' [Common]
conseco -secare -secui -sectum, 'cut up, lacerate; cut short' [Common]
consecratio -onis, f., 'the act of making sacred, a dedication, the deification of emperors; the act of assigning someone (a criminal) as dedicated to a deity [UnCommon]
consecro -are, 'make sacred or holy, immortalize; forfeit as under a curse' [Freq.]
consector -ari (dep.), 'pursue, follow after, seek; persecute' [Common]
consecutio -onis, f., 'a consequence (in logic) [UnCommon]
consenesco -senescere -senui, 'grow old, age, weaken' [Common]
consensio -onis, f., 'an agreement [UnCommon]
consensus -us, m., 'agreement' [Common]
consentaneus -a -um, 'agreeable, suitable, fitting' [Common]
consentio -sentire -sensi -sensum, 'agree with, harmonize with, have sympathy with, function together with' [Freq.]
consepio see consaepio consequentia -ae, f., 'a causal chain, consequence [UnCommon]
consequor -sequi -secutus sum (dep.), 'follow after, follow logically, seek after, pursue' [Common]
consero -serere -sevi -situm, 'sow seed, plant'(See next) [Common]
consero -serere -serui -sertum, 'fasten together, join, join in combat (mil.)'(See prev.) [Common]
conserva -ae, f., 'a woman slave' [Rare]
conservatio -onis, f., 'preservation [UnCommon]
conservator -oris, m., 'savior' [Rare]
conservo -are, 'preserve, keep unchanged, conserve' [Freq.]
conservus -i, m., 'fellow slave [UnCommon]
consessor -oris, m., 'fellow juror, attendant' [Rare]
consessus -us, m., 'an assembly [UnCommon]
consideratio -onis, f., 'observation, consideration (mental) [UnCommon]
considero -are, 'consider, contemplate, observe closely'Note: The origin of this word is from 'sidus -eris,' "star"; the meaning is drawn from celestial observation, carefully watching the stars. Curiously, the Greek word for "iron," 'sideros,' is also a star-word, possibly because certain meteorites were discovered to have a pure form of iron, but the linguistic record on the connection between these two words is not clear. [Freq.]
consideratus -a -um, 'well thought out [UnCommon]
considerate adv., 'thoughtfully [UnCommon]
consido -sidere -sedi -sessum, 'sit down, take up a settled position (mil.), settle down (on land); sink down, collapse' [Freq.]
consigno -are, 'put a seal on a legal document; record or state exactly (in legal terms)'(See signum) [Common]
consiliarius -a -um, 'advising; (as subst., m.) adviser'Note: It may seem surprising that the modern Mafia term for the leader is 'consigliŽre,' and his title is "Don" (Lat. 'dominus'). But this secret society has very ancient roots, probably in the structure of the imperial Roman army of the 3rd century A.D., from which it drew its ideas of organization, obedience to the leader, and absolute fealty to the organization. See commendator.Not [Common]
consiliator -oris, m., 'adviser' [Rare]
consilior -ari (dep.), 'advise, deliberate [UnCommon]
consilium -i, n., 'counsel, the act of counselling, debate, a council; a decision, action (with deliberation)' [VeryFreq.]
consimilis -e, 'similar (to)'(Takes a gen. obj. for the things compared. See similis.) [Common]
consisto -sistere -stiti -stitum, 'take a stand (i.e. come to a stop), settle down, rest, remain; consist of . . . ; stand upright' [Freq.]
consitor -oris, m., 'sower, planter' [Rare]
consobrinus -i, m. (and consobrina -ae, f.), 'cousin [UnCommon]
consociatio -onis, f., 'uniting, connection' [Rare]
consocio -are, 'associate' [Common]
consociatus -a -um, 'linked, connected' [Rare]
consolabilis -e, 'consolable' [Rare]
consolatio -onis, f., 'consolation, solace' [Common]
consolator -oris, m., 'comforter' (In this case, a person, not a blanket.) [Rare]
consolatorius -a -um, 'consolatory' [Rare]
consolor -ari (dep.), 'console' [Common]
consono -sonare -sonui, 'sound together (i.e. harmoniously), make a good sound; harmonize (in principle)' [Common]
consonus -a -um, 'concordant, harmonious [UnCommon]
consopio -ire, 'put to sleep [UnCommon]
consors -sortis, 'acting as a partner (leg.), sharer, kin' [Common]
consortio -onis, f., 'association' [Rare]
consortium -i, n., 'sharing of property, partnership'Note: The word was borrowed from the world of business in the l6th century for musical use, e.g. a consort of viols, recorders. It can now be used for any group, a Consortium of Political Activists, of Economists, etc. [Common]
conspectus -a -um, 'seen, viewed; visible, obvious'(See next)Not [Common]
conspectus -us, m., 'sight, view; aspect'(See prev.) [Freq.]
conspergo -spergere -spersi -spersum, 'sprinkle (a liquid), bespatter (stars, words)' [Common]
conspicio -spicere -spexi -spectum, 'see, perceive, observe, grasp mentally' [Freq.]
conspiciendus -a -um, 'to be seen; conspicuous [UnCommon]
conspicor -ari (dep.), 'catch sight of' [Common]
conspicuus -a -um, 'visible, noteworthy [UnCommon]
conspiratio -onis, f., 'agreement' Note: The basic notion is of "breathing together" (from 'spi [Rare]
'); hence, a conspiracy is an illegal, whispering meeting behind closed doors, something repugnant to the orderly and legal-minded Romans. Disaffected ethnic groups, political instigators, and, above all, the large slave population made conspiracy something to be taken very seriously. The tone of Cicero's prosecution of Cataline, on a charge of conspiracy with the slaves, makes this very clear. [Common]
conspiro -are, 'agree, be in accord; conspire (illegally)' [Freq.]
consponsor -oris, m., 'one who takes an oath (along with another)' [Rare]
conspuo -spuere, 'spit all over [UnCommon]
conspurco -are, 'pollute'(See the adj. 'spurcus,' a very ugly and dirty word.) [Rare]
consputo -are, 'spit upon' [Rare]
constans -antis, 'firm, resolute' [Freq.]
constanter adv., 'resolutely, firmly [UnCommon]
constantia -ae, f., 'firmness, resoluteness, persistence' [Freq.]
consternatio -onis, f., 'consternation, confusion [UnCommon]
consterno -sternere -stravi -stratum, 'cover over (with a rug or blanket); strew out on the land (corpses, etc.)'(See next) [Common]
consterno -are, 'make confused, drive frantic'(This word is a causative in the lst conj. from the 3rd conj. 'consterno -ere.' See prev.) [Common]
constipo -are, 'crowd together'(Different in feeling, but related in meaning, is Engl. "constipation.") [Rare]
constituo -stituere -stitui -stitutum, 'place, locate, dispose (troops), establish (a state, colony, person); institute, make an appointment, agreement (pol. and leg.)' [Freq.]
constitutus -a -um, 'standing; long-standing; appointed, arranged; of a given sort by constitution or by nature' [Common]
constitutio -onis, f., 'arrangement, nature, character, situation' [Freq.]
consto -stare -stiti -statum, 'stand still (i.e. stop), exist, stay; stand together with . . . (i.e. agree)'(A special use, as an impersonal verb is 'constat' = "it is evident, clear") [VeryFreq.]
constringo -stringere -strinxi -strictum, 'tie together, bind, limit; firm up (the muscles)' [Common]
constructio -onis, f., 'act of piling up, constructing a building; act of building an arrangement of words [UnCommon]
construo -struere -struxi -structum, 'pile up, arrange, amass' [Common]
constuprator -oris, m., 'one who defiles' (See stuprum) [Rare]
constupro -are, 'corrupt, sully [UnCommon]
consuasor -oris, m., 'an adviser' [Rare]
consudo -are, 'be all sweated up' [Rare]
consuefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'make . . . accustomed to . . . '(As passive, 'consuefio' means "become accustomed to . . .") [Freq.]
consuesco -suescere -suevi -suetum, 'become accustomed to . . . , be used to . . . , have a habit of . . . ' [Freq.]
consuetudo -inis, f., 'custom, habit, familiarity, use' [Freq.]
consuetus -a -um, 'used to . . . , accustomed to . . . [UnCommon]
consul -lis, m., 'a consul (one of the two annually-elected, top magistrates)'Note: In the regular Republican way of designating the year, the consuls' names are used in an ablative absolute construction. A.U.C. ('ab urbe condita') is the other, less usual mode, while A.D. dating ('Anno Domini') was not to be used for centuries. See condo and conditus. [VeryFreq.]
consularis -e, 'consular'(See consul) [Freq.]
consulatus -us, m., 'consulship' [Common]
consulo -sulere -sului -sultum, 'consult (in general), decide, make an important decision'(From this comes the noun, 'consul.') [Freq.]
consultatio -onis., f., 'deliberation, consultation' [Common]
consulto -are, 'consult, deliberate, debate, consider' [Common]
consultor -oris, m., 'counsellor, lawyer; astrologist' [Common]
consummatio -onis, f., 'addition, adding up, summing up; a result, an achievement [UnCommon]
consummo -are, 'add up, complete, bring about, finish'(From the f. pl. noun, 'summae,' "total, the sum.") [Freq.]
consumptor -oris, m., 'spendthrift'(See next) [Rare]
consumo -sumere -sumpsi -sumptum, 'consume, use up, waste, spend money on . . . ; destroy, ruin' [Freq.]
consuo -suere -sui -sutum, 'sew together; patch up a plan (pejorative) [UnCommon]
consurgo -surgere -surrexi -surrectum, 'rise up (from bed); rise up (of a group), rise up (from seed), grow; rise up (mil.)' [Freq.]
consurrectio -onis, f., 'an uprising (pol.), insurrection' [Rare]
consusurro -are, 'whisper together'(Compare 'conspiro') [Rare]
contabefacio -ere, 'make to waste away' [Rare]
contabulatio -onis, f., 'flooring, board siding or roofing; the rippling of garments (like clapboards)'(See next) [Rare]
contabulo -are, 'cover with boards ('tabulae'); put up a bridge (of wood)'Note: Engl. "table" comes from the [Common]
people's use of boards ('tabulae') laid across sawhorses, while the rich dined in gentlemanly fashion on 'mensae.' [Rare]
contactus -us, m., 'contact, touching, contagion' [Common]
contages -is, f., 'touch, contact, contagion' [Rare]
contagio -onis, f. (and contagium -i, n.), same as contages [Common]
contamino -are, 'contaminate, ruin, dishonor' [Freq.]
contego -tegere -texi -tectum, 'cover over; hide, conceal' [Freq.]
contemno -temnere -tempsi -temptum, 'despise, look down at, avoid' (Never the legal term, "condemn," which is another word, for which see 'condemno' and 'damnum.') [Freq.]
contemplatio -onis, f., 'contemplation, considering' [Common]
contemplor -ari (dep.), 'look hard at, examine, contemplate' [Freq.]
contemptio -onis, f., 'scorn, disregard [UnCommon]
contemptor -oris, m., 'scorner [UnCommon]
contemptus -a -um, 'scorned, despicable [UnCommon]
contemptus -us, m., 'contempt, disdain [UnCommon]
contendo -tendere -tendi -tentum, 'stretch out, extend oneself, press forth, contend with . . . , contend in a contest' [Freq.]
contentus -a -um, 'strained, tense; tightly energetic'(From contendo. See next.) [Common]
contentus -a -um, 'contented, satisfied' (From contineo. See prev.)Not [Common]
contentio -onis, f., 'strain, competition; dispute, contention' [Freq.]
conterminus -a -um, 'bordering, adjacent (geog.)' [Common]
contero -terere -trivi -tritum, 'grind up, wear down, wear out; expend, use up (energy, resources)' [Freq.]
conterreo -ere, 'scare, terrify [UnCommon]
contestor -ari (dep.), 'call up as a witness, litigate (leg.) [UnCommon]
contexo -texere -texui -textum, 'weave together, intertwine, connect, combine; join words in writing'Note: Both the Greeks and the Romans were highly aware of "textural" effects in literary art--prose and poetry alike; for them, language was seen as a web of words, rather than a display of sentence strings, concatenated in a logical order. If one reads Latin slowly enough, one can see the constant interweaving of motifs and the intertwining of ideas, a basic in the ancient concept of art. [Freq.]
contextus -a -um (ppl. from contexo), 'interwoven; interconnected; united'(See prev.) [Common]
conticesco (conticisco) -ticescere -ticui, 'become silent, stand by (idly) in silence' [Common]
contiguus -a -um, 'near, neighboring, contiguous [UnCommon]
continentia -ae, f., 'self-control'(Med. "incontinent" indicates a loss merely of excretory self-control.)Not [Common]
contineo -tinere -tinui -tentum, 'hold closely together, retain, maintain, restrain; enclose, contain' [VeryFreq.]
contingo -tingere -tigi -tactum, 'touch, contact, get in touch with, affect touchingly; happen, occur, come to pass' [VeryFreq.]
continuatio -onis, f., 'extension, continuance, a continuum; a continuous sentence structure' [Common]
continuatus -a -um, 'continuous' [Common]
continuo adv., 'directly, immediately'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
continuo -are, 'connect, make continuous; reiterate, practice'(See prev.)Not [Common]
continuus -a -um, 'continuous, unbroken' [Freq.]
contio -onis, f., 'a public meeting (pol. or rel.); the audience at such a meeting' [Freq.]
contionabundus -a -um, 'filibustering, speaking at length as if in public assembly' [Rare]
contionalis -e (and contionarius -a -um), 'relating to a public ceremony or to the public assembly' [Rare]
contionator -oris, m., 'speaker in public assembly (pejorative), an agitator' [Rare]
contionor -ari (dep.), 'deliver a speech in an assembly [UnCommon]
contiuncula -ae, f., 'a little assembly of some sort' [Rare]
contollo -ere, 'step up (to say hello)' [Rare]
contor -ari (dep.), 'ask'('Percontor' is the more commonly used word.) [Rare]
contorqueo -torquere -torsi -tortum, 'twist up, spin around, whirl, swerve away' [Freq.]
contortio -onis, f., 'involvement of style (rhet.)' [Rare]
contortor -oris, m., 'liar, twister (of words)' [Rare]
contortus -a -um, 'twisted, tangled' [Rare]
contra adv. and prep., '(acc. obj.) opposite, against; otherwise, on the other hand' [VeryFreq.]
contractio -onis, f., 'contraction, a verbal condensation, digest [UnCommon]
contractus -a -um, 'restricted, tight; uptight, terse (of style)' [Common]
contradico -dicere -dixi -dictum, 'speak against, attack, gainsay, deny' [Common]
contradictio -onis, f., 'denial, refutation; a counter argument [UnCommon]
contraho -trahere -traxi -tractum, 'draw in, contract, compress; depress (emotionally); collect; bring about (an effect)' [Freq.]
contrarius -a -um, 'contrary, opposing (mil.), hostile, different; counter-suited (leg.)'Note: "Mary, Mary, quite contrary . . . " was just plain different, as the rest of the ditty makes clear. In typical social settings, different often means bad. [Freq.]
contrectatio -onis, f., 'touching, handling, fondling; fingering (with intent to steal) [UnCommon]
contrecto -are, 'touch, fondle, caress; steal, embezzle' [Common]
contremisco (contremesco) -tremiscere -tremui, 'tremble with fear [UnCommon]
contremo -ere, 'tremble' [Rare]
contribuo -tribuere -tribui -tributum, 'join; share, contribute' [Common]
contristo -are, 'make unhappy; sadden [UnCommon]
controversia -ae, f., 'dispute, argument' Note: This is also the name for a set "theme," a kind of argument for students in school preparing for law, or a debate topic to be argued both ways. Curious collections of these have survived under the names of Seneca and Quintilian. These Roman legal debate topics were as meaningless as the assigned "essay" in American education can often be; both are forced practice with words aimed at career fluency later, with small regard for interest and personal involvement. [Common]
controversus -a -um, 'controversial' [Rare]
contrucido -are, 'slaughter' [Rare]
contrudo -trudere -trusi -trusum, 'drive, press; cram' [Rare]
contrunco -are, 'cut up, chew up' [Rare]
contubernalis -is, c., 'soldier, military comrade; buddy; any companion; a slave's husband or wife, i.e. mate' [Common]
contubernium -i, n., 'a (mil.) tent, tent-dwelling, tent-sharing, i.e. close association, cohabitation'(From taberna) [Common]
contueor -tueri -tuitus sum (dep.), 'behold, view, see' [Common]
contuitus -us, m., 'beholding, viewing, seeing [UnCommon]
contumacia -ae, f., 'defiancy, obstinate disobedience' [Common]
contumax -acis, 'defiant' [Common]
contumelia -ae, f., 'an insult' [Freq.]
contumeliosus -a -um, 'insulting, verbally abusive' [Common]
contumulo -are, 'bury'(See tumulus) [Rare]
contundo -tundere -tudi -tusum, 'crush to a pulp, beat, subdue (mil.)' [Common]
contuor see contueorconturbatio -onis, f., 'disorder, any dysfunction (physical or psychological)' [Rare]
conturbatus -a -um, 'all mixed-up, confused [UnCommon]
conturbo -are, 'mix up, perturb; be bankrupt (leg.)' [Common]
contus -i, m., 'a pole, spear; the pole used to propel Roman gondola-like skiffs [UnCommon]
conrador -ari, 'require bond (leg.)' [Rare]
conubium -i, n., 'marriage'Note: Technically, a marriage between a Roman citizen and a non-Roman. Dido wanted to call her relationship to Aeneas 'coniugium,' but Romans knew it was really 'conubium,' a very different matter, and the key to understanding Book IV of the Aeneid. See coniugium. [VeryFreq.]
conus -i, m., 'the cone or pointed tip on top of a helmet' [Rare]
convalesco -valescere -valui, 'get strong, get well, convalesce' [Common]
convallis -is, f., 'a glen' [Rare]
convaso -are, 'pick up (a parcel)' [Rare]
convecto -are, 'collect' [Rare]
convector -oris, m., 'a gatherer of wheat, or any crops; a passenger, a fellow traveler' [Rare]
conveho -vehere -vexi -vectum, 'gather together, collect [UnCommon]
convello -vellere -velli -vulsum, 'tug at, pluck at; shake up, subvert (pol.)' [Freq.]
convena -ae, m., 'refugee, emigrant [UnCommon]
convenientia -ae, f., 'agreement, harmony [UnCommon]
convenio -venire -veni -ventum, 'come together, come together in agreement, converge (geom.)'(As an impersonal: 'convenit,' "it is agreed, it suits . . . " [a [Common]
construction].) [VeryFreq.]
conventiculum -i, n., 'a little assembly' [Rare]
conventio -onis, f., 'agreement (leg. or pol.) [UnCommon]
conventus -us, m., 'an act of coming together, any assembly; an official assembly (leg. or pol.)' [Common]
converro -verrere -verri -versum, 'sweep, sweep out, sweep up'Note: One can see even a triple pun in Cicero's prosecution of Verres, the corrupt governor of Sicily: 1) his name, Verres; 2) the fact that 'verres' means "wild pig"; and 3) 'verro' means "sweep, sweep out, clean up," which is precisely what Cicero aimed to do.Not [Common]
conversatio -onis, f., 'association with . . . , manners in conversation [UnCommon]
conversio -onis, f., 'revolution (astron.), change, upheaval (pol.)' [Common]
converso -are, 'ponder, consider, turn over (mentally) [UnCommon]
conversus -a -um, 'upside-down [UnCommon]
converto -vertere -verti -versum, 'rotate, turn over, turn backwards, spin (a weapon); turn (attention) towards . . . ; convert, translate (language)' [Freq.]
convestio -ire, 'clothe, cover over, hide'(See vestis)Not [Common]
convexus -a -um, 'convex, curved; hollowed out; arched' [Common]
conviciator -oris, m., 'one who rebukes, rails at' [Rare]
convicior -ari (dep.), 'abuse (verbally) [UnCommon]
convicium -i, n., 'a shout, yell, insult (verbal); verbal abuse, attack' [Common]
convictio -onis, f., 'social intercourse'(From 'vivo, victum,' as against 'convicium,' prev.) [Rare]
convictor -oris, m., 'companion' [Rare]
convictus -us, m., 'association, companionship; a banquet' (From vivo)Not [Common]
convinco -vincere -vici -victum, 'convict (leg.); convict of a mistake' [Freq.]
conviso -ere, 'scan (the stars, etc.)' [Rare]
conviva -ae, m., 'a dinner-guest, fellow banqueter' [Common]
convivalis -e, 'convivial'(See conviva, convivium) [Rare]
convivator -oris, m., 'one who gives a banquet'(See conviva, convivium) [Rare]
convivium -i, n., 'banquet, party' [Freq.]
convivo -vivere -vixi -victum, 'live together, associate; dine together'(See conviva, convivium)Not [Common]
convivor -ari (dep.), 'partake in a banquet [UnCommon]
convocatio -onis, f., 'calling together an assembly' [Common]
convoco -are, 'call together, collect [UnCommon]
convolo -are, 'fly together; flock together, assemble'Note: Then, as now, "birds of a feather/ flock together." See 'volo,' "fly." [Rare]
convolvo -volvere -volvi -volutum, 'roll up together, twist up, wrap about' [Common]
convomo -ere, 'vomit all over' [Rare]
convulnero -are, 'wound, hurt, jab . . . into [UnCommon]
cooperio -operire -operui -opertum, 'cover over, bury' [Common]
cooptatio -onis, f., 'cooption (leg.); adoption' [Rare]
coopto -are, 'elect to a given body [UnCommon]
coorior -oriri -ortus (dep.), 'arise, be borne; rise up (mil.), attack' [Common]
coortus -us, m., 'arising; coming into being' Note: This would seem to be the Roman sense of Gr. 'physis,' and it is used as a term in Lucretius' cosmogony. The more [Common]
Lucretian term is 'natura,' which, however familiar and literal as a translation, is somewhat strained. [Rare]
copa -ae, f., 'dancing-girl'(The title of an early poem by Vergil, which we have in the 'Appendix Vergiliana.') [Rare]
cophinus -i, m., 'basket' (Greek word) [Rare]
copia -ae, f., 'store, supply, abundance, a force (mil.); supply (of things, words)' [VeryFreq.]
copiosus -a -um, 'rich, abundant, eloquent' [Freq.]
copo copona, see caupo, cauponacopta -ae, f., 'a biscuit; hard-tack'(Greek word) [Rare]
coptoplacenta -ae, f., 'farinaceous material, pasta' (See prev. and 'placenta.') [Rare]
copula -ae, f., 'bond, link, tie; a connective (gram.)' [Common]
copulatio -onis, f., 'connection, bond'(Never in the sexual sense, as in Engl. "copulation.")Not [Common]
copulo -are, 'join together, unite, connect, join (in friendship, marriage)' [Freq.]
copulatus -a -um, 'close, associated, coupled' [Common]
coquino see coquocoquinum -i, n., 'the Cookery (in the forum), marketplace' [Rare]
coquo coquere coxi coctum, 'cook, digest, cook up (plots)' [Freq.]
coquus (cocus) -i, m. (and coqua -ae, f.), 'a cook' [Common]
cor cordis, n., 'the heart (as an organ); feelings, emotions; the mind, the will' Note: The heart is often used as seat of the emotions, following Aristotle's most conspicuous error. He thought that the brain was a cooling system for the blood, like the cooler coils atop the Frigidaires of the l920's; he remarked that men became bald because they thought more than women, and the bald head cooled better. But his location of the sensations and feelings in the heart persisted, we still say "heart-felt," although we know better. [VeryFreq.]
coram adv., 'face to face' [VeryFreq.]
corbis -is, m. and f., 'basket [UnCommon]
corbita -ae, f., 'a slow-sailing merchant vessel' [Rare]
corbula see corbacorculum -i, n., 'a little heart, sweetheart; a sharp-minded person' (From 'cor,' "heart"; see note on 'cor' for explanation of the last meaning.)Not [Common]
cordatus -a -um, 'smart, shrewd [UnCommon]
cordax -acis, m., 'a sexy dance' Note: The sensual 'cordax' was probably of Near Eastern origin. The "Sarabande" had the same sensual reputation in the 16th century; it was forbidden absolutely by the church under pain of excommunication, probably because it came in with the Moors.Europe has always been resistive to the Semitic world, from Carthage in the times of the Romans, to the medieval Crusades, including Europe's reactions to the Moors in the 9th century, and to the Jews since time immemorial.Not [Common]
cordolium -i, n., 'heart-pain' (It sounds like the ailment now called angina, although angina means something else in Latin. See angina.) [Rare]
corium -i, n., 'hide, leathery skin, skin of fruit, any "skin" or outer covering' [Freq.]
corneolus -a -um, 'made of horn'(From cornu. See next.)Not [Common]
corneus -a -um, 'made of cornel-wood'(See prev. and next) [Rare]
corneus -a -um, 'made of horn' (See prev. and 'cornu')Not [Common]
cornicen -cinis, m., 'a horn-blower [UnCommon]
corniculum -i, n., 'a little horn, or any horn-like shape [UnCommon]
corniger -gera -gerum, 'horned' [Rare]
cornipes -pedis, 'horn-footed, i.e. hoofed'Note: Horn and hoof are both built up from a specialized, densely-matted hair process; and both burn with the same pungent odor as hair. [Rare]
cornix -icis, f., 'crow'(As an example of shrewdness, raucousness, and nasty old-age.) [Freq.]
cornu -us, n., 'horn (of an animal), trumpet, the resonator of a lyre; horn of land (promontory); horn = wing of an army (mil.)' [VeryFreq.]
cornum -i, n., 'the cornel-cherry'(See both entries for 'corneus.') [Rare]
cornus -i (and -us), f., 'the cornel tree; cornel wood; a spear of cornel wood'(See both entries for 'corneus.')Not [Common]
cornutus -a -um, 'having horns, horned [UnCommon]
corolla -ae, f., 'garland of flowers for the head [UnCommon]
corollarium -i, n., 'a reward; a military bonus (orig. in the form of a garland) [UnCommon]
corona -ae, f., 'wreath, crown, any crown-like shape; a ring of soldiers, bystanders' [VeryFreq.]
coronarius -a -um, 'of a garland [UnCommon]
corono -are, 'give garlands or flowers to . . . ; form a ring around'Note: Perhaps, an archaism is to be seen in the rhyme, "Ring around the rosy . . . " The odd thing is that, in terms of the above word, the ring IS the rosy, a ring-shaped garland of roses! Children's ditties often show incredible antiquity, e.g. in Vermont, "Lincoln, Lincoln, I've been thinkin' / What in the world have you been drinkin' / Looks like whiskey, smells like wine, / O My God, it's turpentine" [a l960's political song!]. Or "The noble Duke of York, he had a thousand men. / He marched them up a hill / And marched them down again . . . ", etc. [Revolutionary War!] [Freq.]
corporeus -a -um, 'corporeal, fleshy [UnCommon]
corpulentus -a -um, 'fat, corpulent' [Rare]
corpus -oris, n., 'body, corpse, the body (as against head and limbs), an individual; a solid "body" (geom.); a body of people, troops; a body of information, e.g. 'corpus iuris' = "the collection of 'the law'"'(The word still lives in the legal phrase, 'habeas corpus,' in the first sense above.) [VeryFreq.]
corpusculum -i, n., 'a poor little thing (said with pity); "body-ness" = plumpness; an atom'Note: In modern times, physics has retained the word, "corpuscule," for the problem of corpuscular, as against wave, theory in quantum mechanics. Since Heisenberg, nobody is quite sure what it means, but it is a very convenient word indeed. [Common]
corrado -radere -rasi -rasum, 'rake together, collect; scrape together (money) [UnCommon]
correctio -onis, f., 'correction' [Rare]
corrector -oris, m., 'corrector' [Rare]
correpo -repere -repsi -reptum, 'creep (like a snake), crawl (of the flesh in fear) [UnCommon]
corrigia -ae, f., 'shoelace'(See next) [Rare]
corrigo -rigere -rexi -rectum, 'correct, straighten out, fix up'(See prev.) [Freq.]
corripio -ripere -ripui -reptum, 'grasp, grab, seize, attack, reprove; make smaller, contract, abridge' [Freq.]
corroboro -are, 'strengthen, back-up, corroborate' [Common]
corrodo -rodere -rosi -rosum, 'chew, gnaw on; bite (the fingernails)' [Rare]
corrogo -are, 'summon, invite; demand payment [UnCommon]
corrotundo -are, 'make round; round off a sum of money [UnCommon]
corrugo -are, 'wrinkle up (one's nose, sneeringly)'(See ruga) [Rare]
corrumpo -rumpere -rupi -ruptum, 'ruin, spoil, degenerate, corrupt a person (politically or sexually)' [Freq.]
corruptus -a -um, 'ruined, rotten, corrupt' [Common]
corruo -ruere -rui, 'collapse, fall down, rush together' [Common]
corruptela -ae, f., 'corruption, bribery; seduction [UnCommon]
corruptio see corruptelacorruptor -oris, m., 'one who corrupts [UnCommon]
corruptus -a -um (ppl. from corrumpo), 'corrupted, rotten, decaying; unreliable, corrupt' [Common]
cors cortis see cohorscortex -ticis, m. and f., 'cork, bark; skin or rind'Note: The outer bark of the Spanish cork tree, from which bottle corks for the better grades of wine are still made. [Freq.]
cortina -ae, f., 'a boiling cauldron, pot [UnCommon]
corulus see coryluscorusco -are, 'shake (objects) back and forth; glitter (of light)' [Common]
coruscus -a -um, 'quivering, flashing, shining' [Common]
corvus -i, m., 'crow'(See cornix) [Common]
corycus -i, m., 'punching-bag' [Rare]
coryletum -i, n., 'a thicket of hazel trees'(See next) [Rare]
corylus -i, m., 'hazel tree'(See prev.) [Rare]
corymbus -i, m., 'a cluster of flowers or fruit' [Rare]
coryphaeus -i, m., 'a leader or chief in dance or song' [Rare]
corytus (or corytos) -i, m., 'a quiver' [Rare]
cos cotis, f., 'whetstone'('Cautes' is an orthographic variant.) [Rare]
costa -ae, f., 'a rib (of the body); rib of a boat; side, flank [UnCommon]
cosmetes -ae, m., 'a lady's personal maid'Note: This word comes from the Gr. philosophiocal term, 'kosmos,' "the world, the orderly world; orderliness, order." A Greek general, the 'kosmetor,' puts the army in order, while the "cosmetician" puts a face in order. The lady's maid is the low person on this philosophical totem-pole. See 'mundus,' 'munditia,' and next.Not [Common]
cosmicos -a -um, 'fashionable' [Rare]
costum -i, n., 'an aromatic plant' [Rare]
cothurnatus -a -um, 'in buskins; tragic, of Greek tragedy; "elevated"' (See next)Not [Common]
cothurnus -i, m., 'an elevated boot worn by tragic actors, the cothurnus (a symbol of tragedy); high-style locution' [Common]
cotidianus (or cottidianus) -a -um, 'daily'(See next) [Common]
cotidie adv., 'daily, every day' [VeryFreq.]
cottabus -i, m., 'a game in which wine is splashed on a mark' [Rare]
cottana (cotona, coctona, coctana) -orum, n. pl., 'the Syrian fig tree' [Rare]
cotula -ae, f., 'half-pint cup' [Rare]
covinnus -i, m., 'a carriage'(Gaulish word) [Rare]
coxa -ae, f., 'hip-bone' [Rare]
coxendix -icis, f., 'hip-bone' [Rare]
crabro -onis, m., 'hornet' [Rare]
crambe -es, f., 'cabbage'Note: The 'crambe repetita' of Satire is the "warmed-over cabbage," which is still served up in journals devoted to literary criticism. A Greek word with Greek inflection. [Rare]
crapula -ae, f., 'a hangover from drinking'Note: English "crapulous" is from this word, not from Engl. "crappy," as most people assume. Using it in English may mark one as a lush, but, at least, as a learned one, who has done his Latin lessons well. [Rare]
cras adv., 'tomorrow' [VeryFreq.]
crassitudo -inis, f., 'thickness, density' [Common]
crassus -a -um, 'thick, fat (of persons), dense, coarse, stupid, crass'Note: Also a Roman personal name! See Brutus, Porcius, Ovidius, and a wide variety of uncomplimentary family surnames, including Claudius, Paetus, etc. [Freq.]
crastinus -a -um, 'of tomorrow' [Common]
cratera -ae, f. (and crater -eris, m.), 'a punch-bowl, any bowl-like depression; crater of a volcano; a constellation' [Rare]
cratis -is, 'a wicker enclosure, sheep-fold; a harrow (toothed agricultural implement), a latticed framework for ditching or walling (mil.) [UnCommon]
creatio -onis, f., 'creation (of a magistrate, of children)' [Rare]
creatrix -icis, f., 'creator, creatress' [Rare]
creber -bra -brum, 'crowded, dense, packed-in, numerous' [Freq.]
crebresco -escere -ui, 'become [Freq.]
' [Rare]
crebritas -tatis, f., 'closeness, close succession, a state of being packed together' [Common]
crebro adv., from creber [Freq.]
credibilis -e, 'believable, credible' [Common]
creditor -oris, m., 'a creditor' [Common]
creditum -i, n., 'a debt, loan; credit [UnCommon]
credo -dere -didi -ditum, 'believe, trust, entrust, believe in, hold a belief'Note: In the Indo-European parent language, the root means: "put the heart" (as in Skt. 'sraddha + da-,' "believe"); and 'credo' preserves this emotional, rather than purely cerebral, tone. Believing is, in a sense, putting your heart into something. [VeryFreq.]
credulitas -tatis, f., 'credulity [UnCommon]
credulus -a -um, 'believing, full of trust' [Common]
cremium -i, n., 'firewood'(See next) [Rare]
cremo -are, 'burn, cremate' [Common]
cremor -oris, m., 'porridge, "cream of wheat"' [Rare]
creo -are, 'create, produce, cause to happen; create an office (pol.)' [Freq.]
crepida -ae, f., 'a Greek-style sandal'(It is specifically Greek, and not natural for a Roman. A Greek word.)Not [Common]
crepidatus -a -um, 'wearing sandals'(See prev.) [Rare]
crepido -inis, f., 'base of a statue, sidewalk, wall, ledge [UnCommon]
crepidula -ae, f., 'little sandal' [Rare]
crepitaculum (and crepitacillum) -i, n., 'a rattle for children'(See crepito) [Rare]
crepito -are, 'make a noise (which is snapping, crackling, popping; rattling, cracking of fire, etc.)'(See prev.) [Freq.]
crepitus -us, m., 'rapping, rattling, snapping the fingers' [Common]
crepo -are -ui -itum, 'make a noise'(This sound is characterized by a crackling sharpness; it is used for anything from rattling to flatulence. See crepito and crepitulum.) [Freq.]
crepundia -orum, n. pl., 'a child's rattle; an identification emblem tied around a child's neck'Note: This is often the pivot of the plot of a Plautine comedy, since it serve as an identification tag. The 'bulla' has the same use and purpose. See bulla.Not [Common]
crepusculum -i, n., 'twilight' [Common]
cresco crescere crevi cretum, 'grow, grow into existence, grow up, swell (physically and emotionally); grow financially' [VeryFreq.]
creta -ae, f., 'chalk'Note: Chalk was used for everything from Roman-style absorbent dry-cleaning with Fuller's earth to brick-making, as well as the chalk-lines for games and other competitions. See fullo. [Freq.]
cretatus -a -um, 'artificially whitened (powdered ladies); also used to describe candidates for office who wore whitened togas'(See candidatus) [Common]
cretula -ae, f., 'white clay for sealing' [Rare]
cribrum -i, n., 'a sieve' [Common]
crimen -inis, n., 'accusation, arraignment before a court, criminal proceedings; a crime' [VeryFreq.]
criminatio -onis, f., 'accusation [UnCommon]
criminator -oris, m., 'accuser' [Rare]
criminor -ari (dep.), 'bring charges against . . . , accuse (legally)' [Common]
criminosus -a -um, 'accusatory; shameful' [Common]
crinalis -e, 'worn in the hair'(See crinis) [Rare]
crinis -is, m., 'locks of hair, a head of hair; tail of a comet'(See comans and cometes) [Freq.]
crinitus -a -um, 'having long hair; pertaining to a comet'(See prev., 'comans,' and 'cometes') [Common]
criso -are (or crisso -are), 'move the hips convulsively in love-making (of a woman only)'Note: The corresponding verb for males is 'ceveo.' The Roman separation of the marital functions of man and woman are extended from the words for marriage ('nubo' for a woman, 'spondeo' for a man) to the reciprocal motions of love. The Romans have no thoughts about problems with inequalities or differences between the sexes. See ceveo. [Rare]
crispo -are, 'curl (hair), shake weapons; quiver the lips in a sneer' [Rare]
crista -ae, f., 'crest of hair on a bird, crest on a helmet' Note: Also used at times for the tuft of hair on a woman's genitalia.Not [Common]
cristatus -a -um, 'crested (of a bird or helmet)' [Common]
croceus -a -um, 'related to saffron (a perfume, cooking spice, and bright yellow dye for textiles), yellow'Note: Yellow clothing was usually associated with prostitutes and effeminate homosexuals, a detail of coloring probably observed in the Latin classics by the Elizabethans and made mandatory for prostitutes in the garb of "greensleeves," since saffron was imported and expensive.Not [Common]
crocinus -a -um, 'of saffron' [Rare]
crocodilus -i, m., 'crocodile' [Rare]
crocotula -ae, f., 'a yellow robe (dyed with saffron) usually worn by women' (See croceus) [Rare]
crocus -i, m. (and crocum -i, n.), 'the plant saffron; a material extracted from the saffron plant'Note: Saffron was used as a perfume, as a bright yellow dye, and in cooking, both for the color and the distinctive taste, which is still to be found in genuine Spanish paella. See croceus.Not [Common]
crotalia -orum, n. pl., 'pearl earrings' [Rare]
crotalistria -ae, f., 'a castanet-dancer' [Rare]
crotalum -i, n., 'a castanet' [Rare]
cruciamentum -i, n., 'torture' [Rare]
cruciatus -us, m., 'torture, pain (med.); emotional agony' [Common]
crucio -are, 'torture, produce any pain (of disease, hunger) or agony of the mind'(See crux) [Freq.]
crudelis -e, 'cruel, unfeeling, merciless' [Freq.]
crudelitas -tatis, f., 'cruelty' [Common]
crudesco -escere -ui, 'become savage, wild [UnCommon]
cruditas -tatis, f., 'indigestion [UnCommon]
crudus -a -um, 'raw, uncooked, undigestible, coarse (food); coarse (manners); unripe (fruit); hardy (i.e. not overripe, of people); savage' [VeryFreq.]
cruento -are, 'make bleed, bespatter with blood, bespatter' [Common]
cruentus -a -um, 'bloody, blood-thirsty, blood-colored' [Freq.]
crumena -ae, f., 'money bag; money' [Rare]
cruor -oris, m., 'blood, slaughter, bloodshed' [Freq.]
cruricrepida -ae, m., 'chain-rattler, a convicted criminal' [Rare]
crurifragius -i, m., 'Mr. Broken-bones'(Humorous neologism in Plautus) [Rare]
crus cruris., n., 'leg, lower leg, shin; stem of a bush; leg of a bridge' [Common]
crusta -ae, f., 'crust' [Common]
crustulum -i, n., 'a cookie' [Rare]
crustum -i, n., 'cake' [Rare]
crux crucis, f., 'the cross (punishment), torture, torment'Note: The 'crux' ("cross") was used by Romans for centuries before Christ as a painful, but generally non-lethal, punishment of slaves. The arms were tied to a board, which was hung on a cut branch of a tree for a short period, since pain, but not crippling, was the intent of this punishment. In some regrettable cases, death ensued. See crucio. [Common]
crypta -ae, f., 'tunnel, vault'(Greek word, from 'krupto,' "hide")Not [Common]
crystallus -i, f. (and crystallum -i, n.), 'rock-crystal, naturally occurring glass specimens'Note: Crystal, or naturally formed glass, was gullibly believed to be a special state of ice, something like the fourth state of matter in modern physics.Not [Common]
cubicularis -e, 'of a bedchamber' [Rare]
cubicularius -i, m., 'a servant of the chamber, valet' [Rare]
cubiculum -i, n., '(orig.) a bedroom; (later) any room' [Common]
cubile -is, n., 'bed, marriage bed; den of an animal; base or "bed" of a statue or wall' [Freq.]
cubital -alis, n., 'elbow cushion' [Rare]
cubito -are, 'lie down, lie with . . . ' [Rare]
cubitum -i, n., 'the elbow; length of a forearm = one "cubit"'(It was the elbow on which diners reclined. See 'cubo' and next.) [Common]
cubitus -us, m., 'the act of lying down in bed'(See prev.)Not [Common]
cubo -are -ui -itum, 'lie down (for rest), lie on bed recuperating, go to sleep, lie at rest (= be dead)' [VeryFreq.]
cuculio -onis, m., 'hood'(See next) [Rare]
cucullio -onis, m., 'hood, a parka covering the head'(See prev.) [Rare]
cucullus -i, m., 'a hood, cowl' [Rare]
cuculus -i, m., 'the cuckoo bird; a "cuckoo," i.e. a crazy fool'Note: The Romans said the name was onomatopoetic, imitating the crazy cry of this sly bird, who avoids the costs of housing by laying its eggs in some unsuspecting bird's nest. Imagine the surprise of a mother robin suddenly greeted by the cuckoo cry! [Rare]
cucumis -eris, m., 'cucumber' [Rare]
cucurbita -ae, f., 'a gourd; "gourd-head," i.e. a fool; a glass for sucking infections out of tissue (med.) [UnCommon]
cudo -ere, 'beat, hammer [UnCommon]
cuias -atis, 'of what country?'(The ending, '-as,' is the usual adjectival marker for "country of origin," e.g. Cicero was Arpinas, "the man from Arpinium." Here, the same termination is added onto the pronoun 'qui,' (gen. 'cuius') giving 'cuias,' "a man of what country?") [Common]
cuius (older quoius) -a -um, '(interrog.) whose? (rel.) whose' Note: This is actually the gen. sg. of 'qui,' but now, because of its ending, it is taken as a nom. sg. adjective! It is a [Rare]
word, something like "whose's" in English would be, understandable but very peculiar. When Vergil, in the Eclogues, says 'cuium pecus? anne Meliboei' ("whose herd? is it Meliboeus?"), a sly, grammatical scholiast responds wittily: 'cuium pecus? anne Latinum?' ("whose's herd? is it the Latin language?').Not [Common]
cuiuscemodi adv., 'of whatever kind [UnCommon]
cuiusquemodi adv., 'of every kind [UnCommon]
culcita -ae, f., 'mattress [UnCommon]
culeus (culleus) -i, m., 'a wine bag of leather; the leather container for parricides to be drowned in (with a viper and a monkey for company!)'Note: To this day, the Spanish 'botta' is a leather bag with the hair side turned in, originally in the shape of the leg of the goat, from which it came. [Common]
culex -icis, m., 'a gnat'(The title of an early poem by Vergil, which we have intact in the 'Appendix Vergiliana.')Not [Common]
culina -ae, f., 'kitchen' [Common]
culmen -inis, n., 'top, roof, peak; high social pre-eminence' [Freq.]
culmus -i, m., 'straw, wheat stalk' [Rare]
culo -are, 'drive (with a kick in the "behind")'(See 'culus,' "buttock") [Rare]
culpa -ae, f., 'blame, reproach, responsiblity, crime' [VeryFreq.]
culpatus -a -um, 'guilty' [Common]
culpabilis -e, 'blameworthy' [Rare]
culpo -are, 'blame' [Common]
cultellus -i, m., 'little knife'(See next) [Rare]
culter -tri, m., 'knife' [Common]
cultio -onis, f., 'agriculture'(From colo) [Rare]
cultor -oris, m., 'a farmer; one who cultivates . . . ; cultivator of a religious or cult sect' [Common]
cultrix -icis, f., see cultorcultura -ae, f., 'culture, cultivation; agriculture; mental culture' [Common]
cultus -a -um (ppl. from colo), 'cultivated (of land); well-groomed, well-appointed; cultivated, cultured'(See next) [Freq.]
cultus -us, m., 'cultivation of land, of the mind = education, smartness of dress, decoration'(See prev.) [Freq.]
culullus -i, m., 'a drinking cup' [Rare]
culus -i, m., 'the "fundament," backside, posterior, buttocks, anus'Note: Used both as "backside" (giving someone a "kick in the ass," Petronius) and "asshole," as a semi-slang term. Not used for a person, as in [Common]
English slang.Not [Common]
cum (older form: quom) conj., 'when; whenever; since'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
cum prep., '(abl. obj.) with, together with'(Often, this word occurs as 'una (abl. sg.) cum' = "together with," as an idiom; see prev.) [VeryFreq.]
cumba (cymba) -ae, f., 'a small boat' [Common]
cumera -ae, f., 'grain-bin' [Rare]
cuminum -i, n., 'the herb cumin' [Rare]
-cumque (-cunque, -quomque), adv. (usually found added to a relative), '-ever, -soever' [Freq.]
cumulo -are, 'heap up, pile up, increase; heighten, develop [UnCommon]
cumulus -i, m., 'a heap, pile' [Common]
cunabula -orum, n. pl., 'cradle; origin of a people, cradle from which one is raised'Note: This word gives the English, 'incunabula,' for "books printed before 1500," the work of the cradle or infancy of printing. [Rare]
cunae -arum, f., 'cradle, bird's nest; source [UnCommon]
cunctabundus -a -um, 'slow-moving, hesitant' [Rare]
cunctatio -onis, f., 'delay, hesitation' [Common]
cunctator -oris, m., 'one who delays [UnCommon]
cunctor -ari (dep.), 'delay, linger, hesitate, "drag one's feet"' [Freq.]
cunctus -a -um, 'all, each and every; all of them' [Freq.]
cuneatim adv., 'in wedge formation'(See cuneus)Not [Common]
cuneo -are, 'wedge in; be shaped like a wedge [UnCommon]
cuneus -i, m., 'a wedge; a wedge-shaped military formation'Note: Compare Engl., "cuneiform"-writing, the graphemic system of the Assyrians. The letters are produced by stamping a wedge-shaped end (small or large) of a stylus into wet clay, which is the medium on which all of their documents, soft or fired, are registered. [Freq.]
cuniculosus -a -um, 'full of rabbits, "rabbitty," like a rabbit' [Rare]
cuniculus -i, m., 'a rabbit; rabbit hole; (hence) a conduit for water piping (like a rabbit hole)'(Alice would have loved this Latin word.) [Common]
cunnus -i, m., 'the vulva, the external female sexual organs'Note: This is NOT the medical term, which would be 'vulva' (or 'volva'); 'vesica' ("bladder") is sometimes used. The polite word would be 'pudenda.' This word is the source for the Engl. slang word, "cunt," and is used much as in English, but not for a person as such. See 'mentula' for a person. [Rare]
cunnilingus -a -um, 'performing oral sex with a woman'(See 'lingo,' "lick," and prev.) [Rare]
?cupa -ae, f., 'tub' [Rare]
cupiditas -tatis, f., 'desire, longing, lust, greedy wishing for . . . ' [Common]
cupido -inis, f., 'longing; sexual desire; Cupid (as Venus' son); cupidity, greed' [VeryFreq.]
cupidus -a -um, 'desiring, lusting after, eager for . . . ' [Freq.]
cupio -ere -ivi (or -ii) -itum, 'desire, want, lust for, long for; be well-disposed toward, favor' [VeryFreq.]
cupitor -oris, m., 'one who seeks after . . . ' [Rare]
cuppedia -ae, f., 'taste for delicacies'(See next) [Rare]
cuppediae -orum, n., 'delicacies'(See prev.) [Rare]
cuppedinarius -i, m., 'owner of a delicatessen'Note: Selling lox, bagels, and wine? Or, in Latin, 'tomacula,' 'coptoplacenta,' and 'retsina.' [Rare]
cuppedo see cupidocupresseus -a -um, 'made of cypress wood [UnCommon]
cupressifer -fera -ferum, 'cypress-bearing' [Rare]
cupressus -i (-us), f., 'cypress tree (as a shade tree), cypress wood (distinguished for its aromatic oil)' Note: Cypress branches were used at funeral services; hence, the name of this tree often connotes death. [Freq.]
cur (quor), 'why? wherefore?' [VeryFreq.]
cura -ae, f., 'care, worry, care-taking, guardianship, (legal) responsibility' [VeryFreq.]
curalium -i, n., 'coral, esp. red coral' (See corallium) [Rare]
curatio -onis, f., 'an act of caring for, a curing (med.); taking charge of (administrative) [UnCommon]
curator -oris, m., 'guardian (leg.); supervisor of jobs' [Common]
curatus -a -um (ppl. from curo), 'well-cared for, well-groomed, well-prepared; careful, assiduous' [Common]
curculio -onis, m., 'weevil, grain-worm' (See gurgulio) [Rare]
curia -ae, f., 'assembly house of the senate, the senate'(Originally, a block or "ward" of the early Roman voting population.) [Freq.]
curialis -e, 'belonging to the curia' [Rare]
curiatus -a -um, 'relating to the curiae' (See 'comitia curiata,' the original assembly of the Roman people.) [Rare]
curio -onis, m., 'the priest of a curia [UnCommon]
curiositas -tatis, f., 'curiosity [UnCommon]
curiosus -a, -um, 'taking diligent care, careful, fussy; inquiring (of the mind), peeping; worn out by care'Note: A casual inscription, scratched on an eye-level windowsill, says 'RESTEM CURIOSO,'Ê"a rope for the peep"; see restis. [Freq.]
curo -are, 'care for, cure (med.), attend to, take care (charge) of; attend to with assiduity' [VeryFreq.]
curriculum -i, n., 'a course, running-course; course of action, race-track; chariot for racing'Note: The American academic "curriculum" at times takes on the appearance of a race-track, with prizes for the speediest contestants. [Freq.]
curro currere cucurri cursum, 'run, rush, run on (of words), fly (of time), run through (a series of any sort)' [VeryFreq.]
currus -us, m., 'chariot, the chariot'(The chariot is mentioned as a vehicle, as a race cart, or as symbolic of military "Triumphs.") [Freq.]
cursim adv., 'quickly [UnCommon]
cursito -are, 'run up and down [UnCommon]
curso -are, 'run here and there (up and down, back and forth) [UnCommon]
cursor -oris, m., 'runner (in a race), messenger, the footman (who runs ahead of a gentleman's chariot)' [Common]
cursus -us, m., 'a running, attack (mil.), onrush (of a river), sheer speed; a journey; progress' [Freq.]
curto -are, 'shorten, make less; circumcise' [Rare]
curtus -a -um, 'short, shortened, clipped; circumcised' Note: Horace mentions the 'curti Iudaei' as a well-known class of people in the Rome of his time. [Common]
curulis -e, 'curule (of adminstrative rank, including consuls, praetors, aediles); pertaining to the 'sella curulis' (a ritualized chair used by the above magistrates)' [Common]
curvamen -inis, n. (and curvatura, -ae, f.), 'curving' [Rare]
curvus -a -um, 'curved, bent with age, winding (rivers, etc.), "crooked," i.e. wrong'Note: The English word, "curb," at a sidewalk (from curvus), dates from the Roman colonization of England, one of the few reminders (along with "street," Old Engl. 'str¾t,' from Lat. 'stratum') that Romans lived in Britain for four centuries. Roman remains dot the countryside, from buried wooodwork in the camps ('castra') to the remarkable remains at Bath. Some well-preserved timbers near London Bridge have been thought by archaeologists to be from the bridge across the Thames built by Caesar in 50 B.C. [Common]
cuspis -idis, f., 'metal point of a spear, a spear itself; a wand, stick' [Freq.]
custodia -ae, f., 'a watching-over, guard, protection; custody, watch (mil.), prison' [VeryFreq.]
custodio -ire, 'keep watch over, guard, protect; guard and preserve, record, act cautiously' [Freq.]
custos -odis, m., 'guard, guardian (leg.), watchman, prison guard' [Common]
cuticula -ae, f., 'skin' (English 'cuticle' is similar in meaning, although the use is not exactly the same, being restricted to the flap of skin over the fingernail.) [Rare]
cutis -is, f., 'skin (of the body); a skin, hide of leather; skin on fruit' [Freq.]
cyathus -i, m., 'wine ladle; a liquid measure (perhaps = pint?)' [Common]
cybaea -ae, f., 'a transport ship for goods' [Rare]
cyclas -adis, f., 'a dress (for women) with a highly decorated hem'Note: The context of 'cycladatus,' used of a man, suggests effeminacy in Suetonius. It would appear that the botanical term for an ancient family of tree-like plants is taken from this word, perhaps, in view of the whorls at the edge looking like fringe decoration. [Rare]
cycneus (or cygneus) -a -um, 'belonging to the swan [UnCommon]
cycnus (or cygnus) -i, m., 'the swan [UnCommon]
cylindrus -i, m., 'a cylinder; a cylindrical gem cut as a seal'Note: Ancient seals were often incised on a cylindrical roll, about half an inch in diameter and over an inch long, which could be rolled out on soft wax or clay. The round flat seal often found on rings was also used. The detail employed in ancient seal-making was astonishing, in fact, as exacting as the engraving of the plates on U.S. currency bills, since painstaking detail is the only way to positively avoid falsification. [Rare]
cymba (cumba) -ae, f., 'a little boat'Note: Often used of the skiff of Charon, used to carry the dead over to the other side of the River Styx. [Common]
cymbalum -i, n., 'a cymbal' [Rare]
cymbium -i, n., 'a wine-cup'(Greek word) [Rare]
cynicus -a -um, 'a member of the Cynic sect'Note: Referring to the Greek school of philosophy, called Cynics, not the same as Engl. "cynic," although there are some superficial similarities. The word comes from 'kuon,' "dog," for no really cogent reason.Not [Common]
cynocephalus -i, m., 'dog-headed, dog-faced' (Term of derision in Cicero--not original, since it is taken from Homer's 'kun-ops,' "dog-faced.") [Rare]
cyparissus -i, m., 'the cypress tree'(See cupressus) [Common]
cytisus -i, c., 'a type of clover; medicago arborea (?)'(This was apparently a favorite food of goats; see Verg., Eclogues 2.64.)Not [Common]
dactylicus -a -um, 'dactylic (of verse); having dactyls'Note: The metrical foot, "dactyl," is a "long" followed by two "shorts," from the Greek word for "finger," which also has one long and two short bones. Compare French 'dacto,' "typist."Not [Common]
dactyliotheca -ae, f., 'jewelry box for rings'Note: See note on prev. in the non-metrical sense. [Rare]
daedalus -a -um, 'creative, manifold, delicately skillful; productive'Note: After the Greek mythological inventor, Daedalos, and used by the Romans to mean "creative, clever, inventive; productive (with 'terra')." Compare Joyce's Stephen Daedalus.Not [Common]
damma (dama) -ae, f., 'deer; any member of the class 'cervidae' [UnCommon]
damnatio -onis, f., 'conviction in court suit; conditions of a will (leg.)' [Common]
damnatorius -a -um, 'involving conviction, condemnation' [Rare]
damnatus -a -um, 'convicted' [Rare]
damnificus -a -um, 'causing financial loss' [Rare]
damnigerulus -i, m., 'a "loss-porter"'(Used in Plautus, Truc. 55l only.) [Rare]
damno -are, 'render a decision in court, convict, condemn (i.e. prove at fault), condemn to (a fate); bind legally (in a will, etc.)' [VeryFreq.]
damnosus -a -um, 'causing financial loss, losing much money; spendthrift-ish' [Common]
damnum -i, n., 'financial loss, any loss of property, loss (mil.); a fine (as payment for a loss)' [Freq.]
danista -ae, f., 'money lender'(Greek word used in comedy) [Rare]
daphnon -onis, n., 'a laurel garden'(Greek word) [Rare]
dapino -are, 'provide for . . . ; furnish the money for . . . '(From Gr. 'dapane' or Lat. 'daps'?) [Rare]
daps dapis, f., 'a sacrificial meal; feast, banquet' [Freq.]
dapsilis -e, 'sumptuous, plentiful' [Rare]
datio -onis, f., 'giving, a gift; payment, transfer or assigning of property' [Common]
dato -are, '(habitually) give away' [Rare]
dator -oris, m., 'a giver' [Rare]
de prep., '(abl. obj.) from, down from, away from, out of (source); about, concerning, in regard to'Note: Only in very late Vulgar Latin does this word begin to replace the use of the genitive case, a process which became complete in the Romanic languages. [VeryFreq.]
dea -ae, f., 'goddess' [VeryFreq.]
dealbo -are, 'whitewash a wall' [Rare]
deambulo -are, 'go take a walk' [Rare]
deamo -are, 'love completely (to the point of desperation)' [Rare]
dearmo -are, 'take away someone's weapons' [Rare]
debacchor -ari (dep.), 'rage on, rave (like a Bacchant)' [Rare]
debellator -oris, m., 'tamer (of wild animals)' [Rare]
debello -are, 'battle, beat down, conquer [UnCommon]
debeo -ere -ui- itum, 'owe (money), be bound to (leg.), be under obligation to; (one) ought, should'Note: The second usage ("ought, should") is very [Common]
, although a financial flavor from the first persists. In the prayer, "forgive us our trespasses," the Latin word in the Vulgate is 'debita,' which covers both moral matters ("what we ought to have been doing") and financial obligations. If taken in this last sense, which many Christians would not admit, the words may have, at an early period, referred to a 'seisachthia' or economic shaking off of debts, a kind of general bankruptcy, which was known in the ancient world from time to time. Had Jesus shown interest in such a policy, this would explain in part why the Roman administration would have been interested in having him out of the way. [VeryFreq.]
debilis -e, 'weak, enfeebled, incompetent' [Freq.]
debilitas -tatis, f., 'weakness, feebleness; intellectual bankrupcy' [Common]
debilitatio -onis, f., 'weakening' [Rare]
debilito -are, 'weaken, enfeeble' [Freq.]
debitio -onis, f., 'owing, debt' [Rare]
debitor -oris, m., 'a debtor (fin.); anyone indebted or obligated to another' [Common]
debitum -i (ppl. from debeo), n., 'something owed, debt' [Common]
decanto -are, 'sing again and again; enchant, bewitch' [Common]
decedo -cedere -cessi -cessum, 'go away, yield, withdraw, depart (from a position, mil.), depart (from an opinion); depart (of passion; from life)' [VeryFreq.]
decem 'ten' [VeryFreq.]
decempeda -ae, f., 'a ten-foot surveying rod' [Rare]
decempedator -oris, m., 'a land surveyor'(See prev.) [Rare]
decemprimi -orum, m. pl., 'the ten chief men in the senate' [Rare]
decemvir -i, m., 'member of a ten-man supervisory board (for ancient records, arcane law, legal freedom cases, land distribution, etc.)'(This was a relic of an earlier Republican court structure.) [Common]
decennis -e, 'ten years long; ten years old'(decem + annus) [Rare]
decens -entis, 'decent, suitable, appropriate, pleasing, "nice"' (See decet) [Common]
decerno -cernere -crevi -cretum, 'distinguish, decide, make a (leg.) decision, decide on . . . (pol.), offer a determination' [VeryFreq.]
decerpo -cerpere -cerpsi -cerptum, 'pluck off (fruit), pick off (anything in general), catch; snatch, steal' [Freq.]
decertatio -onis, f., 'arguing out a (legal) issue' [Rare]
decerto -are, 'fight it out, fight to the finish, argue something out; compete' [Common]
decessio -onis, f., 'departure, withdrawal [UnCommon]
decessor -oris, m., 'one who retires, abdicates' [Rare]
decessus -us, m., 'retirement (from office); passing on, death [UnCommon]
decet -ere -uit (impers.), 'it is fitting, suitable, good; one should . . . , one ought . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
decido -cidere -cidi -cisum, 'fall, fall over, collapse, die'(From 'cado,' "fall." The -i- is short. See next.) [Freq.]
decido -cidere -cidi -cisum, 'cut off, reduce, conclude (a settlement), bring to a conclusion, end' (From 'caedo,' "cut." The -i- is long. See prev.) [Freq.]
deciens (decies), 'ten times' [Common]
decimus (older form: decumus) -a -um, 'tenth' [Common]
decipio -cipere -cepi -ceptum, 'deceive, cheat, foil' [Freq.]
decisio -onis, f., 'a settlement' [Rare]
declamatio -onis, f., 'a set speech, a declamation'Note: As debate practice for rhetoric schools preparing for the law--we have hundreds of these highly colored debate topics from Seneca the Elder and Quintilian. See controversia and suasoria. [Common]
declamator -oris, m., 'declaimer, debater' [Rare]
declamatorius -a -um, 'of declamation' [Rare]
declamito -are, 'declaim (in the legal-rhetorical manner) over and over' [Rare]
declamo -are, 'declaim (in the legal-rhetorical manner) [UnCommon]
declaratio -onis, f., 'disclosure' [Rare]
declaro -are, 'declare, make manifest, make clear; testify' [Freq.]
declinatio -onis, f., 'swerving aside (astron.); avoiding (a topic, a person)' [Common]
declino -are, 'swerve aside, divert one's direction, incline downwards, sink, decline' [Freq.]
declivis -e, 'inclined downwards (in geog., astron., and time sequences)' [Common]
declivitas -tatis, f., 'declivity, slope, incline' [Rare]
decocta -ae, f., 'a decoction'Note: i.e. Nero's fancy mixed drink, first hot and then poured on the rocks, according to Suetonius. Nero might have had better success as a bartender than as a ruler. See 'de-coquo,' "boil, cook," and the note on Nero under 'biberius.' [Rare]
decoctor -oris, m., 'a spendthrift, (lit.) one who "boils off" his estate' [Rare]
decoctus -a -um, 'ripe, buxom (of style), full, rich' [Rare]
decollo -are, 'behead [UnCommon]
decolo -are, 'trickle away' [Rare]
deconcilio -are, 'exonerate from trouble' [Rare]
decolor -oris, 'discolored; shamefully blackened (morally)' [Rare]
decoloratio -onis, f., 'discoloration' [Rare]
decoloro -are, 'discolor, degrade [UnCommon]
decoquo -coquere -coxi -coctum, 'boil down, condense, stew, melt; waste money or effort' [Freq.]
decor -oris, m., 'grace, loveliness, beauty, appropriateness' (Etymologically connected with 'decet.') [Freq.]
decoro -are, 'decorate, honor' [Freq.]
decorus -a -um, 'good looking, decorous, nice, acceptable' [Freq.]
decrepitus -a -um, 'decrepit, worn out with age [UnCommon]
decresco -crescere -crevi -cretum, 'grow smaller, decrease; lose strength, effort' [Freq.]
decretum -i, n., 'a strong opinion, a decision, a decree' [Freq.]
decuma (decima) -ae, f., 'a tax of a tenth part of a sum; a tithe; the tenth (legion, mil.)Note: This was one of the Roman administrative practices which the Church took over from time to time, demanding a tenth of each person's income for the support of the ecclesiastical establishment. It is still a [Common]
practice in many of the fundamentalist churches in the U.S. and Korea.Not [Common]
decumanus (decimanus) -a -um, 'tenth; of the tenth (legion, mil.)' [Rare]
decumates -ium, '10-part land divisions in prehistoric Germany'Note: This information comes from Tacitus' invaluable treatise, the 'Germania,' which [along with Book VI of Caesar's "Commentaries"] is the major source of information about the ethnology and culture of the northern inhabitants of the Roman world. The 'Germania' is studied religiously in Germany, quite naturally, but not well known in the U.S., where it would provide a valuable source of material about men in the immediate post-Neolithic stage. This would interlock nicely with the current interest in the schools about the life and culture of the Native Americans, who were at a similar level into the 18th century.Not [Common]
decumbo -cumbere -cubui, 'lie down (to eat, to rest), fall in battle [UnCommon]
decumo (decimo) -are, 'reduce to a tenth, decimate [UnCommon]
decuria -ae, f., 'a committee of ten (with various administrative duties and functions)' [Common]
decurio -are, 'divide into a platoon of ten men'(See next) [Rare]
decurio -onis, m., 'an officer in charge of ten'(Perhaps, "corporal," if centurion is like an army "sergeant." See prev.) [Freq.]
decurro -currere -cucurri (or -curri) -cursum, 'run down, hurry along, flow, go down to the sea; perform manoeuvres (mil.), turn aside to . . . (for aid)' [VeryFreq.]
decursio -onis, f., 'a manoeuvre (mil.)' [Rare]
decursus -us, m., 'a downward running of (rivers, armies); a race, attack (mil.)' [Rare]
decurtatus -a -um, 'mutilated'(The same as 'mutilus,' according to Cicero.) [Rare]
decus(s)is -is, m., 'the number 10 or 'X'; a ten-penny coin'(Decem + as, assis) [Rare]
decus -oris, n., 'honor, high distinction, beauty'(See decor and decet.) [VeryFreq.]
decusso -are, 'mark with an "X"' [Rare]
decutio -cutere -cussi -cussum, 'strike down, shake down, overturn, remove from a position' [Common]
dedecet -decere -decuit, 'it is not right, fitting; it disgraces'('de' (as negative) + 'decet'; see several following items.) [Freq.]
dedecoro -are, 'discredit, dishonor [UnCommon]
dedecorus -a -um, 'dishonorable' [Rare]
dedecus -oris, n., 'disgrace, dishonor; disreputable appearance' [Freq.]
dedicatio -onis, f., 'dedication (the ceremony); personal dedication, devotion [UnCommon]
dedico -are, 'declare, state conclusively; dedicate, devote to a purpose' [Freq.]
dedignor -ari (dep.), 'scorn, reject' [Common]
dedisco -discere -didici, 'unlearn [UnCommon]
dediticius -a -um, 'relating to surrender'(In the m. pl., 'dediticii,' = "those who have surrendered their rights.")Not [Common]
deditio -onis, f., 'surrender (mil., leg., and pol.)' [Common]
dedo dedere dedidi deditum, 'give over, hand over, i.e. surrender; turn oneself over to (i.e. devote oneself to)' [Freq.]
dedoceo -ere, 'make (someone) "unlearn," "un-teach" [UnCommon]
dedoleo -dolere -dolui, 'stop grieving' [Rare]
deduco -ducere -duxi -ductum, 'lead away, drag away, draw off, draw off a colony (from another city), bring home, bring to court; lead someone to any specific place (school, temple, etc.); divert the mind, attention; deduct (in arithmetic)' [VeryFreq.]
deductio -onis, f., 'a leading down or away' [Common]
deerro -are, 'go wrong, lose the path; be lacking to . . . '(From de + erro) [Common]
defaeco -are, 'strain, clear out the dregs from a liquid'(But never has the sense of the Engl. "defecate," = Lat. 'cacare.') [Rare]
defatigatio -onis, f., 'exhaustion' [Rare]
defatigo -are, 'wear out, tire, tire out' [Common]
defatiscor see defetiscor defectio -onis, f., 'deficiency; defection; revolt; an eclipse' [Common]
defector -oris, m., 'a rebel' [Rare]
defectus -a -um, 'defective, worn out [UnCommon]
defendo -fendere -fendi -fensum, 'ward off, defend (verbally or physically); defend a case (leg.), defend (a point of law)' [VeryFreq.]
defensio -onis, f., 'defense, legal defense, defense of one's position' Note: This is the technical equivalent for Gr. 'apologia,' which is a legal term and not to be confused with a social "apology." Socrates' and Newman's "Apologies" are in this first class. [Freq.]
defenso -are, 'make a defense'(This is a little stronger than 'defendo.')Not [Common]
defensor -oris, m., 'defender (pol. and leg.)' [Common]
defero -ferre -tuli -latum, 'carry down, bring in, transport, convey, hand over information; pay over (money in a transaction or award; defer to . . . 'Note: In a special sense: "snitch, squeal, rat-on," that is, "be an informer," and the 'delator' (from the ppl.) is the "political informer." A great deal of political "informing" went on in the Empire as a regular part of political life, something we have seen only in the McCarthy days and hope never to have to deal with again. See 'Christus,' for a note on Romans informing on the early Christians. [VeryFreq.]
defervesco -fervescere -fervi (-ferbui), 'come to a boil; stop boiling'Note: The original meaning ["come to a boil"] seems to persist only in technical writers; while, for literary purposes, the second meaning ["stop boiling"] dominates. A tremendous gap exists between the high level of canonized Latin Literature, which was encapsulated early on as suitable material for the schools, and the technical writers, from Cato and Vitruvius on to Pliny the Elder. A third area of Latin is the vulgar language under the Empire, about which we know almost nothing other than what Petronius and the Inscriptions tell us. [Common]
defetiscor (defatiscor) -fetisci -fessus sum (dep.), 'be exhausted [UnCommon]
defessus -a -um, 'tired out, worn out, fatigued'(See prev.) [Freq.]
deficio -ficere -feci -fectum, 'fail, run short, run out of, fade away, die; defect (pol.)' [Freq.]
defigo -figere -fixi -fixum, 'jam down, stick into, fix one's mind on, fix immmutably; bewitch (i.e. bind so as to be still)' [Freq.]
defingo -fingere -finxi -fictum, 'form, mould' [Rare]
definio -ire, 'mark out the boundaries of, limit; finish off (i.e. kill); define, state definitively' [Freq.]
definitio -onis, f., 'the act of marking off a boundary, defining, a description' [Common]
defit (impers.), 'it runs out, fails, is lacking'(de + fio, fieri) [Common]
deflagratio -onis, f., 'conflagration' [Rare]
deflagro -are, 'burn up, desiccate, destroy by fire; be destroyed by fire [UnCommon]
deflecto -flectere -flexi -flexum, 'make to swerve downwards, deflect; divert the attention, digress' [Freq.]
defleo -flere -flevi -fletum, 'cry, weep for, bewail' [Common]
defluo -fluere -fluxi, 'flow away (rivers), flow from (i.e. originate from), flow away, disappear; slip off = fall away (of hair, persons, clothes)' [Freq.]
defodio -fodere -fodi -fossum, 'dig underground, excavate; dig up' [Common]
deformis -e, 'deformed, ugly, repulsive, offensive' [Freq.]
deformitas -tatis, f., 'deformity (physical, mental, moral); rudeness in speech' [Freq.]
deformo -are, 'outline, shape; disfigure, spoil' [Common]
defraudo (defrudo) -are, 'defraud, cheat; deny one's self something (lit., cheat one's self out of . . . )' [Common]
defrenatus -a -um, 'unbridled, unrestrained'(See frenum) [Rare]
defrico -fricare -fricui -frictum, 'rub down (in the baths), scrub, scour [UnCommon]
defringo -fringere -fregi -fractum, 'break away, break off, knock off'(From frango)Not [Common]
defrustror -are, 'thwart'(See the adv., 'frustra') [Rare]
defrutum -i, n., 'not yet fermented wine, boiled to a third of its volume (in cookery)'Note: This has something of the function in Roman recipes of the ubiquitous soy sauce. The surviving cookbook of Apicius gives a remarkable apercu into the culinary art of the Romans; it has complete recipes which are perfectly understandable and can easily be tried out. It is interesting to see how Romans wrote Latin when they had something simple, but important, to say. Apicius has no pretenses to rhetorical brilliance, just devotion to what he knows well, which he explains in the most direct and unequivocal terms. There are several recent editions with translation and cooking advice, which are well worth perusing.Not [Common]
defunctus -a -um, 'dead, defunct; passed over as if dead'(From defungor)Not [Common]
defugio -fugere -fugi, 'escape, flee' [Common]
defundo -fundere -fudi -fusum, 'pour down, pour out [UnCommon]
defungor -fungi -functus sum (dep.), 'finish up, use up; end, die'(Takes abl. obj. as with 'fungor.') [Common]
defutuo -ere -i -tum, 'wear out sexually; become "jaded"'Note: Catullus uses only the past participle ["worn out, jaded"] in describing Ameana, an ugly girl who is suing him for a large amount of palimony--"a case of mental illness," he claims. [Rare]
degener -eris, 'degenerate, weak, not pure-bred (a genetic concept with moral overtones); fearful, timorous' [Freq.]
degenero -are, 'degenerate, deteriorate (by mixed breeding)' [Freq.]
degero -ere, 'carry off' [Rare]
deglubo -ere, 'de-bark; de-skin, flay' [Rare]
dego degere degi, 'spend one's time, pass one's life'(From 'de + ago' ['aetatem' understood]) [Common]
degrandinat (impers.), 'it hails violently'(See 'grandino -inis,' "hail") [Rare]
degravo -are, 'weigh down, overwhelm [UnCommon]
degredior -gredi -gressus sum (dep.), 'step down, dismount (mil.), depart [UnCommon]
degusto -are, 'take a taste of, savor' [Common]
dehinc adv., 'from here, hence, whence' [VeryFreq.]
dehisco -ere, 'gape open (of the mouth, in amazement)'(See hio and hisco) [Freq.]
dehonestamentum -i, n., 'disgrace (a political word)' [Rare]
dehonesto -are, 'dishonor, disgrace' [Rare]
dehortor -ari (dep.), 'discourage, dissuade [UnCommon]
deicio -icere -ieci -iectum, 'hurl, throw down, knock down, drop (the eyes, countenance); kill; drive out of political office, drive out of mind or consciousness' [Freq.]
deiectio -onis, f., 'eviction (leg.)' [Rare]
deiectus -a -um, 'cast down (lit.); cast down in spirits'(See next) [Common]
deiectus -us, m., 'a slope of the terrain; a flood of water'(See prev.) [Rare]
deiero -are, 'swear an oath'(de + iuro)Not [Common]
dein see deinde [VeryFreq.]
deinceps adv., 'successively, one after another' [Freq.]
deinde (dein) conj., 'then, afterwards, next' [VeryFreq.]
deiungo -ere, 'disjoin, separate, release [UnCommon]
delabor -labi -lapsus sum (dep.), 'fall down or away, slip away, float, glide, sink (i.e. lose control)' [Freq.]
delacero -are, 'tear up, rip up, shred' [Rare]
delamentor -ari (dep.), 'weep for, bewail, lament, mourn' [Rare]
delasso -are, 'tire out, exhaust' [Rare]
delatio -onis, f., '"informing" in the sense of giving anonymous information about . . . '(de + fero, from its perf. pass. ppl., '[de]latus'. See defero.)Not [Common]
delator -oris, m., 'an informer'(See note on prev.) [Common]
delectabilis -e, 'delightful' [Rare]
delectamentum -i, n., 'something that produces pleasure' [Rare]
delectatio -onis, f., 'pleasure, delight, enjoyment' [Freq.]
delecto -are, 'delight, fascinate, allure' (Related to 'lacto -are' and 'lacio -ere,' "entice," which probably both come from 'laqueus,' "rope," creating a verbal meaning of "rope in"; but both of those [Rare]
words are replaced by this one.) [Freq.]
delectus -a -um, 'chosen, picked, excellent'(From 'deligo [de + lego],' "pick, choose") [Common]
delego -are, 'assign (leg.), delegate, entrust' (This is an entirely legal word.) [Freq.]
delenimentum -i, n., 'soothing, mollification [UnCommon]
delenio (delinio) -ire, 'soften, mollify [UnCommon]
delenitor -oris, m., 'one who soothes or cajoles' [Rare]
deleo -ere -evi -etum, 'destroy, obliterate, exterminate, put an end to' [Freq.]
deliberabundus -a -um, 'deliberating' [Rare]
deliberatio -onis, f., 'deliberation (mental or verbal)' [Rare]
deliberator -oris, m., 'one who deliberates' [Rare]
delibero -are, '(orig. "weigh out") deliberate, consider carefully, make a thoughtful decision about . . . '(This and the prev. 3 words, come from 'libra -ae, f.,' "the scales for weighing.Ó) [Freq.]
delibo -are, 'skim off a little from, remove, skim a liquid, pour off a liquid'(Compare Engl. "libations," and see 'libo -are.') [Common]
delibro -are, 'de-bark (of trees)' [Rare]
delibutus -a -um, 'steeped (with a liquid), stained, penetrated with [UnCommon]
delicatus -a -um, 'pretty, nice, elegant, over-elegant, luxurious, pampered (as a pet), spoiled' [Freq.]
deliciae -arum, f. pl., 'pleasures, delights; fancy manners; one's sweetheart'(The n. sg. 'delicium' means just "pleasure.") [Freq.]
deliciolae -arum, f. pl., 'little darling'(Used of Cicero's beloved daughter, Tullia.) [Rare]
delictum -i, n., 'a fault, defect, delection'(From 'delinquo,' "lack") [Common]
deligo -ligere -legi -lectum, 'pick out, select' [Common]
deligo -are, 'tie up, bind, restrain' [Common]
delingo -ere, 'lick up' [Rare]
delinquo -linquere -liqui -lictum, 'be lacking, fail, be guilty of, be delinquent' [Common]
deliquesco -liquescere -licui, 'turn to a liquid, melt' [Rare]
deliquio -onis, f., 'failure, deliction' [Rare]
deliquo (and delico) -are, 'strain (of a liquid); make clear'(See liqueo and liquidus) [Rare]
deliratio -onis, f., 'madness, insanity'(See next) [Rare]
deliro -are, 'be mad, crazy, insane'(The 'lira' is the ridge between two plowed furrows in a field. The graphic word, 'delirus,' refers to a person hit by sunstroke while plowing a field and going off--since the oxen won't stop--at some crazy angle from the line he was supposed to plow. As Rome moved from the farm to the forum, this country word was re-applied to things of the mind, producing a word with about the same meaning as the English word, "delirious.") [Common]
delirus -a -um, 'crazy'Note: The 'lira' is the ridge between two plowed furrows in a field. The graphic word, 'delirus,' refers to a person hit by sunstroke while plowing a field and going off (since the oxen won't stop) at some crazy angle from the line he was supposed to plow. As Rome moved from the farm to the forum, this country word was re-applied to things of the mind, producing a word with about the same meaning as the English word, "delirious."Not [Common]
delitesco -litescere -litui, 'hide, disappear, vanish' [Common]
delitigo -are, 'fight to the finish (verbally)' [Rare]
delphinus -i (and delphin -inis), m., 'dolphin'Note: The word goes back to Gr. 'delphos,' "womb," referring to the placental nature of the animal, which the Greeks had long before recognized. Now we realize that many of the ancient stories about dolphins have a basis in fact, just at the point when: [a] we begin to be able to understand their actual language and remarkably developed brain, and [b] at the same time we find ourselves in the position of thoughtlessly exterminating their breed.Not [Common]
delubrum -i, n., 'a shrine, temple' [Rare]
deluctor -ari (dep.) (and delucto -are), 'wrestle' [Rare]
deludo -ludere -lusi -lusum, 'trick, delude [UnCommon]
delumbo -are, 'lame'(Cicero uses this word as characterizing a "lame" style of rhetoric. Compare Engl. "lumbar pains.") [Rare]
demando -are, 'entrust to . . . ; make a person responsible for'(English "demand" is more aggressive, since it emphatically asks for the return of something previously entrusted.)Not [Common]
demens -ntis, 'crazy, demented' [Common]
dementia -ae, f., 'craziness, insanity' [Freq.]
demero -ere (and demeror -eri, dep.), 'earn, earn the favor of' [Common]
demergo -mergere -mersi -mersum, 'submerge; cause to sink, fall, or hang down; bury, i.e. overpower' [Freq.]
demetior -metiri -mensus sum (dep.), 'measure out' [Common]
demeto -metere -messui -messum, 'mow fields, gather fruit, vegetables; mow down (mil.)'(See messis) [Rare]
demigro -are, 'go away (of peoples), emigrate' [Rare]
deminuo -minuere -minui -minutum, 'lessen, diminish, impede, reduce, deprive' [Freq.]
deminutio -onis, f., 'lessening, diminution' [Freq.]
demiror -ari (dep.), 'be very much amazed at' [Common]
demissio -onis, f., 'sinking' [Rare]
demissus -a -um, 'slipped down, low, dejected, poor; hanging down (of sloppy dress)' [Freq.]
demitigo -are, 'assuage, soothe, calm' [Rare]
demitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'drop, let drop, let fall, make fall; let hang down, reduce in station, depress' [VeryFreq.]
demo -ere -psi -ptum, 'take away, remove' [Freq.]
demolior -iri (dep.), 'throw down, demolish, obliterate' [Common]
demolitio -onis, f., 'demolition (of temples, statues)' [Rare]
demonstratio -onis, f., 'showing, demonstration, explanation' [Common]
demonstrator -oris, m., 'one who points out or indicates' [Rare]
demonstro -are, 'point out, indicate, demonstrate, indicate that . . . ' [Freq.]
demorior -mori -mortuus sum (dep.), 'die off, become extinct; die of love' [Common]
demoror -ari (dep.), 'delay (oneself or another) hang around, hold up' [Common]
demoveo -movere -movi -motum, 'move away, remove, turn aside' [Common]
demulceo -mulcere -mulsi -mulctum, 'soothe [UnCommon]
demum conj., 'at (long) last, finally' [VeryFreq.]
demurmuro -are, 'mumble, murmur' [Rare]
demutatio -onis, f., 'a change (in negative sense)' [Rare]
demuto -are, 'change, alter [UnCommon]
denaso -are, 'de-nose (someone)' [Rare]
denarius -a-um, 'containing ten, (as noun) a denarius = U.S. dime'Note: It is odd, as a long-lived curiosity, that one still buys nails by the penny, a ten-penny nail of three inches, formerly weighing ten Roman "asses." This nail is still listed as "10d" ('denarii') on hardware store inventories, although nobody seems to know what it means, or why that inexplicable "d" is there. And when you tell them, they give a polite assent, but don't believe you at all! [Freq.]
denarro -are, 'tell a story in full' [Rare]
denato -are, 'swim with the (downstream) current' [Rare]
denego -are, 'deny, refute' [Common]
deni -ae -a, 'by tens' [Common]
denicalis -e, 'referring to the "death days," the family commemorations of a death' Note: The word comes from 'de nece,' "pertaining to death." In the Orient, the dead parents' commemoration day, and in the Jewish culture, the "jahreszeit" are living examples of the ancient, worldwide commemoration of the family sequence. The modern, nuclear family structure stresses the importance of the living, while the aged are relegated to nursing homes, and then forgotten. The real question is whether this new trend is consonant with the biologically encoded patterns of 'Homo Sapiens,' who will have a heavy price to pay for this neglect, if awareness of the ancestors is integral with his genetic being.Not [Common]
denique conj., 'at last, finally, as a last point (in an argument); to sum up, in fact' [VeryFreq.]
denomino -are, 'give a name to, name [UnCommon]
denormo -are, 'put out of shape' [Rare]
denoto -are, 'mark, point out, mark down, find fault with, give bad marks ('notae') [UnCommon]
dens dentis, m., 'a tooth; anything tooth-shaped' [VeryFreq.]
denso -are (and denseo -ere), 'condense, press together [UnCommon]
densus -a -um, 'thick, compressed, condensed; [Freq.]
' [Freq.]
dentalia -ium, n. pl., 'plow blades' [Rare]
dentio -ire, 'grow teeth; grow long teeth' [Rare]
denubo -nubere -nupsi -nuptum, 'marry (used for a woman)'(See 'spondeo' and 'nubo' for the sexual differentiation in marital terminology.)Not [Common]
denuntiatio -onis, f., 'announcement in advance, threat, giving notice, warning; serving a summons (leg.)' [Freq.]
denuntio -are, 'denounce, give warning that . . . ' [Freq.]
denuo adv., 'anew, again, a second time' [Common]
deonero -are, 'take off a burden' [Rare]
deorsum (or deorsus) adv., 'downwards'(Compare 'dursum,' "upwards," and the phrase 'sursum deorsum,' "up and down.") [VeryFreq.]
depaciscor see depeciscordepactus -a -um, 'fastened down'(From pango) [Common]
depasco -pascere -pavi -pastum (and depascor -pasci, dep.), 'feed on, eat up, devour, graze on; consume (by fire)' [Common]
depeciscor -pecisci -pectus sum (dep.), 'bargain for, make a bargain' [Common]
depecto -pectere -pexi -pexum, 'comb out (hair), disentangle (anything)'(See 'pecten,' "a comb") [Common]
depeculator -oris, m., 'embezzler' [Rare]
depeculor -ari (dep.), 'rob, plunder' [Rare]
depello -pellere -puli -pulsum, 'push away, drive off, make (someone) yield' [Freq.]
dependeo -ere, '(lit.) hang down; depend on, be derived from'(See next) [Common]
dependo -pendere -pendi -pensum, '(weigh out), pay out (money), expend (effort)' (From 'pendo -ere,' "hang [in the weighing scales]." See prev.)Not [Common]
deperdo -perdere -perdidi -perditum, 'lose; (pass.) be lost, be destroyed' [Common]
depereo -perire -perii, 'perish, die; die (of love), be desperately in love' [Common]
depilatus -a -um, 'plucked (of a bird); swindled (of a person) [UnCommon]
depingo -pingere -pinxi -pictum, 'paint a painting, paint up, decorate; describe verbally (and vividly, as if painting), paint a (verbal) picture of, depict' [Freq.]
deplango -plangere -planxi, 'mourn, bewail' [Rare]
deplexus -a -um, 'grasping' [Rare]
deploro -are, 'weep for, lament, despair of . . . ' [Common]
depluo -ere (only used as impersonal: 'depluit'), 'it rains' [Rare]
depono -ponere -posui -positum, 'put down, take off, put down (seeds); deposit (money); put aside, leave, abandon; put down (arms)' Note: By an abbreviating colloquialism, 'pono' is often used for 'depono.' Thus, 'pone arma' = 'depone arma,' "put down your arms." [The same is true of 'mitto' for 'omitto.'] [Freq.]
depopulatio -onis, f., 'ravaging of a country'(Literally, "removing the people, stripping clean the population.")Not [Common]
depopulo see depopulordepopulor -ari (dep.), 'strip (a country of population), strip bare, ravage; ruin (by over-grazing, volcanoes, pestilence)' [Common]
deporto -are, 'carry away, deport (from one place to another), transport' [Freq.]
deposco -poscere -poposci, 'demand right off, strongly request, make a requisition' [Freq.]
depositum -i, n., 'a deposit of money in escrow, in safekeeping (leg.) [UnCommon]
depravatio -onis, f., 'distortion [UnCommon]
depravo -are, 'distort, deform, twist a meaning'(But without the moral associations of Engl. "depraved.") [Common]
deprecabundus -a -um, 'full of entreaties' [Rare]
deprecatio -onis, f., 'prayer, invocation, entreaty' [Common]
deprecator -oris, m., 'an intercessor in the name of clemency, a mediator [UnCommon]
deprecor -ari (dep.), 'pray, pray for, beg for mercy' [Freq.]
deprehendo (and deprendo) -endere -endi -ensum, 'seize, come up and grab, apprehend; discover by surprise' [Freq.]
deprehensio -onis, f., 'detection (of a crime)' [Rare]
depressus -a -um, 'low; low down (of location, of character)' [Common]
deprimo -primere -pressi -pressum, 'push down, weigh down, sink, reduce in position, depreciate (in value)' [Freq.]
deproelior -ari (dep.), 'fight, battle' [Rare]
depromo -promere -prompsi -promptum, 'bring out, bring forth a bottle of wine; pull out an arrow; bring forth (an idea)' [Common]
depropero -are, 'hurry, rush to finish' [Rare]
depugno -are, 'fight out (a battle), fight in the arena' [Common]
depulsio -onis, f., '(driving back) a rejoinder (rhet.) [UnCommon]
depulsor -oris, m., 'an averter' [Rare]
depungo -ere, 'mark with a dot (a 'punctum,' in accounting)' [Rare]
deputo -are, 'prune (a plant); think, regard, define as . . . '(The second use is probably based on 'puto -are,' "think," while the first continues with the agricultural writers' use of 'puto' for pruning of a tree [as in Engl. "amputate"].) [Common]
deque adv., 'down, downwards' ('susque deque,' "up and down") [Common]
derado -radere -rasi -rasum, 'scrape off, shave off (hair)' [Common]
derectus -a -um, 'straight, exact' [Freq.]
derelictus -a -um, 'abandoned'('de + relictus,' giving Engl. "derelict" in several meanings. See next.)Not [Common]
derelinquo -linquere -liqui -lictum, 'leave behind, neglect, leave (in a will); abandon' [Common]
derepente adv., 'suddenly' [Rare]
derideo -ridere -risi -risum, 'laugh at, deride' [Common]
deridiculus -a -um, 'laughable, silly; (as noun, deridiculum -i, n.) a joke [UnCommon]
derigo -rigere -rexi -rectum, 'direct, arrange, line up (mil.), guide, shoot (a missile), direct something at'(See dirigo) [VeryFreq.]
deriguit (impers., perf. only), 'became rigid with fear'(The verb 'derigesco' does not appear except in the perfect. It is perfective (or aoristic) in spirit, but defective in conjugation!) [Rare]
deripio -ripere -ripui -reptum, 'pull, tear down, remove, "rip-off"' [Common]
derisor -oris, m., 'a mocker [UnCommon]
derisus -us, m., 'mockery, derision' [Rare]
derivatio -onis, f., 'diverting of a stream; divergence of meaning; the "derivation" of words'Note: 'Derivatio' translates Gr. 'etymologia,' but actually ancient etymologies leave much to be desired. Until the 19th century and the foundation of modern Linguistics, etymology was a game of chance to be played by anyone. [Common]
derivo -are, 'divert a stream; change meaning; "derive" a word' [Common]
derogo -are, 'remove, subtract from, abrogate' [Common]
deruncino -are, 'chisel away at; chisel = cheat' [Rare]
deruo -ruere -rui -rutum, 'topple over' [Rare]
deruptus -a -um, 'steep (of mountains)'('Arduus' is the more usual word.)Not [Common]
desaevio -ire -ii -itum, 'rage, seethe with violence' [Rare]
descendo -scendere -scendi -scensum, 'go down, descend, slope, descend to . . . , go "downtown" in Rome'Note: Catullus seems to use this word in a sexual manner, but the details are not clear. [VeryFreq.]
descensus -us, m., 'going downwards, descent' [Rare]
desciso -scisere -scivi (or -scii) -scitum, 'revolt, defect (pol. and mil.); deteriorate' [Freq.]
describo -scribere -scripsi -scriptum, 'make a drawing of, describe in words, lay out, prescribe (rules, etc.)' [Freq.]
descriptio -onis, f., 'diagram; transcript, description' [Common]
deseco -secare -secui -sectum, 'cut off, amputate; reap (harvests), mow a field' [Common]
desero -serere -serui -sertum, 'withdraw, desert, abandon; (pass.) be deserted by . . . ' [Freq.]
desertor -oris, m., 'a military deserter; a deserter of principles [UnCommon]
desertus -a -um, 'abandoned [UnCommon]
deservio -ire, 'serve (assiduously)'(The person who does all this is in English is "deserving.Ó) [Common]
deses desidis, 'lazy, idle' [Common]
desideo -sidere -sedi -sessum, 'sit, sit down; sit idle, hang around (idly)' [Common]
desiderabilis -e, 'desirable; to be wished for [UnCommon]
desiderium -i, n., 'a longing, desire, yearning for; (in love poetry:) "My Love!"' [Common]
desidero -are, 'desire, want, long for' [Freq.]
desidia -ae, f., 'idleness, laziness'(See 'deses,' "idle") [Common]
desidiosus -a -um, 'lazy [UnCommon]
desido -sidere -sedi, 'settle down, subside, sink' [Rare]
designatio -onis, f., 'designation, disposition [UnCommon]
designator -oris, m., 'master of ceremonies (at funerals, theater) [UnCommon]
designo -are, 'design, trace out, indicate, appoint, plan for' [Freq.]
desilio -silire -silui -sultum, 'jump down, dismount (from a horse)' [Common]
desino -sinere -s(i)i (or -ivi) -situm, 'leave off, cease, come to the end of . . . ' [Freq.]
desipiens -ntis, 'foolish' [Rare]
desipientia -ae, f., 'foolishness' [Rare]
desipio -ire, 'be stupid, be silly; lose one's reason' [Rare]
desisto -sistere -stiti -stitum, 'cease, desist from, avoid (a person)' [Rare]
desolo -are, 'leave all alone, forsake'(From 'solus,' "alone," giving Engl. "desolate.") [Common]
desomnis -e, 'without sleep'(Petronius uses this word, whereas 'insomnis' is the usual word.) [Rare]
despecto -are, 'look over, look down over, overlook [UnCommon]
despectus -a -um, 'viewed from above; despised, viewed with contempt (as if looking down)'(See next)Not [Common]
despectus -us, m., 'act of looking down at . . . '(See prev.)Not [Common]
desperatio -onis, f., 'despair [UnCommon]
despero -are, 'despair of . . . , lose all hope [UnCommon]
despicatus -a -um, 'looked down at, despicable' [Rare]
despicio -spicere -spexi -spectum, 'look down, survey, gaze over; despise, "look down at"' [Freq.]
despicor -ari, 'despise' [Rare]
despolio -are, 'rob, plunder, despoil, strip' [Rare]
despondeo -spondere -spondi -sponsum, 'promise, promise in marriage ('de-' as intensifier); despair, be despondent ('de-' as negative)'Note: Two very different meanings, possibly to be distinguished by the emotions before and after marriage? [Freq.]
desponso -are, 'promise in marriage' [Rare]
despumo -are, 'skim the foam off, de-froth; stop foaming' [Common]
despuo -spuere, 'spit out, spit, to spit as a forfending notion'Note: In the Greco-Roman world, spitting had a function of forfending evil, much like our "knocking on wood." [Common]
desquamo -are, '(de-) scale (a fish)' [Rare]
desterto -ere -ui, 'snore off' [Rare]
destillo -are, 'drip down [UnCommon]
destino -are, 'fix fast, aim, intend to . . . ; destine, designate' [VeryFreq.]
destituo -ere -i -tum, 'leave placed, leave; abandon, leave destitute of . . . ' [Freq.]
destitutus -a -um, 'abandoned, destitute' [Common]
destitutio -onis, f., 'desertion' [Rare]
destringo -stringere -strinxi -strictum, 'scrape down (in bathing); just touch, graze; strip off (clothes); strip out or draw (a sword)' [Freq.]
destruo -struere -struxi -structum, 'destroy, ruin [UnCommon]
desubito adv., 'suddenly' [Common]
desudo -are, 'sweat hard; make a great effort to [UnCommon]
desuesco -suescere -suevi -suetum, 'become unaccustomed to . . . [UnCommon]
desuetudo -inis, f., 'disuse' [Rare]
desultor -oris, m., 'an equestrian circus acrobat'(Lat. 'desultorius' is extremely active, never like Engl. "desultory," of casual, inattentive action.)Not [Common]
desultorius -a -um, 'relating to a 'desultor''(See prev.)Not [Common]
desum -esse -fui, 'be lacking, fail'(Takes a dative object for the person who is lacking, but an abl. for that which he or she is lacking.) [VeryFreq.]
desumo -sumere -sumpsi -sumptum, 'choose, pick out [UnCommon]
desuper adv., 'from above' [VeryFreq.]
desurgo -gere -rexi, 'rise up; be excused, "get up from the table"'Note: Of course, the Romans did not eat from tables, but reclining on couches; but, if we said "get up from the couch," a psychiatric session would be indicated. Children say, "May I be excused?", but that is only understood in a given setting. [Rare]
detego -tegere -texi -tectum, 'uncover, "un-roof," expose; disclose, reveal' [Common]
detendo -tendere -detendi -tensum, 'let down; take down a tent (mil.)' [Rare]
detergo -tergere -tersi -tersum, 'wipe off, clean off, cleanse'Note: In English, "detergents" are surfactants, whereas the Romans washed their bodies with olive oil, a liquid solvent. This word refers to the wiping action, as the solvent oil is first scraped, then wiped off the body. It would be like washing the whole body with Cold Cream, or Mechanics' Waterless Hand Cleanser, feasible in a pinch, but not the normal way we do things these days. [Common]
deterior -ius (compar. of irreg. adj.), 'worse'(Worse in all senses: physical, moral, political, etc.) [Freq.]
determinatio -onis, f., 'setting of a boundary marker; the termination or end of a piece of land'(See terminus) [Rare]
determino -are, 'set out boundary markers; fix, define [UnCommon]
detero -terere -trivi -tritum, 'wear away, grind away, impair' [Common]
deterreo -terrere -terrui -territum, 'frighten off, scare, terrify, deter (by fright)' [Common]
detestabilis -e, 'abominable [UnCommon]
detestatio -onis, f., 'a curse (laid on someone); hate, abhorrence in general [UnCommon]
detestor -ari (dep.), 'lay a curse on someone; hate, abhor' [Common]
detexo -texere -texui -textum, 'weave up; finish [UnCommon]
detineo -tinere -tinui -tentum, 'hold on to, detain, retain; keep going (as against "finishing")' [Freq.]
detondeo -tondere -tondi -tonsum, 'cut off hair, shear; prune a tree [UnCommon]
detono -tonare -tonui, 'thunder out; roar [UnCommon]
detorqueo -torquere -torsi -tortum, 'twist away, turn aside, distort' [Freq.]
detractio -onis, f., 'removal, removal of a part of something [UnCommon]
detractor -oris, m., 'one who belittles' [Rare]
detraho -trahere -traxi -tractum, 'draw away, drag off, pull apart, dislodge troops (mil.), remove; disparage' [Common]
detrectatio -onis, f., 'refusal' [Rare]
detrectator -oris, m., 'disparager' [Rare]
detrecto see detractodetrimentosus -a -um, 'detrimental' [Rare]
detrimentum -i, n., 'harm, loss; damage' [Rare]
detrudo -trudere -trusi -trusum, 'push off, thrust away, compel' [Freq.]
detumesco -ere, 'become less swollen; subside (med.)' [Rare]
detrunco -are, 'lop off (a limb); prune a branch; behead [UnCommon]
deturbo -are, 'tumble down, topple over' [Common]
deunx -uncis, m., 'eleven-twelfths of . . . ' [Rare]
deuro -urere -ussi -ustum, 'burn up [UnCommon]
deus -i, m., 'a god; God; a dead and deified Emperor'(See 'divus,' as title of a late Emperor.) [VeryFreq.]
devasto -are, 'devastate' [Rare]
deveho -vehere -vexi -vectum, 'carry away, remove'(Basically, an economic word, often used of sea transport and motion in a down-river direction.) [Common]
devello -vellere -velli -vulsum, 'pluck out, pick out (hair, feathers, flowers) [UnCommon]
deveneror -ari (dep.), 'exorcise' [Rare]
devenio -venire -veni -ventum, 'come upon, visit, chance upon, fall into' [Freq.]
deverbero -are, 'beat up' [Rare]
deversor -ari (dep.), 'sojourn, lodge, live (at a place)'(Originally, just "turn aside" from a journey, i.e. stay at a given place.)Not [Common]
deversor -oris, m., 'a guest' [Rare]
deversorium -i, n., 'lodging' [Rare]
deversorius -a -um, 'pertaining to lodgings'(Often with 'taberna,' "an inn." See prev.) [Rare]
deverticulum (devort-) -i, n., 'a long way around, circumlocution; by-pass, digression, stopping place, lodging'(Modern med. term, 'diverticulum,' is a herniation of a passage, such as the trachea or the colon.) [Common]
deverto (devorto) -vertere -verti -versum, 'turn away, detour, turn off the road, "turn in" (for lodging)' [Freq.]
devexus -a -um, 'sloping away, downhill' [Common]
devincio -vincire -vixi -victum, 'tie up, bind, bind together, dominate, put under obligation'(Distinguish between 'vincio,' "bind," and 'vinco,' "conquer," although the two are ultimately related. See next.) [Freq.]
devinco -vincere -vici -victum, 'conquer, subdue'(See prev.)Not [Common]
devinctus -a -um, 'attached, tied on . . . ' (From de + vincio) [Rare]
devitatio -onis, f., 'act of avoiding' [Rare]
devito -are, 'avoid' [Rare]
devius -a -um, 'off the road ('via'); remote; swerving, erratic; devious, tricky' [Freq.]
devoco -are, 'call away, call down [UnCommon]
devolo -are, 'swoop down, fly down; rush, hurry' [Rare]
devolvo -volvere -volvi -volutum, 'roll down, cause to roll down, roll back' [Common]
devoro -are, 'swallow, devour, gulp down (food, money, etc.)' [Freq.]
devorticulum see deverticulumdevotio -onis, f., 'a devotion; a curse'(See 'votum,' "prayer, curse")Not [Common]
devoto -are, 'bewitch'('Votum' is often used in sorcery.) [Rare]
devoveo -vovere -vovi -votum, 'offer to a deity; lay down a curse; destine or doom to a given fate' [Rare]
dextella -ae, f., 'right hand = right hand man' Note: Catullus calls two men the 'sinistrae' of Caesar, the right-hand-men who get it all wrong. Nixon had several such men on his staff for a time. [Rare]
dexter -tera -terum (or -tra -trum), 'right-handed, on the right, lucky, favorable'Note: Right-handedness is not only social and conventional, but moral and religious in tone. Furthermore, in cultures where the left hand is used to wipe the anus after defecation, the right hand is quite naturally preferred for eating, greeting, and, therefore, all clean and wholesome actions. Soon hygiene turns into custom, manners, and, finally, morality. [VeryFreq.]
dexteritas -tatis, f., 'readiness to give aid' [Rare]
dextrorsum (dextrorsus), adv., 'on the right, toward the right side' [Freq.]
diabaratharius -i, m., 'slipper-maker'(Greek word) [Rare]
diadema -atis, n., 'a royal headband, diadem'('Apex -icis' is used in the same sense.)Not [Common]
diaeta -ae, f., 'course of medical treatment; regimen including English "diet"; an added chamber in a villa'Note: Gr. 'diaita' refers to the conduct of life, actually, a way of life. Modern usage has restricted it to just food, missing the medical importance of the life of the individual considered as a whole. At last, medical thinking is coming back to the view that the Hippocratic doctors in the 5th century B.C. knew so well, that medicine must be holistic to be effective. On the other hand, it is scientific specificity which makes modern medicine work so well. Somehow the two have to be brought together. [Common]
dialecticus -a -um, 'dialectical, pertaining to logic; (as noun) a logician, school philosopher' [Common]
dialectos -i, f., 'dialect'(The ending '-os' follows the Greek, which is also fem.) [Rare]
dialis -e, 'relating to Jovis, heavenly'(The -d- comes from the Gr. inflection, 'Zeus,' gen. 'Dios,' acc. 'Dia,' on the basis of which this new adjective is rather academically formed.)Not [Common]
dialogus -i, m., 'a discussion; a treatise in dialogue form (as Plato's) [UnCommon]
diaria -orum, n. pl., 'daily pay for food' [Rare]
dibaptus (-a) -um, 'twice-dyed (of a robe)' [Rare]
dica -ae, f., 'a court-case (leg.)' Note: The standard Greek word for justice, 'dike,' also appears in Latin, in the verb, 'dico' (early, 'deico'), and Oscan 'deikum,' as well as Oscan 'med-deiks,' "one who says the law = Judge." But Latin wins out with the standard noun for the law, 'ius,' as in 'iudex.' (Note: -diks) and the 'corpus iuris.' [Rare]
dicacitas -tatis, f., 'banter, wit' [Rare]
dicatio -onis, f., 'settling as a citizen' [Rare]
dicax -acis, 'given to banter, witty talk, or satire [UnCommon]
dicio -onis, f., 'power, rule [UnCommon]
dicis (gen. only), 'appearance'(Only occurs in the phrase, 'dicis causa,' "for the sake of appearances." This is a [Rare]
phrase, clearly modelled on Gr., 'dikes heneka.') [Rare]
dico -are, 'indicate, dedicate, consecrate, devote to . . . '(The -i- is short. See next.) [Freq.]
dico dicere dixi dictum, 'speak, say, declare, name; make a statement (leg.)'(The -i- is long. See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
dicrotum -i, n., 'a ship'(The exact nature of this vessel is questionable, perhaps, one with two rows of oars.) [Rare]
dicamnus -i, n., 'the plant ditanny'(Roman plants are hard to identify exactly; see D'Arcy Thompson's book, "Greek Plants.") [Rare]
dictator -oris, m., 'dictator'Note: The office of dictator was considered an emergency appointment only; and it was the continued use of this term that caused Caesar's downfall, however right he may have been to remain dictator, as the only man who could hold things together in severely troubled times. Power is a heady draught, and there are few men who can defuse it and delegate authority to others. The Athenian lawgiver Solon was an exceptional case; but, when he withdrew from politics intentionally to see if his reforms remained in force, they disappeared. Caesar knew this story perfectly well and had no intentions of being a latter-day Solon. [Common]
dictatorius -a -um, 'belonging to a dictator' [Rare]
dictatura -ae, f., 'dictatorship' [Rare]
dicterium -i, n., 'a witticism' [Rare]
dictio -onis, f., '(public) speaking, an utterance, a speech, a word' [Common]
dictito -are, 'repeat, say over and over; plead cases as a regular thing' [Common]
dictum -i, n., 'something said; a word, an order; a witticism' [Rare]
dido didere dididi diditum, 'divide and deal out, distribute' [Rare]
diduco -ducere -duxi -ductum, 'take apart, pull apart, separate' [Freq.]
diecula -ae, f., 'a brief period; a (day) of rest' [Rare]
dierectus -a -um, 'straightaway, right off, directly'(Often used cynically, in getting rid of somebody.) [Rare]
dies -ei, m. (f., spec. constr.), 'the day, a day, daylight' [VeryFreq.]
Diespiter -tris, m., 'a name for Jupiter'Note: An ancient Indo-European compound of 'Dies + pater.' 'Dies' is related to Gr. 'Zeus' [gen. 'dios,' etc.], and to Sanskrit, 'dyaus,' "sun." Zeus was originally a sun deity, formally replaced by Apollo in Greek mythology, as Zeus became the general ruler of the sky. [Rare]
diffamo -are, 'spread news; spread bad news, defame [UnCommon]
differentia -ae, f., 'difference [UnCommon]
differitas -atis, f., see differentiadiffero differe distuli dilatum, 'carry away, disperse, spread about, put off (an appointment, etc.); differ, be different; confuse' [Freq.]
differtus -a -um, 'stuffed, crammed'(See farcio)Not [Common]
difficilis -e, 'hard to do, difficult; difficult (of people)' [Freq.]
difficultas -tatis, f., 'difficulty; intractibility (of persons)' [Rare]
diffidentia -ae, f., 'diffidence, lack of belief in self [UnCommon]
diffido -fidere -fisus sum (semi-dep.), 'have no confidence in, distrust' [Common]
diffindo -findere -fidi -fissum, 'split up, splinter, break off' [Rare]
diffingo -ere, 'mould into another shape [UnCommon]
diffiteor -eri (dep.), 'deny, refuse to admit'('de-,' used as a negative, makes this the opposite of 'fateor.' See fateor.)Not [Common]
difflo -are, 'blow apart (by "huffing and puffing")' [Common]
diffluo -fluere -fluxi -fluxum, 'flow out, flow away, dissipate; flow out (of an orator's words)' [Common]
diffringo -fringere -fregi -fractum, 'break apart, shatter [UnCommon]
diffugio -fugere -fugi -fugitum, 'flee, scatter' [Common]
diffugium -i, n., 'flight' [Rare]
diffundito -are, 'keep on pouring out = squander' [Rare]
diffundo -fundere -fudi -fusum, 'pour out, diffuse, spread out (of a liquid), expand' [Freq.]
diffusilis -e, 'elastic' [Rare]
diffusus -a -um, 'widespread, spreading, having wide scope [UnCommon]
diffutuo -ere -i -tum, 'be sexually promiscuous'Note: Found once in Catullus; in modern slang, we might say, "sleep around." See defutuo. [Rare]
digero -gere -gessi -gestum, 'scatter, disperse, distribute' [Freq.]
digestio -onis, f., 'digestion (as in English); arrangement of literary items (in speech writing) [UnCommon]
digitulus -i, m., 'little finger; little toe'Note: Curiously, the Romans called the toes, 'digiti pedis'; the French still use the expression, 'doigts de pied'; while English uses entirely different words for each. [Rare]
digitus -i, m., 'finger or toe; width of one finger = inch'(Gr. 'dactylus' is often used in Latin as the equivalent of 'digitus.') [Freq.]
digladior -ari (dep.), 'fight as a gladiator' [Rare]
dignatio -onis, f., 'honor, rank, status, position [UnCommon]
dignitas -tatis, f., 'worthiness, rank, status; a particularly high position, importance'(See the Late Latin document, the 'Notitia Dignitatum.') [Freq.]
dignor see dignodigno -are (and dignor -ari, dep.), 'consider worthy; deign to . . . '(The second meaning has a built-in tone of condescension, which the first meaning doesn't prepare us for.) [VeryFreq.]
dignosco (dinosco) -noscere -novi, 'distinguish, recognize; distinguish between, tell apart' [Common]
dignus -a -um, 'worthy, deserving' [VeryFreq.]
digredior -gredi -gressus sum (dep.), 'go away, depart; leave the topic, digress' [Common]
digressio -onis, f. (and digressus -us, m.), 'separation, digression' [Common]
digressus -us, m., 'departure, digression' [Common]
diiudicatio -onis, f., 'a distinction; ability to separate by judging' [Rare]
diiudico -are, 'distinguish between, judge; settle a suit by judging' [Common]
dilabor -labi -lapsus sum (dep.), 'flow, slip away, run off, escape, disintegrate' [Freq.]
dilacero -are, 'rip apart, sever' [Rare]
dilanio -are, 'butcher, cut in pieces, rip apart'(See 'lanista,' "butcher")Not [Common]
dilapido -are, 'demolish'(A word used of tearing down buildings. See lapis.)Not [Common]
dilargior -iri (dep.), 'bestow, to give away lavishly' [Rare]
dilatio -onis, f., 'postponement' [Rare]
dilato -are, 'expand, widen, dilate, spread, expand (in writing) [UnCommon]
dilator -oris, m., 'procrastinator'(From dis + fero) [Rare]
dilaudo -are, 'praise highly' [Rare]
dilectus -a -um, 'dear, beloved'(See next) [Common]
dilectus -us, m., 'choice; selection of soldiers (mil.)'(See prev.) [Common]
diligens -entis, 'diligent, careful, fond of; parsimonious' [Common]
diligentia -ae, f., 'attentiveness; thrift [UnCommon]
diligo -ligere -lexi -lectum, 'prize, value, love; (also) like' [Freq.]
dilorico -are, 'pull the shirt off someone' (Actually, the 'lorica' is a girdle, or protective garment, made of leather. See lorica.) [Rare]
diluceo -ere, 'be evident, clear' [Common]
dilucesco -lucescere -luxi, 'dawn, become light [UnCommon]
dilucidus -a -um, 'clear, lucid [UnCommon]
diluculum -i, n., 'daybreak [UnCommon]
diludium -i, n., 'intermission (in games)' [Rare]
diluo -luere -lui -lutum, 'wash off, dissolve; wash off a legal charge ("launder")' [Freq.]
dilutus -a -um, 'diluted, watered [UnCommon]
diluvies -ei, f., 'a flood, deluge [UnCommon]
diluvio -are, 'inundate' [Rare]
diluvium -i, n., 'flood [UnCommon]
dimensio -onis, f., 'measuring' [Rare]
dimetior -metiri -mensus sum (dep.), 'measure out; weigh' [Common]
dimeto -are (and dimetor -ari, dep.), 'measure out, mark' [Rare]
dimicatio -onis, f., 'fight, struggle, battle' [Common]
dimico -are, 'fight, contend, battle with . . . ' [Common]
dimidiatus -a -um, 'half, half size' Note: Terence was called by critics a 'dimidiatus Menander,' which is not without some cause. But Menander was not even a quarter-size Aristophanes!Not [Common]
dimidius -a -um, 'half' [Freq.]
dimissio -onis, f., 'act of dispatching' [Rare]
dimitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'send away, dismiss, dismiss an army; divorce (a wife), release; remit a punishment, let go . . . ' [Freq.]
dimminuo (diminuo) -ere, 'break, shatter (only in comedy)' [Rare]
dimoveo -movere -movi -motum, 'separate, move apart, remove, shuffle' [Common]
dinosco see dignoscodinumeratio -onis, f., 'numbering out figures; enumeration in general [UnCommon]
dinumero -are, 'number up, count' [Freq.]
dinus see divinusdioicesis -eos (and -is), f., 'a district (pol.)' (The Catholic church "diocese" comes from this Greek word.) [Rare]
dioecetes -ae, m., 'a tax official in Egypt' [Rare]
diota -ae, f., 'a two-handled jar for wine' [Rare]
diploma -atis, n., 'an official, high-level set of instructions (sealed after being specifically folded)'Note: Gr. 'diploma,' by definition and etymology, is "folded." Modern college diplomas are never folded, but sometimes rolled, in imitation of papyrus rolls. The fact that they are still sometimes written in poor Latin is the last sad vestige of an evanescent Classicism. Too bad, but civilization has other and more important things to do!Not [Common]
directe adv., 'in a straight line' [Freq.]
diremptus -us, m., 'a separation' [Rare]
direptio -onis, 'plundering [UnCommon]
direptor -oris, m., 'a plunderer' [Rare]
diribeo -ere -ui -itum, 'distribute, hand out; sort votes' [Rare]
diribitor -oris, m., 'waiter, server of food; sorter of votes [UnCommon]
dirigo -rigere -rexi -rectum, 'set in a line, arrange, direct, shoot, direct (weapons); aim at = indentify mentally' [Freq.]
dirimo -imere -emi -emptum, 'take away, separate, pull apart, destroy' [Freq.]
diripio -ripere -ripui -reptum, 'rip apart; grab, steal, seize (as loot)' [Freq.]
diritas -tatis, f., 'fearfulness [UnCommon]
dirumpo -rumpere -rupi -ruptum, 'tear apart, break apart' [Common]
diruo -ere -i -tum, 'cause to fall down (of a building), wreck . . . ' [Common]
dirus -a -um, 'awful, dreadful, frightful' [Freq.]
dis ditis, 'rich, wealthy'(A word with many of the same meanings as 'dives -itis.') [Freq.]
discedo -cedere -cessi -cessum, 'depart, disperse, go away, cease from . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
disceptatio -onis, f., 'a debate (pol.), a discussion' [Common]
disceptator -oris, m. (and disceptatrix -icis, f.), 'an arbitrator [UnCommon]
discepto -are, 'debate, argue a legal case; arbitrate' [Common]
discerno -cernere -crevi -cretum, 'separate (mentally), distinguish' [Freq.]
discerpo -cerpere -cerpsi -cerptum, 'tear apart, shred' [Common]
discessio -onis, f., 'withdrawal, separation; divorce' [Common]
discessus -us, m., 'separation, departure' [Common]
discidium -i, n., 'splitting; separation, splitting up, estrangement' [Freq.]
discido -ere, 'cut in pieces' [Rare]
discingo -cingere -cinxi -cinctum, 'remove the belt or cummerbund; disarm (mil.)' [Common]
disciplina -ae, f., 'training, a discipline as study, discipline' [Freq.]
discipula -ae, f., 'a female pupil [UnCommon]
discipulus -i, m., 'a pupil [UnCommon]
discludo -cludere -clusi -clusum, 'dis-include, i.e. bar out, keep out' Note: Compare Sam Goldwyn of MGM's famous retort: "Include me out!" [Common]
disco discere didici, 'get to be acquainted with, know; learn, i.e. be informed of' [VeryFreq.]
discolor -oris, 'of several colors'(But not the same as Engl. "discolored"; more [Common]
, but similar in meaning, is 'varius -a -um,' "many colored.")Not [Common]
disconvenio -ire, 'disagree [UnCommon]
discordabilis -e, 'not agreeing' [Rare]
discordia -ae, f., 'discord, difference of ideas' [Common]
discordiosus -a -um, 'full of discord' [Rare]
discordo -are, 'disagree; disagree with oneself, i.e. be changeable' [Common]
discors -cordis, 'discordant, incongruous, not fitting well together' [Freq.]
discrepantia -ae, f., 'difference' [Rare]
discrepito -are, 'sound different, be out of tune, be unharmonious; disagree with'(The word starts from a base of discordant musical sounds. See 'crepito,' "make a harsh or snapping sound." See next.) [Common]
discrepito -are, 'be different'(Perhaps, originally the same as the prev.)Not [Common]
discribo -scribere -scripsi -scriptum, 'lay out, apportion, divide up, distribute' [Common]
discrimen -inis, n., 'division, the dividing line (in musical pitch; in the parting of hair), discrimination' [Freq.]
discrimino -are, 'divide up; distinguish' [Common]
discriptio -onis, f., 'theme, argument, layout [UnCommon]
discriptus -a -um, 'separate' [Common]
discrucio -are, 'torture (physically or mentally) [UnCommon]
discumbo -cumbere -cubui -cubitum, 'lie down = go to bed; go to dinner, dine'Note: The Romans reclined on couches at formal dinners. Jesus' "Last Supper" was on couches, as a 5th century A.D. Byzantine mosaic shows, but never as at Leonardo DaVinci's long table in "The Last Supper." [Freq.]
discupio -cupere, 'want, desire very much' [Rare]
discurro -currere -cucurri (and -curri) -cursum, 'run off in various directions' [Common]
discursus -us, m., 'running all over the place, hyperactively and without purpose' [Common]
discus -i, m., 'a discus'Note: Nothing less than a bronze frisbee! The Frisbee claims to have been invented by a Middlebury College student, who picked up a tin pieplate, while motoring through Montana in 1939, and hurled it, thus starting the sport. [Rare]
discutio -cutere -cussi -cussum, 'shake, shatter, break apart; dispel' [Freq.]
disertus -a -um, 'learned, very clever, skilled at public speaking; showing signs of being educated' [Common]
disicio -icere -ieci -iectum, 'break up, throw out on all sides; dispel' [Freq.]
disiecto -are, 'throw about, scatter' [Rare]
disiectus -a -um, 'scattered, dispersed [UnCommon]
disiunctio -onis, f., 'dispersal' [Rare]
disiungo (diiungo) -iungere -iunxi -iunctum, 'unyoke, separate, disjoin, separate (mentally)' [Freq.]
dismaritus -i, m., 'bigamist'(Questionable reading at Plautus, Casina 974.) [Rare]
dispalesco -escere, 'spread about (gossip)' [Rare]
dispalor -ari (dep.), 'wander off' [Rare]
dispando -pandere -pandi -pansum, 'stretch out [UnCommon]
dispar -paris, 'unequal, dissimilar' [Freq.]
disparo -are, 'separate, divide off; make dissimilar [UnCommon]
dispartio see dispertiodispello -pellere -puli -pulsum, 'drive away, separate in two [UnCommon]
dispendium -i, n., 'expense, cost, loss of time' [Rare]
dispenno see dispandodispensatio -onis, f., 'administration' [Rare]
dispensator -oris, m., 'treasurer, business manager' [Rare]
dispenso -are, 'administer; pay out (funds) [UnCommon]
dispercutio -ere, 'cut into pieces' [Rare]
disperdo -dere -didi -ditum, 'ruin, destroy' [Common]
dispereo -ire -ii, 'be ruined, die, be eradicated'(As a phrase, with hortatory subj., 'dispeream,' "may I die unless . . . ") [Common]
dispergo -spergere -spersi -spersum, 'spread about, scatter, extend' [Common]
dispertio -ire (and dispertior -iri, dep.), 'divide up, distribute into groups' [Common]
dispersus -a -um, 'scattered, dispossessed [UnCommon]
dispicio -spicere -spexi -spectum, 'look with care, inspect, see' [Freq.]
displiceo -ere, 'displease, be displeasing (to persons)'(A [Common]
use is 'displicit' [impersonal] = "it is displeasing.") [Freq.]
displodo -plodere -plosi -plosum, 'burst apart' [Rare]
dispono -ponere -ponui -positum, 'place, order, locate, put in any order; arrange, ordain' [Freq.]
dispositio -onis, f., 'layout, arrangement' [Common]
dispositura -ae, f., 'arrangement' [Rare]
dispudet -ere -uit (impersonal), 'it is really shameful'(See 'pudet,' of which this is an intensified form.)Not [Common]
disputatio -onis, f., 'argument, debate' [Common]
disputator -oris, m., 'one who argues; an academic' [Rare]
disputo -are, 'argue, reason out; debate' [Freq.]
disquiro -ere, 'investigate' [Rare]
disquisitio -onis, f., 'an investigation [UnCommon]
dissaepio -saepire -saepsi -saeptum, 'fence off'(See saepes)Not [Common]
disseco -secare -secui -sectum, 'cut into pieces' [Rare]
dissemino -are, 'broadcast (as seed); distribute'(From semen)Not [Common]
dissensio -onis, f., 'disagreement, discrepancy' [Common]
dissensus -us, m., 'disagreement' [Rare]
dissentaneus -a -um, 'disagreeing' [Rare]
dissentio -sentire -sensi -sensum, 'disagree, differ' [Freq.]
disserenat -are (impersonal), 'it (the weather) is clearing up' (See serenus) [Rare]
dissero -serere -serui -situm, 'sow (seed); scatter (anything)'(See next) [Common]
dissero -serere -serui -sertum, 'order, put in order, arrange (words, arguments, hair)'(See prev.) [Common]
disserpo -ere, 'spread out'(This use is in the sole passage in Lucretius for the creeping progress of earthquakes. See 'serpens.' "snake.") [Rare]
dissertio (dissertatio) -onis, f., 'a treatise'Note: The Ph.D. "dissertation" is an attempt to prove that the candidate is really 'dissertus,' not just another academician. See 'dissertus.' [Common]
dissideo -sidere -sedi, 'stand (or sit) apart; disagree' [Freq.]
dissignatio -onis, f., 'plan, a table of contents' [Rare]
dissignator see dessignatordissilio -silire -silui, 'leap apart' [Rare]
dissimilis -e, 'unlike, dissimilar' [Common]
dissimilitudo -inis, f., 'unlikeness' [Common]
dissimulatio -onis, f., 'concealment, dissimulation; Socratic irony'Note: This is a rather weak Latin equivalent for Gr. 'eironia,' a word characterized above all by the personality of Socrates, and better expressed by Quintilian's suggestion: 'inlusio.' See 'inlusio' and note. [Common]
dissimulator -oris, m., 'dissembler [UnCommon]
dissimulo -are, 'conceal, disguise (something), fake' [Freq.]
dissipabilis -e, 'scatterable' [Rare]
dissipatio -onis, f., 'scattering' [Rare]
dissipatus -a -um, 'disordered, unorderly' [Common]
dissipo (or dissupo) -are, 'spread around, scatter (rumors), waste, dissipate' [Freq.]
dissociabilis -e, 'incompatible' [Rare]
dissociatio -onis, f., 'separateness, incompatibility' [Rare]
dissocio -are, 'separate, estrange, disassociate' [Common]
dissolubilis -e, 'dissoluble' [Rare]
dissolutio -onis, f., 'breaking up, disintegration; lack of continuity in a given line of thought' [Common]
dissolutus -a -um, 'not fixed, loose; "loose" = immoral, dissolute' [Common]
dissolvo -solvere -solvi -solutum, 'dissolve, break up, solve, pay off a debt (fin.); wear down, dissolve' [Freq.]
dissonus -a -um, 'dissonant (of sound); discrepant (of ideas)' [Common]
dissors -sortis, 'having no share of'(See sors, sortis) [Rare]
dissuadeo -suadere -suasi -suasum, 'advise against, counsel against . . . ' [Freq.]
dissuasor -oris, m., 'a speaker for the other side' [Rare]
dissulto -are, 'bounce off, reflect, rebound' [Rare]
dissuo -suere -sui -sutum, 'unstitch' [Rare]
distaedet -ere (impersonal), 'it really galls, annoys'(Used with a dat. for the person concerned and a gen. for the object of the distaste. Compare 'taedet.')Not [Common]
distantia -ae, f., 'distance, difference [UnCommon]
distendo -tendere -tendi -tentum, 'stretch apart, stretch out, strain the mind' [Freq.]
distentus -a -um, 'swollen, ready to burst'(From 'distendo.' See next.)Not [Common]
distentus -a -um, 'preoccupied, busy'(From 'disteneo.' See prev.)Not [Common]
distermino -are, 'set a boundary, mark off [UnCommon]
distichon -i, n., 'a (verse) couplet; two-line poem'Note: Such as Catullus' famous: 'Odi et amo. Quare id faciam fortasse requiris Nescio sed fieri sentio, et excrucior.'. . . and many of Martial's quips, such as: 'Zoile, non amo te, nec possum dicere quare, Hoc tantum possum dicere, non amo te.'See D. Samuel Fell in Encyclopedia Britannica [9th] for a translation of this last. [Rare]
distinctio -onis, f., 'distinction, recognition of a difference; a definition' [Freq.]
distinctus -a -um, 'distinct, clear, standing apart or by itself, different' [Freq.]
distineo -tinere -tinui -tentum, 'hold apart, hold off, split up, distract (i.e. hold apart) [UnCommon]
distinguo -stinguere -stinxi -stinctum, 'mark off, separate, distinguish, distinguish between . . . ' [Freq.]
disto -are, 'stand apart, be far from, be different from'(As an impersonal, 'distat' = "there is a difference.") [Freq.]
distorqueo -torquere -torsi -torsum, 'twist around, distort; torture (the mind) [UnCommon]
distortio -onis, f., 'distortion' [Rare]
distractio -onis, f., 'act of pulling apart; disassociation' [Rare]
distraho -trahere -traxi -tractum, 'pull apart, part; dispose of, separate (pol.), distract (the mind)' [Freq.]
distribuo -ere -i -tum, 'divide up, distribute, divide into subsets' [Freq.]
distributio -onis, f., 'distribution, division, arrangement' [Freq.]
distringo -stringere -strinxi -strinctum, 'stretch apart, pull apart, pull (the mind) in different directions' [Rare]
disturbatio -onis, f., 'destruction (of a city)' [Rare]
distrunco -are, 'cut in half' [Rare]
ditesco -escere, 'grow rich'(From dis, ditis) [Rare]
dithyrambicus -a -um, 'dithyrambic'(Refers to the Greek verse form) [Rare]
ditior -ius (compar.), adj., see disditissimus see disdito -are, 'enrich' [Common]
diu adv., 'by day' (A very [Rare]
word, opposite of 'noctu,' "by night"; see next.) [Rare]
diu adv., 'for a long time, further, longer'(See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
diurnus -a -um, 'of the day time, daylight; daily' [Common]
dius -a -um, 'radiant, bright, brilliant; supernaturally bright, divinely moved'(A direct copy of the Gr. 'dios,' "bright, brilliant") [Common]
diutinus -a -um, 'long-lasting, of long standing' [Common]
diutius (< compar.; superl.> diutissime), adv., see diu [Common]
diuturnitas -tatis, f., 'the course of time, longevity, long-lastingness' [Common]
diuturnus -a -um, 'long-lasting' [Common]
divarico -are, 'make sit with legs apart, splay'Note: Modern med. term, "varicose veins," is from this very word, based on the shifting direction of the blood-filled veins which are no longer serving as conduits. See 'varicus,' "with legs astraddle." [Rare]
divello -vellere -velli -vulsum (-volsum), 'pull apart, separate from, break up (an association)' [Freq.]
divendo -vendere -vendi -venditum, 'put up for sale, sell off' [Rare]
diverbero -are, 'whip, batter [UnCommon]
diverbium -i, n., 'stage dialogue'(This would be the iambic trimeter passages in Greek drama, often used for dialogue.) [Common]
diversitas -tatis, f., 'separateness, distance; difference' [Common]
diversorium see deversoriumdiversus -a -um, 'turned into two or more directions; separate, distant from each other; differing, diverse, (mil.) "on the other side"; opposing' [VeryFreq.]
diverto (divorto) -vertere -verti -versum, 'disassociate oneself; be different [UnCommon]
dives -itis, 'rich, rich in . . . , wealthy' [Freq.]
divexo -are, 'drag around; harass, annoy [UnCommon]
dividia -ae, f., 'division, trouble [UnCommon]
divido -videre -visi -visum, 'divide, keep away, divide up; distribute, separate' [VeryFreq.]
dividuus -a -um, 'divisible, divided, separated off from . . . ' [Common]
divinatio -onis, f., 'prophesy; an educated guess; selection of a prosecutor (leg.)'Note: Consider Cicero's important, but neglected, essay, 'De Divinatione. [UnCommon]
divinitas -tatis, f., 'divine power, destiny' [Common]
divinitus adv., 'by divine inspiration' [Common]
divino -are, 'prophesize, foretell (by divine intuition rather than rational processes)' [Common]
divinus -a -um, 'divine, god-like, religious; prophesizing' [VeryFreq.]
divisio -onis, f., 'separation, division, distribution' [Common]
divisor -oris, m., 'one who divides, distributes; a distributor of bribes' [Rare]
divisus -a -um (ppl. of divido), 'divided [UnCommon]
divitiae -arum, f. pl., 'wealth (monetary), wealth or natural resources of a country' [Freq.]
divortium -i, n., 'turning aside (of a river); separation, separation of (geog.) planes; divorce or "separation"' [Freq.]
divulgo -are, 'divulge, publish, spread among the public'(See 'vulgus,' "the public") [Common]
divus -a -um, 'divine; deified (emperor)'Note: This was the formal term for imperial sanctification after death, with the Senate's ratification. Used continually, it finally came to mean no more than "The Late (Emperor) . . . ". [Freq.]
do dare dedi datum, 'give, give (the right to . . . ), grant; give . . . (in marriage); give (a dinner, play, games); give as pay, give over, hand over; give (a medicine); appoint (in office); give (as proof); allow (= "I'll give you this point")' [VeryFreq.]
doceo -cere -cui -ctum, 'teach, tell, inform, instruct as to how to' [VeryFreq.]
docilis -e, 'teachable, able to be taught; smart'(See prev.) [Common]
docte adv., 'cleverly; in a learned or academic manner' [Common]
doctor -oris, m., 'teacher'Note: But never the M.D. = med. "doctor," which in Lat., when successful, is the 'medicus,' otherwise, the 'vispillo.' [Common]
doctrina -ae, f., 'teaching, a branch of learning, study' [Common]
doctus -a -um, 'clever, intelligent, experienced; "learned" or academically trained' [Freq.]
documen -inis, n. (and documentum -i, n.), 'warning, advice, instruction' [Common]
dogma -atis, n., 'doctrine, dogma' [Rare]
dolabra -ae, f., 'pick-axe' [Rare]
doleo dolere dolui, 'hurt, grieve; (impers.) it grieves one' [VeryFreq.]
dolium -i, n., 'a large jar (for wine, grain, etc.)' [Common]
dolo (or dolon) -onis, m., 'a spear; mast' [Rare]
dolor -oris, n., 'pain, grief, resentment' [Freq.]
dolosus -a -um, 'tricky'(See next) [Common]
dolus -i, m., 'trick, deceit, guile' (See prev.) [Freq.]
domabilis -e, 'able to be tamed' [Rare]
domefactus -a -um, 'tamed' [Rare]
domesticus -a -um, 'belonging to the household, domestic (as against purchased or imported); personal; familiar (i.e. belong to the family)'(As nom. pl., the 'domestici' are "the domestics, servants." See familia and verna.) [Freq.]
domicilium -i, n., 'dwelling, home, domicile' [Common]
domina -ae, f., 'a Lady; the lady of the house, M'Lady (polite), "Our Lady" (rel.); "Madam" (respectfully); my lady = girlfriend' [Common]
dominatio -onis, f., 'absolute rule (of a 'paterfamilias,' Emperor, king)' [Common]
dominator -oris, m., 'ruler' [Rare]
dominatrix -icis, f., 'something or someone which dominates' (The one dominating may be a woman or simply a feminine noun.) [Rare]
dominatus -us, m., 'absolute rule, power' [Common]
dominium -i, n., 'rule, ownership; a feast (orig. sponsored by the master)' (See dominus)Not [Common]
dominor -ari (dep.), 'rule, rule over' [Common]
dominus -i, m., 'master, manager, ruler; lord, "M'lord"' [Freq.]
domiporta -ae, f., 'house-carrier = the snail' [Rare]
domito -are, 'tame animals; subdue persons [UnCommon]
domitor -oris, m., 'tamer' [Rare]
domitrix -icis, f. (fem. of domitor), see domitor [Rare]
domitus -us, m., 'taming' [Rare]
domo domare domui domitum, 'subdue (animals), subdue (mil.), dominate, tame; cultivate (land)' [VeryFreq.]
domus -us (and -i), f., 'house, home (whether den, nest or shell)'(In declension, 'domus' can follow 2nd or 4th decl.; see a grammar for the list of forms in actual use.) [VeryFreq.]
donarium -i, n., 'treasury of a temple [UnCommon]
donatio -onis, f., 'donation (leg.)' [Rare]
donativum -i, n., 'bonus for soldiers from the Emperor on a special event' [Rare]
donec (older donicum), adv., 'until, so long as; while' [VeryFreq.]
dono -are, 'give as a gift, hand over to . . . , condone = excuse; give the gift of amnesty' [VeryFreq.]
donum -i, n., 'gift, present, a great benefit, a prize' [VeryFreq.]
dorcas -adis, f., 'gazelle'Note: This easily becomes the woman's name, "Dorcas," who must always be "graceful as a gazelle." [Rare]
dormio -ire, 'sleep, rest; be asleep; sleep on the job, be idle' [Freq.]
dormito -are, 'drowse off, lose concentration' [Common]
dormitorius -i, m., 'bedroom'Note: Whence the familiar college "dormitory," a term which became a fad in American education only after l840, but has never lost its emotional hold on attentive college Bursar's Offices. This concept is largely unknown in European universities, where students are persons like any others, and live in rooms or apartments of their choice.Not [Common]
dorsum -i, n., 'the back (of men, animals, for carrying); any back-like ridged surface' [Common]
dos dotis, f., 'dowry; endowment (fin.); endowment of mind or value' [Freq.]
dotalis -e, 'belonging to or forming a dowry' [Common]
doto -are, 'give a dowry [UnCommon]
drachma (drachuma) -ae, f., 'drachma, a Greek coin [UnCommon]
draco -onis, m., 'a snake'(Compare Engl. "dragon," with a shift into imaginative mythology.)Not [Common]
draconigenus -a -um, 'dragon-born' [Rare]
drapeta -ae, m., 'a runaway slave'(Greek word) [Rare]
dromas -adis, m., 'a camel'(From Gr. 'dram-/drom-,' "to run." Compare Engl. "dromedary.") [Rare]
dubitabilis -e, 'questionable' [Rare]
dubitatio -onis, f., 'doubt, unsureness, hesitation' [Common]
dubito -are, 'question, doubt that . . . , be of two minds about . . . , wonder about . . . ' [Freq.]
dubius -a -um, 'uncertain, doubtful, questioning, hesitant, of doubtful outcome; of doubtful reliability' [VeryFreq.]
ducenti 'two hundred' [VeryFreq.]
duceni -ae -a, '200 each, in groups of 200 [UnCommon]
ducenties (ducentiens) 'two hundred times' [Rare]
duco ducere duxi ductum, 'lead, bring; lead oneself to . . . ; marry ('ducere in matrimonium'), "marry" vines (onto poles, agr.); lead troops (mil.), lead a triumph, lead one's life; produce (a play); guide and influence, lead on, draw (a vehicle, breath); draw a conclusion, consider, think' [VeryFreq.]
ductito (and ducto) -are, 'lead off, lead on (by charm); lead troops' [Common]
ductor -oris, m., 'leader (mil.); captain of a ship' [Rare]
ductus -us, m., 'command, leadership, aqueduct (with 'aquae'), movement' [Freq.]
dudum adv., 'once, a while ago'(Also 'iamdudum,' "for some time now") [VeryFreq.]
duellum (duellicus, duellator) = bellum (bellicus, bellator) (The forms on left are all archaic.) [Rare]
dulcedo -inis, f., 'sweetness (of taste); sweetness, charm' [Common]
dulcesco -escere, 'become sweet' [Rare]
dulciculus -a -um, 'rather sweet; sweet little . . . ' [Rare]
dulcis -e, 'sweet in taste, sweet (water, i.e. not salty); sweet in sound; pleasant, kind' [VeryFreq.]
dulcitudo -inis, f., 'sweetness [UnCommon]
dum adv., 'in the meantime, meanwhile'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
dum conj., 'while, since, as long as, until'(See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
dumentum -i, n., 'thorny thicket' [UnCommon]
dummodo conj., 'provided that, so long as'(dum + modo) [Freq.]
dumosus -a -um, 'thickety, grown over with bushes' [Rare]
dumtaxat adv., 'up to, only, at least'(dum + taxat) [Freq.]
dumus -i, m., 'brier, bush with thorns' [UnCommon]
duo -ae -o, 'two'Note: In Indo-European, the ending for 2nd decl. nouns in the dual is -o. Latin retains this "dual" form in the masculine and neuter [which might have been 'dua'], while permitting a separate feminine form.) [VeryFreq.]
duodecies (duodeciens), 'twelve times' [UnCommon]
duodecim 'twelve' [Common]
duodecimus -a -um, 'twelfth' [UnCommon]
duodeni -ae -a, 'twelve at a time; twelve each' [UnCommon]
duodeviginti 'two from twenty = eighteen' [Freq.]
duplex -plicis, 'double, doubled, dual' [Freq.]
duplicarius -a -um, 'of a soldier who gets double pay' [Rare]
duplico -are, 'double; double fold' [Freq.]
duplus -a -um, 'double' [UnCommon]
dupondius -i, m., 'a coin worth two 'as'' [Rare]
durabilis -e, 'durable' [Rare]
duracinus -a -um, 'having hard fruit' [Rare]
duramen -inis, n., 'hardness' [Rare]
durateus -a -um, 'wooden'(From Gr. 'doura, doru,' "wooden spear, wood," not Lat. 'durus,' "hard.") [Rare]
duresco durescere durui, 'become hard, stiff; harden' [UnCommon]
dureta -ae, f., 'bathtub' Note: Some think that this may be as an Iberian word, but it is more likely connected with 'durateus,' "wooden," on the assumption that the Emperor Augustus had a wooden hot-tub, in the modern mode. The reference comes from Suetonius' "Life of Augustus." See durateus. [Rare]
duritas -tatis, f., 'harshness (of speech)' [Rare]
duritia -ae, (and durities -ei), f., 'hardness, toughness; sternness, insensitivity' [Common]
duro -are, 'harden (liquids, feelings), to harden oneself (emotionally), endure, continue' [VeryFreq.]
durus -a -um, 'hard, harsh, tough, insensitive, stiff, hard to endure'Note: A word of the people, much like Eng. "tough." For a hard life, Romans said on many inscriptions, 'durum'st' = "it's tough!" A colloquially written inscription from North Africa reads:NON BIBERE NON VENARI NON AMARE OCC EST DURUM [VeryFreq.]
duumvir (and duovir) -viri, m., 'two-man administrative team (with different functions at various periods)' [Common]
dux ducis, m., 'leader (mil., pol.); a leader in discovering new things; driver of a vehicle, a shepherd' [VeryFreq.]
dynastes -is, m., 'an (Eastern) ruler' [Rare]
e prep., see ex [VeryFreq.]
ea adv., 'in that direction, over there'(Actually, the abl. of 'is,' short for 'ea parte.') [Common]
eadem adv., 'by that same route'(Short for 'eadem via') [Common]
eatenus adv., 'so far' [Common]
ebenus -i, m., 'ebony wood' [Rare]
ebibo -bibere -bibi, 'drink, imbibe; soak up; suck in, absorb' [Common]
eblandior -iri, 'soothe, blandish, wheedle' (See blandus) [UnCommon]
ebrietas -tatis, f., 'drunkenness' [UnCommon]
ebriolus -a -um, 'somewhat tipsy, drunk' [Rare]
ebriosus -a -um, 'alcoholic (of persons, not their beverages)' [UnCommon]
ebrius -a -um, 'drunk, intoxicated' [Common]
ebullio -ire, 'bubble out (words)' Note: Petronius uses a striking phrase, 'ebullire animam' = "bubble off the soul" = "die." Apparently, this was slang in his time, since it occurs a few times in other authors of the period. [UnCommon]
ebur -oris, n., 'ivory' [Common]
eburneus (or eburnus) -a -um, 'made of ivory' [UnCommon]
ecastor interj., 'by Castor!'(An oath-like expletive used in Comedy) [UnCommon]
ecce adv., 'behold!'(A purely demonstrative adv., hence, what it demonstrates is not in the acc. case, but nom.--e.g. 'ecce deus.') [Freq.]
ecclesia -ae, f., 'popular assembly'Note: By the time of the later Empire, this Greek word for a town meeting was being used specifically for a church assembly, ultimately giving Engl. "ecclesiastical." [Rare]
ecdidus -i, m., 'state prosecutor (leg.)' [UnCommon]
echinus -i, m., 'edible sea-urchin' [Rare]
echo -us, f., 'an echo; echoing repetition (of words, phrases; rhet.)' [UnCommon]
ecloga -ae, f., 'a selection; used generally for short, idyllic poetry' Note: The 'Eclogae' of Vergil are in the tradition of Greek bucolic poetry, of which Theocritus, Bion, and Moscus are the surviving examples, written in a literary version of a Western Doric dialect. [Rare]
ecquis ecquid, interrog. pron., 'is it (true) that? can it be that?' [Common]
eculeus -i, m., 'a colt; the horse = a torture rack'(= 'equulus,' respelled) [Rare]
edacitas -tatis, f., 'gluttony' [UnCommon]
edax -acis, f., 'eating, gluttonous' [Common]
edepol interj., 'by Pollux!'(An oath-like expletive in comedy.) [UnCommon]
edico -dicere -dixi -dictum, 'declare, give public notice, proclaim an edict' [UnCommon]
edictio -onis, f., 'an edict' [Rare]
edicto -are, 'proclaim' [Rare]
edisco -discere -didici, 'learn well, memorize' [Common]
edissero -serere -serui -sertum, 'set forth, relate'(See next) [Rare]
edisserto -are, 'relate in detail'(See 'dissertus' and prev.) [UnCommon]
editio -onis, f., 'bringing forth (offspring), bringing forth any legal or financial statement; publication of a book' [UnCommon]
editus -a -um, 'high, lofty' [Common]
edo -ere (or esse), edi, esum, 'eat, consume, devour'(Note that this verb has a confusing 3rd sg. pres., 'est' [with a long -e-], identical in text to 'est' [with a short -e-] from 'sum.' See next.) [Rare]
edo -dere- didi -ditum, 'put forth, bring forth, produce; cause, perform (crimes, services, duties); emit (sounds), tell, declare; publish (books); push up, raise up'('e' + 'do, dare.' See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
edoceo -docere -docui -doctum, 'instruct thoroughly' [Common]
edomo -domare -domui -domitum, 'tame (animals), cultivate (land)' [Common]
edormio -ire, 'sleep off (drunkenness), go to sleep' [UnCommon]
edormisco see edormioeducatio -onis, f., '(leading up from childhood) = education, training'Note: Not "leading out" of innate thought from children in a Socratic manner, as some educationalists would have it, but just raising up, or in the Latin idiom, 'e puero ducere.' [UnCommon]
educator -oris, m., 'one who brings up' [Rare]
educo -are, 'lead forth (mil.), draw forth, bring forth (offspring), bring up (your accounts), lead up from childhood, educate, raise'(See educatio) [UnCommon]
edulia -ium, n. pl., 'food, foodstuff' [Rare]
edulis -e, 'edible' [Rare]
eduro -are, 'harden, firm up; endure' [Rare]
edurus -a -um, 'very hard (of land)' [Rare]
effarcio see effercioeffectio -onis, f., 'cause, result' [Rare]
effector -oris, m., 'originator, devisor' [Rare]
effectrix -tricis, f., see effectoreffectus -a -um (ppl. of efficio), 'perfect, perfected, completed' [Rare]
effectus -us, m., 'effect, result' [Freq.]
effemino -are, 'emasculate, make unmanly; castrate' [Common]
effercio (or effarcio) -fercire (-fersi) -fertum, 'stuff, cram full'(See farcio) [UnCommon]
efferitas -tatis, f., 'barbarousness, wildness' [Rare]
effero -are, 'make wild'(See 'ferus' and next) [Common]
effero efferre extuli elatum, 'bring out, display, show off, carry away, utter a word or cry; revive, raise up, praise, exaggerate'(See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
effertus -a -um, 'stuffed, crammed full' [Rare]
efferus -a -um, 'wild, savage' [Common]
effervesco -fervescere -fervi, 'boil up, bubble up, rise up' [UnCommon]
effetus -a -um, 'having given birth ('fetus'); weakened, feeble, effete' [UnCommon]
efficax -acis, 'effective, valid (leg.)' [Common]
efficiens -entis, 'productive, active' [UnCommon]
efficio -ficere -feci -fectum, 'make, manufacture, cause, effect, produce, develop' [VeryFreq.]
effigies -ei, f. (or effigia -ae, f.), 'a statue, painting, copy; appearance; ghost' [Freq.]
effigio -are, 'carve an effigy or religious statue' [Rare]
effingo -fingere -finxi -fictum, 'fashion, mould, form, portray (in artwork); portray (in words), copy, reproduce' [Freq.]
effio effieri see 'efficio,' of which this serves as the passiveefflagitatio -onis, f., 'a request' [Rare]
efflagito -are, 'request, demand in no uncertain terms' [UnCommon]
effligo -fligere -flixi -flictum, 'strike down, kill' [UnCommon]
efflo -are, 'blow out, emit, send forth' [Freq.]
effloresco -florescere -florui, 'blossom, flower forth' [UnCommon]
effluo (ecfluo) -fluere -fluxi, 'flow out, slip out; slip out (of one's mind), escape' [Freq.]
effluvium -i, n., 'an overflowing liquid (from a lake, sewer, etc.)'Note: At last, as the 20th century ends, Americans have learned that sewerage is an inescapable reality, and that the Latin word, 'effluvium,' does have real meaning for us all. Actually, the Romans were early septic engineers; the remains of the 'Cloaca Maxima' go back to before the 5th century B.C. For a local case history, with interchange between a judge and the Emperor, see Pliny, Epistles X, 97 and 98. [Rare]
effodio -fodere -fodi -fossum, 'dig, dig up, dig out; gouge out' [Freq.]
effor (ecfor) -fari -fatus, 'speak out, say, proclaim' (The form 'effor' is not attested, but much of the remainder of this verb is in [Common]
use.) [Common]
effrenatio -onis, f., 'lack of control; giving free-rein' [Rare]
effreno -are, 'loosen the reins' [Rare]
effrenatus -a -um, '"unbridled," unchecked, without control' [Rare]
effrenus -a -um, 'unbridled, unrestrained' [UnCommon]
effringo -fringere -fregi -fractum, 'break open, break up' [UnCommon]
effugio -fugere -fugi -fugitum, 'flee, escape, flee from = avoid; (impers.) it escapes, flees (one's comprehension, memory)' [Freq.]
effugium -i, n., 'fleeing, flight' [Common]
effulgeo -fulgere -fulsi, 'shine forth; be conspicuous (socially)' [Common]
effultus -a -um, 'propped up on, leaning on'(See fulcior) [Rare]
effundo (ecfundo) -fundere -fudi -fusum, 'pour out, pour down, pour out (tears, blood, urine, vomit), flow forth (of rivers), pour out words, pour out emotions; bring forth = bear progeny; rush into, onto, over' [VeryFreq.]
effusio -onis, f., 'a pouring forth'(Used of effusive feelings, of crowds issuing into a public place, or the pouring out of mone.y) [UnCommon]
effusus -a -um, 'let loose, stretching out or forth; impetuous (mil., of attack, flight); extravagant of talk or style)' [Freq.]
effutio -ire, 'blab, babble out' [UnCommon]
effutuo -ere -ui -utum, 'wear out or exhaust (sexually); waste (money)'Note: The original sexual connotation was extended to the financial. [Rare]
egelidus -a -um, 'balmy'Note: Like the weather in early springtime, not the Brit. Engl. "balmy" = 'looney, daft, mad,' for which see lunatus, cerritus, furiosus. [Rare]
egens -entis, 'poor, lacking, indigent' [Rare]
egenus -a -um, 'needy, poor, without resources'(Takes abl. or gen. object. See next.) [Common]
egeo -ere -ui, 'lack, want, need' (Takes abl. or sometimes gen. obj.) [Freq.]
egero -gerere -gessi -gestum, 'carry out, remove, leak (water); carry out a corpse for the funeral; bring forth (offspring), expend (energy, money)' [Freq.]
egestas -tatis, f., 'poverty, need, lack of' [Common]
egestio -onis, f., 'clearing up debris' [Rare]
ego (mei mihi me), pron., 'I (me)'Note: The plural, 'nos,' "we," is really not the plural of 'ego' and, hence, uses a different root. The concept, "we," is a composite of "you" and "me," not a hypothetical plural involving several "me's." [VeryFreq.]
egredior -gredi -gressus sum (dep.), 'march out (mil.), go forth, stray off, digress, transgress' [VeryFreq.]
egregie adv., 'outstandingly, well, remarkably well' [Common]
egregius -a -um, 'oustanding, distinguished'('e' + 'grex,' "herd") [Freq.]
egressus -us, m., 'going out, egress; digression' [Common]
ehem interj., 'Well now, I suppose'(A reminiscing word, not without a pleasant air of nostalgic recollection.) [UnCommon]
eheu interj., 'Too bad! Alas!' [UnCommon]
eho interj., 'hey, you!'(Shows surprise, often mixed with some anger.) [UnCommon]
ei (hei), interj., (expressing angry pain, probably =) '"Oh damn! Dammit!"' [UnCommon]
eia (or heia), interj., 'Well now, alright! What the . . . ? C'mon now, let's . . . (in a hurry)' [Common]
eiaculor -ari (dep.), 'discharge, shoot out' [UnCommon]
eicio -icere -ieci -iectum, 'hurl out, shoot out, draw out; expel, banish' [Freq.]
eiectamentum -i, n., 'jetsam (i.e. something cast upon shore by the sea); erstwhile flotsam' [Rare]
eiectio -onis, f., 'banishment' [Rare]
eiecto -are, 'eject' [Rare]
eiectus -us, m., 'the act of discharging' [Rare]
eiulatio -onis, f., 'wailing' [Rare]
eiulo -are, 'wail' [UnCommon]
eiuro (eiero) -are, 'deny under oath, abjure, resign, swear' (From 'iuro -are,' "swear") [Freq.]
eiusdemmodi adv., 'of the same kind' [UnCommon]
eiusmodi adv., 'of this kind, such, so' [Common]
elabor -labi -lapsus sum (dep.), 'slide, slip away, steal off; slip out (of one's memory), glide away' [Freq.]
elaboratus -a -um, 'highly finished, elaborate (of style, handcraft)' [Rare]
elaboro -are, 'work out, develop' [Common]
elamentabilis -e, 'most lamentable' [Rare]
elanguesco -escere -gui, 'languish, weaken; lose status' [UnCommon]
elatio -onis, f., 'elevation of mind' [UnCommon]
elatro -are, 'bark, yap (of a person)'(See 'latro,' "bark") [Rare]
elatus -a -um, 'raised up, lofty, elevated (of style)' [UnCommon]
elecebra -ae, f., 'wheedling' [Rare]
electilis -e, 'special, select' [Rare]
electio -onis, f., 'choice, selection' [Common]
electrum -i, n., 'amber (fossilized plant resin); an alloy of gold and silver'Note: It is probably the tawny color of both the gold-silver alloy and amber which connects this odd pair of meanings. See glaesum. [Rare]
elegans -antis, 'skillful, choosing carefully, elegant (of style)' [Freq.]
elegi -orum, m. pl., 'elegaic couplets; love poems' [UnCommon]
elegia (elegea) -ae, f., 'an elegy' [Rare]
elementum -i, n., 'an element, basic building block, an atom; a letter of the alphabet'Note: It has been suggested that 'elementa' comes from 'L-M-N,' as part of an alphabetic series like 'A-B-C.' These letters do sit near the middle of the alphabetic series. As an aside, there is a curious inscription scratched on a wall at Ostia, done by a man who had too little education or too much to drink: 'A B C . . . X Y Z.' [Freq.]
elenchus -i, m., 'an investigation' (From a Greek word which means "a refutation," which is quite a different matter.) [Rare]
elephantus -i, m., 'an elephant; ivory' [Rare]
eleutheria -orum, n. pl., 'the festival of liberty'(Gr. 'eleutheros,' "free") [Rare]
elevo -are, 'raise up, lighten, make light of' [Common]
elicio -licere -licui -lictum, 'coax out, elicit (information), call out, arouse, awaken' [Freq.]
elido -lidere -lisi -lisum, 'smash, knock, eject, get rid of' [Freq.]
eligo -ligere -legi -lectum, 'pick out, choose' [Common]
elimino -are, 'put out of the house; get out' (This word is based on limen "threshold"; hence, it basically means "put out, over the threshold.") [Rare]
elimo -are, 'polish, file; rework (literary)'Note: From 'limum,' "the file," the instrument Horace recommended to be used assiduously to finish poetry perfectly. [Rare]
elinguis -e, 'tongueless; speechless' [UnCommon]
elinguo -ere, 'rip out the tongue' [Rare]
elixus -a -um, 'boiled' [UnCommon]
elleborus (helleborus) -i, m., 'a medicine used for treatment of insanity'Note: This was apparently used in a toxic shock therapy, a treatment used (with a different drug) as recently as WWII. See Lat. 'veratrum' and note. [UnCommon]
eloco -are, 'lease out'(See loco -are) [Rare]
elocutio -onis, f., 'elocution' [Rare]
elogium -i, n., 'a grave inscription; a legal charge; codicil to a will' [UnCommon]
eloquens -entis, 'articulate, eloquent' [Common]
eloquentia -ae, f. (and eloquium -i, n.), 'eloquence' [UnCommon]
eloquor -loqui -locutus sum (dep.), 'speak, give a speech, tell about' [Freq.]
eluceo -lucere -luxi, 'shine (of light), shine forth (of people)'(See 'illustris' for a similar development of "light" into a bright social characteristic, and 'V.C.' for 'vir clarus.' See clarus.) [Common]
eluctor -ari (dep.), 'wrestle one's way out, get clear of' [UnCommon]
elucubro -are, '"burn the midnight oil," study late' [Rare]
eludo -ludere -lusi -lusum, 'trick, deceive, evade (danger), evade (a question); defy, flout opinion' [Freq.]
elugeo -lugere -luxi, 'mourn (at a funeral)' [Rare]
elumbis -e, 'having a dislocated hip; disjointed (of style)' [Rare]
eluo -luere -lui -lutum, 'wash, wash out, wash out (troubles, etc.); to be washed clean, to be "taken to the cleaners" = to lose all one's money'Note: Compare also the modern Amer. Engl., "take a bath" = "go through a bankruptcy." [Freq.]
eluvies -ei, f., 'a flood, an inundation' [UnCommon]
eluvio -onis, f., 'an inundation' [Rare]
em (and hem), interj., 'get this, take this, here!'(This interjection always offers something to grasp at or get; it is projective--actually, an endingless imperative, 'em,' from 'emo,' "get, take"--used in Comedy.) [Freq.]
emancipatio -onis, f., 'a release (leg.), release from 'Patria Potestas' of a father; release (legally) of property, slaves' (From 'e-' and 'manu' ["hand"], the original concept being a release from possession or legal "hand.") [Common]
emano -are, 'drip out, drip down; leak out, i.e. be devulged' [Common]
ematuresco -maturescere -maturui, 'become ripe; to soften (of anger)' [Rare]
emax -acis, 'buying, fond of shopping; bargaining, haggling' [Rare]
embasicoetas -ae, f., 'a sleeping pill?' [Rare]
emblema -atis, n., 'mosaic work' [Rare]
embolium -i, n., 'an interlude in a play; insertion in a book' [Rare]
emendo -are, 'emend, correct (a person, book), revise, improve, fix-up'(See 'emendatus,' "perfect") [Freq.]
ementior -iri -itus sum (dep.), 'falsify, deceive' [Common]
emercor -ari (dep.), 'bribe' [Rare]
emereo -ere -ui -itum, 'deserve, win, earn; (mil.) serve out a hitch in the army'(See emeritus) [Freq.]
emergo -mergere -mersi -mersum, '"emerge" out of the water, surface, rise above . . . (troubles), come to light; escape' [Freq.]
emeritus -a -um (ppl. from emereo), 'a discharged soldier, military retiree'Note: The Professor Emeritus derives his title from this military usage, not, as the economist Stephen Leacock only half facetiously suggested, from 'e-,' "out," and 'meritus,' "deserving to be"! Actually, the word is Roman army lingo, and only incidentally applied to the forces of education. See 'rudiarius' and note. [Freq.]
emetior -iri -mensus sum (dep.), 'measure out, travel over a road, measure out (a term, a life, etc.)' [Freq.]
emeto -ere, 'harvest crops' [Rare]
emico -micare -micui -micatum, 'flash forth (fire); dart forth, leap forth like a flash' [Rare]
emigro -are, 'emigrate' [Rare]
eminens -ntis, 'outstanding, remarkable' [Common]
eminentia -ae, f., 'eminence' [UnCommon]
emineo -minere -minui, 'stand out, stick out, excel, shine forth' [Freq.]
eminor -ari, 'threaten' [Rare]
eminus adv., 'at a distance (mil.), from a distance (geog.)' [Common]
emiror -ari (dep.), 'wonder at (very much)' [Rare]
emissarium -i, n., 'a sewer' (From 'emitto.' The standard word for sewer is 'cloaca.') [Rare]
emissarius -i, m., 'a special agent, an emissary' [Rare]
emissio -onis, f., 'discharge, emission' [Rare]
emissus -us, m., 'discharge, emission' [Rare]
emitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'send out, dispatch, release, let fly, let run out, emit, give off, put out (leaves); manumit'Note: 'E manu mitto te' is the formula of releasing or freeing slaves; hence, 'emittere' means "to free" or "to emancipate." See mancipium. [VeryFreq.]
emo emere emi emptum, 'buy, purchase; bribe; gain' [VeryFreq.]
emoderor -ari (dep.), 'soothe' [Rare]
emodulor -ari (dep.), 'set to music'(See modus) [Rare]
emolior -iri (dep.), 'achieve by much effort (weight)' [Rare]
emollio -ire -ivi -itum, 'soothe, soften, enervate' [Freq.]
emolo -ere, 'grind (grain)'(From 'molo, mola.' Note that Engl. "molasses" is made from sugar cane passed through a grinding mill.) [Rare]
emolumentum -i, n., 'gain, benefit' [Common]
emoneo -ere, 'warn very seriously' [Rare]
emorior -mori -mortuus sum (dep.), 'die, die off, die out' [Common]
emortualis -e (dies), '(day) of one's death' [Rare]
emoveo -movere -movi -motum, 'remove, expel' [Common]
emporium -i, n., 'market, emporium'Note: A Greek word, which, in turn, shows up in English as a "fancy" word for a store. [UnCommon]
emptio -onis, f., 'purchase'(The process, but also the object, as in Engl., "a purchase, a buy.") [UnCommon]
emptito -are, 'buy up' [Rare]
emptor -oris, m., 'purchaser' [UnCommon]
emulgeo -mulgere -mulsi -mulsum, 'remove milk'('Emulsa,' in Catullus 68.110, is the only real occurrance in literature.) [Rare]
emungo -mungere -munxi -munctum, 'blow the nose; blow somebody's nose = swindle him (pick his pocket while offering use of your handkerchief)'Note: Plautus, Mostellaria110, is a vivid passage where someone's brains are blown out in a gigantic sneeze, 'emungere narem,' being suddenly changed to 'emungere cerebrum.' [UnCommon]
emunio -ire, 'fortify (mil.)' [Rare]
en adv., 'ever; (did you) ever? hey, look over there! = 'ecce'' [Freq.]
enarrabilis -e, 'describable' [Rare]
enarro -are, 'recount in full, retell, relate' [UnCommon]
enascor -nasci -natus sum (dep.), 'grow, spring forth'(This is a biological word, not generally literary in its uses.) [Rare]
enato -are, 'swim away, escape by swimming' [UnCommon]
enavigo -are, 'sail away, sail over (the river Styx)' [UnCommon]
endo (archaic) see 'in' [Common]
endromis -idis, f., 'terry-cloth wrap for athletes'(A "jogging suit"; Gr. 'dromos'= "run") [Rare]
eneco (enico) -necare -necui -nectum, 'kill, kill off; "it is killing . . . (used of pain, boredom, etc.)"' [Common]
enervis -e, 'weak' [Rare]
enervo -are, 'cut the leg tendons (a crippling punishment); weaken, make powerless'Note: For the effects of this crippling, see the first page of Petronius. --- The Romans never understood the function of the nerves; their 'nervus' is used for a "tendon." [Common]
enim conj., 'indeed, to be sure, . . . indeed, "yes" (as an answer), actually'(Normally, this is the second word in the sentence, and this location informs the hearer that a new sentence has (just now) begun. In "Grammaticalese," this word is called a "Postpositive Particle.") [VeryFreq.]
enimvero adv., 'to be sure, certainly' [Freq.]
eniteo -ere -ui, 'shine brightly forth' [Rare]
enitesco -escere, 'shine brightly forth' [Rare]
enitor -niti -nisus (or -nixus) (dep.), 'struggle, push; push in delivery = give birth; strive, work hard to . . . ' [Freq.]
eno -are, 'swim forth, sail forth' ('e-' + 'no -are') [Common]
enodatio -onis, f., 'clarification, explanation'(From 'nodum,' "knot," hence "un-tying knots.") [Rare]
enodis -e, 'without knots' [Rare]
enodo -are, 'prune olive branches, lop off at the "knots"; untie knots = elucidate' [UnCommon]
enormis -e, 'huge, enormous'(Since 'norma' is "the rule, average," this word means "un-average.") [Common]
enotesco -notescere -notui, 'become known' [Rare]
ensis -is, m., 'sword' Note: This word is mainly used for poetry and drama; the regular military word for "sword" is 'gladius.' Latin, like English, has two sets of words, one for life and another for the arts. See next. [Freq.]
-ensis -e (only as adj. ending), '(indicating a person's country)'(E.g. 'Praenestensis' means a person who comes from 'Praeneste.' See prev.) [Freq.]
entheatus -a -um, 'divinely ecstatic'(Greek word) [Rare]
entheus -a -um, 'divinely ecstatic'(Greek word) [Rare]
enubo -nubere -nupsi -nuptum, 'marry outside (one's class or country)'(See nubo) [Rare]
enucleo -are, 'remove the pits from olives, cherries, etc.; examine, ponder carefully' [UnCommon]
enumero -are, 'count up (money), list, enumerate' [Common]
enuntiatio -onis, f., 'revealing, enunciation' [Common]
enuntio -are, 'announce, reveal, disclose' [Common]
enuptio -onis, f., 'a woman's marrying out of her class'(See enubo) [Rare]
enutrio -ire, 'bring up, rear (children)' [UnCommon]
eo ire ivi (and ii) itum, 'go, proceed, pass; go after (i.e. fight); go to (a book, court, etc.); extend, reach, go (in a given way), proceed (from a given source, point)'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
eo adv., 'to this point, so far, thus far; for this reason, therefore' (Actually, an abl. of 'is,' used adverbially. See prev.) [Freq.]
eodem adv., 'to that same place' [Freq.]
epasco -ere, 'eat up' [Rare]
ephebus -i, m., 'young man (between eighteen and twenty)'(A standard Greek term, which, in Latin, would be 'adulescentulus.') [UnCommon]
ephemeris -idis, f., 'a journal, diary' [UnCommon]
ephippiatus -a -um, 'using a saddle cloth'(See next) [UnCommon]
ephippium -i, n., 'saddle for horse riding'(Among the Gauls, it was a cloth saddle; Greek word, 'epi-' + 'hippos,' "horse.") [UnCommon]
ephorus -i, m., 'a (sort of) prime minister in Sparta' [Rare]
epicopus -a -um, 'provided with oars' [Rare]
epicrocum -i, n., 'a fine, yellow garment' [Rare]
epidicticus -a -um, 'for display (rhet.)' [Rare]
epidipnis -idis, f., 'dessert'(From Gr. 'epi' + 'deipnos,' "dinner") [Rare]
epigramma -atis, n., 'an inscription on stone; a literary epigram'Note: Epigrams were often originally written in imitation of funerary inscriptions; see the 'Anthologia Palatina' for Greek examples, or Baehrens' fine older collection of poems from Latin epigraphical stones. But, in the later period, epigram writing became an art in itself, of which we have thousands of examples from the Greco-Roman world. Dudley Fitts' "Poems from the Greek Anthology" gives a good idea in English of what their art was like. [UnCommon]
epilogus -i, m., 'conclusion of a speech, epilogue' [UnCommon]
epimenia -orum, n. pl., 'a month's food rations' [Rare]
epiredium -i, n., 'horse-carriage'(A Gaulish word) [Rare]
epistolium -i, n., 'a note, brief letter' [Rare]
epistula (or epistola) -ae, f., 'a letter (personal or official)'(Greek word) [Common]
epithalamium -i, n., 'bridal-song'(Greek word) [Rare]
epitheca -ae, f., 'an addition'(Greek word) [Rare]
epitoma -ae (and epitome -es), f., 'an abridgement, shortened version or epitome (of history)'(Much of Livy's extensive Roman history is known only through the ancient epitomes. Greek word.) [Rare]
epops -opis, m., 'a bird (of some sort)' [Rare]
epoto -are, 'swallow, drink down, swallow up' [Common]
epulae -arum, f. pl., 'banquet, feast'(There exists a neut. sg., 'epulum.') [Freq.]
epularis -e, 'belonging to a banquet' [Rare]
epulo -onis, m., 'a diner (of a person); one person on the three-man Committee on Public Feasts' [UnCommon]
epulor -ari (dep.), 'dine, feast on . . . ' [UnCommon]
epulum -i, n., 'a public feast, festival' [Common]
equa -ae, f., 'a mare'(Fem. of 'equus,' "horse") [Rare]
eques -itis, m., 'horseback rider; cavalryman; member of the "equestrian" order, a knight' [Freq.]
equester -stris -stre, 'equestrian; the "equestrian" class of Roman nobility, knighthood under the Empire' Note: All we are left with, from such a noble word, is the plethora of equestrian statues of antique generals in most of our Eastern public parks! [Common]
equidem adv., 'indeed, to be sure, as I see it . . . '(This is an adverb which involves the speaker's strong belief in the truth of what he is saying.) [Freq.]
equile -is, n., 'a stable' [Rare]
equinus -a -um, 'equine, pertaining to horses' [Rare]
equitatus -us, m., 'cavalry; the "equestrian" order (pol.)' [Common]
equus -i, m., 'horse'Note: This word was spelled 'ecus' in Cicero's time, but 'equos' [nom. sg.!] a generation earlier. 'Equus' was later standardized and all the manuscript readings changed under the Empire, whence our texts stem. [Freq.]
era -ae, f., 'lady (of the house); a goddess, Lady; my lady = girlfriend, mistress'(See domina) [Common]
eradico -are, 'root out' [Rare]
erado -radere -rasi -rasum, 'scrape away; erase, eradicate' [Common]
ercisco erctum see hercisco, hercumerectus -a -um (ppl. from erigo), 'upright, erect, upstanding; bold, intent on . . . ' [Common]
erepo -repere -repsi -reptum, 'creep out, crawl up on' [Common]
ereptio -onis, f., 'robbery' [Rare]
ereptor -oris, m., 'a robber' [Rare]
erga prep., '(acc. obj.) toward, in the direction of . . . ; against . . . ; in connection with . . . ' [Freq.]
ergastulum -i, n., 'workhouse; a prison for convicts'(From Gr. 'ergon,' "work") [Common]
ergo prep., '(gen. obj.) for the sake of, because of'(A [Rare]
word used only with laws and decrees. 'Ergo' follows the genitive, in the manner of the Greek phrase of similar meaning, gen. + 'heneka.' See next.) [Rare]
ergo adv., 'therefore, then; well then . . . '(See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
ericius -i, m., 'porcupine; a military defense barrier (because of prickly spikes, mil.)' [Rare]
erifuga -ae, m., 'runaway slave' [Rare]
erigo erigere erexi erectum, 'raise up, sit up, move troops up, erect (a structure); arouse, restore to life and hope' [VeryFreq.]
erilis -e, 'of a lord; master's'(Engl. 'earl' comes from this adj. form, based on the noun, 'erus,' "master.") [Common]
eripio -ripere -ripui -reptum, 'tear away, sieze, kidnap, withdraw, "rip-off"'(See 'ereptor,' "robber") [Freq.]
erogatio -onis, f., 'delivery' [Rare]
erogo -are, 'distribute (water, used of aqueducts), distribute funds, pay out . . . ' [Common]
errabundus -a -um, 'wandering around (as if lost)' [UnCommon]
erraticus -a -um, 'wandering (often used of plants, etc.); erratic; devious' [UnCommon]
erratio -onis, f., 'wandering; error' [UnCommon]
errator -oris, m., 'a vagrant' [Rare]
erro -are, 'wander, ramble about, move (in an undirected fashion); be in doubt; be in error'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
erro -onis, m., 'a wanderer, truant; an "A.W.O.L." soldier (mil.)'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
error -oris, m., 'act of wandering; being lost and wandering; confusion, error; insanity' [Freq.]
erubesco -escere -ui, 'become red, blush' [Freq.]
eruca -ae, f., 'an herb (aphrodisiac)' [Rare]
eructo -are, 'belch, belch up, puke'(And also used also in transferred senses.) [Rare]
erudio -ire, 'teach, train, instruct'(See next) [Freq.]
eruditio -onis, f., 'learning, education'Note: The learned word, "Erudition," incidentally, comes from 'rudis,' "uncouth." In this word, the 'e-' is negative; hence, it really means "de-uncouth-ing" or "making not-uncouth." Anyone who has spent time teaching in an American college, where the professed aim is to make the untutored youth less uncouth and more erudite, will recognize the truth of this etymology. [UnCommon]
erumpo -rumpere -rupi -ruptum, 'burst forth, break out, shoot forth (plants), let slip out; break out (of warfare)' [Freq.]
eruo -ruere -rui -rutum, 'rush violently out; root up, dig out, unearth, discover; demolish and eradicate (a town)' [Freq.]
eruptio -onis, f., 'bursting forth (of fire, water, etc.), a forward assault (mil.); sprouting of plants' [Common]
erus (herus) -i, m., 'master, lord, estate owner, master of a horse'Note: English "earl" is from this word (and the adj. 'erilis'), possibly via Roman Britain after centuries of occupation. [Common]
ervum -i, m., 'bitter vetch'(Botanical name: Vicia Ervilia) [Rare]
esca -ae, f., 'something to eat, food; bait for fishing (fish-food)'(From 'edo -ere') [Common]
escarius -a -um, 'edible' [Rare]
escendo -scendere -scendi -scensum, 'climb, ascend, rise up' [Common]
escensio -onis, f., 'descent (from ships), i.e. landing of attack troops (mil.)' [Rare]
esculentus -a -um, 'edible, esculent' [Rare]
esculetum (esculus), see aesculetum (aesculus)esito -are, 'feed on, "chaw on," chew' [Rare]
essedarius -i, m., 'Gaulish charioteer'(See essedum) [Rare]
essedum -i, n., 'a war charriot of the Gauls'(Gaulish word) [Rare]
esurio -ire, 'be hungry' [UnCommon]
esuritio -onis, f., 'hunger' [Rare]
et conj., 'and'(The paired use of 'et . . . et . . . ' means about the same as English "both . . . and . . . "; see '-que' for a similar paired usage.) [VeryFreq.]
etenim adv., 'for indeed' [Freq.]
etesiae -arum, m. pl., 'NW winds in the Mediterranean sea occurring in July; the yearly or annual winds' (Gr. 'etos,' "year") [UnCommon]
ethologus -i, m., 'pantomimist, "charade-ist"'Note: This is the real "Mime," in our terms, whereas the Greco-Roman mime is something else. See 'mimus' and note. [Rare]
etiam adv., 'even; still, and yet, besides this, also' [VeryFreq.]
etiamnum (and etiamnunc), adv., 'still, even if' [Freq.]
etiamsi adv., 'even if' [Common]
etiamtum (and etiamtunc), adv., 'even then, at that (remote) time' [UnCommon]
etsi adv., 'even if, although, and yet . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
eu interj., 'good! excellent!'(Greek word, functioning in Latin as a clear Grecism, perhaps comparable to 'tres bien' or 'ciao' when used in an English sentence. See next.) [UnCommon]
euge (eugae), interj., 'great! oh good! goody!' (A comedy word, borrowed from Greek with strong Helllenizing associations. See prev.) [UnCommon]
eugepai interj., 'wonderful! wow!'(A comedy word, from the Greek.) [Rare]
euhan interj., ''euhan!''(The cry of bacchants in the cult of Dionysos.) [UnCommon]
euhans -ntis, c., 'women crying out 'euhan'' (Used of Bacchants in the cult of Dionysos.) [Rare]
eunuchus -i, m., 'a eunuch'Note: The Greek word means "guardian of the bed (Gr. 'eune') of a lady." A number of castrated males were highly influential members of both Greek and Roman society, the loss of one faculty possibly being compensated for by aggressiveness in other ways. [Rare]
euoe (euhoe), interj., 'a revelling word of Dionysiac bacchantes' [Rare]
evado -vadere -vasi -vasum, 'go out, come away, cross over, evade, escape, turn out as . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
evagor -ari (dep.), 'wander away (mil.), meander off (of rivers, foliage); digress mentally (meander in thoughts)'Note: Meandros is the Trojan river in Homer, famous for its winding. [Freq.]
evalesco -valescere -valui, 'grow strong, have strength to . . . ' [Common]
evanesco -vanescere -vanui, 'vanish, disappear; lose strength, weaken' [Common]
evanidus -a -um, 'disappearing; fading away, perishing' [UnCommon]
evasto -are, 'devastate' [Rare]
eveho -vehere -vexi -vectum, 'carry away, export, be transported (physically and emotionally)' [Freq.]
evello -vellere -velli -vulsum, 'pluck out, root out' [Common]
evenio -venire -veni -ventum, 'come forth; come about (as an "event"), happen, turn out as . . . ' [Freq.]
eventum -i, n., 'an event, happening' [UnCommon]
eventus -us, m., 'outcome, consequence; success' [Freq.]
everbero -are, 'beat on, whip; whip up' [UnCommon]
everriculum -i, n., 'a drag-net (used in fishing)'Note: Cicero used this figure in the Verrines, first, as the "dragnet" of all scum and, second, as a name for Verres, the corrupt ex-governor of Sicily whom he was prosecuting. There are additional dimensions to this pun, since Verres, in Latin, means "wild pig," and the verb, 'verro -ere,' means "sweep out, sweep clean." See next. [Rare]
everro -verrere -verri -versum, 'sweep out; fish with a dragnet' [Rare]
eversio -onis, f., 'overturning, destruction' [UnCommon]
eversor -oris, m., 'overturner, revolutionary' [Rare]
everto -vertere -verti -versum, 'turn upside down, overturn, capsize, expel, ruin (pol.)' [Freq.]
evidens -entis, 'visible, believable, evident' [Common]
evidentia -ae, f., 'obviousness' [UnCommon]
evigilo -are, 'wake up; stay awake (through the night); study in detail' Note: Calls to mind the student's "midnight oil" syndrome, which the ancients really did, since they used olive-oil lamps to read by. See lychnis and bilychnus. [Common]
evilesco -vilescere -vilui, 'become worthless'('vilis,' "cheap") [Rare]
evincio -vincire -vinxi -vinctum, 'bind with wreathes; bind with chains'(See next) [UnCommon]
evinco -vincere -vici -victum, 'defeat, overcome completely'(See prev.) [Freq.]
eviratus -a -um, 'unmanly; effeminate' [Rare]
eviro -are, '"de-man," i.e. castrate'Note: A shocking example of self-castration, in the throes of a Near Eastern religious frenzy, is developed in brilliant detail by Catullus in Poem 63, the "Attis" poem. This is one of the few examples in ancient literature of a literary work being deeply involved with the sexually bizarre, but it is also a great poem in its own right. [Rare]
eviscero -are, 'disembowel, "de-gut," eviscerate' [Rare]
evitabilis -e, 'avoidable' [Rare]
evito -are, 'avoid' [UnCommon]
evocatio -onis, f., 'summoning up troops (mil.)' [Rare]
evocator -oris, m., 'one who calls out (the troops); the reveille master-sergeant' [Rare]
evoco -are, 'call out, summon, subpoena (leg.), arouse, call to arms, rouse up' [Freq.]
evoe see euoeevolo -are, 'fly, fly up or away; hurry, flee' [Freq.]
evolutio -onis, f., 'the unrolling or perusing of a book'Note: A suitable word for Roman "volumes," which could only be read by unrolling them. See 'codex,' 'caudex,' and note. [Rare]
evolvo -volvere -volvi -volutum, 'roll out, unroll, unroll (a story), unwrap, discover, roll away from . . . , wrench away' [Freq.]
evomo -ere -ui -itum, 'vomit out, puke up; release feelings, let out emotions in a gasp' [Common]
evulgo -are, 'divulge' [Rare]
ex (or e) prep., '(abl. obj.) out of, from, away from; according to . . . ; from the date . . . '(When compounded with a noun or verb, 'ex-' or 'e-' can mean "not," or it can mean "completely.") [VeryFreq.]
exacerbo -are, 'irritate, exacerbate' [Rare]
exactio -onis, f., 'driving out; bringing in (of taxes)' [UnCommon]
exactor -oris, m., 'tax collector, any supervisor' [Common]
exactus -a -um, 'exact, precise' [UnCommon]
exacuo -ere -i -tum, 'sharpen, put a point on; sharpen the mind, stimulate' [Common]
exadversum (or exadversus), adv., 'on the opposite side, against'(Also used rarelyas a prep. with acc. obj.) [Common]
exaedificatio -onis, f., 'construction of a building' [Rare]
exaedifico -are, 'construct (a building)' [UnCommon]
exaequatio -onis, f., 'levelling' [Rare]
exaequo -are, 'level, level out, make even, equal' [Freq.]
exaestuo -are, 'boil over; seethe (emotionally)' [Rare]
exaggeratio -onis, f., 'heaping up' [Rare]
exaggero -are, 'pile up, heap up (objects); magnify, amplify (in writing)' [Common]
exagitator -oris, m., 'critic' [Rare]
exagito -are, 'shake up, agitate, bother' [Freq.]
exago see exigoexalbesco -bescere -bui, 'turn pale' [Rare]
examen -inis, n., 'a swarm of bees; a multitude; an examining, a counting up (of a multitude)' [Common]
examino -are, 'weigh; consider' [Common]
examussim adv., 'according to rule, exactly' [Rare]
exanclo -are, 'drain out (a liquid); endure'Note: This is an early Roman borrowing and mispronunciation of Gr. 'antlos,' "bilge." The Romans had certain "Cockney-style" pronunciations, as the guttural for a dental [here] and the loss or spontaneous reappearance of -h-, as in Catullus' poem on one [H]arrius, with examples of "'is [h]errors in [h]aspiration." [UnCommon]
exanimalis -e, 'dead; deadly' [Rare]
exanimatio -onis, f., 'fainting through fear' [Rare]
exanimis -e (and exanimus -a -um), 'without 'anima' (life), dead; unconscious, fainted' [Common]
exanimo -are, 'kill, kill with fear, incapacitate' [Common]
exanimus see exanimisexardesco -ardescere -arsi -arsum, 'catch fire, turn hot; be fired (with anger), burst out . . . ' [Freq.]
exaresco -arescere -arui, 'dry out, dry up; disappear' [UnCommon]
exarmo -are, 'disarm (mil.); dismantle (naval)' [Common]
exaro -are, 'plow up, furrow, cultivate (land); write with a stylus on wax tablets) by "furrowing" the surface)' [Common]
exaspero -are, 'roughen, rough up, irritate, aggravate; sharpen a knife' [Common]
exauctoro -are, 'dismiss from military service, discharge' [Rare]
exaudio -ire, 'hear, listen, give ear to; heed' [Freq.]
exaugeo -ere, 'increase' [Rare]
exauguratio -onis, f., 'desecration' [Rare]
exauguro -are, 'desecrate' [Rare]
exauspico -are, 'get a good augury reading' [Rare]
excaeco -are, 'blind; make dull or dim' [Rare]
excalceatus -a -um, 'barefoot' [Rare]
excalceo -are, 'take the shoes from' [Rare]
excandescentia -ae, f., 'anger' [Rare]
excandesco -candescere -candui, 'catch fire, flare up (of anger)' [UnCommon]
excanto -are, 'pronounce an incantation on . . . ; enchant, "charm" in the magic sense' [UnCommon]
excarnificio -are, 'torture' [UnCommon]
excatarisso -are, 'rob, cheat, strip of funds, "clean out"'Note: A Roman mispronunciation of Gr. 'katharizo,' "clean up, clean out." In the Humanities, we think of poetry, art and democracy first, forgetting that the practices of embezzlement and bankrupcy were a real part of the Greco-Roman world, which was just as seamy and devious as the one we claim as our own. [Rare]
excavo -are, 'hollow out, scoop out, excavate' [UnCommon]
excedo -cedere -cessi -cessum, 'go away, retire, withdraw, trespass, exceed' [VeryFreq.]
excellentia -ae, f., 'excellence' [Rare]
excello -ere, 'stand out above, stand higher; be pre-eminent' [Common]
excelsitas -tatis, f., 'elevation of style' [Rare]
excelsum -i, n., 'a height' [UnCommon]
excelsus -a -um, 'high, lofty, noble' [Common]
exceptio -onis, f., 'exception, objection (leg.)' [UnCommon]
excepto -are, 'pick out; choose for one's self' [Rare]
excerno -cernere -crevi -cretum, 'separate out, sift (by qualities)' [UnCommon]
excerpo -cerpere -cerpsi -cerptum, 'pick out, select, remove' [Common]
excessus -us, m., 'departure, death; depression' [UnCommon]
excetra -ae, f., 'a water snake' [Rare]
excidium -i, n., 'destruction' [Freq.]
excido -cidere -cidi, 'fall out, drop away, fall away, fall short, fall out of one's mind, lose the thread'(The -i- of the root is short; from 'cado,' "fall." See next.) [Freq.]
excido -cidere -cidi -cisum, 'cut out'(The -i- is long; from 'caedo,' "cut." See prev.) [Common]
excieo (and excio) -cire -civi (and cii) -citum, 'rouse up, awaken, summon up, arouse' [Common]
excipio -cipere -cepi -ceptum, 'take out, pick out, pick up, take, rescue, receive (attack, blows, assault; mil.), capture (mil.), take up (from . . . )' [Freq.]
excisio -onis, f., 'destruction' [Rare]
excito -are, 'make to rise up, rouse up, awaken; set in motion, raise up, stir up' [Freq.]
exclamatio -onis, f., 'exclamation' [Rare]
exclamo -are, 'cry out, exclaim' [Common]
excludo -cludere -clusi -clusum, 'shut out, exclude, separate off . . . ; leave out; bring out, disclose, uncover' [Freq.]
excogitatio -onis, f., 'the process of thinking something out' [Rare]
excogito -are, 'think out, develop, invent' [Common]
excolo -colere -colui -cultum, 'cultivate (land), cultivate (the mind), decorate, celebrate' [Freq.]
exconcinno -are, 'refurbish, spruce up' [Rare]
excoquo -coquere -coxi -coctum, 'cook down, cook, heat by cooking' [Common]
excors -cordis, 'lacking in intelligence'Note: This is in the train of Aristotle's mistaken idea of the heart, rather than the brain, as the seat of intelligence. 'Excors' is, thus, not "heartless" as in the English word, but "brainless, stupid." It is easy to say that Aristotle should have known better, but it is better to reckon this as one of the few serious errors in thousands of pages of hard-headed and usually cogent reasoning. See cerebrum. [UnCommon]
excrementum -i, n., 'excrement' [Rare]
excresco -crescere -crevi -cretum, 'grow, increase' [Common]
excretus -a -um (ppl. either of excerno or excresco), 'separated; grown up' [UnCommon]
excrucio -are, 'torture' [Rare]
excubiae -arum, f. pl., 'guard, watch (mil.), vigil' [Common]
excubitor -oris, m., 'watchman; emperor's bodyguard' [UnCommon]
excubo -are -ui -itum, 'lie in watch, be attentive, vigilant' [Freq.]
excudo -cudere -cudi -cusum, 'bang out, hammer out, forge, produce' [UnCommon]
exulco -are, 'knock out; beat down' [Rare]
excurro -currere -cuccuri (and -curri) -cursum, 'rush forth, make a (mil.) excursion; rush off (digress), extend' [Freq.]
excursio -onis, f., 'journey; sally (mil.)' [UnCommon]
excursor -oris, m., 'courier, a military delegate' [Rare]
excursus -us, m., 'journey; sortie, sally (mil.); digression' [UnCommon]
excusabilis -e, 'excusable' [Rare]
excusatus -a -um, 'free from blame, not responsible' [UnCommon]
excuso -are, 'excuse, give as an excuse, excuse oneself from . . . ' [UnCommon]
excutio -cutere -cussi -cussum, 'shake out, off; throw off (of a horse), shoot (mil.); shake out (laughter, scorn), sift = examine' [Freq.]
exedo -esse -edi -esum, 'eat up, consume (war, fire, etc.), hollow out' [Common]
exedra -ae, f. (and exedrium -i, n.), 'a lecture hall' [Rare]
exemplar -aris, 'an example, a pattern, a copy' [Common]
exemplum -i, n., 'a sample, an example or warning; a pattern, a copy' [Freq.]
exeo -ire -ii (or -ivi) -itum, 'go out, come out, emerge, escape, pass away = die; transgress, exceed' [VeryFreq.]
exequiae see exsequiaeexerceo -ere -ui -itum, 'exercise, train, keep busy, keep moving; lend out (money); move (a legal action)' [Freq.]
exercitatio -onis, f., 'exercise, practice, put into motion' [Common]
exercitium -i, n., 'exercise, practice; skill' [UnCommon]
exercito -are, 'train, exercise; bother, irk' [UnCommon]
exercitatus -a -um, 'trained, expert' [UnCommon]
exercitus -a -um (ppl. of exerceo), 'practiced, skilled; vexed, harrassed'(See next) [Common]
exercitus -us, m., 'training ; a trained military force, an army (mil.)' (See prev.) [Freq.]
exesor -oris, m., 'something which eats away, erodes, corrodes' [Rare]
exhalatio -onis, f., '(exhaled) vapor, an exhalation' [Rare]
exhalo -are, 'give off fumes, exhale; (with 'animum') breathe out one's last = die'Note: Compare the similar meaning of 'ebullio (animam),' "bubble off one's life," depending on whether life disappears as a bubble or (here) as a gas. When Dido finally dies in Aen. IV, her body heat slips into the earth, while her life-breath goes up into the air, like an exhalation. [Common]
exhaurio -haurire -hausi -haustum, 'drink up, suck up, drain dry (money), drain off resources, use up = exhaust' [Freq.]
exheredo -are, 'disinherit' [Rare]
exheres -edis, 'disinherited' [Rare]
exhibeo -hibere -hibui -hibitum, 'bring forth, exhibit, show; hold ready as aid, support' [Freq.]
exhilaro -are, 'cheer, make glad'(See hilarus) [Common]
exhorresco -horrescere -horrui, 'shudder fearfully at . . . ' [UnCommon]
exhortatio -onis, f., 'exhortation' [Rare]
exhortor -ari (dep.), 'encourage' [UnCommon]
exigo -igere -egi -actum, 'drive on, force forward, reach forth; spend time, pass one's life; force, coerce; request, bring up for investigation (leg.)' [VeryFreq.]
exiguitas -tatis, f., 'littleness' [Rare]
exiguus -a -um, 'scanty, exiguous, little; brief, small, trivial' [Freq.]
exilis -e, '(physically) small, lean; scanty, poor, thin; plain (of style)' [Freq.]
exilitas -tatis, f., 'thinness, poorness, verbal dryness' [UnCommon]
eximius -a -um, 'exceptional; outstanding, remarkable'(Originally, this word meant "excepted," then was taken as "exceptional." See next.) [Freq.]
eximo -imere -emi -emptum, 'take away, remove, except'(See prev.) [Freq.]
exin see exindeexinanio -ire, 'empty out, weaken, destroy'(See inanus) [Common]
exinde (exin, exim), adv., 'thereafter, next, thence, therefore' [Freq.]
existimatio -onis, f., 'opinion; estimate, evaluation (of a person)' [Common]
existimator -oris, m., 'judge, critic' [Rare]
existimo (existumo) -are, 'put a value on, price; evaluate, judge, value, esteem; think, "reckon"' [Freq.]
exitialis -e, 'deadly' [Rare]
exitio -onis, f., 'departure' [Rare]
exitiosus -a -um, 'deadly, death-inviting' [UnCommon]
exitium -i, n., 'death and destruction' [Freq.]
exitus -us, m., 'departure, a way out, conclusion, fate' [Freq.]
exlex -legis, 'outlawed' [Rare]
exmoveo see emoveoexobsecro -are, 'beg, entreat' [Rare]
exoculo -are, 'deprive of eyes' [Rare]
exodium -i, n., 'conclusion, end; a comic "afterpiece" at the theater' [UnCommon]
exolesco -olescere -olevi -oletum, 'grow up, get old, weak, become obsolete' [UnCommon]
exonero -are, 'unload, discharge a burden, get rid of an expense' [Freq.]
exopinasso -are, 'think' [Rare]
exoptatus -a -um, 'desired' [Rare]
exopto -are, 'long for, want, hanker after' [UnCommon]
exorabilis -e, 'movable by prayer' [Common]
exorabula -orum, n. pl., 'entreaties' [Rare]
exordior -ordiri -orsus sum (dep.), 'begin, start off' [Common]
exordium -i, n., 'inception, start, formal beginning of a speech (rhet.)' [Common]
exorior -oriri -ortus sum (dep.), 'rise up, appear, rise (of stars); come into being, arise' [Freq.]
exornatio -onis, f., 'embellishment' [UnCommon]
exornatulus -a -um, 'decorated, fancy' [Rare]
exorno -are, 'furnish, equip; adorn, enhance' [Freq.]
exoro -are, 'beg, entreat, win over by prayer' [Common]
exorsus -a -um (ppl. of exordior), 'rising up' (See next) [Common]
exorsus -us, m., 'a beginning'(See prev.) [Rare]
exortus -us, m., 'a rising (of stars); sunrise; origin or source (of rivers, winds)' [Common]
exos -ossis, 'without bones'(Used of double-jointed dancers by Petronius.) [Rare]
exosculor -ari (dep.), 'kiss' [UnCommon]
exosso -are, 'de-bone (a kitchen word)' [Rare]
exosus -a -um, 'hating' [Rare]
exoticus -a -um, 'foreign, imported' [Rare]
expallesco -pallescere -pallui, 'become pale' [Rare]
expalpo -are, 'caress, coax (something) out' [Rare]
expando -ere, 'expand, widen; develop, expatiate' [Common]
expavesco -pavescere -pavi, 'become frightened' [Common]
expedio -ire -ivi (and ii) -itum, 'free from fetters; let loose, solve a problem, expedite, explain; get ready, prepare; be expedient' (The main idea is getting the feet disentangled from shackles. See 'pes, pedis' and 'impedio.') [Freq.]
expeditio -onis, f., 'a military expedition' [UnCommon]
expeditus -a -um, 'unshackled, unimpeded; free' [Common]
expello -pellere -puli -pulsum, 'drive out, force forth, dislodge the enemy (mil.), remove, expel' [Freq.]
expendo -pendere -pendi -pensum, 'weigh out; pay; pay a penalty; weigh (in the mind)' [Common]
expergefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'awaken, arouse, stir up' [UnCommon]
expergiscor -pergisci -perrectus (dep.), 'wake up, get stirred up' [UnCommon]
expergo -pergere -pergi -pergitum, 'awaken, excite' [UnCommon]
experiens -entis, 'enterprising' [UnCommon]
experientia -ae, f., 'testing, experiencing, trying; experience' [UnCommon]
experimentum -i, n., 'trying, testing, experience, proof'Note: Many of the ancient scientists were excellent observers, but the idea of a controlled experiment was devised after the Renaissance and became a part of the scientists' toolkit only after l800. Experimentation as such was frowned upon in the ancient world because it involved the hands rather than the mind by itself, something thinkers, who were just coming out of a manually oriented culture, were nervous about. [Common]
experior -periri -pertus sum (dep.), 'try, test, test (at court), experience' [Freq.]
experrectus -a -um (ppl. of expergiscor), 'stirred up' [UnCommon]
expers -pertis, 'having no experience in . . . ; having no part in . . . '('ex-' [negative] + 'pars'; see next) [Freq.]
expertus -a -um, 'tested, tried and true; experienced'(From 'experior,' as in the phrase, 'crede experto.' See prev.) [Rare]
expetesso -ere, 'avidly seek after' [Rare]
expeto -ere -ii (and -ivi) -itum, 'request, ask for, seek out; make an effort to obtain, seek after' [Freq.]
expiatio -onis, f., 'expiation, purification' [UnCommon]
expilatio -onis, f., 'plundering' [Rare]
expilator -oris, m., 'plunderer' [Rare]
expilo -are, 'plunder, rob' [UnCommon]
expingo -pingere -pinxi -pictum, 'paint, put paint on . . . , paint, in words = depict' [Rare]
expio -are, 'expiate, propitiate deities, expiate an omen' [Common]
expiscor -ari (dep.), '"fish" for information'('piscis' = "fish") [Rare]
explanatio -onis, f., 'explanation' [Rare]
explanator -oris, m., 'an interpreter' [Rare]
explano -are, 'flatten out, make plane; make plain' [UnCommon]
explaudo see explodoexplementum -i, n., 'filling in a pillow, stuffing; literary "padding"'(See next) [Rare]
expleo -ere -evi -etum, 'fill out completely' [Freq.]
expletio -onis, f., 'fulfillment' [Rare]
explicatio -onis, f., 'uncoiling, unfolding, resolving a "knotty" problem' [Rare]
explicatus -us, m., 'unfolding, revealing' [Rare]
explico -are -avi -atum (and -ui -itum), 'uncoil, unfold, explain, explicate, reveal, demonstrate' [Freq.]
exploratio -onis, f., 'investigation; a reconnaissance party (mil.)' [Rare]
explorator -oris, m., 'scout, spy' [Rare]
exploratus -a -um, 'investigated, sure; well-tested by time' [Common]
exploro -are, 'explore, inquire, search out; reconnoiter (mil.)' [Freq.]
expolio -ire -ii (and -ivi) -itum, 'polish, finish off nicely; adorn, perfect' [Freq.]
expolitio -onis, f., 'polishing, plaster-finishing; elegance, literary "polish"' [UnCommon]
expono -ponere -posui -positum, 'set out, put off ship, expose (children to death); lay someone out flat, expose to danger; set forth in writing' [VeryFreq.]
expositus (expostus) -a -um, 'plain, direct; frank, open (of personality)' [UnCommon]
exporrigo (exporgo) -rigere -rexi -rectum, 'spread out, lay out, extend' [UnCommon]
exportatio -onis, f., 'export' [Rare]
exporto -are, 'carry away; market, export' [UnCommon]
exposco -poscere -poposci, 'demand, requisition, request'(The sense of "demanding" dominates this word, which is forcible and formal.) [Freq.]
expositio -onis, f., 'an exposition of a theme'(From expono) [Rare]
explosio -onis, f., 'clapping, clapping an actor off the stage; rejecting' (From explodo [explaudo]) [Common]
expostulatio -onis, f., 'protest, expostulation' [Rare]
expostulo -are, 'protest, remonstrate; demand' [Common]
exprimo -primere -pressi -pressum, 'squeeze out, press out (liquids); put pressure on someone, compel; put (your) stamp on, delineate; express (ideas, etc.), give expression to'Note: Some of the sub-meanings came originally from the olive press, others from the mint. This is a standard direction of word development in most languages, from the specific to the abstract and general. [Freq.]
exprobratio -onis, f., 'reproach' [Rare]
exprobro -are, 'reproach' [Common]
expromo -promere -prompsi -promptum, 'bring forth (as from a wine cellar or pantry); bring forth, reveal' [Common]
expugnabilis -e, 'able to be captured (mil.)' [Rare]
expugnatio -onis, f., 'capture of a town (mil.)' [UnCommon]
expugno -are, 'capture (a town, mil.), plunder, destroy, break down; break down resistance (of a person)' [Freq.]
expulsio -onis, f., 'exile' [Rare]
expulso -are, 'throw the ball (as a game)' [Rare]
expulsor -oris, m. (and expultrix -tricis, f.), 'one who drives out' [Rare]
expungo -are, 'mark off with a dot (punctum) names on a list; "cross off," expunge' [Common]
expurgo -are, 'clean out, get rid of, clear oneself (leg.)' [UnCommon]
exputesco -escere, 'rot away' [Rare]
exputo -are, 'prune, trim off; consider carefully (i.e. lop off the side issues)' [UnCommon]
exquiro (exquaero) -quirere -quisivi -quisitum, 'ask, inquire about.; search for, seek out, find out' [Common]
exquisitus -a -um, 'careful, meticulous; choice, valuable' [Common]
exsaevio -ire, 'blow itself out (of a storm)' [Rare]
exsanguis (esanguis) -e, 'bloodless, pale; weak, exhausted' [Common]
exsarcio -sarcire -sarsi -sartum, 'patch up, repair, fix up' (See sarcio and sartor) [Rare]
exsatio -are, 'sate, glut; satisfy (emotionally)' [Rare]
exsaturabilis -e, 'incapable of being satisfied' [Common]
exsaturo -are, 'satiate' [Rare]
exscindo -scindere -scidi -scissum, 'cut, tear down, eradicate' [Rare]
exscreo -are, 'hack up (of clearing phlegm from the throat)' [Rare]
exscribo -scribere -scripsi -scriptum, 'copy out, transcribe' [UnCommon]
exsculpo -sculpere -sculpsi -sculptum, 'carve out, hollow out; sculpt out; dig out (information)' [Common]
exseco -secare -secui -sectum, 'cut off, cut open; castrate' [UnCommon]
exsecrabilis -e, 'accursed, execrable' (See next) [Common]
exsecror -ari (dep.), 'curse; detest' [Common]
exsectio -onis, f., 'cutting out' [Rare]
exsecutio -onis, f., '(legal) pursuance of a case; development of a theme' [Common]
exsequiae -arum, f. pl., 'funeral rites' [VeryFreq.]
exsequialis -e, 'funereal' [Rare]
exsequor -sequi -secutus sum (dep.), 'follow, pursue; persecute, carry out duties; follow a funeral ('exsequiae')' [VeryFreq.]
exsero -serere -serui -sertum, 'stretch forth, appear, show oneself as . . . , reveal' [Freq.]
exserto -are, 'stretch out' [Rare]
exsertus -a -um, 'pushed out, thrust out' [Common]
exsibilo -are, 'hiss, hiss off the stage'(See 'explodo,' "clapping off the stage") [UnCommon]
exsicco -are, 'dry out, desiccate' [UnCommon]
exsigno -are, 'mark (as authentic)'(See 'signum,' "seal") [Rare]
exsilio -silire -silui -sultum, 'jump forth, leap up, spring forth (plants)' [Common]
exsilium (exilium) -i, n., 'exile, banishment' [Freq.]
exsisto (existo) -sistere -stiti -stitum, 'stand forth, be, exist, come forth as . . . ; arise, come into being' [Freq.]
exsolvo -solvere -solvi -solutum, 'untie, loosen; set free, end; discharge (promises), pay (debts)' [Freq.]
exsomnis -e, 'un-sleeping' (See insomnis and esomnis) [Rare]
exsorbeo -ere, 'drink up, swallow, drain off' [Common]
exsors -sortis, 'having no share in'(ex- [negative] + sors) [Rare]
exspatior -ari (dep.), '(of a river) over-run banks; expatiate, expand (in speech)' [UnCommon]
exspectatio -onis, f., 'waiting, suspense' [Common]
exspecto -are, 'wait for, await, exspect, hope for, await expectantly'Note: Consider the old proverb, 'omnia spe [Rare]
, nihil exspectare.' [Freq.]
exspergo -spergere -spersi -spersum, 'scatter about' [Rare]
exspes (nom. sg. only), 'without hope' [Rare]
expiratio -onis, f., 'exhalation' [Rare]
exspiro -are, 'breathe out, exhale; breathe one's last (= expire or die)' [Rare]
exspolio -are, 'plunder, loot (mil.)' [Rare]
exspuo -spuere -spui -sputum, 'spit out; cast out, eject'Note: Consider Engl. med. "sputum," as against "spit," which comes through the Germanic grid from Indo-European, bypassing the Latin word. Whereas Latin used the Greek for scientific nomenclature, often beside the colloquial Latin for daily use, we use the Latin beside our colloquial English. English is especially rich in double-pathed words like this, for example, "vinous/ winey," "the pater (Brit.)/father," "canine/hound"' [UnCommon]
exsterno -ere, 'drive crazy, panic' [Rare]
exstillo -are, 'drip down, trickle' [Rare]
exstimulo -are, 'goad, incite; goad with a 'stimulus''Note: The Roman 'stimulus' is a stick with a needle at the end, used to get animals moving ahead. A modern adaptation is the goad with an electric prod, probably causing less infection but more psychic damage to the herd. [UnCommon]
exstinctio -onis, f., 'extinction' [Rare]
exstinctor -oris, m., 'one who annihilates' [Rare]
exstinguo -stinguere -stinxi -stinctum, 'exstinguish (fire), obliterate, kill off, annihilate; extinguish' [Freq.]
exstirpo -are, 'pull up by the roots (a farm word); wipe out, eradicate' (See stirps) [UnCommon]
exsto -are -steti, 'stand forth; stand out' [Freq.]
exstructio -onis, f., 'construction' [Rare]
exstruo -struere -struxi -structum, 'pile up, heap up; construct (a building)' [Common]
exsudo (exudo) -are, 'sweat out; ooze out, exude; sweat over = labor hard at'(See sudor) [UnCommon]
exsugo (exugo) -sugere -suxi -suctum, 'suck out, suck out the moisture from' [UnCommon]
exsul (exul) -sulis, c., 'an exile' [Freq.]
exsulo (exulo) -are, 'be banished, go into exile; live in exile' [Common]
exsultatio -onis, f., 'a leaping up, an exuberant expression of joy' [UnCommon]
exsulto (exulto) -are, 'leap up, dance about, exult, let oneself go' [Freq.]
exsuperabilis -e, 'able to be overcome' [Rare]
exsuperantia -ae, f., 'pre-eminence' [Rare]
exsupero -are, 'rise above, transcend, exceed, surpass, "out-do"; dominate' [Freq.]
exsurdo -are, 'deafen (the ears)'Note: Also used of other senses, Horace uses it of the appetite, for which our academics would cite him for a mixed metaphor. In that case, "Finnegan's Wake" would be one enormous mixed metaphor! Untrue! [Rare]
exsurgo -surgere -surrexi, 'rise up, get up in the morning, rise up (pol.), arise = happen' [Freq.]
exsuscito -are, 'awaken (from sleep), "awaken" (a fire), awaken (emotions)' [UnCommon]
exta -orum, n. pl., '"innards" of animals, the offal parts'Note: Actually, not the "guts" or intestines, but liver, lungs and heart, believed in augural contexts to predict the future. Note that the offal parts (from Lat. 'offa') are often called in English the "awful parts." This may be part of the reason chicken innards in our supermarkets are usually packed in a paper wrapper, so they can be thrown in the garbage directly by culinary ignoramuses. [Common]
extabesco -tabescere -tabui, 'waste away' [Rare]
extaris -is (aula), f., 'pot, pot for boiling giblets'(See exta) [Rare]
extemplo (extempulo), adv., 'right away, right off, immediately' [Common]
extemporalis -e, 'extemporary, unrehearsed' [Rare]
extendo -tendere -tendi -tensum, 'stretch out, lie outstretched (dead); strain, extend oneself, extend (anything), enlarge' [VeryFreq.]
extento -are, 'stretch out, strain' [Rare]
extentus -a -um, 'stretched out, level, flat (of terrain)' [Rare]
extenuatio -onis, f., 'belittling (a rhetorical device)'(See 'tenuis') [Rare]
extenuo -are, 'make small, thin; diminish; belittle' [Common]
exter (and exterus) -a -um, 'outside, from outside, foreign' [Common]
exterior -ius (compar. of 'exter'/'exterus'), 'outer, exterior'(See prev.) [Common]
exterebro -are, 'drill, auger out; extract with a fence pole drill' [Rare]
extergo -tergere -tersi -tersum, 'wipe off, clean, scour' [UnCommon]
extermino -are, 'send away beyond the 'termina' or boundaries; banish; put an idea out of one's mind, dismiss it' [Common]
externus -a -um, 'external, extraneous, foreign, alien' [Common]
extero -terere -trivi -tritum, 'rub out' [Rare]
exterreo -terrere -terrui -territum, 'frighten out of one's wits, scare' [Rare]
exterus -a -um, 'on the outside, furthest out, extreme, foreign' [Freq.]
extexto -ere, 'un-weave, = "unmake" a person, ruin him or her' [Rare]
extimesco -timescere -timui, 'become scared, frightened' [Common]
extimus (extumus) -a -um, 'outermost' [UnCommon]
extispex -spicis, m., 'an entrail-augur'(See exta) [Rare]
extollo -ere, 'lift up, raise up, build buildings, extol = praise someone, advance someone, raise the mind (to higher levels)' [VeryFreq.]
extorqueo -torquere -torsi -tortum, 'twist, wrench off, extort (financially), dislocate, twist, deform' [Rare]
extorris -e, 'of a person exiled from his land'('ex + terra,' "land") [UnCommon]
extra adv., 'outside, beyond, outwardly; besides (= in addition to)' [Freq.]
extraho -trahere -traxi -tractum, 'drag out, pull down (a wall), draw out (persons); draw out of danger; protract, drag on (in time)' [VeryFreq.]
extraneus -a -um, 'not of one's family; foreign, alien; extraneous, not inherent'(The word is often legal in meaning and use.) [Common]
extrarius -a -um, 'outside, external, unconnected' [UnCommon]
extremum -i, n., 'the edge, limit, furthest part, last degree of . . . ' [Freq.]
extremus -a -um, 'outermost' [Common]
extrico -are, 'set free, extricate, solve a problem' [UnCommon]
extrinsecus adv., 'from without, from the outside' [Common]
extrudo -trudere -trusi -trusum, 'push out, force out, "extrude"' [UnCommon]
extundo -tundere -tudi -tusum, 'beat out, forge out, force out; force (a promise)' [Common]
extumeo -ere, 'swell up' [Rare]
exturbo -are, 'drive away, banish; divorce a woman; upset (things)' [Common]
exubero -are, 'flow abundantly (like milk), be abundant, grow richly, abundantly; abound'Note: From 'uber,' "udder," but the word is confused with 'uber,' "rich," although both words probably come from the same original concept and root. See uber. [Common]
exul see exsulexulcero -are, 'ulcerate, make raw and bleeding; aggravate, pain the feelings' [Common]
exulo -are, 'live in exile' [Common]
exululo -are, 'howl (of dogs, owls, and religious ecstatics)'('Ululo' is clearly onomatopoetic.) [UnCommon]
exundo -are, 'overflow, flood, flow over, inundate; be in abundance' (To be in abundance, e.g. "my cup runneth over.") [Common]
exuo -ere -i -tum, 'take off (clothes), remove, set free from . . . , strip off (possessions, etc.), remove (habits)' [Freq.]
exurgeo -ere, 'squeeze out' [Rare]
exuro -urere -ussi -ustum, 'burn, burn up, parch, burn (with fever, poison)' [Freq.]
exustio -onis, f., 'burning up' [Rare]
exuviae -arum, f. pl., 'trophies, spoils stripped off bodies in battle; hides stripped from animals; "relics" and sacred objects of gods carried in religious rituals' [Freq.]
faba -ae, f., 'the bean'Note: A large, flat bean, like our lima bean, of which many varieties were known to the Romans. The Pythagoreans maintained that beans contained souls, hence must never be eaten! The reason for this may have been the fact that a diet of beans generates "gas," = Gr. 'anemos,' Lat. 'anima,' and Gr. 'thymos,' "vapor; soul," and might interfere with metempsychosis. Another possible reason might be the fact that beans are dicots, and the number "two" offered problems to Pythagorean numerology, since its square root was seen as irrational, but indispensible. [Common]
fabalis -e, 'of beans' [Rare]
fabella -ae, f., 'a little fable or drama'(See 'fabula,' "story, play") [Rare]
faber -bra -brum, 'ingenious, skillful'(See next) [Common]
faber -bri, m., 'craftsman, metalworker; an artisan in the building trades'(See prev.) [Common]
fabrica -ae, f., 'craft, the technique of fabricating; a factory'(French 'fabrique' is still the standard word for a factory.) [Common]
fabricatio -onis, f., 'the act of making' [Rare]
fabricator -oris, m., 'maker' [Rare]
fabrico -are (and fabricor -ari, dep.), 'make, construct, fabricate' [Freq.]
fabrilis -e, 'of a smith or other craftsman' [Rare]
fabula -ae, f., 'talk, a report, a tale, a "tale" = story; a play, drama' [VeryFreq.]
fabulor -ari (dep.), 'talk, chat, tell a story' [Common]
fabulosus -a -um, 'legendary, storied, fabulous; fabled = not-real' [Common]
facesso facessere facessi (or -ivi) facessitum, 'perform duties, bring a case; finish up, depart' [Common]
facetus -a -um, 'clever, witty, humorous' [Common]
facies -ei, f., 'appearance, figure, look; looks, beauty, form; the face' [VeryFreq.]
facilis -e, 'easy (to do), easy to get, work, purchase; easy-going, "laid-back"; moving easily' [VeryFreq.]
facilitas -tatis, f., 'ease (of doing something); ease of speed, fluency; easy-mindedness, obliqueness' [Freq.]
facinorosus -a -um, 'wicked, criminal' [Rare]
facinus -oris, n., 'any deed; a bad deed, crime' [Freq.]
facio facere feci factum, 'do, make, build, form, create, compose (books); bring into being, effect'(The passive is supplied by [active] forms of 'fio.') [VeryFreq.]
factum -i, n., 'a deed, act' [Freq.]
factio -onis, f., 'making, doing; a group, faction; a political party or "faction"' [Freq.]
factiosus -a -um, 'busy, active; operating for a specific faction' [UnCommon]
factito -are, 'do (habitually), have the habit of . . . ' [UnCommon]
facula -ae, f., 'a little torch' [Rare]
facultas -tatis, f., 'faculty, power, ability; resources' [Freq.]
facundia -ae, f., 'eloquence' [Common]
faecula -ae, f., 'dried wine lees'(From faex) [Rare]
faeneratio -onis, f., 'lending at interest' [Rare]
faenerator -oris, m., 'money-lender' [UnCommon]
faeneror (feneror) -ari (dep.) (and faenero [fenero] -are), 'lend money at interest'(See faenus) [Common]
faeneus -a -um, 'of hay'Note: The 'faenei homines' are equivalent to our "scarecrows," both as birdwarnings, and as fake persons, like T.S. Eliot's "headpiece filled with straw . . . " in 'The Hollow Men.' [Rare]
faenilia -ium, n. pl., 'hay barn' [Rare]
faeniseca -ae, m., 'a mower; a countryman' [Rare]
faenum (fenum) -i, n., 'hay' [Common]
faenus (fenus) -oris, n., 'interest (in money); gain, profit' [Freq.]
faex faecis, f., 'wine lees, the dregs in the bottom of the bottle; any muck, scum; (social) scum, the dregs of society'Note: English "feces," meaning "excrement," comes from this word; but it is a different concept, for which the Romans use 'stercus -oris, n.,' "dung, manure." Roman culture is less "excrement-conscious" than ours, possibly as a function of the better sewers and indoor toilets of today, which make actual awareness of feces unusual. [Common]
fagineus (and faginus) -a -um, 'of beech-wood' [Rare]
fagus -i, f., 'beech tree' [Rare]
fala (phala) -ae, f., 'a wooden tower' [Rare]
falarica (phalarica) -ae, f., 'a missile shot from a twisted-rope gun' [Rare]
falcarius -i, m., 'a sickle maker; (as noun in pl.) a quarter of the city of Rome, area of the sicklemakers'(See falx) [Rare]
falcatus -a -um, 'scythe-shaped or bladed' [Rare]
falcifer -fera -ferum, 'carrying a scythe' [UnCommon]
fallacia -ae, f. 'trick, deception'(Not English "fallacy," = error) [Common]
fallax -acis, 'tricky, deceptive, false, fake' [Freq.]
fallo fallere fefelli falsum, 'deceive, trick, mislead; trick the eyes = be unnoticed; disguise, avoid' [VeryFreq.]
falsus -a -um, 'false, deceitful, untrue' [Freq.]
falx falcis, f., 'scythe, sickle, knife with a hooked blade; a curved sword' [Freq.]
fama -ae, f., 'talk, rumor, reputation (good, but often bad); fame, glory' [VeryFreq.]
famelicus -a -um, 'hungry, famished' [Rare]
fames -is, f., 'hunger, starvation; hunger (for anything)' [Rare]
famigerator -oris, m., 'rumor-monger, gossip' [Rare]
familia -ae, f., 'a household (subject to the master's absolute rule); household = servants; any group (family of scholars, thinkers); an estate (leg.)'Note: The Roman idea of 'familia' includes all who live and work under the same roof: master, wife, and children, as well as servants who are free, freed and slave; whereas, Engl. "family" is a genetic concept, although recently extended to other groups [the extended family, the "Family of Man," etc.]. [Freq.]
familiaris -e, 'belonging to the household; personal (i.e. not civic); familiar, friendly, well known to . . . ; (as noun) friend, friends' (Consider Cicero's voluminous letters, 'Ad Familiares.') [Freq.]
familiaritas -tatis, f., 'friendship (through long association)'(See 'amicitia,' "friendship," which is more personal and less factual.) [Common]
famosus -a -um, 'famous; infamous, notorious' [Common]
famul see famulusfamula -ae, f., 'a woman servant' [UnCommon]
famularis -e, 'relating to servants or slaves' [UnCommon]
famulatus -us, m., 'slavery, servitude' [Rare]
famulor -ari (dep.), 'be a servant, serve' [UnCommon]
famulus (famul) -i, m., 'male servant' [Common]
fanaticus -a -um, 'inspired, enthusiastic, frenzied'(From 'fanum -i, n.,' "temple," i.e. "serving at a temple, frenzied by temple-rites, a religious 'fanatic'"; see next.) [Common]
fanum -i, n., 'a shrine, temple' [Freq.]
far farris, n., 'barley' [Rare]
farcio farcire farsi fartum, 'stuff (in kitchen use), stuff up; make stuffing' [UnCommon]
farina -ae, f., 'flour for cooking'Note: As in modern Italy, "farinaceous" materials were the basis for Roman meals, meat being largely regarded as a garnish or side-dish. In l991, a USDA "pyramid diet," proposed under government sanction, suggested a large proportion of grain-product food, as compared to meat, for the best of health. This was temporarily quashed by the meat industry's lobby. The interesting thing is that new views of nutrition are coming closer to the Roman diet, which was rich in grains and fiber. Apuleius' cookbook, although it is oriented toward the gourmet diet, bears out much of this. [UnCommon]
farrago -inis, f., 'a mixed-grain feed for animals' [UnCommon]
fartor -oris, m., '"stuffer"'Note: Specifically, a man who force-feeds chickens for the tables of the rich. Modern French 'patŽ de foie gras' is produced from the swollen liver of geese force-fed in the same way. [UnCommon]
fas (indeclinable) n., 'that which is (religiously) right, in accordance with divine law; decent behavior, proper conduct' Note: There is always a "divine" aspect to all uses of this word. The parallel civil word is 'ius,' "the law; civil law." [VeryFreq.]
fascia -ae, f., 'a string, band, strip'(See fascis) [Freq.]
fasciculus -i, m., 'a bunch, bundle, package'(See 'fascia,' "band") [Common]
fascino -are, 'to bewitch' [Rare]
fascinum -i, n., 'a spell, charm; an emblem hung around the neck as a charm'Note: Also used of the penis, perhaps as a "hung decoration," like the Yiddish-Engl., "schmuck." [Common]
fasciola -ae, f., 'a ribbon, headband' [Rare]
fascis -is, m., 'a tied-up bundle of sticks; any bundle; (pl.) the lictor's "rods of office" (a bundle of sticks tied around an axe, a Roman symbol of government authority)' Note: The words, "Fascist" and "Fascism," are obviously related, but in a historically, as well as morally, twisted sense. The over-zealous study of the Classics in Germany produced some remarkable perversions of the historical record of nations in power. Going one step further back, the Nazi ideology tried to draw genetic lines of heredity from the Indo-European linguistic background, maintaining that modern Germans were the descendants of the Indo-European Aryans, a wild tribe who invaded India before 1000 B.C. The conflation of history and ideology is always dangerous, especially because it has an immediate popular appeal. [Common]
fasti -orum, m., 'good days, festive days; the list of consular commemorative days' [Common]
fastidiosus -a -um, 'squeamish, put off by . . . ; haughty, disdainful' [Freq.]
fastidium -i, n., 'aversion (to food, persons), disdain, dislike; haughtiness, scorn' [Freq.]
fastigatus -a -um, 'sloping, inclined'(See next) [UnCommon]
fastigium -i, n., 'point, tip, top, rooftop, summit; top of the hill, peak of social structure'(See prev.) [Freq.]
fastus -us, m., 'pride, haughtiness, "uppity-ness"'(See next) [Common]
fastus -a -um, 'lawful, acceptable (with a divine sense)'(From 'fas,' not 'fastus' (prev.); consider 'dies fasti.') [Rare]
fatalis -e, 'fateful, destined; fatal, deadly' [Rare]
fateor fateri, fassus sum (dep.), 'admit, admit as true, confess, give assent' [Freq.]
faticanus (and faticinus) -a -um, 'prophetic'(From fatum + cano) [Rare]
fatidicus -a -um, 'prophetic' [UnCommon]
fatifer -fera -ferum, 'deadly, fatal' [Rare]
fatigatio -onis, f., 'exhaustion' [UnCommon]
fatigo -are, 'tire, wear out, make weary, bother, exhaust, wear down' [Freq.]
fatiloquus -a -um, 'prophetic' [Rare]
fatisco -ere (and fatiscor -i, dep.), 'split open; be exhausted' [Rare]
fatuitas -tatis, f., 'silliness, foolishness' [Rare]
fatum -i, m., 'Fate; "that which has been spoken" = destiny, that which the Fates pre-ordain; "Doom"'Note: Actually connected with the verb 'for, fari, fatum,' "speak," in the sense of "that which has been said, what is fated," assuming that everything in the world is pre-ordained. We just find out about it bit by bit and call it Fate. This kind of point of view can really color the way a society thinks. In the modern West, we believe that nothing is pre-ordained, that we engineer the future, either well or ill, solely by our efforts. This entails a great deal of responsibity, and also guilt in the face of failure, which the ancient Romans and modern Moslems do not have to deal with. [VeryFreq.]
fauces -ium, f. pl., 'mouth, throat, "jaws," gullet; a gulley (geog.)' [VeryFreq.]
fausa -ae, f., 'maid-servant' [Rare]
faustitas -tatis, f., 'fair weather'(Hor. 4.5.18; see next.) [Rare]
faustus -a -um, 'fortunate, lucky'Note: How ironically Marlowe's and Goethe's Dr. Faustus was named--and also "Lucky" in Beckett's "Waiting for Godot." [Common]
fautor -oris, m., 'promoter' [Common]
fautrix -icis, f., 'a patroness' [UnCommon]
faveo favere favi fautum, 'fawn, be favorably disposed toward, devoted to, partial to' [Freq.]
favilla -ae, f., 'ashes, fly-ash; anything burned up; the ash from cremation; powder'Note: One cannot help thinking of the 'Dies irae, dies illa / qua solvimus in favilla . . . ,' attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas. But Berlioz' sudden trombones at the back of the hall give this text a special thrust. [Rare]
favitor -oris, m., see fautor favor -oris, m., 'favor, partiality, support; enthusiastic applause' [Freq.]
favorabilis -e, 'favorably or well-received' [Common]
favus -i, m., 'honey-comb' [UnCommon]
fax -cis, f., 'torch (of wood with pine-resined, wick wrappings), marriage-torch (in wedding ritual); the torch of love; celestial lights; arson'Note: "Carrying the torch" for someone may have Classical origins. [VeryFreq.]
febricula -ae, f., 'a slight fever' [Rare]
febris -is, f., 'fever' Note: The goddess, 'Febris,' "Our Lady of Fevers," was an important Roman minor-diety, with a large following, since the Roman 'campagna' [fields near town] was malarial until well into Imperial times, when draining of the marshes was completed. The Romans had no idea about the malarial connection to the anopheles mosquito, but they knew enough to drain marshes. [Common]
Februa -orum, n., 'the Feast of Purification'Note: February, as the month of purifications, is natural before March, which in the older Roman calendar is the start of the sowing season and the first month in the new year. September, October, November, and December were correctly numbered in the system where March was the first. February was the last month of the old calendar, and for this reason the intercalary or "leap" days were added there. 'Februarius' as a month is the adj. form. See 'intercalaris' and 'parentalia' for notes. [Rare]
fecunditas -tatis, f., 'fertility (genetically or of the imagination)' [UnCommon]
fecundo -are, 'fertilize' [Rare]
fecundus -a -um, 'fertile (physically and genetically), fruitful, abundant, having a fertile imagination' [Freq.]
fel fellis, n., 'gall; bitterness; anger, rage, hostility' (Thought of as "liver-bile"? The Romans were not sure about the origin of bile.) [Common]
feles -is, f., 'a cat'Note: "Felix the Cat" is a bilingual pun, 'felix feles,' dating from the days when Latin was part of every high school education and could be appreciated even in a comic strip. Felix was replaced by Garfield, who has nothing but an antique Presidential name and a big appetite. See felix. [Common]
felicitas -tatis, f., 'good luck, happiness, success' [Freq.]
felix -icis, 'fruitful, luck-bringing; happy; fortunate, prosperous' [VeryFreq.]
femen see femur femina -ae, f., 'woman, wife, any female' [VeryFreq.]
femineus -a -um, 'woman's, womanly; womanish (of a man)' [Freq.]
femur -oris (or -inis), n., 'the thigh, thighbone' [Freq.]
fenestra -ae, f., 'a window, any opening in a wall (mil.)' [Common]
feralis -e, 'funereal, deathly, deadly'(See 'inferiae,' "funerals") [Freq.]
ferax -acis, 'bearing (of land), fruitful, productive' [Common]
ferculum -i, n., 'tray for food; serving'(From fero) [Rare]
fere (also ferme), adv., 'almost, just about, virtually; generally' [VeryFreq.]
ferentarius -i, m., 'a light-armed soldier' [Rare]
feretrum -i, n., '(funerary) bier, casket' [Rare]
feriae -arum, f. pl., 'holy-days, holidays' [Freq.]
feriatus -a -um, 'on a holiday; of a 'holy' day' [Common]
ferina -ae, f., 'game meat; venison'(From 'fera,' "wild animals." See ferus.) [Rare]
ferinus -a -um, 'of wild animals' [UnCommon]
ferio -ire, 'strike, hit, smash' [Common]
feritas -tatis, f., 'wildness (of animals), savagery, inhumanity' [Common]
fermentum -i, n., 'yeast, fermented stuff' [UnCommon]
fero ferre tuli latum, 'bear, carry, transport; betake oneself, go (bear oneself); bear (in sense of birth); bear (with) = endure; bear (crops, fruit); bear (news, reports, information, gossip), tell, report' [VeryFreq.]
ferocia -ae, f., 'ferocity, wildness' [Common]
ferocitas -tatis, f., 'courage, untamed spirit'(= ferocia) [UnCommon]
ferox -ocis, 'fierce, wild, savage, defiant' [Freq.]
ferramenta -orum, n. pl., 'iron tools'(From ferrum) [UnCommon]
ferraria -orum, n. pl., 'iron mines' [Rare]
ferrarius -i, m., 'blacksmith' [Rare]
ferratus -a -um, 'of forced labor; of a chain gang (of slaves)' [Rare]
ferreus -a -um, 'made of iron, steel; (hence) hard as iron, inhuman, unfeeling' [Freq.]
ferriaelinus -a -um, 'iron-clanking' [Rare]
ferriterium -i, n., 'iron-grindery'(See tero) [Rare]
ferriterus -a -um, 'wearing out iron'(Of slaves in chains . . . ) [Rare]
ferritribax -acis, 'iron-rubbing' (See prev.) [Rare]
ferrugineus (and ferruginus) -a -um, 'rust-colored; of a hue ranging from purple to black' [Common]
ferrugo -inis, f., see ferrugineusferrum -i, n., 'iron, iron ore; an iron object, knife, sword; a gladiatorial contest' [VeryFreq.]
fertilis -e, 'fertile, productive (animals and earth)'(From 'fero,' in the sense of "bear.") [Freq.]
fertilitas -tatis, f., 'fertility' [Common]
fertum (ferctum) -i, n., 'a sacrificial cake' [Rare]
ferula -ae, f., 'the herb fennel; a stick, cane, rod' [Common]
ferus -a -um, 'wild (of animals), savage, inhuman, fierce, cruel, barbarous, violent' [Freq.]
fervefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'make boil, heat up, melt' [Rare]
fervens -entis, 'hot, heated; sick, feverish; ardent (emotionally)' [Freq.]
ferveo fervere ferbui (also, fervo fervere fervi), 'boil, be hot; seethe (of the sea); boil with activity, burn with passion' [Freq.]
fervesco -escere, 'become hot, seethe' [UnCommon]
fervidus -a -um, 'hot, boiling, excited, aroused with passion, hot-headed' [Freq.]
fervor -oris, m., 'heat, elevated temperature, mental agitation, passion' [Freq.]
Fescennia -ae, f., 'Fescennial verse'Note: These are joking, often indecent verses probably employed to avoid the "Evil Eye." Soldiers recited such verses when preceding a victorious general in a triumphal procession. [See Suetonius' life of Julius for several examples about the bald adulterer seducing Roman wives, or his relations with Nicomedes.] The verse itself, of which we have some 600 individual lines, is called Saturnian, an accentually-based relic from the days before Rome converted its poetry to Greek style prosody. [UnCommon]
fessus -a -um (ppl. from fateor), 'tired, weary, exhausted, depressed' [Freq.]
festinatio -onis, f., 'haste, speed, hurry' [UnCommon]
festino -are, 'hurry, rush, hasten' [Freq.]
festinus -a -um, 'hastening, hasty' [Common]
festivus -a -um, 'festive; cheery, jovial' [Common]
festuca -ae, f., 'straw, stem of a plant; wand used in ceremony of freeing slaves; a battering ram (mil.)' [Rare]
festus -a -um, 'of a holy day, holiday-like; festive' [Freq.]
fetialis -is, m., 'one of a board of priests dealing with non-Roman people (in issues of war)' [Rare]
fetura -ae, f., 'breeding, pregnancy, giving birth; laying eggs' [UnCommon]
fetus -a -um, 'having given birth (of females), pregnant, "fruitful"'(See next) [Common]
fetus -us, m., 'bringing forth, bearing; offspring, "the young," fruit of plants, grain, etc.' (The word includes the meaning of the English, "fetus," but is much more generalized in use. See prev.) [Freq.]
fibra -ae, f., 'fibrous sheath of plants; a lobe of any internal organ; the viscera, bowels, "innards"' [Freq.]
fibula -ae, f., 'a pin (for sewing garments), "safety pin" (i.e. a safe, locking, bent pin); bolt, pin (in buildings)Note: Martial and Juvenal use it as a pin put through the prepuce [foreskin] to prevent a man from having sex, the male analogue to the medieval chastity belt for women. [Freq.]
ficedula -ae, f., 'a small bird valued by gourmets'(Apicius gives an enticing recipe!) [Rare]
fictilis -e, 'earthenware, made of terracotta' [Common]
fictio -onis, f., 'a shaping, fashioning; feigning, faking' [Common]
fictor -oris, m., 'craftsman at moulding; one who makes . . . ' [Rare]
fictura -ae, f., 'a forming, fashioning' [Rare]
fictus -a -um (ppl. from fingo), 'formed, created, invented, made up' [Freq.]
ficus -i (also -us), f., 'a fig; the fig tree'Note: Also used of hemorroids, from their fig-shaped protuberances; and, by Juvenal, in reference to those homosexuals who preferred a "passive," or pseudo-female, role. [Freq.]
fidelia -ae, f., 'an earthenware pot'Note: Remember the old proverb, 'Fidelia spectata non fervet.' [Rare]
fidelis -e, 'faithful, trustworthy, loyal'(See prev.) [Freq.]
fidelitas -tatis, f., 'faithfulness, trust, fidelity' [UnCommon]
fidens -entis (ppl. from fido), 'confident, assured, bold, faithful' [Rare]
fidentia -ae, f., 'self-assuredness' [Rare]
fides -ei, f., 'faith, trust, good-faith, a guarantee, a commitment, good-reputation; honesty, loyalty, belief' (See next) [VeryFreq.]
fides -is, f., 'the lyre; lyre-strings'Note: The Engl. "fiddle" and "violin" both come from this word, although by different routes of transmission. See prev. [Rare]
fidicen -cinis, m., 'lyre-player, lyric writer' [UnCommon]
fidicina -ae, f., 'female lyre-player' [Rare]
fidicula -ae, f., 'a little lyre'Note: Also an instrument of torture with frame and strings like a lyre, apparently used to make someone "sing." [Rare]
fidius (only in phrase: 'medius-fidius' =), 'so help me God'Note: An old oath, in which the 'medius' is "me," 'dius' refers to the deity, while 'fidius' relates to 'fides.' The phrase originally meant: "as God is my witness." [UnCommon]
fido fidere fisus sum (semi-dep.), 'be confident, be confident that . . . ' [Common]
fiducia -ae, f., 'trust, confidence; a trust (leg.); guaranteed transfer of funds' [Freq.]
fiduciarius -a -um, 'held in trust (leg.), fiduciary' [Rare]
fidus -a -um, 'faithful, trustworthy, trusty, honest' [Freq.]
figo figere fixi fixum, 'fix, fasten (by driving a pin through), nail up, nail down, fix in position; fix in the mind; fix the eyes, stare' [VeryFreq.]
figularis -e, 'of a potter' [Rare]
figulus -i, m., 'a potter' [Rare]
figura -ae, f., 'form, shape; appearance, a portrait; the form (of handwriting, of a speech)' [VeryFreq.]
figuratio -onis, f., 'fashioning, designing, deception' [Common]
filia -ae, f., 'daughter'(Compare 'filius,' "son") [Freq.]
filicatus -a -um, 'embossed with fern leaves'(From filix) [Rare]
filiola -ae, f., 'little daughter' [Rare]
filiolus -i, m., 'little son' [Rare]
filius -i, m., 'son' [Freq.]
filix -icis, f., 'a fern'(Perhaps a "good-for-nothing person" in Petronius?) [Rare]
filum -i, n., 'thread, string; the "thread" of one's character; appearance, build' (The threads spun by the fates are denoted by this same word.) [Freq.]
fimbriae -arum, f. pl., 'fringe; fringe of hair' [UnCommon]
fimbriatus -a -um, 'fringed' [Rare]
fimus -i, m. (and fimum -i, n.), 'dung, manure'(See stercus) [Rare]
findo findere fidi fissum, 'split apart, split (as wood), cleave, divide in two, halve' [Freq.]
fingo fingere finxi fictum, 'mould, shape, form (of clay, etc.), create, sculpt (in clay); fix up, adorn (hair); compose writings, invent, imagine; act in a "made up" manner, i.e. hypocritically'(From this, 'fictus -a -um,' ppl., "feigned," and 'fictum,' "a lie.") [Common]
finio -ire -ivi -itum, 'mark boundaries, set limits or terminal points, define; stop, cease, kill/be killed (i.e. "terminated"); finally come to the end' [VeryFreq.]
finis -is, m., 'boundary; territory; a limit, far-point, termination, death (as life's end), end, purpose' [VeryFreq.]
finitimus (and finitumus) -a -um, 'near, adjacent, neighboring; (as noun in pl.) neighbors' [Freq.]
finitor -oris, m., 'limiter' [Rare]
fio fieri factus sum (used as pass. of facio), 'happen, take place, occur, be done, be instituted as law'Note: This verb functions independently as formal replacement for the passive forms of facio, since passive forms of 'facio' cannot occur. But, strangely, all forms of 'fio' are active! [VeryFreq.]
firmamen -inis, n., 'a prop' [Rare]
firmamentum -i, n., 'a propping up, shoring up, strengthening, support' [Freq.]
firmator -oris, m., 'upholder' [Rare]
firmitas -tatis , f., 'strength, stability, steadfastness' [Common]
firmitudo -dinis, f., 'strength, firmness' [Freq.]
firmo -are, 'make strong, firm; confirm laws; strengthen a position (mil.); strengthen the mind, spirits; confirm, affirm' [Freq.]
firmus -a -um, 'firm, strong, reliable' [Common]
fiscella (and fiscina) -ae, f., 'wicker basket' (See 'fiscus,' next) [Rare]
fiscus -i, m., 'a basket; money bag or box; under the Empire, the official "Treasury Department"' Note: The all-important, economic term, 'fiscal,' comes from this humble origin in an ancient shopping basket. [Common]
fissilis -e, 'that which can be split; split' [Rare]
fissio -onis, f., 'splitting, cleaving, dividing' [Rare]
fistuca -ae, f., '(stalk) tube, Pan's pipe, water-pipe; whistling (= disapproval at theater)' (See 'exsibilo' and 'explaudo' as parallels for this last meaning.) [Freq.]
fistulator -oris, m., 'pipe-player' [Rare]
fixus -a -um (ppl. from figo), 'fixed, firm, set' [Common]
flabellum -i, n., 'fan, hand fan'(From 'flo flare,' "blow") [Rare]
flabilis -e, '(fanning) windy' [Rare]
flabra -orum, n. pl., 'gust of wind' [Rare]
flacceo -ere, 'drop, flag, loose strength'(See flaccus) [Rare]
flaccesco flaccescere flaccui, 'begin to flag, tire; wear out'(= flacceo) [Rare]
flaccidus -a -um, 'flabby; weak, languid' [Rare]
flaccus -a -um, 'droopy; droopy-eared (specifically)'Note: Many Roman names were uncomplimentary, as the name of Q. Horatius Flaccus. Since Horace was short and fat, droopy if not droopy-eared, the name may have been quite appropriate, however it was arrived at. See cognomen. [Rare]
flagello -are, 'whip' [Freq.]
flagellum -i, n., 'a whip, lash; tendrils of a plant' [Freq.]
flagitatio -onis, f., 'request' [Rare]
flagitator -oris, m., 'one who aggressively demands' [Rare]
flagitiosus -a -um, 'disgraceful, shocking' [Common]
flagitium -i, n., 'disgrace, public dishonor, any shameful, criminal act, an outrage' [Freq.]
flagito -are, 'demand, request' (This is a very aggressive word, unlike the formal and civil verb, 'peto.') [Freq.]
flagro -are, 'burn, flame, shine out; be in revolution (pol.), flare up; be (emotionally) ablaze' [Freq.]
flagrum -i, n., 'a whip; a whipping' [UnCommon]
flamen -inis, n., 'a blast of wind'(See next) [UnCommon]
flamen -inis, m., 'a priest dedicated to the cult of one god; a priest of the Imperial ruler's spirit'(See prev.) [Common]
flaminica -ae, f., 'priestess, priest's wife (pagan period)' [Rare]
flamma -ae, f., 'flame, fire, torch, heat; passion' [VeryFreq.]
flammesco -escere, 'blaze up' [Rare]
flammeum -i, n., 'bridal veil' [Common]
flammeus -a -um, 'fiery, flaming' [Common]
flammifer -fera -ferum, 'flaming' [Common]
flammo -are, 'flame; inflame (with passion, anger, etc.)' [Common]
flammula -ae, f., 'little flame, flame-let' [Rare]
flatura -ae, f., '(casting of metals) analysis of a metal = "assay"; analysis of a person's character'Note: This term shows that the Romans were acquainted with the process of open-hearth smelting of iron, by which air (for its oxygen) is blown across the mass of molted metal to combine with carbon and various other materials, which come off as slag. This was the standard process for all nations until the Bessemer process appeared in the early 19th century. [Rare]
flatus -us, m., 'blowing, wind, breath, "blowing one's horn" = speaking with too much pride' [Freq.]
flavens -entis, 'yellow, goldish' [UnCommon]
flaveo -ere, 'be yellow, shine yellow, golden' [Common]
flavesco -escere, 'become yellow or gold-colored' [Rare]
flavus -a -um, 'yellow; blond-haired'Note: This coloration was fashionable in Rome, traceable to Germanic genes. The word comes from IE. bhleu-, giving Lat. 'flavus,' "blond," and also Engl. "blue," Germ. "blau," the apparent verbal switch of meaning coming from the blond-haired/blue-eyed genetic pairing. [Common]
flebilis -e, 'worth arguing over, crying over; lamentable' [Common]
flecto flectere flexi flexum, 'curve, deflect, turn aside, direct (attention); alter, change; soften (de-flect) feelings' [Freq.]
fleo flere flevi fletum, 'weep, cry, wail' [Freq.]
fletus -a -um (ppl. of fleo), 'wept for, lamented' (See next) [Common]
fletus -us, m., 'weeping, lamentation'(See prev.) [Common]
flexibilis -e, 'bendable, flexible' [UnCommon]
flexilis -e, 'flexible, curled, curlable' [Rare]
flexio -onis, f., 'bending; alteration of the voice, modulation' [UnCommon]
flexipes -pedis, 'flex-footed' ( . . . a description of ivy growing.) [Rare]
flexuosus -a -um, 'sinuous, twisty' [UnCommon]
flexus -a -um, 'curving, twisting'(See next) [UnCommon]
flexus -us, m., 'bend, bend of a river, curve, turn; change of voice or inflection in speech'(See prev.) [Freq.]
flectus -us, m., 'clash' [Rare]
flo flare flavi flatum, 'blow, breath; blow in a wind-instrument; use a blast of air in melting metals (blast furnace)'(See flatura) [VeryFreq.]
floccus -i, m., 'a tuft of wool; (hence) a thing of no value'(To "make somebody of . . . (gen. of value) a tuft of wool" = "consider him or her worthless.") [UnCommon]
floreo -ere -ui, 'flower, bloom, be colorful, develop fuzz (whiskers on an adolescent male); flourish, be famous' [Freq.]
floresco -escere, 'flower (of plants, persons); be flourishing' [UnCommon]
floreus -a -um, 'flowery, flowering' [Common]
floridus -a -um, 'flowering, highly colored, blooming with youth; with flowery rhetoric' [Freq.]
florifer -fera -ferum, 'flower-bearing' [Rare]
florilegus -a -um, 'culling flowers' [Rare]
flos floris, m., 'flower, brightness; flower of youth, a "florescent" or adolescent beard; youthful beauty, the "flower" of a generation' [VeryFreq.]
flosculus -i, m., 'flower; the "flower" of . . . (i.e. the best of . . . )' [Common]
fluctifragus -a -um, 'of waves breaking (on the shore)' [Rare]
fluctuo -are, 'surge (of waves), be tossed by waves; be in a confused state (of mind); be unsure, vacillating (like waves)' [Freq.]
fluctuor -ari -atus (dep.), see fluctuofluctuosus -a -um, 'wavy (of the sea)' [Rare]
fluctus -us, m., 'waves (of the sea); flood; a rush of waves' [Freq.]
fluentum -i, n., 'stream, flood' [Rare]
fluidus -a -um, 'flowing, fluid; soft and formless'(Used of non-liquids also.) [Common]
fluito -are, 'flow; float, be floated; flow (of hair, garments); flow in gait = wobble' [Freq.]
flumen -inis, n., 'river; flow, flood; torrent of words' [VeryFreq.]
flumineus -a -um, 'of a river' [Rare]
fluo fluere fluxi fluxum, 'flow, pour out, stream forth, melt and flow, flow (of words); originate = flow from; flow down (clothes, hair)' [VeryFreq.]
fluto (fluito) -are, 'flow, float, swim' [Rare]
fluvialis (fluviatilis) -e, 'of a river' [Rare]
fluvidus (fluidus) -a -um, 'flowing' [Rare]
fluvius -i, m., 'river, stream, flood (of blood, sweat, tears)' [Freq.]
fluxus -a -um (ppl. from fluo), 'flowing; wavering, uncertain, declining' [Common]
focale -is, n., 'scarf'Note: Used at Rome not for the sporty, but for the sick and hypochondriac. [Rare]
foculum -i, n., 'stove, oven' [Rare]
foculus -i, m., 'little portable stove (used in religious rituals)' [UnCommon]
focus -i, m., 'hearth, fireplace (for cooking), hearth and home, hearth as altar' [Freq.]
fodico -are, 'stick, jab, poke' [Rare]
fodio fodere fodi fossum, 'stick, jab, prick; dig, plow land, dig up, mine' [Freq.]
foecundus, foecundo see fecundus, fecundo foederatus -a -um, 'confederate, allied' [Rare]
foedifragus -a -um, 'treaty-breaking' [Rare]
foeditas -tatis, f., 'ugliness, infamy' [Common]
foedo -are, 'foil, spoil, hurt, disgrace' [Freq.]
foedus -a -um, 'foul, filthy, ugly; disgraceful' (See next) [Freq.]
foedus -eris, n., 'treaty, formal international agreement; any contract, contract of marriage; the "Law of Nature"'(See prev.; the diphthong -oe- normally contracts to -u-, but is retained in words which have archaic or legal tone, as poena, Poeni, moenia, etc.) [VeryFreq.]
foen- see faen-foeteo -ere, 'stink' [Rare]
foetidus (fetidus) -a -um, 'stinking' [Rare]
foetor -oris, m., 'odor, smell, stink' [Rare]
folium - i, n., 'a leaf, leaves; a petal' [Common]
folliculus -i, m., 'a little sack; a football; husk of seed, a seed' [UnCommon]
follis -is, m., 'sack of leather; a football; balloon' [Common]
fomentum -i, n., 'a poultice, compress; remedy' [UnCommon]
fomes -itis, m., 'tinder, kindling for a fire'(From 'foveo,' "nourish, keep warm") [UnCommon]
fons fontis, m., 'spring of water, source of a river; source, origin, "fountainhead"' [VeryFreq.]
fontanus -a -um, 'of a spring or fountain' [Rare]
fonticulus -i, m., 'a little spring' [Rare]
for fari fatus (dep.), 'speak, give a speech, say, tell' Note: The noun, 'fatum,' "fate," is based on the past ppl. of this verb; "that which is spoken, foreordained," a notion more in keeping with the Islamic than the Hebraeo-Christian tradition. See fatum and note. [VeryFreq.]
forabilis -e, 'penetrable' [Rare]
foramen -inis, n., 'hole, perforation, socket'(Note modern med. term, "foramen magnum," the hole for the spine in the base of the skull.) [Common]
foras adv., 'out of the house, out of doors, away from home; away, far away' [Freq.]
forceps -cipis, m. (and f.), 'a pair of tongs' [Rare]
forda -ae, f., 'a pregnant cow' [Rare]
fore (archaic future infinitive from esse) = futurum esse, 'to be about to be'(This form disappeared from general use after the time of Catullus, except in archaizing passages in later writers.) [Common]
forem (archaic impf. subj. to sum, esse) = essem(See prev.) [Common]
forensis -e, 'of the Forum, public, forensic' [Freq.]
forfex -ficis, f., 'shears; tongs' [Rare]
foris -is, f., 'door, pair of doors; entrance' Note: Usually used in the plural for double doors hung at the posts, otherwise called 'valvae.' The use of double hung doors stemmed from the difficulty of mounting the great weight of a single door, with its stiles and rails and panels, on a sufficiently strong and well supported set of hinges. In the days of thin ply-veneer doors, lightly braced with glued-in cardboard strips, we forget how heavy a solid wooden door can be. [Freq.]
foris adv., 'outside, on the outside, away from the building; from without; outside Rome' [Common]
forma -ae, f., 'form, appearance, beauty; nature, configuration; image (in art), outline, diagram' [VeryFreq.]
formalis -e, 'serving as a model' [Rare]
formamentum -i, n., 'arrangement' [Rare]
formator -oris, m., 'former' [Rare]
formatura -ae, f., 'forming, shaping' [Rare]
formica -ae, f., 'an ant'Note: The chemical reagant, "formic acid," is the same stuff as was originally discovered in ants' stomachs. --- And the modern medical word, "formication," refers to a pathological itching on the surface of the skin, and must not be confused with the similar sounding word "fornication." [UnCommon]
formidabilis -e, 'fearful' [Rare]
formido -inis, f., 'fear, dread; a dreadful experience'(See next) [Freq.]
formido -are, 'fear'Note: Fear sometimes makes a person chilly, but this refers to the hot flush of fear. Compare Gr. 'thermos,' "hot," which is linguistically cognate. Consider Housman's phrase ". . . stood and sweated hot and cold," which covers both types of fear, as a consummate Classicist like A.E. would think of putting it. [Common]
formidolosus -a -um, 'causing fear; full of fear' [Rare]
formo -are, 'form, shape; form = educate; portray, (sketch, paint); form, constitute' [VeryFreq.]
formositas -tatis, f., 'beauty' [Rare]
formosus -a -um, 'handsome, beautiful' [Common]
formula -ae, f., '(nice) appearance, shape; a form (of gov't); an official (leg. or pol.) document; standard official operating procedure' [Freq.]
fornacalis -e, 'of the 'Dea Fornicalis,' "Goddess of ovens," and her holidays (in Feb.), the "oven days," or the Fornicalia' [Rare]
fornicula -ae, f., 'an oven' [Rare]
fornax -acis, f., 'oven for cooking; furnace for smelting metals' [Common]
fornix -icis, m., 'arch of an oven; arch in architecture; a stall in a brothel'Note: To this day, potters' ovens are arched for strength under the intense heat of firing. --- Prostitution was regularly practiced at the stalls in the arches under the Colisseum, whence the word's use for the stalls in a brothel, and the Engl. word, "fornication." [Freq.]
fornus see furnusforo -are, 'drill through, perforate' [Rare]
fors fortis, f., 'chance, luck; that which happens quite by random chance; destiny'Note: This is random chance, like the very popular Greek concept of 'tyche,' as against the typically Roman notion of 'fatum,' "pre-ordained destiny, or Fate." See fatum and note. [VeryFreq.]
fortiter adv., 'strongly, bravely' [Freq.]
fortis -e, 'strong, forceful, powerful, heroic (mil.)' [VeryFreq.]
fortitudo -inis, f., 'physical strength' [UnCommon]
fortuitus -a -um, 'chancy, random, happening by sheer accident' [Freq.]
fortuna -ae, f., 'fortune, luck, good luck; chance, an accidental happening; a good outcome, wealth, riches = "fortune"' Note: In large part, the same as Gr. 'Tyche,' a very popular deity in Hellenistic times, whom Romans generally equated with their deity, 'Fors Fortuna.' [VeryFreq.]
fortunatus -a -um, 'fortunate, happy, rich' [Freq.]
fortuno -are, 'make fortunate' [Rare]
foruli -orum, m. pl., 'bookcases' [Rare]
forum -i, n., 'marketplace, plaza; the (legal) Forum Romanum = court of law; the Forum as Civic Center of political life' [VeryFreq.]
forus -i, m., 'the gangway of a ship' [Rare]
fossa -ae, f., 'ditch, drainage ditch; trench (mil.)' Note: The modern term, "fossil," comes from the fact that early l9th century palaeontologists found bones in excavated areas or "ditches" in the English coalfields and riverbeds. Asbestos was even called "fossil wool" in the late l9th century. [Freq.]
fossio -onis, f., 'digging, excavation' [Rare]
fossor -oris, m., 'digger, farmer; miner; an ignorant yokel, a "ditch-digger"'(See fossa) [UnCommon]
fossura -ae, f., 'excavation' [Rare]
fovea -ae, f., 'pit, pit-trap for hunting'Note: The "fovea" of the human eye is the visually sensitive "pit" or depression at the center, which enables us to have pinpoint vision, as against the field vision of dogs and cats. [Rare]
foveo fovere fovi fotum, 'keep warm, warm up, foster, care for; caress; favor, side with, aid, encourage, further the interests of' [VeryFreq.]
fractus -a -um (ppl. from frango), 'broken (of land, strength, sports); "broken" = not masculine, effeminate' [Common]
fraga -orum, n. pl, 'strawberries' [UnCommon]
fragilis -e, 'fragile, breakable; not permanent' [Common]
fragilitas -tatis, f., 'fragility; impermanence' [UnCommon]
fragmen -minis, n., 'a broken-off piece; the act of breaking' [UnCommon]
fragmentum -i, n., 'a piece broken off' [Common]
fragor -oris, m., 'breaking; the sound of breaking; cracking; uproar, tumult' [UnCommon]
fragosus -a -um, 'breakable, brittle, broken up' [UnCommon]
fragrans -ntis, 'fragrant, sweet-smelling' [Common]
fragro -are, 'to smell sweet' [Rare]
frango frangere fregi fractum, 'break, split, break down = wear out, "break" a populace, curb, tame' [Freq.]
frater -tris, m., 'brother, "brother" = comrade ( [Rare]
ly)' [VeryFreq.]
fraterculus -i, m., 'little brother' [Rare]
fraternitas -tatis, f., 'brotherly association' [Rare]
fraternus -a-um, 'of a brother, brotherly' [UnCommon]
fratricida -ae, m., 'one who kills a brother, a fratricide' [Rare]
fraudatio -onis, f., 'fraud' [Rare]
fraudator -oris, m., 'swindler' [Rare]
fraudo -are, 'deceive, trick, cheat of money, embezzle' [Freq.]
fraudulentia -ae, f., 'deceitfulness' [Rare]
fraudulentus -a -um, 'fraudulent' [UnCommon]
fraus fraudis, f., 'cheating, fraud, dishonesty' [Freq.]
fraxineus (and fraxinus) -a -um, 'of ash-wood' [Rare]
fraxinus -i, f., 'an ash tree' [UnCommon]
fremebundus -a -um, 'roaring' [Rare]
fremitus -us, m., 'roar; mumble; the roar of applause' [Rare]
fremo -ere -ui -itum, 'roar, murmur' [Freq.]
fremor -oris, m., 'hum, murmur' [Rare]
freno -are, 'rein in (a horse), bridle; curb; restrain' [Freq.]
frendo -ere, 'grind (teeth); grind up (grain)' [Common]
frenum -i, n. (but pl. also: freni -orum, m.), 'bridle, reins (of a horse), the "curb" and "check" reins; control, restraint'(The neuter pl. is [Common]
in poetry, elsewhere the plural is generally in the masculine; the sg. is used less.) [Freq.]
frequens -entis, 'closely packed, densely placed, crowded; occurring [Freq.]
ly, regularly' [Freq.]
[Freq.]
atio -onis, f., 'crowding' [Rare]
[Freq.]
ia -ae, f., 'a densely-packed formation, crowd, throng; multitude; dense population' [Freq.]
[Freq.]
o -are, 'fill densely with . . . ; throng, pack in; repeat over and over, do over and over (as a ritual)' [Freq.]
fretum -i, n., 'straits, channel, narrows (characterized by turbulent waters)' [Freq.]
fretus -i, m., 'straits, channel, narrows (with turbulent waters)' (See next) [Freq.]
fretus -a -um, 'relying on, confiding in'(Takes an abl. obj.; see prev.) [Common]
frico fricare fricui frictum (and fricatum), 'rub, polish down, scrub' [Common]
frigeo -ere, 'be cold (physically); be chilly towards . . . ; be cold with old age' [Freq.]
frigesco -escere, 'be cold or chilly; lose one's warmth for . . . ; turn a cold shoulder toward' [Common]
frigida -ae, f., '(with 'aqua' understood) the cold water at the baths used after the sauna'(The 'calida' is the hot water used first.) [Rare]
frigidus -a -um, 'cold, chilly, torpid (by heat loss), weak'(See 'frigo' [next] for the opposite notion.) [Common]
frigo frigere frixi frictum, 'roast, "fry"'(See prev., obviously with no connection.) [UnCommon]
frigus -oris, n., 'the cold, chilling weakness of chilled old age; (emotional) coldness' [Freq.]
friguttio -ire, 'stutter' [Rare]
frio -are, 'crumble, pulverize'(Compare Engl. "friable" earth, as a good garden base.) [Rare]
fritillus -i, m., 'dice box'Note: The Romans threw dice from a cup or box, rather than from the "cupped" hand as we do. In the 'Apocolocyntosis,' Seneca pictures the emperor Claudius in Hell trying to throw dice from a 'fritillum' without a bottom, as the ultimate example of pointlessness and imbecillity. [Rare]
frivolus -a -um, 'worthless, trivial, trifling, frivolous' [Common]
frondator -oris, m., 'a pruner of trees' [Rare]
frondeo -ere, 'be in leaf' [Rare]
frondesco -escere, 'put forth leaves' [Rare]
frondeus -a -um, 'leafy' [Rare]
frondifer -fera -ferum, 'leaf-bearing' [Rare]
frondosus -a -um, 'full of leaves, leafy' [UnCommon]
frons frondis, f., 'a branch with foliage; foliage, frond'(Not 'frons, frontis,' "forehead," an entirely different word. See next.) [Common]
frons frontis, f., 'forehead, brow, countenance, face; thoughfulness, modesty; the "Front," front-lines (mil); the front of . . . '(See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
frontalia -ium, n. pl., 'head trappings (of elephant troops)' [Rare]
fronto -onis, f., 'a man with a bulging forehead'Note: This is the name of the late letter-writer, Fronto, who in Greek would etymologically be 'Plato,' but for a grand lack of talent and being born a a Roman. See cognomen. [Rare]
fructuosus -a -um, 'fruitful (of land), profitable and financially fruitful' [Common]
fructus -us, m., 'fruit, crops, produce; enjoyment of fruits, crops; enjoyment, pleasure' [VeryFreq.]
frugalis -e, 'frugal, parsimonious, economical' [UnCommon]
frugalitas -tatis, f., 'frugality; Roman-style solidness of personality, conservative morals; self-restraint' [UnCommon]
frugi 'a good man, sober and sane, solid, trustworthy'(Actually the dat. sing. of frux, "for produce or profit," used as an indeclinable adjective mainly with persons, often used of social inferiors and slaves.) [Common]
frugifer -fera -ferum, 'productive, fruitful' [UnCommon]
frugiferens -entis, see frugifer [Rare]
frugilegus -a -um, 'grain-collecting' [Rare]
frugiparus -a -um, 'grain-producing' [Rare]
frumentarius -a -um, 'pertaining to the grain supply' [Freq.]
frumentatio -onis, f., 'gathering up of grain supplies' [Common]
frumentator -oris, m., 'a grain-gatherer (mil)' [Rare]
frumentor -ari (dep.), 'search about for grain (mil.)' [Rare]
frumentum -i, n., 'grain, the grain supply' [Freq.]
fruniscor -nisci -nitus sum (dep.), 'enjoy' [UnCommon]
fruor frui fructus (and fruitus) sum (dep.), 'enjoy, take pleasure in, enjoy having . . . , find enjoyable' (Utor, fungor, fruor, vescor, and potior [which can sometimes take a gen. obj.] all take abl. objects.) [Freq.]
frustillatim adv., 'bit by bit, by small pieces' [Rare]
frustra adv., 'in vain' [VeryFreq.]
frustramen -inis, n., 'error' [Rare]
frustratim adv., 'bit by bit, by small pieces' [Rare]
frustratio -onis, f., 'trick; failure' [UnCommon]
frustro -are, 'deceive; be frustrated, be deceived; be balked at' [Freq.]
frustror -ari (dep.), 'be frustrated, deceived; be balked at . . . ' [Freq.]
frustrum adv., 'in vain (used of impossible situations, efforts)' [Common]
frustulentus -a -um, 'scrappy, "crumb-y"'(From frustum, not frustra.) [Rare]
frustum -i, n., 'scrap of food, morsel, bite, chunk of bread' [Common]
frutectum -i, n., 'thicket, shrubbery' [Rare]
frutex -ticis, m., 'shrub, bush; "shrub!" = dolt' [UnCommon]
fruticetum see frutictumfrutico -are, 'put forth fronds; grow hair wildly' [Rare]
fruticosus -a -um, 'bushy, thickety' [Rare]
frux frugis, f., 'fruit, grain, crops; maturity; moral virtue' (The nom. sing. is not often used. See frugi.) [VeryFreq.]
fuco -are, 'dye, stain, color; use cosmetics'(See fucus) [Common]
fucosus -a -um, 'dyed, painted, fake' [Rare]
fucus -i, m., 'seaweed; the red dye from certain seaweeds; cosmetic coloring; sham, fakery; "dressing up" (of style)'(See next) [Freq.]
fucus -i, m., 'a drone-bee (the male)'(See prev.) [Rare]
fuga -ae, f., 'flight, retreat (mil.), desertion (mil.), flight (in the air), flight from, avoidance of . . . ; escape' [VeryFreq.]
fugax -acis, 'prone to run away (of slaves); fleeing, fast-moving' [Common]
fugio fugere fugi fugitum, 'run away, flee, move away fast, escape, disappear, avoid; (impersonal) it flees me = I forgot'(Consider the expression, 'fuge quaerere' (Hor.), as meaning something like "perish the thought of asking!" See fugo.) [VeryFreq.]
fugitivus -a -um, 'run-away (slaves, animals); (as noun) runaway slaves' [UnCommon]
fugito -are, 'flee, run off from, desert; avoid' [UnCommon]
fugo -are, 'cause to run away, put to flight, rout (mil.), banish'(As compared to 'fugio,' this is a causative verb, but from the same root. See fugio.) [Freq.]
fulcimen -inis, n., 'a prop' [Rare]
fulcio fulcire fulsi fultum, 'hold up, support; stand on, be supported by, tread on' [Freq.]
fulcrum -i, m. (and fulctrum -i, n.), 'a support, the back-rest of a couch'Note: Evidence for the word, 'fulcrum,' as used in leverage seems absent from our Latin texts, although the Romans certainly knew about levers and used them often. [UnCommon]
fulgeo fulgere fulsi, 'shine, gleam, glitter, be conspicuous' [Common]
fulgidus -a -um, 'shining' [Rare]
fulgo -ere, see fulgeofulgor -oris, m., 'brightness, flash of light, lightning, brilliance' [Freq.]
fulgur -uris, n., 'a flash of lightning; any flash, spark'(This is a very large flash, while a small one is 'mica,' "spark.") [Common]
fulgurator -oris, m., 'a priest who interprets omens from lightning' [Rare]
fulguro -are, 'flash lightning; shine, gleam' [UnCommon]
fulica -ae, f., 'a water-bird' [Rare]
fuligo -inis, f., 'soot, carbon-black' [Common]
fullo -onis, m., 'a fuller; a "dry-cleaner"'Note: For cleaning clothes, the Romans used "fuller's earth," mined from diatomaceous deposits and used as an absorbant for oily dirt. The process was to sift Fuller's earth through dirty garments, hang them up, and beat them out until clean. Our "dry cleaning" with naptha is not dry at all, while in the larger cities the term "French dry cleaning" is used for fuller's earth cleaning. [UnCommon]
fulmen -inis, n., 'a stroke of lightning' [Freq.]
fulmineus -a -um, 'of lightning' [UnCommon]
fulmino -are, 'flash lightning, destroy; be "thunderstruck"' [Common]
fultura -ae, f., 'support (= food)' [Rare]
fulvus -a -um, 'tawny, beige-colored, brownish-red; the tan-gold of a lion's mane' [Rare]
fumeus (fumidus) -a -um, 'smoky, dark' [Rare]
fumifer -fera -ferum, 'smoke-carrying; smoky' [Rare]
fumificus -a -um, 'causing smoke' [Rare]
fumo -are, 'smoke, steam; be obscured by smoke, hidden' [Common]
fumosus -a -um, 'smoky, dirty' [UnCommon]
fumus -i, m., 'smoke, steam (more commonly); smoke'(Used as figure for unsubstantial material, like English "go up in smoke.") [Freq.]
funale -is, n., 'rope-torch'(See funis) [UnCommon]
funalis -e, 'pertaining to a rope; a resined rope-torch' [UnCommon]
funabulus -i, m., 'a rope-dancer' [Rare]
functio -onis, f., 'performance (of a job)' [UnCommon]
funda -ae, f., 'a sling (the mil. weapon)' [Common]
fundamen -inis, n., 'foundation, base, substructure (arch.); basis'(See next) [Common]
fundamentum -i, n., 'foundation, base; basis' (See prev.) [Freq.]
fundator -oris, m., 'founder (of a city)'(Compare 'condo' and 'conditor,' used in similar ways.) [Rare]
fundito -are, 'pour out, shoot out; shoot with a sling' [UnCommon]
funditor -oris, m., 'a soldier with a sling'Note: Balearic slingers were known for deadly accuracy. We have lead bullets inscribed with messages like "in the eye" and "here's one for Pompey." The same tradition persisted in U.S. Air Force mottoes in WWII on the bombs of fighter planes: "One for Mussolini" or "This one's for Tojo." --- One lead sling shot is inscribed 'culo,' or "in the asshole," which must refer to the last shot at a retreating enemy. [Rare]
funditus adv., 'from the foundation up; throughout, completely'(Used on construction inscriptions--the same as Oscan, 'imaden.') [Freq.]
fundo -are, 'lay foundations of stone or concrete; found (a city), establish a practice'(See next) [Rare]
fundo fundere fudi fusum, 'pour, pour metals, pour out, gush forth, spread out; pour oneself out = lie down (in grass, on the earth)'(See prev.) [Freq.]
fundus -i, m., 'the bottom, base, foundation (arch.); a country estate, farm' [Freq.]
funebris -e, 'funereal; deadly' [UnCommon]
funereus -a -um, 'funereal' [Rare]
funero -are, 'bury (the dead); "bury" = kill' [UnCommon]
funesto -are, 'make . . . like a funeral, stain with blood, pollute' [Rare]
funestus -a -um, 'funereal, lamented, fatal, destructive' [Freq.]
funginus -a -um, 'of a mushroom' [Rare]
fungor fungi, functus sum (dep.), 'do, perform; function, go through, function as . . . '(Utor, fungor, fruor, vescor, and potior [which can sometimes take a gen. obj.] all take abl. objects.) [Freq.]
fungus -i, m., 'mushroom; a fool, "mushroom head"'Note: Since hallucinogenic mushrooms were known and used throughout the Mediterranean, especially in some well-known Greek rituals, it is possible that the second meaning of this word means something like drug-user, or "dope-head." [Common]
funiculus -i, m., 'rope, string'Note: Consider the Alpine "funicular" railways which run on a cable, although the meaning of the popular Italian song, "Funiculi-funicula," remains unclear. [Rare]
funis is, m., 'rope, cord, ship's sheet' [Common]
funus -eris, n., 'funeral; corpse; death; ruination' [VeryFreq.]
fuo fui futurus see sumfur furis, c., 'a thief' [Freq.]
furax -acis, 'inclined to steal, thievish' [UnCommon]
furca -ae, f., 'a two-tined pitchfork; a forked rod; a forked yoke (tied on a man's neck for punishment)' [UnCommon]
furcifer -fera -ferum, 'fork-bearer = villain'(See furca, last meaning.) [Rare]
furcilla -ae, f., diminutive of furcafurcillo -are, 'punish with fork'(See 'furca,' last meaning.) [Rare]
furens -ntis, 'insane, crazy' [Common]
furfur -uris, m., 'bran' [Rare]
furia -ae, f., 'madness, craziness, "The Furies" ("The Mad Avengers")' Note: The Roman 'Furiae' generally match the Gr. 'Erinyes,' but with little of the original Hellenic "pizzazz." The Roman penchant for matching up native deities with Greek ones is based on seeing superficial similarities, and tends to erase many of the specific details which characterize the Italic myths and deities. [Freq.]
furialis -e, 'of the Furies (Avengers); inducing madness' [Common]
furibundus -a -um, 'crazy, insane; mad; furious' [Common]
furinus -a -um, 'thievish'(See fur) [Rare]
furio -are, 'madden; enrage' [UnCommon]
furiosus -a -um, 'crazy, wild, out of control' [Common]
furnus -i, m., 'an oven, bakehouse' [UnCommon]
furo -ere, 'be insane, mad; be furious; be crazily fierce' [Common]
furor -ari (dep.), 'steal'(From fur) [Common]
furor -oris, m., 'madness, insanity; furor (of love, hate); violence' [VeryFreq.]
furtificus -a -um, 'thievish' [Rare]
furtim adv., 'stealthily, unnoticed (like a thief)' [Common]
furtivus -a -um, 'stolen; secret' [Common]
furtum -i, n., 'theft; concealment; deceit; a theft = that which is stolen' [Freq.]
furunculus -i, m., 'a petty robber' [Rare]
furvus -a -um, 'dark-hued, dusky; unlucky' [UnCommon]
fuscina -ae, f., 'trident-harpoon (for fishing)'(Used also on humans in gladiatorial combat under the Empire.) [Rare]
fusco -are, 'darken' [UnCommon]
fuscus -a -um, 'dark-colored, dusky, dim; husky-voiced' [Common]
fusilis -e, 'liquified' [Rare]
fusio -onis, f., 'pouring out' [Rare]
fustis -is, m., 'stick of wood; the club, as a weapon' (See 'clavis' as synonym.) [Common]
fustuarium -i, n., 'a cudgeling to death' [Rare]
fusus -a -um (ppl. from fundo), 'poured out, laid out flat'(See next) [Freq.]
fusus -i, m., 'a (weaver's) spindle'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
futtilis (futilis) -e, 'brittle; vain; worthless' [Common]
futtilitas (futilitas) -tatis, f., 'worthlessness' [Rare]
futuo -ere -i -tum, 'have sexual intercourse with'Note: This word usually has a male as subject and a female as object. -- On an ascending scale of indecency the verb 'futuo' was considered obscene, but not nearly as raw as the almost unmentionable 'depso,' which literally means "knead (bread)." It is well worth reading Cicero's revealing letter on indecent words, for which see the index in Vol. VII to the Tyrell-Purser edition of Cicero's correspondence, under 'depso.' Adams' study on Latin obscene terminology is invaluable for its information, even if nauseating in its picky and somewhat antiseptic detail. See battuo, depso, ceveo. [Rare]
futurus -a -um (future ppl. of 'sum'), 'about to be . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
fututio -onis, f., 'the act of sexual intercourse'Note: One thinks of the famous passage in Catullus, 'novem continuas fututiones,' perhaps a track record in Western Civilization, if actually 'continuas.' [Rare]
fututrix -icis, f., 'female sexual partner, mistress'Note: It might seem at first that this word is a contradiction in terms, since 'futuo' is a characteristically male word, but it is used in apposition to 'manus' and 'lingua.' [Rare]
gabata -ae, f., 'a culinary dish'(Contents unknown!) [Rare]
gaesum -i, n., 'a javelin (Gaulish)' [UnCommon]
galba -ae, f., '(the meaning is unclear, possibly:) a person with a fat face; a small animal living in ash forests'Note: This obscure noun is supposed to be the origin of the name of the Roman Emperor Galba, according to Suetonius, but the connections are not at all clear. See 'galbanum.' [UnCommon]
galbanum -i, n., 'a resinous sap'(Connected with Galba the Emperor? Perhaps, a "sap," but probably not resinous, unless addicted to the Greek wine, 'retsina.' [Sorry about that!]) [Rare]
galbeus -i, n., 'a bracelet'(See galba for possible connections.) [Rare]
galbinus -a -um, 'greenish-yellow-dyed clothes (effeminate?)' (See coccineus) [Rare]
galea -ae, f., 'helmet' [Rare]
galeatus -a -um, 'helmeted' [Rare]
galericulum -i, n., 'leather cap'(It can also be a wig.) [Rare]
galeritus -a -um, 'leather-capped' [Rare]
galerum -i, n. (and galerus -i, m.), 'a leather cap; cap of certain priests; a wig' [UnCommon]
galla -ae, f., 'gall-nut'(Medical uses; possibly for ink?) [Rare]
galliambus -i, m., 'a priest of Cybele' [Rare]
gallica -ae, f., 'a (Gallic) shoe' [Rare]
gallicinium -i, n., 'dawn, the cock's crow' ('gallina + cano'; see next) [Rare]
gallina -ae, f., 'hen' [Common]
gallinaceus -a -um, 'pertaining to domestic fowl'(See next) [UnCommon]
gallus -i, m., 'a male chicken, cock, rooster'Note: We often find 'gallus gallinaceus' used to mean "poultry," in order to avoid confusion with 'Gallus,' "a Gaulish man," just as in American English the term, "Indian Indian," means a man from India, as distinguished from an "Indian" or Native American. [Common]
Gallus -i, m., 'priest of Cybele' [Rare]
ganea -ae, f. (and ganeum -i, n.), 'a cheap diner (a person); a glutton' [UnCommon]
ganeo -onis, m., 'glutton' [Rare]
gannio -ire, 'yap, snarl, bark'(Originally used of dogs, then extended to people.) [Common]
gannitus -us, m., 'yapping, yelping, snarling' [Rare]
garrio -ire, 'babble'(This word refers to both sound and content, as in English.) [UnCommon]
garrulus -a -um, 'talkative, blabbing; babbling (of birds, streams, music)' [Common]
garum -i, n., 'salty fish-wine sauce'Note: This was a staple of Roman cooking, in use not unlike Asian "soy sauce," since both often had fish added. Apicius' extant cookbook, a repository of ancient recipes which actually work, is a healthy eye-opener for those overstuffed with literary Latin and at the same time looking for something new to eat. Use one of the newer editions; probably the best is the British edition with translation from the l950's. [Rare]
gaudeo gaudere gavisus sum (semi-dep.), 'rejoice, be glad' Note: Usually of people, but often used of things seeming to feel pleasure, as Catullus' Lydian Lake greeting him on his homecoming. Roman animism gave feelings to places, something which appears constantly in Vergil. Modern critics call the ability of Nature to feel, the "pathetic fallacy," but it is only pathetic criticism which deprives the ecological ambience of mind or 'nous.' Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, we have become accustomed to think of Nature as passive, un-alive and mechanical, something which the Romans, for all their many faults, never dreamed of. [Freq.]
gaudium -i, n., 'joy, delight, pleasure' [Freq.]
gausape -is, f. (and gausapum -i, n.), 'woolen cloth with long, uncut nap; a cloak' [UnCommon]
gaza -ae, f., 'treasure of the Orient'(Often used as synonymous with the Near East.) [Common]
gelasinus -i, m., 'dimple'Note: From Gr. 'galasma,' "a laugh, smile"; the Roman focus lights on the cheek rather than the emotion. Compared to the Greeks, the Romans tended to just see the surfaces of things! [Rare]
gelidus -a -um, 'cold, icy, frozen; frozen stiff; stiff, near dead' [Freq.]
gelo -are, 'chill, freeze' [Common]
gelu -us, n., 'frost, snow, ice; cold' [Common]
gelum -i, n., 'frost, snow, ice; cold' [Common]
gemebundus -a -um, 'groaning' [Rare]
gemellipara -ae, f., 'twin-bearing (of females)' [Rare]
gemellus -a -um, 'twin, twin-like' [UnCommon]
geminatio -onis, f., 'doubling, repeating' [Rare]
gemino -are, 'double, duplicate; increase' [Common]
geminus -a -um, 'a twin (by birth); identical, in a pair, double, duplicate; the constellation Gemini' [Freq.]
gemitus -us, m., 'a sigh, groan' [Common]
gemma -ae, f., 'gem-stone, signet; crystal glassware; a lamp of amber (fossilized resin); a checker piece (Martial)'(See 'electrum' for explanation of amber.) [Freq.]
gemmeus -a -um, 'made of or set with jewels' [Rare]
gemmifer -fera -ferum, 'bearing or producing gems' [UnCommon]
gemo gemere gemui gemitum, 'groan, roar; emit a hollow sound; lament, grieve' [Freq.]
gena -ae, f., 'cheek; eyes; eyelid' [Freq.]
genealogus -i, m., 'a genealogist' [Rare]
gener -eri, m., 'son-in-law' [Common]
generalis -e, 'general, generic, dealing with "class" qualities' [Common]
generasco -ere, 'come to be born' [Rare]
generatim adv., 'by class, according to their kind' [UnCommon]
generator -oris, m., 'producer' [Rare]
genero -are, 'beget, sire, create; create (feelings, ideas, etc.)' [Freq.]
generosus -a -um, 'of good stock, high-born, noble in spirit; "well-bred"'(Has many of the attributes of the Greek term, "kalos kai agathos.") [Freq.]
genesis -is, f., 'birth (from an astrological point of view)' [Rare]
genetivus -a -um, 'inborn' Note: The genitive case is generally thought of as a simple possessive, but the Roman grammarians thought of it as manifesting "inborn" characteristics, which is the heart of real possession. [Rare]
genetrix -tricis, f., 'mother, progenitor; originator' [Rare]
genialis -e, 'marital, festive, genial; having a good omen suitable to celebration of the "genius"' (Relating to a person's 'genius,' or personal protecting angel, in Roman belief. See 'genius.') [Common]
geniculatus -a -um, 'knotty (of plants), having nodes'(Compare 'geniculum,' "little knee," from 'genu.') [Rare]
genista (genesta) -ae, f., 'a shrub'(The identification is not certain.) [Rare]
genitabilis -e, 'capable of producing, fertile; creating' [Rare]
genitalis -e, 'creative, procreative, birth-related; natural, "native"' [Common]
genitor -oris, m., 'father' [Freq.]
genitura -ae, f., 'begetting, reproduction; a horoscope reading' [Rare]
genius -i, m., 'the "protecting angel" of a male, especially of a 'paterfamilias' (the head of family as such); a motivating spirit (can be used of places)'Note: Petronius has an amusing remark about someone who sacrifices to his genius only with clay vessels, rather than the usual silver ones, since his genius (as a true reflection of himself) is so dishonest that he would steal the vessels offered by him to himself in a religious rite. This is something Jung would have enjoyed! [Freq.]
geno see gignogens gentis, f., '(pl.) nation, race, family; (sg.) a Roman 'gens' or family, with appropriate pedigree and family tree ('stemma')' [VeryFreq.]
genticus -a -um, 'national' [Rare]
genticulus -a -um, 'of a particular 'gens'' [Rare]
gentilis -e, 'belonging to a 'gens'; belonging to a nation'Note: The word, "gentile," has been used over and over in a variety of ways. To the early Christians, the "gentiles" were outsiders, while to the modern Jews, "gentile" means specifically Christian! See 'gens.' [Common]
gentilitas -tatis, f., 'relationship (in a 'gens,' "nation")' [UnCommon]
genu ( [Rare]
ly, genus or genum) -us, n., 'knee, knee-joint; node of a plant'(See geniculatus) [Freq.]
genus see genugenualia -ium, n. pl., 'garters' [Rare]
genuinus -a -um, 'inborn; genuine' (See next) [UnCommon]
genuinus -a -um, 'a molar (tooth)'(From 'gena,' "cheek." See prev.) [Rare]
genus -eris, n., 'kind, birth, line of descent, race, nation, a biological "genus"; any class, division of particular classification' [VeryFreq.]
geographe -ae, f., 'a geographic treatise' [Rare]
geometres -ae, m., 'geometrician' [Rare]
geometria -ae, f., 'geometry' [Rare]
geometricus -a -um, 'geometrical' [Rare]
georgica -orum, n., 'a work on farming; the "Georgics" of Vergil'Note: Gr. 'ge,' "earth," + 'ergon,' "work," gives 'Georgica,' "farming." Vergil's "Georgics," a curious and lovely work on farming commissioned by imperial suggestion from a first-rate poet, cops the field for excellence in this genre, although it can use practical backup on agriculture from Cato, Varro, and Columella.. --- The [Common]
personal first name, "George," is of the same origin. [Rare]
germanus -a -um, 'brotherly, sisterly; genuine, real; (as noun) a brother, a sister'Note: It is thought that the national name, "German" (Lat. 'germani'), is a Latin translation from an unknown native name used among the northern Germanic tribes, meaning "the Brothers." The Germans generally called themselves 'Teutones' (compare the Oscan 'touta,' "the state"), and the name of the Germanic queen was 'Totila.' [Common]
germen -inis, n., 'shoot, bud (agr.)' [Rare]
germino -are, 'put out buds, germinate' [UnCommon]
gero gerere gessi gestum, 'carry, bear, hold, wear (dress, character), hold on to . . . , act, do; perform (duties); wage (war), transact (business)' [VeryFreq.]
gerrae -arum, f. pl. (used as an interj.), 'nonsense!'(See next) [Rare]
gerro -onis, m., 'idiot; "nonsense-head"'(See prev.) [Rare]
gerulus -i, m., 'porter' [Rare]
gestamen -inis, n., '(something that carries . . . , a load; decoration; a carriage, vehicle' [Rare]
gesticulatio -onis, f., 'mime, charade' [Rare]
gesticulor -ari (dep.), 'mime, do charades' [Rare]
gestito -are, 'wear (habitually)' [Rare]
gesto -are, 'carry, bear, carry along, carry (in a litter-chair, on a horse, etc.)' [Freq.]
gestor -oris, m., 'gossip monger' [Rare]
gestus -us, m., 'bodily movement, gesture, signal' [Freq.]
gibba -ae, f., 'hump'(See next) [Rare]
gibber -era -erum, 'hump-backed'(See prev. and next) [Rare]
gibbus -i, m., 'hump'(See prev.) [Rare]
gigno gignere genui genitum, 'create, procreate, produce . . . ; (pass.) be born' [VeryFreq.]
gilvus -a -um, 'dun (color of a horse)' [Rare]
gingiva -ae, f., 'the gum (oral, not chewing)'(See gingivitis) [Rare]
glaber -bra -brum, 'smooth, hairless'Note: Used by Catullus of a young boy who could move between sexual identifications easily. Apparently, homosexuality was an easy alternative in the Greco-Roman world, unencumbered by the heavy guilt complex associated with homosexual relations which early Christianity developed, in its need to increase population quickly. [Common]
glacialis -e, 'icy' [Rare]
glacies -ei, f., 'ice' [Rare]
glacio -are, 'freeze; congeal' [Rare]
gladiator -oris, m., 'sword fighter in shows; hired killer, "hit-man"' [Common]
gladiatorius -a -um, 'gladiatorial' [UnCommon]
gladiatura -ae, f., 'the profession of a gladiator' [Rare]
gladius -i, m., 'a sword; "the sword" = warfare and death' [VeryFreq.]
glaeba see glebaglaesum (glesum) -i, n., 'amber' Note: Amber is the fossilized resin which dripped in ancient times from coniferous trees, much valued by the ancients as a gem and a curiosity. The Romans had no idea of its physical origin or age. See electrum. [Rare]
glandifer -fera -ferum, 'acorn-bearing' [Rare]
glandium -i, n., '"sweetbreads," the thyroid gland of animals' Note: Sweetbreads, or the thyroid of a domesticated animal, was eaten then as now as an expensive, if cholesterolaceous, delicacy for gourmets. [Rare]
glans glandis, f., 'an acorn, acorns (oak and beech, used as pig fodder); a slinger's bullet'(See funditor) [Common]
glarea -ae, f., 'gravel' [Rare]
glareosus -a -um, 'gravelly' [Rare]
glaucoma (glaucuma) -atis, n., 'a cataract (of the eye)'Note: From Gr. 'glaukos,' "opaquely greenish, the hue of an owl's eye." We have narrowed the meaning of this word to "high fluid pressure within the eyeball, ultimately causing blindness." The cataract is a different matter, darkening of the lense material. We have now diagnosed a critically important eye ailment, but strangely retained for it the Greco-Roman word for something else! [Rare]
glaucus -a -um, 'blue-gray-green, the color of sea-water' [UnCommon]
gleba (glaeba) -ae, f., 'a lump of earth; chunk of anything' [Common]
glebula -ae, f., 'clod of earth; "my little estate"' [Rare]
glis gliris, m., 'dormouse'Note: They were bred and raised to be boned and cooked as a mouth-filling, little delicacy, often rolled in honey and sesame seed. See Apicius' manual on cooking for the details of preparation before trying it out! [Rare]
glisco -ere, 'swell up, grow, increase' [Common]
globo -are, 'ball up, form a sphere' [Rare]
globosus -a -um, 'spherical' [UnCommon]
globus -us, m., 'ball, sphere; a spherical mass; a compact troop (mil.)' [Freq.]
glomero -are, 'ball up, collect together, pack into a circle' [Freq.]
glomis -eris, n., see globusgloria -ae, f., 'praise, glory, pride' Note: But Lat. 'gloria' has none of the associations of Christian "pride," long identified as the worst of the sins since it excludes self-knowledge and the possibility of repentance. For the Romans, 'gloria' ranges from honest pride to sheer boasting, but nothing worse. See Plautus' play, 'Miles Gloriosus.' [Freq.]
gloriatio -onis, f., 'boasting' [Rare]
gloriola -ae, f., 'a little glory'Note: Since the word tends to swell up by itself, this odd diminutive of Cicero's invention is apparently intended to keep it down to size. --- Cicero is the man who said in a self-adulatory poem, "On His Own Consulship," rubbing in ridiculous pride with a bad pun: 'O fortunatam natam me consule Romam!' [Rare]
glorior -ari, 'boast, brag' [Freq.]
gloriosus -a -um, 'famous; boastful'(See Plautus' play, 'Miles Gloriosus.') [Common]
glubo -ere, 'de-bark, peel (a tree); take the bark off (= skin)'Note: In Catullus' famous passage about ' . . . Lesbia nostra, Lesbia illa . . . , the lady is apparently giving either manual or oral sex to the sons of the Roman aristocracy, something which commentaries and dictionaries find hard to define! [UnCommon]
gluten -tinis, n., 'glue' [Rare]
gluttio -ire, 'gulp down' [Rare]
gnaritas -tatis, f., 'knowledge' [Rare]
gnarus -a -um, 'having knowledge of . . . ; knowledgable, an expert' [Common]
gnatus see natusgnavus -a -um, 'energetic, active, busy'(Compare 'ignavus,' the opposite.) [VeryFreq.]
gobius (cobius) -i, m. (and gobio -onis, f.), 'a small fish, a herring' [Rare]
gonger (conger) -geris (-gri), m., 'an eel' [Rare]
grabatus -i, m., 'camp bed' [UnCommon]
gracilis -e, 'light, slim, delicate, petite' [Freq.]
gracilitas -tatis, f., 'lightness; plainness of style' [Common]
graculus -i, m., 'jackdaw (a bird of the crow family)'(Compare Engl. "grackle") [Rare]
gradatio -onis, f., 'steps in the theater; steps in an argument, or an oration' [Rare]
gradior gradi gressus sum (dep.), 'walk, go step by step' [Freq.]
gradus -us, m., 'a step, pace (1/1000 of a mile), steps of a staircase, steps in a sequence; position'Note: Consider the title of Fux' l8th century manual of musical composition, 'Gradus ad Parnassum,' a book of great influence in music theory for over two centuries. [VeryFreq.]
graecisso -are (and graecor -ari, dep.), 'speak Greek' (A strange word, with the '-isso' ending, copying Gr. '-izo,' but on a wrong ethnic name [Graecus], which the Greeks never used. See next.) [Rare]
Graecus -a -um, 'Hellenic, Hellenistic; Greek'Note: This is a name which the Greeks never used of themselves. The 'Graikoi' were a northern Epirotic tribe, whom the Romans met early in their invasion of the Greek peninsula, after whom they named the whole nation, who were ethnic Hellenes. Unfortunately, the Roman version stuck! [Freq.]
gralla -ae, 'stilts'(See next) [Rare]
grallator -oris, m., 'one who walks on stilts'Note: One thinks of circus performers, but a day spent with a modern sheet-rock (or drywall) man on the job will make it clear how useful stilts can be in a variety of situations. The Romans were experts at plastering decorations, a la Grecque, on their brickwork, and certainly knew how to work above head-height with ease and dignity. See prev. [Rare]
gramen -inis, n., 'grass, herbage; herbs, medicine' [Common]
gramineus -a -um, 'grassy' [Rare]
grammaticus -a -um, 'grammatical'(When used as noun, "an academic-type grammarian," a genus which has not disappeared with the passing of the millennia.) [UnCommon]
granarium -i, n., 'a granary' [Rare]
grandaevus -a -um, 'very old' [Rare]
grandesco -escere, 'grow, swell up' [UnCommon]
grandiculus -a -um, 'fairly large' [Rare]
grandifer -fera -ferum, 'yielding much produce' [Rare]
grandiloquus -a -um, 'speaking in the grand style' [UnCommon]
grandinat -are (impersonal), 'it hails'(See grando) [Rare]
grandio -ire, 'become bigger' [Common]
grandis -e, 'large, grown to full size, big, great, grand (in style)' [VeryFreq.]
granditas -tatis, f., 'loftiness of style of speaking or writing' [Rare]
grando -inis, f., 'hail'(See grandinat) [Common]
granifer -fera -ferum, 'grain-carrying'(Quite observantly, Ovid uses this word of ants!) [Rare]
granum -i, 'a grain, seed of a plant; grain of anything' [Common]
graphicus -a -um, 'worthy of painting' [Rare]
graphium -i, m., 'a stylus' Note: Used for notewriting on waxed wood tablets. From this, our Engl. "graphite," used in a fired clay matrix for pencils since about l800. Thoreau's family was involved in manufacuring pencils with this new "wonder" material, a matter quite immaterial to him. Prior to this, lead was used, but it gives a poor line and is quite toxic. See codicillus. [Rare]
grassator -oris, m., 'robber, hold-up man' [Rare]
grassor -ari (dep.), 'walk around (in a bad sense), roam, rove (in search of trouble); rage on'(All associations of this word are bad. See 'grassator,' "robber.") [Freq.]
grates, f. pl., 'thanks (in a religious sense)' [Common]
gratia -ae, f., 'grace, favor, goodwill; pleasantness of manner; (pl.) the Graces (goddesses)'(Note that 'gratia,' in abl. following a genitive, is used as a special idiom, meaning "for the sake of . . . ") [VeryFreq.]
gratificatio -onis, f., 'a kindness, favor' [Rare]
gratificor -ari (dep.), 'oblige, do a favor for . . . ' [Common]
gratiosus -a -um, 'obliging; pleasant' [Common]
gratis see gratia and gratesgrator -ari (dep.), 'congratulate' [Rare]
gratuito adv., 'without charge'(See gratis) [UnCommon]
gratulabundus -a -um, 'congratulating' [Rare]
gratulatio -onis, f., 'a giving of thanks; congratulation, any situation which instills joy' [Common]
gratulor -ari (dep.), 'be glad, be happy; give thanks (in religious sense)' [Common]
gratus -a -um, 'kind, obliging; grateful, favorable, acceptable' [VeryFreq.]
gravedo -inis, f., 'a head-cold; depression' [UnCommon]
graveolens -entis, 'bad smelling' [Rare]
gravesco -escere, 'become strong; become heavy, get pregnant' [UnCommon]
graviditas -tatis, f., 'pregnancy' [Rare]
gravidus -a -um, 'heavy, swollen; pregnant'Note: Still the med. term for a pregnant woman: "gravida." [Freq.]
gravis -e, 'heavy, ponderous, weighted down; oppressive, troublesome; (of persons) serious, solemn, weighty, thoughtful'Note: 'Gravis' is a positive Roman adjective when applied to persons, marking the Roman ideal of responsible citizen and magistrate. In fact, 'gravitas' is one of the most pronounced characteristics of the Roman personality; in its best form, it is a somber seriousness. But there are drawbacks, especially in comparison with the brilliant, but erratic, Hellenes! [Freq.]
gravitas -atis, f., 'heaviness, weightiness; seriousness, gravity and responsibility of character'Note: Cicero lists this as one of the mainstays of Roman character. But the IE cognate word in Skt., 'guru,' "heavy (one)," means "a teacher," since education rather than politics was felt to be more important in ancient India. [VeryFreq.]
gravo -are, 'make heavy, burden, depress, aggravate' [Freq.]
gregalis -e, 'one of a herd (of animals), an ordinary person; an army private' (This is the opposite of 'e-greg-ius,' "outstanding.") [Common]
gregarius -a -um, see gregalisgremium -i, n., 'lap, bosom; groin, sex organs' Note: This word does not match with any English translation. Bosom is too high, lap too low, while the groin has entirely different associations. It is the general area between the lap and chin which is meant, dependent on use. See 'sinus.' [Freq.]
gressus -us, m., 'step, walking' [Rare]
grex gregis, m. (f.), 'herd, flock; group, crowd' [Freq.]
grunnio (grundio) -ire, 'grunt; go "oink!"'Note: . . . if this is really the sound of a pig. The sounds of domesticated animals vary widely from language to language, even in English by itself, such items as the doggy "woof" (beside Korean "mung") are questionable as onomatopoeia; and who has ever heard a real, live chicken say anything like "cock-a-doodle-doo"? [Rare]
grunnitus -us, m., 'the grunting of a pig' [Rare]
grus gruis, m. and f., 'a crane (the bird)'(Engl. grouse?) [Rare]
gryllus -i, m., 'cricket' [Rare]
gryps -pos (and grypus -i), m., 'the "griffin," a mythological dragon' [Rare]
gubernaculum (gubernaclum) -i, n., 'rudder of a ship; helm; steering pole' [Rare]
gubernatio -onis, f., 'steering, directing; management' [Rare]
gubernator -oris, m., 'pilot, helmsman (of a ship); a director in general'(Engl. "governor") [UnCommon]
gubernatrix -icis, f., 'she that directs' [Rare]
guberno -are, 'steer a ship; direct, govern a country' Note: Engl. "govern" is the cognate word, used solely in a political sense. The ancient notion of the "ship of state," so often commemorated in poetry, is based on the double-entendre of this word. See gubernaculum. [Common]
gubernum -i, n., see gubernaculumgula -ae, f., 'gullet, esophagus; ravenous hunger, piggishness' [Common]
gulosus -a -um, 'a gourmand, rather than a gourmet' [Rare]
gurges -itis, m., 'whirlpool, flowing waters, flood' [Common]
gurgulio -onis, f., 'gullet' (See next) [Rare]
gurgulio -onis, m., see curculio(See prev.)gurgustium -i, n., 'a hovel, shack' [Rare]
gustatio -onis, f., 'appetizer, antipasto' [Rare]
gustatorium -i, n., 'a tray of appetizers' [Rare]
gusto -are, 'taste, take a taste of; have a taste of, have some experience of . . . ' [Freq.]
gustus -us, m., 'tasting, taste; a taste (a small bit)' [Common]
gutta -ae, f., 'a drop of a liquid; speck, spot' [Common]
guttatus -a -um, 'spotted' [Rare]
guttula -ae, f., 'a little drop' [Rare]
guttur -uris, n., 'throat, gullet' [Rare]
guttus (gutus) -i, m., 'narrow-necked jar' [Rare]
gymnasiarchus -i, m., 'gym teacher' [Rare]
gymnasium -i, n., 'gym; a school of gymnastics'Note: The gym was a [Common]
feature in all Hellenistic and Greco-Roman cities, the word coming originally from Gr. 'gymnos,' "naked," a distinguishing feature of Greek games. Whether this nakedness of males was a reflex of, or led to, Greek homosexuality is not clear, but it certainly had a strong influence on the development of Greek sculpture. [Common]
gymnasticus (and gymnicus) -a -um, 'gymnastic' [Rare]
gynaeceum (and -ium) -i, n., 'women's chamber'Note: The Greek word points to the isolation of women even in the family in special quarters, the fate of an originally matriarchial society which had turned fervently patriarchal. Compare Engl. med.: "gyn(a)ec-ologist." [UnCommon]
gypso -are, 'plaster over; seal jars ('amphorae') with plaster at the mouth; whiten slaves' feet at sale time (in comedy)' [Rare]
gypsum -i, n., '"plaster of Paris"; gypsum' [Rare]
gyrus -i, m., 'circle, ring, circular horse-ring; celestial "orbit"' [UnCommon]
habena -ae, f., 'rein (plural); control, check, any rein-like strap of leather'(But when used with 'dare,' the meaning is "give (loose) rein.") [Freq.]
habeo -ere -ui -itum, 'have, hold, hold on to; live in (habituate); hold (a meeting); have and use (habitually); consider, believe'(As idioms: 'habere in animo,' "to have in mind, intend"; 'graviter se habere,' "to be ill"; 'ut nunc res se habet,' "as things now are.") [VeryFreq.]
habilis -e, 'handy, convenient; useful' [Common]
habilitas -tatis, f., 'use, usefulness' [Rare]
habitabilis -e, 'habitable' [Rare]
habitatio -onis, f., 'residence' [UnCommon]
habitator -oris, m., 'inhabitant; tenant; dweller' [UnCommon]
habito -are, 'inhabit, dwell, live in . . . ' [Freq.]
habitudo -inis, f., '(external) appearance' [Rare]
habiturio -ire, 'be eager to have'(Possibly, jocularly formed from 'habeo + esurio,' "be hungry after having.") [Rare]
habitus -a -um, 'well-disposed, "OK," good' (See next) [Rare]
habitus -us, m., 'condition, state of being, style (of dress); character, appearance'(Compare the nun's "habit"; see prev.) [Freq.]
hac adv., 'by this road, in this way; over here' (Can be taken as short for either 'hac via' or 'hac parte.') [Freq.]
hactenus adv., 'as far as this, so far (and no farther); hithero; up to this point' [Freq.]
haedus -i, m., 'a baby goat (kid)'(Also has a diminutive form, 'haedulus.') [UnCommon]
haereo haerere haesi haesum, 'stick, stick to, hang on to, stick = stay still, be immobile; be stuck (be in trouble); be in doubt' [VeryFreq.]
haeresco -escere, 'stick together' [Rare]
haesitantia -ae, f., 'hesitancy of speech'(Cicero uses this word when speaking of a 'balbus.') [Rare]
haesito -are, 'hesitate' [Common]
haesitatio -onis, f., 'hesitation' [UnCommon]
haesito -are, 'be stuck, hesitate, be in doubt' [Freq.]
haliaetos -i, m., 'osprey' [Rare]
halitus -us, m., 'breath, vapor' [Common]
hallex -icis, m., 'fish-sauce (in cookery)' (See garum) [UnCommon]
halo -are, 'breathe out, emit a savor' [UnCommon]
hama (ama) -ae, f., 'fireman's bucket' [Rare]
hamatus -a -um, 'hooked, barbed'(See 'hamus,' "hook") [UnCommon]
hamiota -ae, f., 'fisherman; an "angler"'(See hamus) [Rare]
hamus -i, m., 'hook, fishhook, barb on an arrowhead' [Common]
hara -ae, f., 'chicken coop; pigsty' [Rare]
harena (arena) -ae, f., 'dry soil, sand, beach' [VeryFreq.]
harenosus -a -um, 'sandy' [Common]
hariolus -i, m. (and hariola -ae, f.), 'a soothsayer, prophet' [Rare]
harmonia -ae, f., 'joining; harmony, melody' [Common]
harpago -onis, f., 'wrecking bar; a "wrecker" (used of a person)' [UnCommon]
harpe -es, f., 'sickle' [UnCommon]
harundo (arundo) -inis, f., 'a reed, tube, flute, pen (writing), any rod-shaped device (fishing pole, etc.)'(The tubular shape of a naturally-growing reed provides a great variety of tools, as suits any society which lives with nature.) [Freq.]
haruspex -spicis, m., 'a diviner of the Etruscan school (working with lightning, livers, guts)' [Common]
haruspicium -i, n., 'divination (Etruscan type) from entrails, etc.' [UnCommon]
hasta -ae, f., 'spear, javelin' [Common]
hastatus -a -um, 'armed with a spear' [UnCommon]
hastile -is, n., 'spear, spear-handle' [UnCommon]
haud (haut) adv., 'not; not at all, by no means' [VeryFreq.]
hauddum adv., 'not yet' [Common]
haudquamquam adv., 'by no means, not at all' [Common]
haurio haurire hausi haustum, 'drink, imbibe, suck up, drink in, draw (water, blood)' [Freq.]
haustrum -i, m., 'the bucket of a waterwheel (mech.)' [Rare]
haustus -us, m., 'drinking up, sucking up, drinking' [Freq.]
haut see haudhebdomas -adis, f., 'seventh day (of a disease)' [Rare]
hebenus (ebenus) -i, f., 'ebony wood' [Rare]
hebeo -ere, 'be blunt, weak, inactive' [UnCommon]
hebes -etis, 'blunt, dull, sluggish' [Freq.]
hebesco -escere, 'become dull, faint, weak' [UnCommon]
hebeto -are, 'make dull, blunt, inactive, weak' [Common]
hecatombe -es, f., 'sacrifice of cows or sheep'Note: A Greek word with Homeric associations, originally meaning "the sacrifice of a hundred cows," from Gr. 'hekaton,' "100," + b-(ous), "cow." See 'suovotaurilia,' the Roman ritual with less numbers but more variety. [Rare]
hedera -ae, f., 'ivy' [Common]
hedychrum -i, n., 'a sweet perfume' [Rare]
heia interj., 'Damn it! Well I'll be . . . ! Come on now, quick!'(Pretty much the same as English "hey!") [UnCommon]
helleborus (elleborus) -i, m., 'a plant (unidentified)'Note: It was used in toxic-shock remedies for schizophrenia by the Greeks since 5th century B.C. Any reference to this drug in a literary setting instantly connotes insanity. See veratrum. [Rare]
helluo (heluo) -onis, m., 'squanderer' [Rare]
helluor (heluor) -ari (dep.), 'eat like a pig; waste food' [UnCommon]
helvella -ae, f., 'a small pot-herb' [Rare]
hem interj., '"well, I'll be . . . !"; "well, too bad!"'(Both meanings are used in comedy.) [UnCommon]
hemerodromus -i, m., 'a one-day runner, speedy deliverer of important messages' (The Roman "Special Delivery") [Rare]
hemicyclium -i, n., 'a semi-circle' [Rare]
hemina -ae, f., 'half a mina, "half pint"'(In liquid measure. Reduced by haplology from 'hemi-mina.') [Rare]
hendecasyllabi -orum, m. pl., 'eleven-syllable lines of poetry' Note: Used in Latin verse, where Catullus has the best examples, they are sharp, satiric, and hard to master in writing Latin. The name and verse itself are from the Greek numeral, 'hen-deka,' referring to the line's eleven syllables. [UnCommon]
hera see era, erusherba -ae, f., 'grass, an herb, vegetation in general'(Engl. "herb" is a specialized use.) [Freq.]
herbesco -escere, 'grow leaves; grow blades of grass' [Rare]
herbidus -a -um (and herbifer -fera -ferum), 'grassy, grass-covered' [UnCommon]
herbosus -a -um, 'grass-covered' [UnCommon]
herbula -ae, f., 'a little plant' [Rare]
hercisco (ercisco) -ere, 'divide an inheritance' [Rare]
Hercle interj., 'By Heracles!' (A strong exclamation used almost always by men. See next.) [Common]
hercule see Herclehere see herihereditarius -a -um, 'hereditary, inheritable' [Common]
hereditas -tatis, f., 'inheritance' [Freq.]
heredium -i, n., 'patrimony' [UnCommon]
heres -edis, c., 'an heir, inheritor' [Freq.]
heri (here), adv., 'yesterday' [Freq.]
herifuga see erifugaherilis -e, see erilishermaphroditus -i, m., 'a person with masc. and fem. sex organs; esp. venerated as a deity, an "Androgyne"'(See androgynus) [UnCommon]
heroicus -a -um, 'relating to the heroes, heroic' [UnCommon]
heroina -ae (and herois -idis), f., 'heroine' [UnCommon]
heros -ois, m., 'a demigod, hero' [Common]
herous -a -um, 'of heroes, heroic; the heroic line of poetry (the dactylic hexameter)' [UnCommon]
herus see erushesternus -a -um, 'of yesterday' [Freq.]
hetairia -ae, f., 'a guild' Note: The Romans had dozens, if not hundreds, of specialized trade guilds, as inscriptions giving thanks to a deity "from the violet dealers who are at Tarentum" and many similar inscriptions indicate. Not the same as Gk. 'hetaira,' "a mistress." [Rare]
heu interj., 'Oh my! Too bad! What a shame!'Note: Often used in poetry, supported by a majestic sigh and a tragic aura indicating "alas!". [Freq.]
heus interj., 'Hey there!'(A standard word in comedy, used when one person accosts another.) [VeryFreq.]
hexameter -tri, m., '(dactylic) hexameter' [UnCommon]
hiatus -us, m., 'gaping mouth; any gap, chasm; "hiatus" (in prosody)' [Freq.]
hiberna -orum, n., 'winter encampment (mil.), winter quarters' [Freq.]
hibernaculum -i, n., 'winter-camp quarters (mil.)' [Rare]
hiberno -are, 'spend the winter (mil.)'Note: English "hibernate" has acquired a specialized biological meaning, with severe slowing of the biological processes, as applied to bears, woodchucks, and others. But reptilians and fish have similar ways of avoiding cold, while others avoid summer heat by estivating (Lat. 'aestas'). [UnCommon]
hibernus -a -um, 'of winter, winter's . . . ' [Common]
hibiscum -i, n., 'marsh-mallow'Note: This word in British English means the "mallows" that grow in marshes, but not that sugary, pre-adolescent delight burned to a crisp over thousands of Boy Scout campfires, and ignorantly called by Americans "marshmallows." [Rare]
hibrida (hybrida) -ae, f., 'cross or mixed-breed (persons or animals), hybrid'(No known etymologies--surely not Greek 'hybris,' which means "overwhelming pride"!) [UnCommon]
hic haec hoc, 'this one (here), this'(Compare 'ille illa illud,' "that one (there)." 'hic' and 'ille' often refer to a nearer and a farther person, respectively. See next.) [VeryFreq.]
hic (and heic) adv., 'here'(See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
hiemalis -e, 'wintry' [UnCommon]
hiemo -are, 'spend the winter, winter-over' [Freq.]
hiems (hiemps) -emis, f., 'winter storm; winter; stormy weather' [Freq.]
hilaris -e (and hilarus -a -um), 'happy, cheery'(But not as boisterous as English "hilarious.") [Common]
hilaro -are, 'make joyful, cheer up' [Common]
hilarulus -a -um, 'rather cheerful' [UnCommon]
hilla -ae, f., 'sausage'Note: Sausages were originally cased with the small intestine of sheep. We have converted to paper and then plastic in the last fifty years in the US, but Europeans still sometimes use the sheep gut. [Rare]
hilum -i, n., 'a bit, a very little bit, almost a nothing'('nihil' = "not even a nothing") [Common]
hinc adv., 'from here, hence, thereupon (in time), from this (source), from this (point in an argument)' [VeryFreq.]
hinnio -ire, 'neigh, whinny (sound of a horse)' [Rare]
hinnitus -us, m., 'neighing' [UnCommon]
hinnuleus (inuleus) -i, m., 'a young roebuck, fawn' [Rare]
hio -are, 'gape, have the mouth wide open, be astonished' [Freq.]
hippocentaurus -i, m., 'a centaur' [Rare]
hippodromus -i, m., 'a chariot racecourse' [Rare]
hippomanes -is, n., 'mucous discharge of mares in heat; tissue on head of newborn foal'Note: Both were used as an aphrodisiac by the gullible Romans! [UnCommon]
hircinus (and hircosus) -a -um, 'made of goat-skin' [Rare]
hircus -i, m., 'a goat; billy goat'Note: The male goat was known for its odor, referred to by Romans both seriously and in myriad odoriferous jokes, much as we joke about B.O. [Freq.]
hirnea -i, m., 'a jug'Note: English med. "hernia," from the bulbous, bottle-like form of a rupture. [Rare]
hirsutus -a -um, 'hairy, shaggy' [Common]
hirtus -a -um, 'hairy, shaggy' [Common]
hirudo -inis, f., 'a leech' [Rare]
hirundo -inis, f., 'a swallow (the bird)' [UnCommon]
hisco -ere, 'gape, stand with the mouth open; stutter'(See hio) [UnCommon]
hispidus -a -um, 'shaggy, bristly; rough (of land)' [UnCommon]
hister see histrio historia -ae, f., 'history, an account of . . . ; a story'(See fabula and fabella) [Freq.]
historicus -a -um, 'of history, historical; (as noun) a historian' [UnCommon]
histrio -onis, m., 'an actor' [UnCommon]
histrionalis -e, 'of actors' [Rare]
hiulcus -a -um, 'split open, gaping; yawning open' (See 'hio -are,' "gape") [Common]
hodie adv., 'today, now, nowadays' (From hoc + die) [VeryFreq.]
hodiernus -a -um, 'of today' [UnCommon]
holitor -oris, m., 'a vegetable gardener'(See holus, "lettuce") [Rare]
holus (olus) -eris, n., 'vegetable; lettuce' [Common]
homocidia -ae, c. 'murderer' [UnCommon]
homo -inis, 'a human being, a person (male or female)'Note: 'Homo' is used for any member of the human race, while 'vir' and 'femina' are sex-specific terms. 'Homo' and 'humanus' are ultimately connected with humus, "the earth," as "creatures of the earth." [VeryFreq.]
homullus -i, (also homuncio -onis, and homunculus -i,) m., 'a little man, little fellow; a mere man' [Rare]
homunculus see homullus honestas -tatis, f., 'honor, integrity, decency' [Common]
honeste adv., 'honorably' [Common]
honesto -are, 'give honor to, decorate (with honor)' [Common]
honestus -a -um, 'honorable, decent, upper-class, decent-looking' [Common]
honor (honos) -oris, m., 'honor, decency, a mark of honor; privilege, high office (pol.)' [VeryFreq.]
honorarius -a -um, 'done as an honor (i.e. voluntarily); stemming from public office' [Common]
honorificus -a -um, 'conferring honor, honorific' [Rare]
honoro -are, 'show honor to, honor' [Common]
honorus -a -um, 'conferring honor; honorable, honor-worthy' [UnCommon]
honos see honorhoplomachus -i, m., 'a gladiator'(Greek word) [Rare]
hora -ae, f., 'hour of the day, time of day, an hour's time; season of the year; time of a human life' [VeryFreq.]
hordeum -i, n., 'barley' [Common]
horia -ae, f., 'a fishing boat' [Rare]
hornotinus (hornus) -a -um, 'of this year, this year's (wine, crops, etc.)' [Rare]
horologium -i, n., 'clock' Note: The Romans used water-escapement clocks--and also sundials on sunny days. The double-tank arrangement with constant overflow from the tank, which governed the jet, made these waterclocks fairly reliable. [UnCommon]
horreo -ere, 'bristle up (hair on the head, beard; leaves on pine trees); be rough, unkempt; shudder with cold or fear'(The original meaning survives in "shuddering pine forests," in the sense of "bristling.") [Freq.]
horresco horrescere horrui, 'bristle, shudder, be scared of . . . '(An incohative, beside 'horreo.' See prev.) [Common]
horreum -i, n., 'grain silo; storage barn' [UnCommon]
horribilis -e, 'awful, horrible' [Common]
horridus -a -um, 'rough, shaggy, bristling, uncouth; shivering (with fear or cold)' [Freq.]
horrifer -fera -ferum, 'chilling, dreadful' [UnCommon]
horrifico -are, 'roughen (the surface of the sea); frighten' [Rare]
horrificus -a -um, 'frightening, dreadful' [Rare]
horrisonus -a -um, 'making a dreadful sound' [Rare]
horror -oris, m., 'shuddering; fear' [Freq.]
horsum adv., 'in this direction' [Rare]
hortamen -inis, n. (hortamentum -i, n., and hortatio -onis, f.), 'encouragement' [UnCommon]
hortator -oris, m., 'exciter, arouser (mil.)' [UnCommon]
hortatus -us, m., 'encouragement' [UnCommon]
hortor -ari (dep.), 'encourage, urge on, exhort; incite' [Freq.]
hortulus -i, m., 'a small garden plot' [Common]
hortus -i, m., 'a garden (decorative); a farm for fruit and vegetables; "The Gardens" = a public or private park; the Garden = "a school campus"'(See cohors) [Freq.]
hospes -pitis, m. (and hospita -ae, f.), 'host, guest, stranger, visitor, a visitor from an allied clan or town'Note: This strange assortment of meanings falls under a central concept, the cult of 'Zeus Xenios,' the "Guest God," since all who live somewhere and come or go--whether host, guest, or stranger--are uniformly under his protection and immediate supervision. [Freq.]
hospitalis -e, 'relating in terms of hospitality' [Freq.]
hospitalitas -tatis, f., 'hospitality' [Rare]
hospitium -i, n., 'hospitality, entertainment, the host-guest relationship; an inn, a hospice'(See hospes) [Freq.]
hospitus -a -um, 'welcome, welcoming; welcome from abroad; foreign' [UnCommon]
hostia -ae, f., 'an animal which is to be killed in religious ritual' [Freq.]
hosticus -a -um, 'of the enemy; foreign' [UnCommon]
hostilis -e, 'of the enemy; hostile' [Freq.]
hostimentum -i, n., 'recompense'(See hostio -ire) [Rare]
hostio -ire, 'recompense (financial)' [Rare]
hostis -is, m., 'stranger, foreigner; a personal enemy; the enemy (mil.)' [VeryFreq.]
huc adv., 'hither; to this place' [VeryFreq.]
hui (exclamation of surprise), 'what? what the . . . ? whuzza . . . ?' [Common]
huiusmodi (or huiuscemodi), adv., 'of this kind' [Common]
humanitas -tatis, f., 'human nature; humankind; humaneness' [Common]
humanus -a -um, 'human (i.e. not divine)' [VeryFreq.]
humatio -onis, f., 'burial'(Not Roman--for them the final rites ended in cremation.) [Rare]
humilis -e, 'short, low, lowly, humble; humbled; ignoble' [VeryFreq.]
humilitas -tatis, f., 'shortness, "low-down-ness"; insignificance' Note: To the pre-Christian Romans, "humility" was no virtue, but a sign of insufficiency or weakness. [Common]
humo -are, 'bury' [Freq.]
humus -i, f., 'earth, land, the land, soil'(Note that this word has an old locative, 'humi,' "on the ground," which was commonly used.) [Freq.]
hydra -ae f., 'serpent, water snake' [UnCommon]
Hymenaeus -i, m., 'the God of Marriage = Hymen' [Common]
iaceo -ere -ui -itum, 'lie, recline, rest supine (on one's back); lie down, lie dead, stretch out (geog.)' (See next) [VeryFreq.]
iacio iacere ieci iactum, 'hurl, throw with great force, throw down; brag, throw out (big words)' (See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
iactantia -ae, f., 'throwing out (big words), boasting, bragging; flaunting' [UnCommon]
iactatio -onis, f., 'boasting, flaunting, bragging' [UnCommon]
iactator -oris, m., 'braggart, boaster' [UnCommon]
iactatus -us, m., 'brandishing, shaking about' [Rare]
iactito -are, 'throw out boasts (repeatedly)' [UnCommon]
iacto -are, 'hurl, throw, swing about; boast, show off' [Freq.]
iactura -ae, f., 'throwing out, away; a loss, expense' [Rare]
iactus -us, m., 'throwing (of a weapon; of dice); jettisoning cargo from a ship; squandering of funds' [Freq.]
iaculabilis -e, 'throwable (of weapons)' [Rare]
iaculator -oris, m., 'javelin thrower (in Roman-style hunting)'(See venor -ari) [UnCommon]
iaculatrix -icis, f., 'the lady "Spear-Hurler" = Diana/Artemis' [Rare]
iaculor -ari (dep.), 'hurl a spear, javelin; shoot at (mil. and hunting)' [Freq.]
iaculum -i, n., 'a spear; a hunting net' [UnCommon]
iaculus -a -um, 'employed in throwing' [Rare]
iam adv., 'now, already; soon' [VeryFreq.]
iambus -i, m., 'in prosody, the "iambic" foot, an iambic line in poetry' Note: The foot is a "short" followed by a "long," and then repeated. The Greeks counted their iamb as a four-syllable sequence; whereas, in English, we register the iamb as a two-syllable set. Thus, in English prosody, an iambic hexameter has six "short + long" sequences, while in Greco-Roman terminology, the iambic trimeter has the same number of syllables, which is twelve in either case. [Freq.]
iamdudum adv., 'for a long time now' [Freq.]
ianitor -oris, m., 'doorman, a door-janitor' [Common]
ianthinus -a -um, 'violet-colored' [Rare]
ianua -ae, f., 'door, doorway; an entrance' (See next) [VeryFreq.]
ianus -i, m., 'an archway, a doorway; an arcade; Janus' Note: Janus was the God of the Doorways: he could look both ways at the same time, as any good doorman should! See prev. [Common]
iaspis -eris, f., 'the semi-precious stone jasper' [Rare]
ibi adv., 'there, at that very place; then, thereupon . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
ibidem adv., 'at the same place, moment; in that (respect)' [VeryFreq.]
iccirco see idcircoichneumon -onis, m., 'a small lizard; a chamaeleon?' [Rare]
icio icere ici ictum, 'throw, hurl, strike; hit with a missile; strike a bargain, a treaty; strike upon the senses' [Freq.]
ico see icioictericus -a -um, 'jaundiced; yellowed (with hepatitis?)' [Rare]
ictus -us, m. 'blow, stroke' [Freq.]
idcirco adv., 'for that reason, on account of that' [VeryFreq.]
idem eadem idem, pronominal adj., 'the same, that same, the very same'(This pronoun follows 'is' in the declension forms, with an additional enclitic, -dem.) [VeryFreq.]
identidem adv., 'again and again' [Freq.]
idea adv., 'on that account, therefore' [Freq.]
ideo adv., 'on this account, for this reason' [VeryFreq.]
idiota -ae, m., 'a private citizen; an ordinary person, a layman (as against a professional expert)'Note: The word is of Greek origin, meaning nothing more than "private person." But as time went on, and the [Common]
voice of society became dominant, private opinions were regarded as suspect, until the word "idiot" became associated with the mentally retarded or deranged, as in modern English usage. This whole process which is at the heart of Western Civilization, shows how little private opinion counts on the one hand, and, on the other hand, how hostile our society is to the mentally "different." In theory, we praise the thinking of the individual; in practice, we damp it heavily in favor of the thinking of the average. See 'peculiaris,' which traverses the same route from "private" to "peculiar," although with less venom. [UnCommon]
idolon -i, n., 'a ghost'Note: The same word (Gr. 'eidolon') produced both religious "idol" and also "idolotry." The superstitious Romans focus less on the religious symbolism, and more on the ghostly or spectral. [Rare]
idoneus -a -um, 'suitable, fitting, good for . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
idus -uum, f. pl., 'the Ides, the l3th or l5th day in each month, according to the Roman way of arranging the monthly calendar'Note: Dividing the month into thirds is very intelligent, but foreign to us. Our 7-day week was developed shortly before Caesar's calendar reforms; it stems from the ancient cult of astrology which still has a powerful grip on our modern world. Note our names of the days of the week are all of astrological origin! [UnCommon]
iecur iecoris (also, iecineris), n., 'the liver (anatomy; augury)'Note: Near-Eastern astrology thought of the liver as foreteller of the future, and this "science" came through Etruscans to the Romans. In addition, Romans curiously think of the liver, or sometimes of the kidneys, as the seat of sexual drive, a notion which appears regularly in love poetry. [Freq.]
iecusculum -i, n., 'a little liver' [Rare]
ieiunitas -tatis, f., 'emptiness; hunger' [UnCommon]
ieiunium -i, n., 'emptiness; hunger; fasting' [Common]
ieiunus -a -um, 'fasting; empty, hungry; starved; unproductive, empty' [Freq.]
ientaculum -i, n., 'breakfast' [Freq.]
iento -are, 'eat breakfast' [UnCommon]
igitur adv., 'therefore, thereupon, then; so then . . . ; and so . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
ignarus -a - um, 'ignorant, unknowing; unaware; ignorant of . . . ; unskilled at . . . ' [Freq.]
ignavia -ae, f., 'laziness; mental laziness' [Common]
ignavus -a -um, 'lazy, lethargic, sluggish; weak, powerless'Note: Compare 'gnavus,' the positive term, which strangely is less often used. Perhaps, this tells something about Roman society.) [Freq.]
ignesco -escere, 'catch fire, ignite' [Common]
igneus -a -um, 'fiery, red-hot, combusting, burning; fiery = feisty' [Freq.]
igniculus -i, m., 'spark; a flame of passion' [UnCommon]
ignifer -fera -ferum, 'fire-bearing' [UnCommon]
ignipes -pedis, m., 'one who has feet of fire (Vulcan)' [UnCommon]
ignigena -ae, m., 'one born from the fire' [Rare]
ignipotens -ntis, 'being the ruler of fire (Vulcan)' [Common]
ignis -is, m., 'fire; the celestial fire (Sun); the stars; heat, rage; fever' [VeryFreq.]
ignobilis -e, 'not well known, unknown'(English "ignoble" refers to qualities of mind or character, rather than fame.) [Common]
ignobilitas -tatis, f., 'unknown origins, humble birth' [UnCommon]
ignominia -ae f., 'loss of reputation; disgrace (pol. and mil.)' [Freq.]
ignominiosus -a -um, 'disgraced; disgraceful' [Common]
ignorabilis -e, 'unknown' [Rare]
ignorantia -ae, f., 'ignorance' [Common]
ignoro -are, 'not know, not know of; ignore' [Common]
ignosco -noscere -novi -notum, 'pardon, excuse; overlook' (This verb is often used in the formula: "Excuse me!" = 'ignosce mi(hi)!' It has a specialized meaning and should not be confused with 'ignoro.') [VeryFreq.]
ignotus -a -um, 'unknown; unfamiliar; obscure; ignorant' [Freq.]
ile ilis, n. (pl., 'ilia,' is most [Common]
), '(pl.) the guts, intestines, all the inner organs from liver downwards' Note: Often associated with strenuous effort. The Latin idiom, 'ilia rumpere,' is identical in meaning to the Amer. Engl., "bust one's guts.") [Freq.]
ilex -icis, f., 'the European oak tree' [Freq.]
ilicet adv. (impers. verb, locked into an adverbial use), '"It's all over! OK, that's it! Get out right now! Scram! Beat it!"'(This word is sometimes used as if = 'ilico,' "right away, right off.") [Freq.]
ilicetum -i, n., 'oak forest' [UnCommon]
ilico adv., 'right away, right off, directly'(See ilicet) [Freq.]
illico see ilicoilignus -a -um, 'made of oak wood' (Actually, this is 'ilex,' the European variety of oak. See 'ilex' and 'robur.') [UnCommon]
ILL- FOR WORDS BEGINNING WITH ILL- POSSIBLY SEE INL-
illa adv., 'by that way ('via'), in that direction ('parte')'(The -a- is long, since it is an abl. form.) [Freq.]
illabor -labi -lapsus sum (dep.), 'slide into, glide into' [Common]
illac adv., 'over that way; over on that side (pol.)' [Common]
illaetabilis -e, 'joyless, sad'(See laetus) [Freq.]
illecebra -ae, f., 'enticement, charm' [Freq.]
ille illa illud, demonstr. adj. and pron., 'that, that one (over there)' (Used as opposed to 'hic,' "this one (over here)." When 'hic' is "the former," 'ille' is "the latter.") [VeryFreq.]
illic illaec illuc, 'that one over there (pointing)'(The "deictic" or "pointing -c" is added to forms of 'ille'; see prev. and note on 'hic.') [Common]
illic adv., 'over there, in that direction'(This can be confused with 'illic' as pron. adj.; see prev.) [VeryFreq.]
illido -lidere -lisi -lisum, 'smash, smash into, jam' [Freq.]
illigo -are, 'tie up, bind fast' [Common]
illudo -ludere -lusi -lusum, 'play upon; trick, deceive' [Common]
illustris -e, 'famous, noble, illustrious' [Common]
illustro -are, 'shed light on, illuminate; show' [Common]
illuvies -ei, f., 'alluvium, a silty deposit; dirt' [Freq.]
illinc adv., 'from over there, from that direction' [Freq.]
illim see illinc [Rare]
illo adv., 'to that place, over there' [Freq.]
illuc adv., 'toward that place, in that place over there' [Freq.]
imaginarius -a -um, 'imaginary, unreal' Note: Actually, like an "imago," the technical word for a painted picture, as distinct from reality. [Rare]
imaginatio -onis, f., 'fancy, playful imagination' [UnCommon]
imaginor -ari (dep.), 'reflect an image ('imago'); imagine in one's mind'(See next) [Freq.]
imago -inis, f., 'an image, a statue, (often) a painting; a reflection, an echo; a sketch; an appearance, a ghost' [VeryFreq.]
imbecillitas -tatis f,. 'weakness, loss of force, energy; feebleness' [UnCommon]
imbecillus -a -um, 'weak, feeble; defenseless, ineffective'Note: Never like the English "imbecile," meaning "a mentally retarded person." No society has been so rejecting of the disabled as the Modern Western world, probably because of the feeling that all must labor equally hard in a work-oriented, capitalistic society. Only in the modern Post-Industrial world have the "insane" been incarcerated permanently in mental hospitals, which are nothing more than holding tanks out of the view of society at large. [Common]
imbellis -e, 'unwarlike, untrained; pacifistic' Note: This last meaning was a very bad term in the eyes of war-mongering Roman society. One of the worst things about the early Christians, in Roman eyes, was their unwillingness to go into the army, and this may have been more a cause of their persecution than their religious beliefs. Compare 'bellum' and Engl. "peace-niks" in the l970's. [VeryFreq.]
imber -bris, m., 'rain, a storm, showers, hailstorm, shower (of missiles); floods' [VeryFreq.]
imberbis -e, 'beardless'(See barba) [Common]
imbibo -ere -i, 'drink in (water, wine); drink in (mentally)' [Freq.]
imbrex -icis, c., 'rain-tiles used in roofing'(From 'imber,' "rain, showers") [Rare]
imbrifer -fera -ferum, 'bringing rain' [UnCommon]
imbuo -ere -i -tum, 'drench, soak through and through; imbue someone with . . . ; introduce . . . ' [Freq.]
imitabilis -e, 'imitatable' [Rare]
imitamen -minis, n., 'an imitation, a copy' [UnCommon]
imitatio -onis, f., 'an imitation, false-copy; mimicry' [Common]
imitator -oris, m., 'copier; imitator' [Rare]
imitor -are, 'imitate, copy; simulate' [UnCommon]
immadesco -escere -ui, 'become moist; get drunk'(See madidus) [Rare]
immanis -e, 'huge, enormous; frightful, brutal, cruel' [VeryFreq.]
immanitas -tatis, f., 'huge size; savagery' [Common]
immansuetus -a -um, 'untamed, wild' [UnCommon]
immaturitas -tatis, f., 'immaturity; prematurity; untimeliness' [Freq.]
immaturus -a -um, 'unripe, intimely, immature; out of the right time or season' [Freq.]
immedicabilis -e, 'uncurable' [Rare]
immemor -oris, 'unmindful, not recollecting . . . ; forgetful' (This adj. takes a gen. obj. of what is forgotten, following 'memini' and all verbs of remembering . . . or forgetting.) [Freq.]
immemorabilis -e, 'indescribable, not to be repeated; forgetful' [Freq.]
immemoratus -a -um, 'never before revealed, unmentioned'(Used most often as a neuter plural substantive, 'immemorata.') [UnCommon]
immensitas -tatis, f., 'hugeness, immensity; vast size or "unmeasurableness"' (See metior) [UnCommon]
immensus -a -um (ppl. from metior), 'huge, immense, grand' [Freq.]
immerens -entis, 'undeserving (of punishment)' [Common]
immergo -gere -si -sum, 'dip into (a liquid); immerse oneself (in water, in an activity, in thought)' [Freq.]
immeritus -a -um, 'not deserving; not deserving of punishment' [Common]
immersabilis -e, 'unsinkable' (Horace uses this word of a sailor.) [Rare]
immetatus -a -um, 'unmeasured' (Like Coleridge's caverns of Kubla Khan, "measureless to man.") [UnCommon]
immigro -are, 'immigrate (into a country)' [UnCommon]
immineo -ere -ui, 'overhang; lean out over; be intent on . . . ; press on (mil.); threaten' [VeryFreq.]
imminuo -ere -i, 'diminish, reduce' [Common]
imminutio -onis, f., 'diminishing; a "diminuendo" in a rhetorical exercise' [UnCommon]
immisceo -ere -ui, 'mix,. mix in, mingle in; implicate; confuse = mix up' [Freq.]
immiserabilis -e, 'unpitied' [Rare]
immisericors -cordis, 'unpitying, unmerciful' [Freq.]
immissio -onis, f., 'enlargement; a letting go, release' [Rare]
immitis -e, 'not sweet, not at all gentle; harsh, hostile' [Freq.]
immitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'send in, let loose, let go, hurl' [Freq.]
immo adv., 'on the other hand; to the contrary' [VeryFreq.]
immobilis -e, 'immobile, fixed, static' [UnCommon]
immoderatio -onis, f., 'lack of moderation'(See modus) [Rare]
immoderatus -a -um, 'lacking in moderation; excessive' [Freq.]
immodestia -ae, f., 'lack of moderation, self restraint; loose living' (English "immodesty" is quite a different word, more like Lat. 'impudicitia' or Gr. 'aidos,' with strong sexual overtones.) [UnCommon]
immodestus -a -um, 'unrestrained, libertine, loose-living' [Common]
immodicus -a -um, 'unrestrained; loose-living' [UnCommon]
immodulatus -a -um, '(of poems) un-scanning, unrhythmical' (See 'modus,' as the musical or metrical scansion of poetry.) [Rare]
immoenis see immunisimmolatio -onis, f., 'sacrifice' [Common]
immolator -oris, m., 'one who does a sacrifice' [Rare]
immolo -are, 'sacrifice a victim in a Roman ritual; kill off (like a sacrificial animal); immolate' [Common]
immorior -mori -mortuus sum (dep.), 'die in a given place; die among . . . ' [Common]
immoror -ari (dep.), 'delay; linger on' [Common]
immorsus see immordeoimmortalis -e, 'deathless, celestial, of the Gods' [Freq.]
immotus -a -um, 'unmoved, unaltered; motionless, not liable to change' [Common]
immugio -ire, 'bellow, resound with a (bull-like) roar'(See 'mugio,' a word used of cows.) [Rare]
immulgeo -ere, 'pour milk into; nourish' [UnCommon]
immundus -a -um, 'unclean, dirty; having a dirty mind' Note: Lat. 'mundus,' "clean," is a general translation of Gr. 'kosmos,' "the orderly, neat (clean?) world." From this come all the Romanic words for "world": 'monde,' 'mondo,' etc. It is curious that the word ('kosmos') which turned the Greeks into scientists, merely made the Romans tidy. [UnCommon]
immunio -ire, 'fortify (mil.)' [Common]
immunis -e, 'exempt from taxes, tribute, military service; having no responsibility for . . . ; having no share in . . . ' (See 'munus' for various meanings.) [Freq.]
immunitus -a -um, 'unfortified (of a town)' [Common]
immunitas -tatis, f., 'exemption' [Rare]
immurmuro -are, 'murmur, mumble against' [Rare]
immutabilis -e, 'unchangeable (with 'in-' as negative); liable to change (with 'in-' as progressive)' Note: This can always be a problem in Latin, just as in English, where "inflammable" can mean "non-flammable" but also "not un-inflammable" = "combustible." By law, combustible materials must now be labelled "non-inflammable," but ignorance and fraud constantly bring up exceptions. [Freq.]
immutatio -onis, f., 'change, alteration' [Rare]
immutatus -a -um, 'unchanged' [Rare]
immuto -are, 'change, alter' (Here the sense is always intensive, never negative. See immutabilis.) [Common]
impallesco -escere, 'turn pale' [Rare]
impar -e, 'numerically unequal = odd; of unequal sizes, not equal to; not equal to a job at hand; unsure, unsteady, vacillating' [VeryFreq.]
imparatus -a -um, 'unprepared' [Rare]
impastus -a -um, 'unfed, unpastured; hungering' (See 'pascor,' and recall that: Utor, fungor, fruor, vescor, and potior [which can sometimes take a gen. obj.] all take abl. objects.) [Rare]
impatiens -ntis, 'not patient; unable to endure . . . (with gen.)' [Common]
impatientia -ae, f., 'impatience' [Common]
impavidus -a -um, 'not fearful, unafraid' [Common]
impedimentum -i, n., 'an obstacle, hindrance; heavy baggage (mil.), military supplies loaded on a wagon' (From 'in + ped,' "in the way of the feet," or "hindering," as heavy baggage has a way of doing.) [Freq.]
impedio -ire, 'obstruct, impede; block' (See impedimentum) [Freq.]
impeditio -onis, f., 'an obstruction' [Rare]
impello -pellere -puli -pulsum, 'strike against, jam on; impel, make a (military) drive; impel (to a given point of view)' [VeryFreq.]
impendeo -ere, 'hang over, be near to; hang over = threaten' [Freq.]
impendium -i, n., 'expense, outlay of cash'(From 'pendere,' "hang in the weighing scales.") [Common]
impendo -pendere -pendi -pensum, 'weigh out, pay out (money)' [Freq.]
impenetrabilis -e, 'impenetrable' [Common]
impensa -ae, f., 'cost, financial outlay, expense' [Freq.]
impensus -a -um, 'of excessive price, over-priced (with 'in-' = intensive); of no price, of no value (with 'in-' = neg.)' Note: Curiously, English has the same semantic problem: "Priceless" can mean "costly," but it could be taken as "value-less" by someone who didn't know the intricacies of English well. [UnCommon]
imperator -oris, m., 'general of the Roman armies (under the Republic); ruler of the Empire ('imperium'), the Emperor' [VeryFreq.]
imperatorius -a -um, 'pertaining to a general' [Common]
imperatrix -icis, f., 'a (fem.) commander' (Actually used as a fem. adj. to 'potestas' in the phrase 'potestas imperatrix.') [Rare]
impercussus -a -um, 'not striking, hitting' [Rare]
imperditus -a -um, 'not destroyed' [Rare]
imperfectus -a -um, 'not completed; the "imperfect" tense in Latin grammar' [Rare]
imperfossus -a -um, 'not stabbed through' (See fodio) [Rare]
imperiosus -a -um, '"commanding," imperious' [UnCommon]
imperitia -ae, f., 'lack of experience' [Common]
imperito -are, 'be in the habit of giving orders (mil.); be in command' [UnCommon]
imperitus -a -um, 'unskilled' [Common]
imperium -i, n., 'military command; the basic Roman administrative power, "a right to rule"; the power of a paterfamilias (legal); an office conferring legal right to rule (an army, the senate); the Roman Empire after Augustus' [VeryFreq.]
imperiuratus -a -um, 'not perjured' [Rare]
impermissus -a -um, 'illicit, illegal' [UnCommon]
impero -are, 'make demands; give orders, command an army; hold and use power, rule over . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
imperterritus -a -um, 'not terrified' [UnCommon]
impertio -ire, 'share, impart to others; give a part of to . . . ; share' [Freq.]
imperturbatus -a -um, 'undisturbed, calm' [UnCommon]
impervius -a -um, 'unpassable' (From 'in + per + via.' We use the same word, 'impervious,' of a material or membrane through which molecules cannot pass, as in the reverse osmosis process.) [Common]
impetibilis -e, 'unendurable' [UnCommon]
impetrabilis -e, 'obtainable by asking' (See impetro) [Common]
impetratio -onis, f., 'obtaining by asking' [UnCommon]
impetrio -ire, 'seek by asking for good augury, good omens (a specifically religious word)' [UnCommon]
impetro -are, 'ask for (and receive . . . ); request and obtain; get, obtain'(This word involves both the asking and the getting functions.) [VeryFreq.]
impetus -us, m., 'forward thrust, attack; a military attack, advance; attack of rage' [Freq.]
impexus -a -um, 'uncombed'(See pecten) [Rare]
impietas -tatis, f., 'impiety'Note: The meaning focuses on bad relationships of an individual to both family and deity; it is not just a religious pejorative, like Engl. "impiety." [VeryFreq.]
impiger -gra -grum, 'not lazy; active, energetic' (See piger, 'lazy') [Freq.]
impigritas -tatis, f., 'energy, drive' [UnCommon]
impingo -pingere -pegi -pactum, 'jam together, force, drive' (From 'pango,' with the vowel changed as a result of initial accent.) [Freq.]
impius -a -um, 'impious' Note: The Roman concept of "impiety" was concerned with the way a person acted toward his father and toward Juppiter, and it is only these relationships which were seen as counting. Hence, Aeneas' shabby treatment of Dido did not come under censure under this heading, and Vergil is morally justified in eternally calling Aeneas 'pius.' [Freq.]
implacabilis -e, 'implacable, inexorable' [Common]
implacatus -a -um, 'unappeased, not satisfied' [Rare]
impleo -plere -plevi -pletum, 'fill up; satiate (with food, drink); fill = make pregnant; provide in plenty, perform or complete a duty, an office or function' [VeryFreq.]
implicatus -a -um, 'involved, implicated' [UnCommon]
implicatio -onis, f., 'entwining, involvement' [Rare]
implico -are, 'weave around, fold up, entwine; involve,implicate; complicate' [Freq.]
implisco -ere, 'seize, lay hands on, involve' [Rare]
imploratio -onis, f., 'entreaty, imploring' [UnCommon]
imploro -are, 'appeal (to a person or deity) for aid; implore' [Freq.]
implumis -e, 'without feathers'(See pluma) [Rare]
impluo -pluere -plui, 'rain down upon, come down like rain (i.e. "like cats and dogs")' [Common]
impluvium -i, n., 'the "rain drain" in the Roman house's open court'Note: Sometimes this word is used as if it were the same as 'compluvium,' the "rain-catch" open to the sky. See compluvium. [Freq.]
impolitus -a -um, 'not polished (of stones); unpolished (of speakers)'Note: But this word is not like social politeness of manners, as Engl. "impolite." It is easy to forget how tied to the culture conventional manners in any society actually are. Table manners are a good example, since they often denote social class within a society. [Freq.]
impollutus -a -um, 'undefiled' [Rare]
impono -ponere -posui -positum, 'put on top of, lay atop; set on, build on; put on (ornaments etc.); cover over; impose (tasks, taxes, duties); impose upon = deceive' [VeryFreq.]
importo -are, 'import (commodities); impose (troubles)' [Common]
importunitas -tatis, f., 'pushiness, lack of consideration for others' [Freq.]
importunus -a -um, 'not suitable, suiting; inconvenient; pushy; hostile; inconsiderate, importune' [Freq.]
importuosus -a -um, 'without harbors'(See portus) [Rare]
impos -tis, 'having no self-control, crazy, crazed in . . . (with gen., e.g. animi, mentis)'(This word is the exact opposite of "compos," as in the legal phrase 'non compos mentis.' See compos.) [Common]
impotens -ntis, 'having no power over . . . ; out of control; wild and unchecked' Note: But it never has the English meaning of sexually "impotent," anxiety over which may be a characteristic of our times. [Freq.]
impotentia -ae, f., 'powerlessness, lack of self control; poverty' [Freq.]
impraesentiarum adv. (originally gen. pl. expressing area), 'in the present situations' [Rare]
impransus -a -um, 'not having dined, not having breakfasted' [Common]
imprecor -ari (dep.), 'invoke dieties (for benefits, aid); pray for help (in case of calamities, disasters and curses)' [Freq.]
impressio -onis, f., 'pressure, force; a military thrust forward' [UnCommon]
imprimis adv., 'first of all, especially' [VeryFreq.]
imprimo -primere -pressi -pressum, 'put pressure on, press, crush; stamp, print, imprint in the mind' Note: After the middle of the l5th century, this becomes the standard word for "printing." Note the Papal approval for a book, the 'imprimatur,' "let it be printed." [VeryFreq.]
improbatio -onis, f., 'checking for faults, testing; rejecting, refuting' [UnCommon]
improbitas -tatis, f., 'lack of moral fiber, lack of character'(From improbus) [Common]
improbo -are, 'condemn, lay charges against, prove guilty (legally)' [Freq.]
improbulus -a -um, 'having a somewhat bad character' [Rare]
improbus -a -um, 'incorrect, wrong, evil, tricky; unjust, unrighteous, sexually promiscuous'Note: This is a genuine Roman character-word of extremely wide application, referring to the lack of a sense of the decency which Romans felt was at the base of the deterioration of the state. See probus. [Freq.]
improcerus -a -um, 'stunted, of small growth or stature' [UnCommon]
improdictus -a -um, 'not previously announced' [Rare]
impromptus -a -um, 'not steady, unsure' [UnCommon]
improperatus -a -um, 'unhurried, leisurely' [Rare]
improsperus -a -um, 'unlucky, not having a share of good luck' [UnCommon]
improvidentus -a -um, 'not thoughtful for the future, not provident' [Common]
improvidus -a -um, 'not looking foward; not foreseeing . . . ' [Freq.]
improvisus -a -um, 'unforeseen' [Common]
imprudens -ntis, 'unaware of; ignorant of; not foreseeing the future, incautious' (This is actually a shortening of 'in + pro + videns.') [Freq.]
imprudentia -ae, f., 'lack of providence, carefulness, caution for the future'(See prev.) [Freq.]
impubis -beris (or -bis), 'pre-pubescent, adolescent; youthful; beardless (of a male)' [Freq.]
impudens -ntis, 'having no sense of shame; shameless; impudent'(See pudet) [Freq.]
impudentia -ae, f., 'shamelessness, impudence' [Freq.]
impudicitia -ae, f., 'lack of sexual shame, immodesty, sexual promiscuity' (See pudicus) [Freq.]
impudicus -a -um, 'unchaste, sexually promiscuous' [Freq.]
impugnatio -onis, f., 'an armed military assault' [Common]
impugno -are, 'attack (mil.), attack (in court); impugn' [Common]
impulsio -onis, f., 'pushing, pressuring' [Rare]
impulsor -oris, m., 'a political instigator' [Rare]
impulsus -us, m., 'the act of driving forward, drive; instigation' [Freq.]
impune adv., 'with impunity, without harm (to self), safely' [VeryFreq.]
impunitas -tatis, f., 'impunity; an exemption (from punishment, taxes, mil. service)' [Common]
impunitus -a -um, 'unpunished; exempt from punishment or responsibility for . . . ' [Freq.]
impuratus -a -um, 'filthy; completely rotten'(See purus) [UnCommon]
impuritas -tatis, f., 'moral impurity, religious defilement' [UnCommon]
impurus -a -um, 'filthy; vile'(This is a term of heavy-duty reproach, often with thinly disguised sexual overtones.) [Freq.]
imputatus -a -um, 'unpruned (of trees)' [Rare]
imputo -are, 'bring charges against (leg.); bring up debts against . . . ; claim credit for . . . (fin.)'(This word ranges from court cases, to financial matters to personal credit, all in the spirit of the universal Roman concern with courts and the law.) [Freq.]
imus -a -um, 'lowest, lowest (part of . . . ); the bottom of; deep; of the lower reaches = Hell; of the lowest element of society; low in pitch (music)' [VeryFreq.]
in prep., '(acc. obj.) into, toward, at; (abl. obj.) in, on' (There are many other sub-meanings. See next.) [VeryFreq.]
in-, as a bound prefix, 'not . . . ' (See prev. and next) [VeryFreq.]
in-, as a bound prefix, 'highly . . . , more and more . . . ' (This is an intensifying prefix, which is indistinguishable from the negating prefix 'in-.' [See 'inflammare' and 'inflammatus' for an example.] See two prev. words.) [VeryFreq.]
inaccessus -a -um, 'inaccessible' [UnCommon]
inacesco -escere, 'turn sour, become acidic (as wine, vinegar)' (See 'acetum' and Engl. "acetic acid.") [UnCommon]
inadfectatus -a -um, 'unaffected, natural, simple and direct' [UnCommon]
inadsuetus -a -um, 'unaccustomed' [UnCommon]
inaedifico -are, 'build on, build up; build over'(Clearly a word of the building trades) [UnCommon]
inaequabilis -e, 'unequal, uneven' [UnCommon]
inaequalis -e, 'not level, not plane; not equal (dimensionally); capricious, inconstant, unreliable (of persons)' [Freq.]
inaequalitas -tatis, f., 'unevenness, variation' [UnCommon]
inaequo -are, 'make level' [Rare]
inaestimabilis -e, 'of inestimable value, priceless; of no value at all (since it cannot be valued)'Note: We have the same problem with Engl., "priceless," which could be taken as "value-less," if one didn't know English well. One thinks of the joke about the Russian who had thoroughly studied institute English in the l970's, and explained to his friends his lack of children by saying that his wife was "impregnable." [Common]
inaestuo -are, 'boil, rage (of the emotions)' [Rare]
inamabilis -e, 'not lovely; unlovable' [UnCommon]
inamaresco -escere, 'become bitter' [Rare]
inambitiosus -a -um, 'not ambitious' [Rare]
inambulatio -onis, f., 'walking up and down; pacing' [UnCommon]
inambulo -are, 'walk up and down, promenade; pace' [Common]
inamoenus -a -um, 'unlovely'(An adjective used primarily of nature. See amoenus.) [Rare]
inane n., 'the void (as a philosophical term in Lucretius)'(Neuter form of the adjective, 'inanis.') [Freq.]
inanimus -a -um, 'having no life, inanimate; dead' [Rare]
inanio -ire, 'empty out, make void' [UnCommon]
inanis -e, 'empty; hollow, deserted; poor and deprived; groundless (of fears, hopes); inane = empty (of words, ideas); dead (empty of life) [VeryFreq.]
inanitas -tatis, f., 'emptiness' [UnCommon]
inaratus -a -um, '(of land) unploughed' [Rare]
inardesco -escere, 'catch fire, flare up; burn with emotion' [Common]
inaresco -escere, 'become dry' [Rare]
inassuetus -a -um, 'unaccustomed' [Rare]
inattenuatus -a -um, 'not thinned out; unattenuated' [UnCommon]
inaudax -acis, 'not daring' (From audeo) [Rare]
inauditus -a -um, 'unheard; unheard of (hence, [Rare]
and valuable, exotic)Note: But, interestingly, English "unheard of" means weird, outrŽ, and generally undesirable. [Freq.]
inauguro -are, 'take augural readings; inaugurate, consecrate' [Common]
inauratus -a -um, 'gilded, covered with gold, golden' [Freq.]
inaures -ium, f. pl., 'earrings' [Rare]
inauro -are, 'cover with gold, gild' [UnCommon]
inauspicatus -a -um, 'without proper omens, unlucky, inauspicious' [Common]
inausus -a -um, 'not-dared, unattempted' [Rare]
incaeduus -a -um, 'not felled (of forests)' [Rare]
incalesco -escere, 'warm up (of objects); warm up (of feelings)' [Common]
incalfacio -ere, 'heat up' [Rare]
incallidus -a -um, 'not smart, not clever or shrewd' [Rare]
incandesco -escere, 'start to glow with heat; get red or white hot' [UnCommon]
incanesco -escere, 'become gray (of hair)' (See canus) [UnCommon]
incanto -are, 'put a spell on (by singing magic rituals)'Note: English "enchant," a word heavily used by the advertising trades, has veered from witch-craft to sex-craft. [Common]
incanus -a -um, 'quite gray = old' [UnCommon]
incassum adv., 'in vain, emptily' [UnCommon]
incastigatus -a -um, 'not blamed' [UnCommon]
incautus -a -um, 'unwary, unprotected' [UnCommon]
incedo -cedere -cessi -cessum, 'walk, walk forwards; march (mil.), walk in an acceptable Roman style (i.e. slowly and stridingly)'Note: The formal Roman 'incessus,' or "gait," is slow, careful against falls and evil omens, pompous and somewhat self-conscious, becoming as much a status symbol of a Roman citizen as a method of locomotion. [Freq.]
incelebratus -a -um, 'not recorded, listed' [Rare]
incenatus -a -um, 'not having dined' [UnCommon]
incendiarius -a -um, 'arsonistic; (as noun) an arsonist' [UnCommon]
incendium -i, n., 'fire (in a town); a burning star; the heat of the sun; the blazing up of any emotion, passion' [VeryFreq.]
incendo -cendere -cendi -censum, 'light a fire, kindle, light up; combust; kindle (an emotion)' [Freq.]
incensio -onis, f., 'arson' [UnCommon]
incensus -a -um, 'lit up, kindled; burning'(See next) [UnCommon]
incensus -a -um, 'not listed in a census'(From censeo. See prev.) [Rare]
inceptio -onis, f., 'a beginning, start' [Rare]
incepto -are, 'start, begin; undertake' [UnCommon]
inceptum -i, n., 'an undertaking, a beginning of something . . . ' [UnCommon]
inceptor -oris, m., 'initiator' [Rare]
incerno -cernere -crevi -cretum, 'sprinkle or sift over' [Common]
incero -are, 'cover with wax'(From cera) [Rare]
incertus -a -um, 'not fixed; uncertain (of outcome, mil.); undependable, unsure, wavering, hesitating; not in the right order' [VeryFreq.]
incesso -ere -i (-ivi, -ui), 'attack (mil.); impugn verbally' [UnCommon]
incessus -us, m., 'the "gait" of a Roman citizen' (See incedo) [Freq.]
incesto -are, 'pollute (in religious and sexual senses)' (Engl. "incest," as the criminal sexual activities of overly near relatives, is a specialized use of this word. See next.) [UnCommon]
incestus -a -um, 'unclean, impure; religiously defiled, sexually promiscuous; incestuous' [Freq.]
incestus -us, m., 'unchastity; incest as such' [Common]
incido -cidere -cidi -casum, 'throw oneself forward, rush headlong; chance upon = find; fall into (trouble); fall under (a ruler); happen, occur'(The impersonal form, 'incidit,' means "it happens, comes up, comes to mind, comes up in conversation." The -i- is short; the verb comes from 'cado.' See next.) [Freq.]
incido -cidere -cidi -cisum, 'slice into, cut; cut off, terminate, kill'(The -i- of the root is long, from 'caedo.' See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
incilo -are, 'blame' [Rare]
incingo -gere -xi -ctum, 'surround (mil; geog.), bind, wrap up' [Freq.]
incino -ere, 'play (on a musical instrument)'(From cano) [Rare]
incipio -cipere -cepi -ceptum, 'begin; undertake; start . . . ; begin with . . . ; take the lead' [VeryFreq.]
incisim adv., 'in short and concise phrases' (Used of speech patterns) [Rare]
incitamentum -i, n., 'spur, inducement' [UnCommon]
incitatio -onis, f., 'excitement, arousing' [UnCommon]
incito -are, 'cause to move fast, spur on; arouse, stimulate; awaken or stir up feelings' [Freq.]
incitus -a -um, 'rushing' [UnCommon]
inclamo -are, 'call upon by name, summon loudly; yell or "holler" at' [Freq.]
inclaresco -escere, 'become famous (as a 'vir clarus')'(See clarus) [Common]
inclemens -ntis, 'inclement, bad (of weather, words, persons)' [Common]
inclementia -ae, f., 'harshness' [Rare]
inclinatio -onis, f., 'leaning, bending over; an inclination (of the mind), influence (which makes someone "incline"); push down, deject, dominate' [Freq.]
inclino -are, 'push over, influence; incline'(See inclinatio) [Freq.]
includo -cludere -clusi -clusum, 'close in, seal in, blockade (mil.); bury out of sight; include; conclude' [Freq.]
inclusio -onis, f., 'imprisonment' [Rare]
inclutus -a -um, 'well-known; famous'(It is also somewhat pretentiously spelled 'inclytos,' as if Greek.) [Freq.]
incoctus -a -um, 'uncooked, raw'(See 'coquo' and next) [Rare]
incoctus -a -um (ppl. from incoquo), 'cooked into . . . '(See prev) [Rare]
incogitabilis -e, 'thoughtless, inconsiderate' [Rare]
incogitans see incogitabilisincogitantia -ae, f., 'thoughlessness' [UnCommon]
incogitatus -a -um, 'thoughtless; never brought under consideration' [Common]
incogito -are, 'think about, concentrate on' (The 'in-' is intensive here, as against the prev.) [UnCommon]
incognitus -a -um, 'unknown, unfamiliar; untested, unsure' [Common]
incoho -are, 'begin, start, undertake, engage in . . . ' [Freq.]
incola -ae, m., 'a farmer; citizen, inhabitant of an area, country; a native'Note: Most of the Roman 'coloniae' (from colo -ere), planted throughout the empire at various developable sites, were originally agricultural. Names like Koeln/Cologne and many others bear witness to the widespread Roman colonial projects throughout Europe. [VeryFreq.]
incolo -ere -ui, 'inhabit, dwell in, live in . . . ' [Freq.]
incolumis -e, 'unharmed, safe; complete, intact' [Freq.]
incolumitas -tatis, f., 'safety; lack of harm' [Common]
incomitio -are, 'abuse verbally' ( . . . as if in a 'comitium,' which see.) [Rare]
incomitatus -a -um, 'unaccompanied'(See comes) [Rare]
incommendatus -a -um, 'not protected' [Rare]
incommoditas -tatis f., 'inconvenience' [UnCommon]
incommodo -are, 'vex, annoy' [Common]
incommodus -a -um, 'bothersome, annoying, unpleasant'(See commodus) [Common]
incommutabilis -e, 'unchanging, unchangeable' [Rare]
incomparabilis -e, 'incomparable; of the highest value, priceless' [Rare]
incompertus -a -um, 'untested, not studied' [Rare]
incompositus -a -um, 'not in proper order, in disarray; in a route (mil.); disorderly (of writing)' [Freq.]
incomprehensibilis -e, 'not graspable or understandable' [Rare]
incomptus -a -um, 'uncombed (of hair); dishevelled, unkempt; uncouth' [Common]
inconcessus -a -um, 'not conceded, forbidden' [UnCommon]
inconcussus -a -um, 'unshaken, secure; steadfast' [UnCommon]
inconditus -a -um, 'not in good order, rough; disorganized (mil.)' (See condo, conditus) [Freq.]
inconsideratus -a -um, 'not well thought out; reckless; inconsiderate' [UnCommon]
inconsolabilis -e, 'inconsolable' [Rare]
inconstans -ntis, 'not-constant; changeable, wavering' [UnCommon]
inconstantia -ae, f., 'changeability' [Rare]
inconsultus -a -um, 'not well-considered, rash; not well advised' [Common]
inconsumptus -a -um, 'not consumed' [Rare]
incontaminatus -a -um, 'not contaminated, pure' [UnCommon]
incontentus -a -um, 'not stretched out (originally of the strings on a lyre)' [Rare]
incontinens -ntis, 'unrestrained, out of control'(Latin medical authors use this word for involuntary urination, like the specialized English medical term, "incontinent.") [Rare]
incontinentia -ae, f., 'lack of control (of the emotions, the bladder)' [Rare]
inconveniens -ntis, 'unsuitable; out of step, out of tune'(Not the same as English "inconvenient," although it borders on the idea of unsuitability.) [UnCommon]
incoquo -quere -xi -ctum, 'cook up, boil; boil in (dye color, spices); boil down = reduce by boiling; bake or roast (i.e. cook dry)' [Common]
incorruptus -a -um, 'not corrupted or contaminated; pure; clean (morally and politically)' [Freq.]
increbesco (increbresco) -escere -ui, 'increase (in size or frequency)' [UnCommon]
increbro -are, 'multiply' [Rare]
incredibilis -e, 'unbelievable, not to be believed' [Freq.]
incredulus -a -um, 'not believing in oneself, not self-confident; incredulous' [Common]
incrementum -i, n., 'increase, growth; addition; political promotion' [Freq.]
increpito -are, 'call aloud, reproach vociferously' [UnCommon]
increpo -are -avi atum (also, -ere -ui -itum), 'make a sharp rattling noise; attack verbally, yap at' [Freq.]
incresco -escere -evi -etum, 'grow, develop; increase' [Freq.]
incruentus (incruentatus) -a -um, 'not bloodstained' [Rare]
incrusto -are, 'paint over, whitewash (literally); encrust' [UnCommon]
incubo -are, 'lie down, lie down to rest; lie over (of a mist); hang over (jealously guarding, watching over something); lie down to sleep in a temple (expecting dreams, portents)'(See next) [Freq.]
incubo -onis m., 'a spirit which guards hidden treasure; a ghost which suffocates people in their sleep'Note: From this develops the medieval idea of an 'incubus,' a male ghost who makes love to women in the night, but this appears not to be an idea from the Roman world. See prev. and also 'succuba,' the female analog. [Common]
inculco -are, 'stamp the heel on, trample on, step on; "stamp in" (an idea, a lesson), inculcate' (From calx) [Freq.]
inculpatus -a -um, 'blameless, not guilty' [UnCommon]
incultus -a -um, 'untended, uncultivated (land), unkempt (hair); uncouth, personally uncultivated, uncultured' (See next) [Freq.]
incultus -us, m., 'lack of cultivation, uncouthness'(See prev.) [Rare]
incumbo -cumbere -cubui -cubitum, 'lie down on, rest on; press down on (mil.), push into, apply force to, give attention to' [Freq.]
incunabula -orum, n. pl., 'cradle-cloth, baby-wrappings, and diapers; (transf.) childhood; a birthplace' Note: The English use of the word, 'incunabula,' for the books of the "infancy of printing," i.e. books printed before the year l500, is a rather strained, although well-established, modern term. First editions of the Latin authors were generally printed before l500, while many of the first editions of Greek authors date from 1500 to 1575. See 'imprimo' and note. [UnCommon]
incuratus -a -um, 'not medically treated, not cured' [Rare]
incuria -ae, f., 'lack of care, attention' [UnCommon]
incuriosus -a -um, 'not paying attention, not careful; unaware' [Common]
incurro -currere -curri (-cucurri) -cursum, 'rush at, run into; attack (mil.); happen, occur' [Common]
incursio -onis, f., 'attack (mil.)' [Common]
incurso -are, 'make an attack (mil.)' [Common]
incursus -us, m., 'advance; attack (mil.)' [Common]
incurvo are, 'bend, curve over; make to stoop' [UnCommon]
incurvus -a -um, 'crooked, bent-over; stooped (of persons)' [UnCommon]
incus -udis, f., 'a blacksmith's anvil' Note: The word survives in the modern anatomical description of the middle ear: The 'incus' (anvil) is hit by the 'malleus' (hammer) and the force is connected to the inner-ear (called the 'cochlea,' or snail, from its shape) by the 'stapes' (stirrup). The Romans knew little of the functioning anatomy of the middle ear, we use their Latin words far beyond their knowledge. [UnCommon]
incusatio -onis, f., 'accusations; blame' [Rare]
incuso -are, 'blame, criticize; put the blame on (in a legal action)' [UnCommon]
incustoditus -a -um, 'unwatched, unsupervised; uncautious' [Common]
incusus -a -um, 'forged on the anvil'(See incus) [UnCommon]
incutio -cutire -cussi -cussum, 'beat, hammer, whack; forge; forge (i.e. produce a new idea); threaten forcibly' [Freq.]
indagatio -onis, f., 'an investigation' [Rare]
indagator -oris, m., 'an investigator' [Rare]
indago -are, 'track down (as in hunting with dogs); investigate'(See next) [Freq.]
indago -inis, f., 'a hunting party (consisting of trackers, beaters, and net carriers)'Note: The Romans' idea of hunting was to have beaters drive the prey into nets, where the "hunters" would kill them. The same system of hunting has persisted in India until this century. All in all, not a very sporting proposition, at least by American standards, according to which the hunter must stalk the prey with silent skill, while hoping he will not be shot by other hunters who are prowling the forests intent on doing the same thing. See prev. [Common]
inde adv., 'thence; hence, from that place; from this point in the argument' [VeryFreq.]
indebitus -a -um, 'not owed' [Rare]
indecens -ntis, 'not fitting, not suitable; unpleasant'Note: Never has the sexual overtones of English, "indecent," as in "indecent exposure." Actually, nobody in the ancient world would have thought of nakedness as being "indecent," or of "flashing" as a kind of startling obscenity. [Freq.]
indeclinatus -a -um, 'unchanging' [UnCommon]
indecor -oris, 'unsuitable, not fitting, shameful' [Freq.]
indecoro -are, 'disgrace, cast shame upon' [Common]
indecorus -a -um, 'unseemly, disgraceful' [Freq.]
indefensus -a -um, 'without defense (mil. and legal)' [Common]
indefessus -a -um, 'unwearied, tireless' [Common]
indefletus -a -um, 'unwept' [Rare]
indeiectus -a -um, 'not cast down' [Rare]
indelebilis -e, 'indelible'(Like the Indelible Ink! See deleo.) [Rare]
indelibatus -a -um, 'unweakened' [Rare]
indemnatus -a -um, 'not convicted (in a court of law)' [UnCommon]
indemnis -e, 'not incurring a loss (leg.)' [UnCommon]
indeploratus -a -um, 'not mourned' [Rare]
indeprensus -a -um, 'incomprehensible; indispensible' [Rare]
indesertus -a -um, 'not deserted' [Rare]
indestrictus -a -um, 'untouched, unharmed' [UnCommon]
indetonsus -a -um, 'unshorn, long-haired' [Rare]
indevitatus -a -um, 'unavoidable' (The -d- is euphonic.) [Rare]
index -icis, m., '(that which points at =) the index finger; index of a book, a political informer or "rat"; an indication, a sign . . . '(See next) [VeryFreq.]
indicium -i, n., 'an act of revealing, indicating; political "informing"; signification that . . . ' (The word generally has very bad associations.) [VeryFreq.]
indico -are, 'proclaim; declare; declare war; establish and promulgate (taxes, duties, punishment)'(The -i- is short. See next.) [VeryFreq.]
indico -dicere -dixi -dictum, 'appoint, declare; state, call for'(The -i- is long, from dico -ere. See prev.) [Freq.]
indictus -a -um, 'not said' [Rare]
indidem adv., 'from the same place' [Freq.]
indifferens -ntis, 'indifferent; not showing any difference' [Common]
indigena -ae, m., 'a native (of a place, town); a native of Italy; native to . . . ; born in . . . '(For the connection to 'indigentia,' see next.) [Common]
indigentia -ae, f., 'neediness, poverty, indigency' Note: An "indigena" is a native living on the ground his ancestors tilled. [See prev.] The fact that Latin 'indigentia' means "poverty," like English "indigent," points to the following social situation: As the native Italic peoples were replaced in the period after the Punic wars by slaves on the farms, "indigenous" came to mean poor and impoverished, rather than independent and self-supporting. After the heavy American industrialization of the l930's, the word "farmer," which had been an honorable vocation previously, began to be used for a poor and uneducated yokel. [Common]
indigeo -ere -ui, 'be needy, be poor, impoverished' [Common]
indigens -ntis, 'needy' [UnCommon]
indiges -etis, 'native, indigenous' Note: This word is used as a title for the native Italic deities, including, with a grand stretch of the imagination, the Trojan Aeneas as founding father of Rome! [VeryFreq.]
indigestus -a -um, 'ill-ordered, in disarray' (Don't confuse with English "undigested" Thanksgiving dinner, or med. "indigestion.") [Common]
indignabundus -a -um, 'filled to the brim with indignation' [UnCommon]
indignatio -onis, f., 'indignation'(Juvenal defends his satiric bent by saying: 'Facit indignatio versus.') [Common]
indignitas -tatis, f., 'unworthiness; humiliation' [Freq.]
indignor -ari -atus sum (dep.), 'resent; be offended at; be indignant at . . . ' [Freq.]
indignus -a -um, 'unworthy (of an honor); not deserving (punishment); shameful' [Freq.]
indigus -a -um, 'poor, indigent' (See indigena) [UnCommon]
indiligens -ntis, 'not diligent' [Rare]
indiligentia -ae, f., 'lack of diligence' [UnCommon]
indipiscor -dipisci -deptus sum (dep.), 'grasp, get a hold on = understand; take a hold of, begin, undertake (a job)' [Common]
indireptus -a -um, 'not looted' (See rapio) [Rare]
indiscretus -a -um, 'not separated into parts, categories; tolerated without distinguishing the parts'(Not at all like English "indiscreet") [Common]
indisertus -a -um, 'not clever, eloquent, or well-educated'(See disertus) [UnCommon]
indispositus -a -um, 'confused' [UnCommon]
indistinctus -a -um, 'disordered, without arrangement; mixed-up' (Not exactly English "indistinct," but in the right range.) [UnCommon]
individuus -a -um, 'not divided; unseparated; individually "atomic"' [Freq.]
indo -dere -didi -ditum, 'add, put onto; put on (clothes); implant; bestow, tack on . . . ' [Freq.]
individus -a -um, 'not divided up; not shared' [Rare]
indocilis -e, 'unteachable' [UnCommon]
indoctus -a -um, 'uneducated' [VeryFreq.]
indolentia -ae, f., 'freedom from pain (dolor)' (Don't confuse with English "indolence," = 'ignavia,' "laziness.") [Freq.]
indoles -is, f., 'nature, inborn character (usually in a good sense); natural endowments' [Freq.]
indomitus -a -um, 'untamed (of animals); unconquered, uncontrollable' [Common]
indormio -ire -ivi -itum, 'sleep on top of . . . , lapse into sleep and forgetfulness' [UnCommon]
indotatus -a -um, 'not having a dowry' (See dos, dotis) [Rare]
indu see in (A Lucretian archaism) [Common]
indubitatus -a -um, 'unquestioned; unquestionable' [UnCommon]
indubito -are, 'have questions about . . . '(Takes dat. object) [Rare]
indubius -a -um, 'not questioning, not doubtful' [UnCommon]
induciae see indutiaeinduco -cere -xi -ctum, 'lead in, lead on; lead forward (mil.); produce, introduce, induce; persuade, induce the mind; spur on, cover over with . . . ; cancel' [VeryFreq.]
introductio -onis, f., 'introducing, inducing, directing (the mind)' [Common]
indulgentia -ae, f., 'leniency, kindness; indulgence' [Common]
indulgeo -gere -si -sum, 'be indulgent to . . . ; show kindness to . . . ; indulge oneself; do a favor to . . . ' [Freq.]
induo -ere -i -tum, 'put on (clothes) . . . put on (a manner); plunge a weapon into (so that the body "clothes" the knife); instill (a feeling, an idea)' [Freq.]
induresco -escere -ui, 'become hard, stiffen up' [UnCommon]
induro -are, 'make hard, toughen up, stiffen oneself' [Freq.]
industria -ae, f., 'industriousness, diligence' [Common]
industrius -a -um, 'diligent, industrious, hard-working' [Common]
indutiae -arum, f. pl., 'peace treaties, an armistice' [Freq.]
inebrio -are, 'make drunk, soak in drink' [UnCommon]
inedia -ae, f., 'fasting; lack of food' [Rare]
ineditus -a -um, 'not published' [Rare]
inelegans -ntis, 'uncouth, uncultured' [UnCommon]
ineluctabilis -e, 'inescapable' [Rare]
inemorior -mori -mortuus sum (dep.), 'die off; die while involved in doing something ('in-')'(See emorior) [Rare]
inemptus -a -um, 'unbought, unpurchased = homegrown' [UnCommon]
inenarrabilis -e, 'indescribable' [Rare]
inenodabilis -e, 'insoluble'Note: The figure is taken from attempts to untie difficult knots, which probably represented something more than decorative macrame. A complex knot like the famed Gordian may have been a way of communicating complex meanings, even geometric relationships. The Incas developed a remarkable system of knot-mathematics, which served as the accounting and banking system for a vast empire, as well as the finest system of dating which the world had seen until recently. See nodus. [Rare]
ineo -ire -ivi (or -ii) -itum, 'enter, enter into; make love to; become a partner (enter into with . . . ); enter upon (a business, a project, a scheme)' [VeryFreq.]
ineptiae -arum, f. pl., 'foolishness, silliness; stupidity, absurd frivolity' [Common]
ineptio -ire, 'act like a fool' [UnCommon]
ineptus -a -um, 'foolish, silly, "dumb"' [UnCommon]
inermis -e, 'unarmed, defenseless (mil.); pacifistic' [Common]
inerrans -ntis, 'not wandering (that is, unlike the planets)'Note: This word is used of the fixed stars, whereas "planet" comes from Gr. 'planein,' "wander." [UnCommon]
inerro -are, 'wander about' [Rare]
iners -ertis, 'unskilled, clumsy; untrained; lazy, without spirit' (From 'in-' [neg.] + 'ars,' "craft") [Freq.]
inertia -ae, f., 'lack of skill, training; laziness, sloth, indolence' Note: As a term in Physics, "inertia" dates from the scientific revival of the l6th century, and has acquired an entirely new technical meaning. [Freq.]
ineruditus -a -um, '"un-lettered," uneducated' [Common]
inesco -ere, 'entice, seduce' (Lit., "put out food ['esca'] for [in order to trick], using food as bait." See esca.) [Rare]
inevitabilis -e, 'unavoidable, inevitable; absolutely necessary' [UnCommon]
inexcitus -a -um, 'unexcited' [Rare]
inexcusabilis -e, 'without an excuse' [Rare]
inexercitatus -a -um, 'untrained, unpracticed'(The word has a military base. See exercitus.) [UnCommon]
inexhaustus -a -um, 'untired; untiring' [Rare]
inexorabilis -e, 'not to be moved by prayers, inexorable' [Common]
inexperrectus -a -um, 'not awakened' (From expergiscor) [Rare]
inexpertus -a -um, 'inexperienced; untested' [UnCommon]
inexpiabilis -e, 'unappeasable' [Rare]
inexplebilis -e, 'unfillable, insatiable' [Rare]
inexplicabilis -e, 'unable to be explicated, explained; insoluble'(From plico, "weave, intertwine.") [UnCommon]
inexploratus -a -um, 'not yet investigated' [Rare]
inextinctus -a -um, 'not extinguished' [Rare]
inexsuperabilis -e, 'insurmountable, insuperable' [Rare]
inextricabilis -e, 'un-ravel-able; inextricable' [Rare]
infabricatus -a -um, 'not carefully fashioned, worked' (A trade word; see 'faber' and 'fabrica.') [UnCommon]
infacetiae -arum, f. pl., 'stupidities; boor-isms'(Not unlike Fr. 'betises') [Freq.]
infacetus -a -um, '"un-funny"; dumb; gauche' [Freq.]
inficetus see infacetusinfacundus -a -um, 'lacking in verbal fluency' [UnCommon]
infamia -ae, f., 'bad reputation, disgrace, dishonor'(See fama) [Freq.]
infamis -e, 'having a bad reputation, scandalous' [Freq.]
infamo -are, 'give a bad name to . . . ; defame' [Rare]
infandus -a -um, 'unspeakable; disgraceful' (Lit., "not to be spoken of." Actually, a gerundive from 'for, fari,' "speak," but becomes a word in its own right.) [Freq.]
infans -ntis, 'speechless, astonished; (as noun) one who is not speaking ('fari') = child before the age of speech (2-3 years)'Note: Engl. "infant" has lost the discrimination at the age of speech and become a general word for any cuddly child who is not yet toilet-trained, which has become the critical factor in child development. We assume speech from 18 months on. [Freq.]
infantia -ae, f., 'speechlessness; infancy' [Common]
infanteria -ae, f., 'babysitter' [Rare]
infarcio -ire, 'stuff, cram into . . . ' [UnCommon]
infercio see infarcioinfatuo -are, 'act like a fool; make a fool of . . . ' [UnCommon]
infaustus -a -um, 'unlucky, unfortunate' [UnCommon]
infector -oris, m., 'a dyer' (This word is specialized for the cloth trade, but compare 'inficio,' "put in dye, spices, or poisons!") [Rare]
infectus -a -um, 'not done, completed; roughly worked, not perfected'(See next) [Freq.]
infectus -a -um, 'dyed' (From inficio. See prev.) [Rare]
infecunditas -tatis, f., 'sterility (of plants as well as animals)' [UnCommon]
infecundus -a -um, 'unfruitful, not reproducing; unprofitable' [UnCommon]
infelicitas -tatis, f., 'infelicity; bad luck; ill-fortune' [Common]
infelix -icis, 'unhappy, unlucky, unfortunate; undesirable' [Freq.]
infenso -are, 'attack, assail' [Rare]
infensus -a -um, 'hostile, angry, destructive' [VeryFreq.]
inferiae -arum, f. pl., 'funeral rites; rituals for the departed dead' Note: An important and solemn word, much in the Roman consciousness, and invested with deep meaning, as in Catullus' Poem 101, on his brother's death and funeral. [VeryFreq.]
infercio -ire, 'stuff full'(See infarcio) [UnCommon]
inferior see inferusinfernus -a -um, 'lower, on the lower side; Hell; of the underworld (Hell); infernal'Note: Literally, "down under," but not Australia, where Crocodile Dundee has become a latter-day Heracles of sorts. Like Heracles, he dominates Nature, but he is also able to cope with society, something Heracles was never able to do. All of the Greek heroes have a deep social flaw. [VeryFreq.]
infero -ferre -tuli -latum, 'carry, carry forth, bring forth (troops); press forward; introduce, charge to (financial); inflict on . . . (something bad)' [VeryFreq.]
inferus -a -um, 'lower, downward; of the underworld, hellish = infernal (compar. = inferior -oris, "lower")' Note: An "inferno" is characterized by fire in English, while the Roman hell is damp, dark, and cave-like, probably with Palaeolithic historical associations. There are many thousands of miles of caves under Europe, most once inhabited by early man, from whom memory of this "underworld" seems to have survived in many of the Greek myths. The "ghosts" are invisible flying bats, Cerberus' triple mouthings are echoes in the caves, and the "loathsome" Styx is an underground river loaded with sulphur leached from the rocks. Ancient myths probably contain much unrecognized pre-history. [Freq.]
infesto -are, 'annoy, bother; disturb' [UnCommon]
infestus -a -um, 'hostile, aggressive; on the offensive (mil.); dangerous' [Freq.]
inficetus -a -um, 'un-funny, boorish, stupid' (See facetus) [Common]
inficio -ficere -feci -fectum, '(put something into =) stain, dye, color; make bloody with a stain; put in (poison); poison someone'(See infector.) [Freq.]
infidelis -e, 'unfaithful, disloyal' [UnCommon]
infidelitas -tatis, f., 'disloyalty' [Rare]
infidus -a -um, 'faithless; treacherous, not to be trusted' Note: The Engl. 'infidel' comes from this, as not having (Christian) "faith," hence, pagan and not to be trusted. See 'paganus' and note. [Common]
infigo -gere -xi -xum, 'drive (a weapon) in, infix, transfix (lit.); jam into . . . ; fix in the mind, fix the mind on . . . ' [Freq.]
infindo -ere, 'split apart, cleave (of the keel of a boat)' [UnCommon]
infinitus -a -um, 'unlimited, without end, infinite' [Freq.]
infirmitas -tatis, f., 'weakness, infirmity' [Common]
infirmo -are, 'weaken; disarm; refute' [Common]
infirmus -a -um, 'weak, infirm, invalid'( . . . whereas Engl. restricts this word to the medically sick.) [Freq.]
infit (impersonal, from 'in+fio'), 'it starts, one begins . . . ' [Freq.]
infitatio -onis, f., 'denial, a refusal' [UnCommon]
infitiator -oris, m., 'sponger, one who owes money and refuses payment; bad debtor' [Common]
infitior -eri (dep.), 'deny, refuse' [UnCommon]
inflammo -are, 'set on fire, set burning; inflame' [Freq.]
inflatus -a -um, 'blown up, blown on; blown up, inflated' [Rare]
inflecto -ctere -xi -xum, 'bend, sway; cause to change' [Freq.]
infligo -gere -xi -ctum, 'strike on, inflict' [Freq.]
inflo -are, 'blow into; inspire' [Common]
influo -ere -xi -xum, 'flow into (of rivers)' [Common]
infodio -ire, 'dig into the ground; dig in = bury' [UnCommon]
informis -e, 'shapeless, mis-shapen, ugly to behold' [Freq.]
infortunatus -a -um, 'unlucky, unfortunate' [Common]
infortunium -i, n., 'lack of good luck, misfortune; punishment' [Common]
informo -are, 'shape, mould' [Freq.]
infra adv., 'underneath, below' [VeryFreq.]
infractio -onis, f., 'breaking (of the spirit); depression' [Rare]
infractus -a -um, 'broken down, weak; crest-fallen' [UnCommon]
infremo -ere, 'roar, growl at' [Rare]
infrenatus -a -um, 'un-bridled (without frenum); out of control'(Used of wild and savage horsemen; but compare 'infreno' for the opposite meaning, 'rein in, control.' See 'frenum.') [Rare]
infrendo -ere, 'grind the teeth in anger' [UnCommon]
infrenis see infrenusinfreno -are, 'rein in, get under control' (See 'frenum'; and compare 'infrenus' (next) with reversed meaning.) [UnCommon]
infrenus -a -um, 'unbridled (of horses), wild; uncontrolled (of men), out of control' [Rare]
infrequens -ntis, 'not regular, [UnCommon]
; un [Common]
, [Rare]
; not heavily populated, deserted' [Freq.]
in [Freq.]
ia -ae, f., 'lack of population; desolation of a given locale' [UnCommon]
infringo -ingere -egi -actum, 'break, break in on; shatter; weaken, defeat; foil' (Engl. "infringe" has a much more restricted application.) [Freq.]
infrons -ndis, 'leafless' [Rare]
infructuosus -a -um, 'unfruitful, unproductive' [UnCommon]
infucatus -a -um, 'covered over (with paint = 'fucus'); concealed, masked = Engl. "whitewashed"'(The 'in-' is intensive, not negative. See fucus, 'paint') [Common]
infula -ae, f., 'a headband used in religious rituals or services' [Common]
infulatus -a -um, 'wearing the headband' (See infula) [Common]
infundo -fundere -fudi -fusum, 'pour a liquid on or over; pour on (money, arrows, etc.); (of rivers) pour into the sea; pour oneself out = relax' [Freq.]
infusco -are, 'darken; discolor, make black; contaminate' [Rare]
ingemino -are, 'repeat; double; double up (of effort)'(See geminus) [UnCommon]
ingemisco -iscere -ui -itum, 'groan over, sorrow over' [Rare]
ingemo -ere -ui -itum, 'groan over, sorrow over' [UnCommon]
ingenero -are, 'generate (of plants); generate (ideas)' [Common]
ingeniosus -a -um, 'talented, ingenious, skillful' Note: See note on Lat. 'genius,' which is not at all the same as English "genius," a product of the early Romantic Revolution. [Freq.]
ingenium -i, n., 'inborn qualities of character and nature; talent, ingenuity; a genetic predisposition' [VeryFreq.]
ingens -ntis, 'huge; oversize; grand, heroic' [Freq.]
ingenuitas -tatis, f., 'being born free (as against slave); as befitting a free-born Roman = decent, honest, honorable'Note: This word shows Roman "moral ethnocentricism," a not un [Common]
social phenomenon. See the American Southern remark, "That was white (=decent) of you . . . "--a phrase never used for slaves or their black descendants, any more than the comparable, "That was right Christian of you," which is inappropriate for Jews or Moslems. Each society has an image of its own social propriety, which inevitably becomes embarrassing when confronting outsiders. [Common]
ingenuus -a -um, 'native, free-born; decent, suitable and proper'(English, "ingenuous," has added the quality of simple, unassuming frankness to the Latin word. See ingenuitas, prev.) [Freq.]
ingero -gerere -gessi -gesssum, 'pile up; heap on; jam and thrust forward (words, weapons, etc.)' [Freq.]
ingigno (not used), ingenui, 'I have planted' [UnCommon]
ingenitus -a -um, 'implanted' [UnCommon]
inglorius -a -um, 'undistinguished' (Compare English, "inglorious," as against Lat. 'gloria,' "boasting.") [UnCommon]
ingluvies -ei, f., 'throat; gullet (of animals); "maw" (of a glutton)' [Freq.]
ingrati(i)s adv., 'unwillingly, involuntarily' [Common]
ingratus -a -um, 'thankless, ungrateful; unpleasant; disagreeable' [Freq.]
ingravesco -escere, 'become weighty, heavy; become weighed down, serious, aggravated' [Common]
ingravo -are, 'weigh down, load down' [UnCommon]
ingredior -gredi -gressum (dep.), 'walk forwards; proceed; proceed to . . . ; attack (mil.)' (See gradus) [VeryFreq.]
ingressio -onis, f., 'advancing; undertaking . . .' [UnCommon]
ingressus -us, m., 'an approach, an ingress; undertaking . . . ; any aggressive advance' [Common]
ingruo -ere -i, 'bear down on (mil.); threaten' [Common]
inguen inguinis, n., 'the groin, crotch; the sexual organs; sex' [Freq.]
ingurgito -are, 'flood over, engulf, engorge' (See 'gurges,' "whirlpool") [UnCommon]
ingustatus -a -um, 'never before tasted' [Rare]
inhabilis -e, 'hard to handle, hard to manage; ill-suited' [Common]
inhabitabilis -e, 'uninhabitable' [Rare]
inhabito -are, 'inhabit, dwell in' [UnCommon]
inhaero -rere -si -sum, 'stick to, be adhered to; hold onto, be "attached" to; concentrate on . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
inhaeresco -escere, 'become attached to, get stuck onto . . . ' [UnCommon]
inhalo -are, 'breath on; (magically) breath over'(English distinguishes between "inhaling" and "exhaling," but Lat. 'inhalare' is more like English "exhaling.") [Freq.]
inhibeo -ere -ui -itum, 'hold back, restrain; inhibit, check' [Freq.]
inhio -are, 'gape (with open mouth) at, wonder at; pant after = covet, desire to have . . . ' [Common]
inhonesto -are, 'disgrace' [Common]
inhonestus -a -um, 'not-honest, dishonest; poor and mean in appearance' [Common]
inhonoratus -a -um, 'not respected, honored' [UnCommon]
inhorreo -ere, 'bristle up , stand on end (of hair)' [UnCommon]
inhorresco -escere -ui, '(of hair) stand on end; (of sea) be agitated; (of persons) tremble, shiver, be horror-struck' [Rare]
inhospitalis -e, 'inhospitable (usually of places)' [UnCommon]
inhospitalitas -tatis, f., 'inhospitality' [UnCommon]
inhospitus see inhospitalisinhumanitas -tatis, f., 'lack of a sense of human civility; deficiency on manners' [Common]
inhumanus -a -um, 'un-human; inhuman; uncivilized; sub-human' [Freq.]
inhumatus -a -um, 'unburied' Note: Dying without being properly buried was to Romans a frightening idea, often mentioned in poetry. However, throughout the Late Republic and Empire, cremation was the standard way of laying a corpse to rest. [Common]
inibi adv., 'there, in that place' [VeryFreq.]
inicio -icere -ieci -iectum, 'throw forward, cast at . . . ; throw on (clothes); throw forth (an idea); "inject" an idea into an argument' [Freq.]
iniectio -onis, f., 'laying on (of hands), claiming legal ownership' (See 'manus' for legal meanings of 'manus' and ownership.) [Rare]
inimicitia -ae, f., 'hostility, unfriendliness; ill-will' [Common]
inimico -are, 'make hostile' [Rare]
iniectus -us, m., 'throwing on; application (of the mind)' [Common]
inimicus -a -um, 'unfriendly; hostile; pertaining to the enemy (mil.); inimicable to . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
iniquitas -tatis, f., 'unlevelness (of land); unevenness (of disposition); unfairness; hostility' [Common]
iniquus -a -um, 'uneven (of land); unfair (of attitudes); hostile, unfriendly; prejudiced, slanted' [VeryFreq.]
initio -are, 'initiate in a religious ritual' [UnCommon]
initium -i, n., 'a start, beginning; inception, origin; source' [VeryFreq.]
initus -us, m., 'beginning, start' [Rare]
iniucunditas -tatis, f., 'unpleasantness, lack of good spirits' [Common]
iniucundus -a -um, 'not pleasing, unpleasant' [Common]
iniungo -gere -xi -ctum, 'fasten on (a yoke on an ox); impose duties, responsibilities; inflict (fines, punishment)' [Freq.]
iniuratus -a -um, 'unsworn' [Rare]
iniuria -ae, f., '(that which is not proper under "ius") legal injustice, legal injury . . . ; libel, verbal outrage; sexual attack; an injury (of the body)'(From in- + ius, iuris) [VeryFreq.]
iniuriosus -a -um, 'legally wrongful; injurious' [Common]
iniurius -a -um, 'wrong (legally); unjust' [Rare]
iniussus -us, m., 'lack of an order'(Often used in abl. sg., 'iniussu,' as a supine.) [Freq.]
iniussus -a -um, 'unauthorized; without proper "orders"; unasked for, done without orders'Note: This is an important word since Roman administrative procedures established an exact hierarchy of operations, to be followed at all costs. Failing at the "order" level is serious business, as Aeolus, in Book I of the Aeneid, discovers! [Freq.]
iniustitia -ae, f., 'injustice' [Rare]
iniustus -a -um, 'illegal, unjust, unfair; illegitimate; not approved by a court'(This word is more legal than ethical.) [Freq.]
INL- FOR WORDS STARTING WITH INL- CHECK WITH ILL-inlabefactus -a -um, 'unshaken; firm' [Rare]
inlabor -labi -lapsus sum (dep.), 'slide into, glide into; totter over' [UnCommon]
inlaboro -are, 'work hard at . . . ' [UnCommon]
inlacrimabilis -e, 'not likely to be moved by tears; harsh, stern' [Rare]
inlacrimo -are, 'weep, cry over' [Rare]
inlaesus -a -um, 'uninjured, not harmed' [Rare]
inlaetabilis -e, 'unable to be cheered up' [Rare]
illaqueo -ere, 'entangle in a bird net' (See 'laqueus,' "rope") [Rare]
illaudatus -a -um, 'unpraised' [Rare]
inlecebra -ae, f., 'attraction, enticement (often with magical overtones)' [Common]
inlecebrosus -a -um, 'enticing' [Rare]
inlectus -a -um, 'unread' (From 'lego.' See next.) [Rare]
inlectus -us, m., 'attraction'(From 'inlecebra.' See prev.) [Rare]
inlepidus -a -um, 'inelegant; uncharming' [UnCommon]
inlex -icis, f., 'a decoy (in bird hunting or fishing)'(See 'inlicio,' "entice," and next) [Freq.]
inlex -icis, 'lawless, outlawed'(The satirist Lucilius, in the early period, used 'exlex,' which is much clearer than this word. See prev.) [Rare]
inlibatus -a -um, 'undiminished' [Rare]
inliberalis -e, 'unworthy of a free-born Roman; mean, disgraceful' [Freq.]
inliberalitas -tatis, f., 'meanness, smallness of mind' [UnCommon]
inlicio -licire -lexi -lectum, 'attract, entice, allure' [Common]
inlicitator -oris, m., 'a house bidder at an auction who entices (illicio) people to make higher bids'Note: . . . and we had thought that this sort of thing was American! [Rare]
illicitus -a -um, 'not allowed, illegal, illicit'(From 'licet,' not 'illicio') [Freq.]
inlido -lidere -lisi -lisum, 'smash against, dash against; collide' [Common]
inligo -are, 'bind fast, tie up in cord; entangle' [Common]
inlimis -e, 'un-muddied'(See limus) [Rare]
inlino -linere -levi -litum, 'smear, bedaub; paint over; "gild the lily" (in written style)' [Freq.]
inliquefactus -a -um, 'turned into a liquid, liquified' (The in- is intensive, not negative.) [UnCommon]
inlitteratus -a -um, 'unlettered; ignorant' [UnCommon]
inlotus -a -um, 'unwashed, dirty'(See 'lavo,' 'lautus,' with the popular biform, 'lotus.') [Common]
inlucesco -lucescere -luxi, 'become light (as dawn arrives); shine on' [Common]
inludo -ludere -lusi -lusum, 'play with; mock, seduce' [Freq.]
illumino -are, 'put the light onto; make clear, obvious, conspicuous; brighten up (of writing)' Note: "Illuminated" manuscripts are indeed brightened up with gold and red ink and myriad complex decorations. [Common]
inlusio -onis, f., 'irony, ridicule' Note: This is Quintilian's translation of Gr. 'eironeia,' fortunately never adopted in English, or we would have something like "Socratic illusion" in English criticism, rather than Socratic irony, which is imprecise enough! [UnCommon]
inlustris -e, 'bright, shining with light; clear; illustrious, famous; lucid (of writing)'Note: Note the title, 'Vir Illustris' [= 'Vir Clarus'], almost a title, and in the abbreviated form, 'VC,' very [Common]
on inscriptions. [Freq.]
inluvies -ei, f., 'dirt, muck, scum; dirtiness (of a person)' [Common]
innabilis -e, '(water) that cannot be swum in'Note: The notion behind this word has reappeared in signs on many California beaches, no longer because of dangerous rip tides, but because of the crud floating on the surface. [Rare]
innascor -nasci -natus sum (dep.), 'be born in' [VeryFreq.]
innato -are, 'swim in; swim on; float on over, flow over' [Freq.]
innecto -nectere -nexi -nectum, 'tie together, bind together; fasten' [Freq.]
innitor -niti -nisus sum (dep.), 'lean on; be supported by . . . ; depend on' [Freq.]
inno -are, 'swim in; swim on, float on; flow over (of water)' [Rare]
innocens -ntis, 'not harmful; not guilty = innocent legally; honorable, virtuous; harmless' [Freq.]
innocentia -ae, f., 'innocence (only legal); harmlessness; uprightness of moral character' [Common]
innocuus -a -um, 'harmless, not harming anyone' [Common]
innotesco -escere -ui -tum, 'become known or famous' [UnCommon]
innoxius -a -um, 'innocent, not guilty; harmless, inoffensive; not harmed' [Freq.]
innuba -ae., f., 'a maiden, an unmarried girl'(See nubeo) [Rare]
innubilis -e, 'not cloudy = clear'(See nubes) [Rare]
innubo -nubere -nupsi -nuptum, 'marry into . . . (a family)' [Rare]
innumerabilis -e, 'not countable, infinite' [UnCommon]
innumerabilitas -tatis, f., 'infinite number' [Rare]
innumeralis see innumerabilisinnumerus -a -um, 'numberless' [Common]
innuo -nuere -nui -nutum, 'give a nod to; nod "yes"; assent, agree' [UnCommon]
innupta -ae, f., 'maiden, unmarried girl' [UnCommon]
innutrio -ire, 'rear, nourish, bring up' [Rare]
inoblitus -a -um, 'not forgetful' [Rare]
inobrutus -a -um, 'not drowned' [Rare]
inobservabilis -e, 'difficult to trace or follow' [Rare]
inobservantia -ae, f., 'lack of careful attention' [UnCommon]
inobservatus -a -um, 'not observing; not observed' [Rare]
inoffensus -a -um, '(of the feet) not stumbling; (of a road) smooth, clear; unimpaired'(See fendo) [UnCommon]
inofficiosus -a -um, 'failing in one's responsibilities, not performing duties ('officia')'(See Cicero's essay, 'De Officiis.') [UnCommon]
inolens -ntis, 'having no odor' [Rare]
inolesco -escere -evi -etum, 'grow, develop; implant (used of vegetable life)' [UnCommon]
inominatus -a -um, 'without good omens' [Rare]
inopia -ae, f., 'lack, deprivation; neediness, poverty; shortage (of goods, of words, of ideas)'(The opposite is 'copia.') [Freq.]
inopinans -ntis, 'not suspecting' [Rare]
inopin(at)us -a -um, 'unforseen; unforseeing' [UnCommon]
inops -opis, 'lacking, poor, impoverished; destitute; resourceless; powerless; lacking (words, money)' [Freq.]
inoratus -a -um, 'not plead (of a legal case)' [Rare]
inordinatus -a -um, 'disorderly, disordered, irregular' [UnCommon]
inornatus -a -um, 'plain, simply got up, undecorated' [UnCommon]
inquam inquivi (defective), 'say; (often like English) "says he," "I say"' (Only a small roster of forms is actually used. The word often has a catchy, semi-colloquial tone.) [Freq.]
inquies -etis, f., 'disquiet, unrest' [Common]
inquilinus -i, m., 'a tenant, lodger; one who rents rooms in someone else's house'Note: Since the verb, 'inquilino [next],' means "make dirty, befoul," we have in this word the chronic complaint of the landlord about how tenants ruin his property. Apparently, trashing apartments in a low-cost, urban renewal project is nothing new. See next. [UnCommon]
inquino -are, 'make dirty, befoul; defile'(For discouraging habits of rental tenants, see prev.) [Common]
inquinatus -a -um, 'dirty, filthy; corrupt' [Common]
inquiro -quirere -quisivi -quisitum, 'search out; inquire into, investigate' [Freq.]
inquisitio -onis, f., 'an investigation, search, examination' Note: The "Inquisition" of the Catholic Church into matters of faith was started, as this Latin word shows, primarily as an investigation, although it quickly escalated into a full-scale "Persecution." Just so, the MacCarthy Congressional Committee of the l950's was empowered to "investigate," a dangerous power to give anyone on any pretext. [UnCommon]
inquisitor -oris, m., 'investigator'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
INR-WORDS BEGINNING WITH INR- MAY APPEAR UNDER IRR-
inraucesco -escere, 'become hoarse (with shouting)' [Rare]
inreligatus -a -um, 'un-moored (of ships)' [Rare]
inreligiosus -a -um, 'not superstitious' [UnCommon]
inremeabilis -e, 'of a process from which there is no return' [Rare]
inreparabilis -e, 'not repairable, irreparable' [Rare]
inrepertus -a -um, 'undiscovered, not ascertained' [Rare]
inrepertus -a -um, 'not discovered' [Rare]
inrepo -ere -si -tum, 'creep in (like a reptile ); crawl in; "worm" one's way into . . . '(See repo, -ere) [Freq.]
inreprehensus -a -um, 'not to be blamed' [Rare]
inrequietus -a -um, 'ceaseless, tireless' [UnCommon]
inresectus -a -um, 'not cut back, pared (of the fingernails)' [Rare]
inresolutus -a -um, 'not set loose' [Rare]
inretio -ire, 'catch in a net'(Used of hunting and fishing, from nets or 'retes.') [Rare]
inretortus -a -um, 'not turned backwards; not looking back (of the eye)' [Common]
inreverens -ntis, 'not respectful' [Rare]
inrevocabilis -e, 'what cannot be called back' [Rare]
inrevocatus -a -um, 'not called back'(Used of a bad actor, not "encore'd" or called back to the stage. See exsibilo and explaudo.) [UnCommon]
inrideo -ridere -risi -risum, 'laugh at, mock, scoff at' [Freq.]
inrigatio -onis, f., 'watering of plants, irrigation' [UnCommon]
inrigo -are, 'wet down, water; flood, drench (plants, fields)' [UnCommon]
inriguus -a -um, '(of lands) well-watered; water-producing' [UnCommon]
inrisio -onis, f., 'laughing at, mockery, scorn' [UnCommon]
inrisor -oris, m., 'mocker' [Rare]
inrisus -us, m., 'laughter, mockery; scorn' [Common]
inritabilis -e, 'irritatable' [UnCommon]
inritamen -inis, n., 'stimulus to action, incentive' [Freq.]
inritamentum see inritamen( . . . but this is more commonly used)inritatio -onis, f., 'the act of inciting' [Rare]
inritus -a -um, 'invalid; useless, ineffectual' [Common]
inrogatio -onis, f., 'legal call for a penalty' [Rare]
inrogo -are, 'propose a legal penalty; propose a fine' [UnCommon]
inroro -are, 'sprinkle, bedew'(See ros, "dew") [Common]
inructo -are, 'belch at' [Rare]
inrumpo -rumpere -rupi -ruptum, 'burst in, break in on; force one's way into . . . ' [Freq.]
inruo -ere -i -tum, 'rush at, rush into, attack' [Rare]
inruptio -onis f, 'a bursting in' [Rare]
inruptus -a -um, 'not broken in upon' [Rare]
insalubris -e, 'unhealthy (of places, climates, food)' [Rare]
insalutatus -a -um, 'un-saluted, not greeted' [Rare]
insanabilis -e, 'uncurable (med.)' [Rare]
insania -ae, f., 'insanity, madness; insane actions, marks of insanity; rage' [Freq.]
insanitas -tatis, 'psychosis (probably)'Note: There are real dangers in applying modern psychiatric terms to an ancient culture, and much silly harm has been done by Classicists in this direction over the years. But, on the other hand, it is senseless to pretend that the psychological revolution of the last century has not occurred, and that we are to read the Classics without any modern psychological awareness. An outstanding example of this dilemma is Propertius, who constantly calls for psychological commentary, yet resists easy classification of his emotional disabilities. Whether doing wrong by psychologizing, or entirely missing the import of much ancient writing by pretending to be psychology-free . . . which of these goes without danger (Aesch.)? [UnCommon]
insanus -a -um, 'insane, crazy; crazed, acting as if insane; extravagant, uncontrolled, wild' [Freq.]
insatiabilis -e, 'never satisfied, insatiable; never eating, not satisfying oneself' [Common]
insaturabilis -e, '(of the stomach) unfillable' [Rare]
inscendo -scendere -scendi -scensum, 'climb up onto . . . , mount a horse; embark on a ship; mount (a female)' [Freq.]
insciens -ntis, 'not aware of, not knowing about . . . ; ignorant, stupid' [Common]
inscientia -ae, f., 'lack of knowledge, ignorance of . . . ' [Freq.]
inscitia -ae, f., 'lack of knowledge or experience' [Common]
inscitus -a -um, 'ignorant, unskillful' [UnCommon]
inscius -a -um, 'not knowing; ignorant; stupid' [Common]
inscribo -scribere -scripsi -scriptum, 'write (something) in or on; mark, label; address (a letter); title (a book); write down = record'(Inscriptions!) [Freq.]
inscriptio -onis, f., 'writing on, branding a slave; making an "inscription" on stone' [Common]
inscriptus -a -um, 'un-written'(Here the -in is negative. See next.) [UnCommon]
inscriptus -a -um, 'written down'(Here the 'in-' is positive. See prev.) [UnCommon]
insculpo -ere -si -tum, 'carve (stone) make sculpture; permanently record (as if on stone); make a permanent record of . . . ' [Common]
inseco -are, 'cut into, make marks on, scratch, nick' [UnCommon]
insectatio -onis, f., 'pursuit; persecution' [UnCommon]
insectator -oris, m., 'persecutor' [Rare]
insecto -are (also insector, dep.), 'follow up, pursue; persecute' [UnCommon]
insenesco -escere, 'slowly become old' [Rare]
insepultus -a -um, 'unburied 'Note: This was a horror for Roman sensibilities, although they always cremated! Burying the ashes probably satisfied this fear, and saved a great deal of space in overcrowded cemeteries. See inhumus, inhumatio. [UnCommon]
insequor -qui -cutus sum (dep.), 'follow after, pursue; follow next in line; follow up on; attack (mil.); pursue (an idea)' [VeryFreq.]
insero -serere -sevi -situm, 'plant, emplant, graft (with a shoot); engraft (an idea)'Note: The Romans were highly skilled at the science of grafting productive shoots onto specialized rootstock, as described in Vergil's 'Georgics' and Columella. The modern apple orchard is at last learning how to graft selected treestock onto smaller rootstock for small, high production trees which produce fruit at eye level. [Freq.]
inserto -are, 'insert (a shoot, an idea etc)' [Rare]
inservio -ire, 'serve; serve the interests of; take care of some services for . . . ' [Common]
insideo -ere, 'sit on, ride on, be situated on; be present at . . . ' [Freq.]
insidiae -arum, f. pl., 'traps, an ambush (mil.)' [Freq.]
insidiator -oris, m., 'a soldier in an ambush; robber lying in wait; trickster' [Common]
insidior -ari (dep.), 'be in an ambush, lie in wait for someone' [Freq.]
insidiosus -a -um, 'full of ambushes; tricky; insidious' [Common]
insido -sidere -sedi -sessum, 'sit on, settle down on (birds, insects); settle down in a position (mil.); settle in = live in' [Freq.]
insignis -e, 'distinguished; (as noun) insignium, a medal; a decoration (on dress); badge' [Freq.]
insignio -ire, 'mark, identify, label; mark as honorable' [Rare]
insignitus -a -um, 'marked, labelled as distinguished' [UnCommon]
insignis see insignitus (but more commonly used) [Common]
insilia -orum, n. pl., 'treadle of a weaver's loom' (From insilio, "jump on," a good description of the weaver's action when he is at work at the loom.) [Rare]
insilio -ire, 'jump on, leap upon; attack suddenly' [UnCommon]
insimulatio -onis, f., 'allegation of a crime' [Rare]
insimulo -are, 'charge, make a charge' [UnCommon]
insincerus -a -um, 'not pure, tainted' [Rare]
insinuatio -onis, f., '"insinuation" of a lawyer into favor of the court by indirect means' (From sinus, "lap") [Rare]
insinuo -sinuare, 'insinuate, worm into somebody's favor; sneak thoughts into . . . ' (See sinus, "lap") [Freq.]
insipiens -ntis, 'foolish, silly, childish' (See sapiens) [Common]
insipientia -ae, f., 'foolishness, silliness' [UnCommon]
insisto -sistere -stiti, 'stand on; get something afoot, press forth, press on, insist on . . . ; stand firm; come to a standstill = stop' [Freq.]
insitio -onis, f., 'grafting (of trees)' [UnCommon]
insitivus -a -um, 'grafted (of trees); contrived, not natural; (of children) illegitimate, adopted' [Freq.]
insitus see inseroinsitor -oris, m., 'a man who knows how to graft branches on trees' [UnCommon]
insolens -ntis, 'not usual; unaccustomed, unheard of; arrogant = insolent' [Freq.]
insolentia -ae, f., 'unusualness, oddness, strangeness; arrogance, insolence' [Freq.]
insolesco -escere, 'become disdainful, "uppity," haughty' [UnCommon]
insolidus -a -um, 'not solid; soft' [Rare]
insolitus -a -um, 'unaccustomed, unusual, strange' [Freq.]
insomnia -ae, f., 'insomnia, sleeplessness' [Common]
insomnis -e, 'sleepless' [Rare]
insomnium -i, n., '(sg.) a nightmare; (pl.) insomnia' [Freq.]
insono -are, 'make a loud sound' [Rare]
insons -ntis, 'not guilty (leg.)' [Rare]
insopitus -a -um, 'sleepless' [Rare]
inspectio -onis, f., 'examination, inspection' [Rare]
inspecto -are, 'look at, observe closely' [UnCommon]
insperans -ntis, 'not-hoping' [Rare]
insperatus -a -um, 'unexpected; un-hoped for' [Common]
inspergo -spergere -spersi -spersum, 'sprinkle on . . . ' [Rare]
inspicio -spicere -spexi -spectum, 'inspect, look over, observe; investigate; grasp mentally'(See next) [Freq.]
inspico -are, 'sharpen to a point; shape' (See prev.)Note: When Shakspeare says, "there is a destiny that shapes our ends, rough hew them as we may," he was actually taking a metaphor from pointing or shaping fence posts, which had just been "hewed"! Making posts by hand is still [Common]
in rural England, using the identical words, "shaping" and "hewing"! --- The fact that this line was quoted as a proof of genetics by an experimental biologist, who has just finished amputating fifty generations of rats' tails, does not change the argument. [UnCommon]
inspiro -are, 'breathe upon, breathe in (feelings); animate' [Freq.]
inspoliatus -a -um, 'not despoiled, not looted' [Rare]
instabilis -e, 'unsure on the feet, unsure of stance, unstable; wavering (in purpose); unreliable' [Freq.]
instans -ntis, 'pressing right at hand, urgent' [UnCommon]
instantia -ae, f., 'present urgency; insistence' [UnCommon]
instar -aris, n., 'equal and equivalent measure; measure equal to . . . '(As a phrase, 'instar' + gen., "in the likeness of . . . ; like . . . ," is a poetic usage.) [Freq.]
instauratio -onis, f., 'renewal, renewal of a ritual'Note: Note the title of Bacon's 'Instauratio Magna,' used in exactly this sense. This was to be the renewal of science, nothing less, although in the main without controlled experimentation! By the time of his death, science had moved into entirely new directions. [Common]
instauro -are, 'renew, renew in a religious ritual, recommence; restore, recommence' [Freq.]
insterno -sternere -stravi -stratus, 'spread out (like a blanket); cover (a floor); cover something with . . . (abl. obj.)' [Freq.]
instigator -oris, m., 'one who overturns, instigates' [Common]
instigo -are, 'arouse, instigate, incite' [Common]
instillo -are, 'pour in (drop by drop); introduce bit by bit'(See stilla) [UnCommon]
instimulator -oris, m., 'agitator' [Rare]
instimulo -are, 'arouse' [Rare]
instinctor -oris, m., 'an agitator' [Rare]
instita -ae, f., 'decorative tape on the edge of a Roman matron's stole; any ribbon' [UnCommon]
institor -oris, m., '(one who sets forth) a peddler, hawker, shopkeeper, retailer' [Common]
instituo -uere -ui -utum, 'set up, put in operation, undertake, establish, educate, inculcate; appoint as heir' [Freq.]
institutio -onis, f., 'organization, arrangement; established custom; education'Note: Quintilian's treatise is called 'Institutio Oratoria,' actually, "On the Education of an Orator," which seems terribly restrictive in aim. But we should remember that an increasing amount of American education is directed toward "The Education of the Businessman," a practical study directed towards real life, but no broader philosophically than the Roman style of education. [Freq.]
institutum -i, n., 'practice, custom; a teaching, doctrine' [Freq.]
insto -are -stiti, 'stand forth, step forward; take a stand, take a stand against . . . ; be at hand, pressing; press urgently' [VeryFreq.]
instrenuus -a -um, 'not strenuous, lazy' [Rare]
instrepo -ere -ui -itum, 'make a sharp, rattling noise' [UnCommon]
instringo -stringere -strinxi -strictum, 'bind fast, tie up' [Rare]
instructio -onis, f., 'drawing up (lines of battle, mil.); construction of a building' [Rare]
instructor -oris, m., 'one who arranges, sets in order'Note: The distinction between the true Socratic teacher and the 'Instructor,' in the above sense, has not been scrupulously maintained in many of our American colleges. [Rare]
instructus -us, m., 'equipment' [Rare]
instrumentum, -i, n., 'equipment, tools, an implement' Note: Never used for a "musical instrument," although the Greek equivalent word, the 'organon' or tool, became an "organ" in the Middle Ages. [Common]
instruo -ere -xi -ctum, 'draw up, arrange, organize; construct a building; fully outfit and equip; furnish with skill and information' [Freq.]
insuavis -e, 'unpleasing; unpleasant (to taste or smell)' [Rare]
insudo -are, 'sweat, toil over' [UnCommon]
insuesco -escere -evi -etum, 'get used to, get accustomed to; make accustomed' [Common]
insuefactus -a -um, 'accustomed; trained' [Common]
insuetus -a -um, 'unaccustomed; unusual' [UnCommon]
insula -ae, f., 'an island; a block of an apartment house' [Freq.]
insulanus -i, m., 'an island dweller' [Rare]
insulsitas -tatis, f., 'foolishness, dullness' [Common]
insulsus -a -um, 'dull, stupid; "un-funny"'Note: Basically, "unsalted," in a world where sal, "salt," is wit. "If," as the New Testament says, "the salt should lose its savor," the world would be, for the Romans at least, a very "un-funny" place. [Freq.]
insulto -are, 'leap on, trample; insult' [UnCommon]
insum -esse -fui, 'be in, be a part of, be involved in, be contained in' [Freq.]
insumo -ere -psi -ptum, 'consume; spend (time or money on something); use up' [Common]
insuo -ere, 'sew up, sew in (a parricide in a bag)'(See parricida) [UnCommon]
insuper adv., 'above, overhead' [VeryFreq.]
insuperabilis -e, 'insuperable' [UnCommon]
insurgo -gere -rexi -rectum, 'rise up; come into being, arise; rise up = revolt; rise (in status, position); become elevated (of language and style)' [Freq.]
insusurro -ere, 'whisper, whisper in someone's ear . . . ' [Rare]
intabesco -escere -ui, 'dissolve, melt away; waste away' [UnCommon]
intactilis -e, 'that which cannot be touched' [Rare]
intactus -a -um, 'untouched; unharmed, unused; virginal' [Freq.]
intaminatus -a -um, 'unstained' [Rare]
intectus -a -um, 'uncovered; unroofed; bare, naked; open and frank of speech'(From in- [negative] + tego) [Freq.]
intellegus -a -um, 'unharmed, complete and entire'(From integer, see next) [Rare]
integer -gra -grum, 'whole, complete; undamaged, completely openminded and frank; strong, unscathed (mil.); upright and honest' [VeryFreq.]
intego -tegere -texi -tectum, 'cover over, cover; roof over' (See tectum) [Common]
integrasco -ascere, 'come up completely new' [Rare]
integratio -onis f., 'renewal' [Rare]
integritas -tatis, f., 'wholeness, integrity; purity' [Common]
integro -are, 'renew, make whole again, restore' [UnCommon]
integumentum -i, n., 'covering, wrapping' [UnCommon]
intellectus -us, m., 'understanding, intellect; meaning' [Freq.]
intelligentia -ae, f., 'understanding, intellect, mental acuity'Note: English "intelligentsia" or "those in the know" is a somewhat snobbishly Hispanicized use of this word, which should have a much broader meaning. [Freq.]
intellego -legere -lexi -lectum, 'understand, figure out, comprehend, understand (words, language, meaning)' [Freq.]
intemeratus -a -um, 'unstained, pure; sexually chaste' [Common]
intemperans -ntis, 'without self-control, unrestrained; extreme; licentious, lewd' [Freq.]
intempestus -a -um, 'unseasonable, bad (of the weather)' [Common]
intemperantia -ae, f., 'lack of self control, restraint' [Common]
intemperatus -a -um, 'extreme, immoderate, uncontrolled' [UnCommon]
intemperies -ei, f., 'lack of self-control; outrageousness, excessiveness of behavior' [Freq.]
intemptivus -a -um, 'unseasonable (of weather); out of the proper time, unseasonable' [Common]
intempestus -a -um, 'unseasonable; stormy (of weather)'Note: The odd phrase, 'nox intempesta,' has about the same meaning as the English, 'in the dead of night,' neither phrase actually meaning what the words say! Both imply that there is something awful and unspeakable about the midnight hour. [Common]
intemptatus -a -um, 'untried, unattempted; unattacked (mil.)' [Common]
intendo -tendere -tendi -tensus, 'stretch out, stretch tight (of a bowstring); stretch out (anything), draw oneself up tight; strain after, intend to . . . ; direct at, aim at (as if with an arrow); bring a legal charge' [VeryFreq.]
intentio -onis, f., 'straining one's vision or mind, concentrating; bringing a legal charge' [UnCommon]
intento -are, 'stretch out towards; strain the eyes at, examine' [Common]
intentus -us, m., 'stretching out, straining' [Rare]
intentus -a -um, 'intent, concentrating; intense, serious' [Freq.]
intepesco -escere -ui, 'warm up, warm up (to someone); warm down = cool off, be cool to someone, lukewarm' (In this word, the prefix, 'in-,' can be either intensive or negative. Of course, the Romans, who would naturally put context before definition, had no trouble telling what was meant.) [UnCommon]
inter prep., '(acc. obj.) between, among' [VeryFreq.]
interaestuo -uere, 'flare up periodically (med.)'Note: Used by Pliny of his uncle's stomach in the famous letter describing the elder Pliny's efforts to save people trapped under the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The uncle died nobly, as a retired admiral of the Roman navy should, evacuating refugees by boats, and finally succumbing to a stroke. [Rare]
interamenta -orum, n. pl., 'internal fittings of a ship' [Rare]
inte [Rare]
sco -escere, 'dry up' [Rare]
interbito -ere, 'fail' [Rare]
intercalaris -e, 'intercalary = the extra days added to complete the year, extra days added on' Note: It was natural to append the extra days to February, which was the last month of the old Roman year. March started the new year with the planting season, as September (the 7th month) and the rest of the later months prove. See Februa and note. [UnCommon]
intercalo -are, 'add an extra day (the "Leap Day")'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
intercapedo -inis, f., 'an interruption, break, delay' [UnCommon]
intercedo -cedere -cessi -cessum, 'intervene, intercede; occur between (friends, partners); intervene between, block, veto' [Freq.]
interceptio -onis, f., 'a blocking, a veto' [Rare]
interceptor -oris, m., 'an embezzler' [Rare]
intercessio -onis, f., 'a legal guarantee, surety; a veto' [UnCommon]
intercessor -oris, m., 'one who gives 'intercessio''(See prev.) [Rare]
intercido -cidere -cidi, 'cut through, slice through; cut off, cut short' (The -i- is long, since the word comes from 'caedo.' See next.) [Freq.]
intercido -cidere -cidi, 'fall through, fall between; fail, be lost, be forgotten, drop out' (The -i- is short, since the word comes from 'cado.' See prev.) [Freq.]
intercino -cinere -cecini, 'sing' [Rare]
intercipio -cipere -cepi -ceptum, 'seize, intercept, capture; steal, embezzle; cut short, interrupt' [Freq.]
intercludo -cludere -clusi -clusum, 'close off, blockade (mil.); hinder, prevent' [Freq.]
interclusio -onis, f., 'blocking off' [Rare]
intercolumnarium -i, n., 'intercolumnar spacing (arch.)' [Rare]
intercurro -currere -cucurri -cursum, 'run between; mingle with; be a legal intermediary' [Common]
intercurso -are, 'run between' [Rare]
intercus -cutis, 'under the skin'(Of subcutaneous water = 'intercutis aqua' [med.]) [Rare]
interdico -dicere- dixi -dictum, 'interdict, forbid, prohibit; issue a restraining order' [Freq.]
interdictio -onis, f., 'a prohibition, disbarment' [UnCommon]
interdictum -i, n., 'a prohibition; a praetor's restraining order' [UnCommon]
interdiu (interdius), adv., 'in the daytime, by daylight' (See the [Rare]
'diu') [Freq.]
interdo -dare -dedi -datum, 'put in between'(Used in Plautine idiom with some word indicating a thing of no value, = "not give a darn for . . . ") [Rare]
interductus -us, m., 'insertion of a punctuation mark in writing' [Rare]
interdum adv., 'from time to time, periodically' [VeryFreq.]
interea adv., 'meanwhile, in the meantime' [VeryFreq.]
interemptor -oris, m., 'murderer' (See interemo) [Rare]
intereo -ire -ivi (or -ii) -itum, '(go between the two worlds=) die, be destroyed, perish'(Used of persons and also things.) [Freq.]
interequito -are, 'ride a horse in between . . . ' [Rare]
interfatio -onis, f., 'a break in a speech' [Rare]
interfectio -onis, f., 'murder' [Freq.]
interfector -oris, m., 'murderer' [Rare]
interficio -ficere -feci -fectum, '(make to go between=) kill, destroy, finish off; terminate' [Freq.]
interfio (the formal passive to 'interficio'), 'die'(See prev.) [Common]
interfluo -uere, '(of rivers) flow between' [Rare]
interfodio -ire, 'dig in between, pierce' [Rare]
interfor -fari -fatus sum (dep.), 'interrupt a speech or talk' [UnCommon]
interfugio -onis, f., 'flight, escape' [Rare]
interfulgeo -ere, 'shine amongst (of the stars)' [UnCommon]
interfundo -fundere -fudi -fusum, 'pour in between, pour over' [Common]
interfusus -a -um, 'poured out among; suffused; imbued with' [Common]
interiaceo -iacere -ieci -iectum, 'lie between (geog.); come between, intervene' [Common]
interibi adv., 'meanwhile' [Common]
intericio -icere -ieci -iectum, 'interpose, intersperse; insert' [Common]
interiectio -onis, f., 'inserting; an interpolation, insertion' [UnCommon]
interiectus see interiectiointerim adv., 'meanwhile, in the "interim"' [VeryFreq.]
interimo -imere -emi -emptum, '(take away life =) kill; destroy' [Freq.]
interior -oris, 'inner, inside; interior; inland (the Interior); intimate; remote (the interior areas away from the Mediterranean Sea)' (See interus) [VeryFreq.]
interitio -onis, f., 'death, destruction' [Freq.]
interitus see interitiointeriungo -iungere -iunxi -iunctum, 'yoke up (a team of oxen); unyoke (with 'inter-' as if 'in-' for negative!) [UnCommon]
interlabor -i (dep.), 'glide between (of rivers, boats)' [UnCommon]
interlego -ere, 'pluck (buds, flowers)' [Rare]
interlino -linere -levi -litum, 'plaster on; blot over (a legal paper with intent of fraud)' [Rare]
interloquor -i (dep.), 'speak in between; interrupt' [Common]
interluceo -lucere -luxi, 'shine through; be clear, obvious' [UnCommon]
interlunium -i, n., 'the period between the old and the new moon' [Common]
interluo -ere, '(of rivers) wash between (the lands)' [Rare]
intermenstruus -a -um, 'the period between the old and new moons; intermonthly' [Rare]
interminor -ari (dep.), 'threaten; forbid with strong threats' [Rare]
intermisceo -miscere -miscui -mixtum, 'mingle into, intermix' [Rare]
intermissio -onis, f., 'a break in time; a gap, interruption' [Common]
intermitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'let stop, make intermittent; interrupt; let go the use of . . . ' [Freq.]
intermorior -mori -mortuus sum (dep.), 'die off, perish; faint, collapse' [Common]
intermundia -orum, n. pl. , 'the spaces between the worlds (in Epicurean philosophy)' [Rare]
intermuralis -e, 'in between the walls' [Rare]
internascor -nasci -natus sum (dep.), 'grow up among . . . ' [UnCommon]
internecio -onis, f., 'slaughter, extermination; genocide' [Common]
internecivus -a -um, 'devastating, slaughtering' [Rare]
interneco -are, 'exterminate, slaughter, kill off' (See nex) [UnCommon]
internecto -are, 'bind together, tie up' [Rare]
internodium -i, n., 'the space between two nodes (of a plant, of an animal's joints)' [Rare]
internosco -noscere -novi -notum, 'distinguish, recognize the differences' [UnCommon]
internuntius -a -um, 'as a messenger' [Freq.]
internus -a -um, 'inside; internal (of land masses); internal (of states, families)' [Freq.]
interpellatio -onis, f., 'interruption' [Rare]
interpello -are, 'interrupt, block, obstruct; accost, bring a legal case against' [Freq.]
interpolo -are, 'fix up as good as new (of paintings, sculpture, books)' [UnCommon]
interpono -ponere -posui -positum, 'place in between; insert; take part in . . . ; interpose oneself = veto' [Freq.]
interpositio -onis, f., 'an insertion; a parenthesis' [Rare]
interpres -etis, m., 'a business negotiator; an ambassador; a language interpreter = translator; interpreter of omens' [Freq.]
interpretatio -onis, f., 'explanation; translation; an interpretation' [UnCommon]
interpretor -ari (dep.), 'interpret (dreams, ideas); understand, grasp; translate' [Freq.]
interpunctio -onis, f., 'punctuation' [Rare]
interpungo -pungere -punxi -punctum, 'punctuate (i.e. put dots or 'puncta' between the words)'Note: The Romans wrote all words without separation and only pointed for elementary students' use. Early uncial manuscripts show this clearly, e.g.: SEEPUNCTUMFORANEXAMPLEOFHOWTHISWOULDFEEL. [Common]
interquiesco -escere -evi -etum, 'pause, rest; cease from an activity' [UnCommon]
interregnum -i, n., 'the time between two reigns, an interregnum' [UnCommon]
interrex -regis, m., '(under the Republic) an official appointed to fill an empty consular position temporarily' Note: It is interesting that the ancient word, 'rex,' was still employed, considering the disfavor of the word for "King" in Roman history.In Horace's time, when boys played tag, the one who was "it" was called 'rex.' [Common]
interritus -a -um, 'not terrified' [Rare]
interrogatio -onis, f., 'questioning; legal interrogation' [UnCommon]
interrogo -are, 'ask questions, interrogate in court, bring a case to court' [Common]
interrumpo -rumpere -rupi -ruptum, 'break in on; interrupt' [Rare]
intersaepio -ire, 'fence off, block off' (See saepes) [Rare]
interscindo -ere, 'cut off, break off, sever; interrupt' [UnCommon]
interscribo -ere, 'interpolate; interlard (used of writing)' [Rare]
intersero -serere -sevi -situm, 'plant in between (agr.)'(See next) [Rare]
intersero -serere -serui -sertum, 'place in between'(See prev.) [Rare]
interspiratio -onis, f., 'a pause for breath (in speaking)' [Rare]
interstinctus -a -um, 'dotted, speckled' [Rare]
interstinguo -ere, 'extinguish' [Rare]
interstringo -gere -xi -ctum, 'squeeze in tightly' [Rare]
intersum -esse -fui, 'be between, stand between; be present, participate in . . . ; differ; make a difference; make a real difference; be of advantage to . . . ' (The impersonal verb, 'interest,' means "it makes a difference [in positive terms] to somebody.") [VeryFreq.]
intertextus -a -um, 'interwoven' [Rare]
intertrimentum -i, n., 'damage, loss through shelf-wear'(From tero) [Rare]
interturbo -are, 'disturb' [Rare]
intervallum i, n., 'any space between, a valley, a gap; an interval of time' [Freq.]
intervenio -venire -veni -ventum, 'enter (upon the scene); intervene; happen, come to pass' [Freq.]
interventus -us, m., 'something which comes to pass' [Rare]
interverto -vertere -verti -versum, 'turn aside, change; cheat, embezzle funds' [Common]
interviso -ere, 'pay a visit to' [Rare]
intestabilis -e, 'disqualified from giving evidence; dishonorable' (See testis) [Rare]
intestatus -a -um, 'not having made out a will; intestate (leg.)' [UnCommon]
intestinus -a -um, 'internal; within a given country' [UnCommon]
intexto -textere -texui -textum, 'weave, weave up, embroider; insert (an idea, word, etc.)' [Common]
intexo see intexto intibum see intubumintimus (intumus) -a -um, 'furthest, innermost, most private, remote, abstruse; intimate (of friends)' [Freq.]
intingo (intinguo) -tingere -tinxi -tinctum, 'soak, steep; dye' [UnCommon]
intolerabilis -e, 'unbearable; irresistable' [UnCommon]
intolerandus -a -um, 'unbearable' [UnCommon]
intolerans -antis, 'unbearable; impatient' [UnCommon]
intolerantia -ae, f., 'impatience' [Rare]
intono -tonare -tonui, 'make a thundering sound, thunder'Note: The notion of "Thunder" is retained in the title, 'Jupiter Tonans,' or "Jove the Thunderer." His role is much like "Zeus Terpsi-keraunos," the Greek god who delights in thunder and lightening. [UnCommon]
intonsus -a -um, 'unshorn (used mainly of sheep, barbarians, and people in mourning)' [Common]
intorqueo -torquere -torsi -tortum, 'spin, twist around; contort; hurl (from the spinning action of slingers in an army)' [Common]
intortus -a -um, 'complicated' [Rare]
intra adv., 'within, inside, within the area or time of . . . ; (physically) within' [VeryFreq.]
intrabilis -e, 'enterable' [Rare]
intractabilis -e, 'unmanageable, wild' [Rare]
intractatus -a -um, 'never (previously) attempted' [Rare]
intremesco see intremiscointremisco -tremiscere -tremui, 'tremble, quake' [Rare]
intremo -ere, 'shake, vibrate' [Rare]
intrepidus -a -um, 'fearless, intrepid; sure and secure' [UnCommon]
intribuo -uere -ui, '(leg.) pay a tax' [Rare]
intrico -are, 'entangle, involve, trap' [Rare]
intrinsecus adv., 'inwards, on the inside' [Common]
intritus -a -um, 'un-crushed, un-abraded'(See tero) [Rare]
intro adv., 'within, on the inside'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
intro -are, 'penetrate; enter into; investigate'(See prev.) [Common]
introduco -ducere -duxi -ductum, 'bring forward, introduce, (leg.) bring an action; raise (a subject for discussion)' [Freq.]
introductio -onis, f., 'the act of bringing in or citing (leg.)' [Rare]
introeo -ire -ii (or -ivi) -itum, 'enter, enter on the stage, appear in court; invade; enter into a family' [Common]
introfero -ferre -tuli -latum, '('pedem' understood) set foot in . . . ' [Rare]
introgredior -gredi -gressus (dep.), 'enter into' [Rare]
introitus -us, m., 'entrance, entry, beginning; invasion (mil.)' [Freq.]
intromitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'let come in, admit (lit.), introduce' [Common]
introrsus (introrsum), adv., 'inwards, innerly' [Common]
introrumpo -rumpere -rupi -ruptum, 'break in (of housebreaking or invasion of a country)' [Rare]
introspicio -spicere -spexi -spectum, 'look into, examine, peer into' [UnCommon]
intubum -i, n., 'endive (the vegetable)' [Rare]
intueor -tueri -tuitus (dep.), 'look at, observe, examine, face or look towards' Note: English "intuition" is from this root but different in its scope, in that it focuses on the role of the inner eye, or the subconscious part of the mind. The Romans never formulated a structure of psychology which would account for intuition, although they are aware of it in their literature and life. [Freq.]
intumesco -tumescere -tumui, 'swell up (of bodies, ideas, words, rarelyof sounds)' [Common]
intumulatus -a -um, 'unburied, without proper sepulture' [Rare]
intumus see intimusinturbidus -a -um, 'peaceful' [Rare]
intus adv., 'inside, within; within oneself' [VeryFreq.]
intutus -a -um, 'unguarded; unsafe'(See tueor and tutus.) [UnCommon]
inula -ae, f., 'a medicinal root, perhaps comfrey' Note: See D'Arcy Thompson's "Greek Plants." The CU Medical Guide of 1990 lists comfrey as a poisonous herb causing liver damage! We often think of herbal materials as healthful and beneficial, but an astounding number of them can be poisonous. [Rare]
inultus -a -um, 'unavenged' (See ulciscor) [Common]
inumbro -are, 'shade, put in the shade' [Rare]
inundatio -onis, 'flood' [Rare]
inundo -are, 'flood; drench; run all over, swarm over' [UnCommon]
inungo -ungere -unxi -unctum, 'rub on medicine, ointment; dress (food, salad); anoint ceremonially' [Rare]
inurbanus -a -um, 'crude, boorish, "local yokelish"'(Specifically used of a person who is not of the 'Urbs par excellence,' i.e. Rome.) [Rare]
inurgeo -urgere -ursi, 'push toward' [Rare]
inuro -urere -ussi -ustum, 'scorch, burn, burn a mark into, burn in (hate, pain, etc.)' [Common]
inusitatus -a -um, 'strange, foreign; barbarian' [UnCommon]
inutilis -e, 'unusable, useless, bad, worthless' [Freq.]
inutilitas -atis, f., 'uselessness' [Rare]
invado -vadere -vasi -vasum, 'invade (mil.), press on; continue (in an argument)' [Freq.]
invalesco -valescere -valui, 'grow strong; recover strength' [Common]
invalidus -a -um, 'weak, debilitated, feeble' [Common]
invectio -onis, f., 'importation (econ.); the rhythm of riding, sailing' [Rare]
inveho -vehere -vexi -vectum, 'ride or sail in (lit.); bring in, import; run up against = attack' [Freq.]
invenio -venire -veni -ventum, 'come upon, find, discover; invent; seek out, find; come to (an end), finish' [VeryFreq.]
inventio -onis, f., 'finding, discovery' [UnCommon]
inventor -oris, m. (and inventrix -tricis, f.), 'discoverer; (hence) inventor'Note: To the Romans, "invention" meant "finding or discovering" something valuable; to us, it means "creating" an entirely new thing which nobody had thought of before. Are Bach's "Inventions" discoveries of interesting ways of using existing musical ideas, or creations of new concepts? [Rare]
invenustus -a -um, 'unlovely, ugly' [UnCommon]
inverecundus -a -um, 'shameless' [Rare]
invergo -ere, 'pour all over . . . ' [Rare]
inversio -onis, f., 'a switch of meaning'(This is listed in Cicero's instructions for constructing rhetorical pieces.) [Rare]
inverto -vertere -verti -versum, 'turn over, invert; change, alter' [Freq.]
investigo -are, 'track down, trace, investigate' (See vestigium) [Freq.]
inveterasco -ascere -avi, 'age, ripen, mature; become habitual' Note: It never means "become aged, useless," since Roman society automatically respects age, in contrast to our world, with its devotion to youth-culture. [Common]
inveteratio -onis, f., 'a persistent ailment (med.)' [Rare]
inveteratus -a -um, 'habitual, inveterate, chronic' [UnCommon]
invicem adv., 'by turns, reciprocally; in turn' [Freq.]
invictus -a -um, 'unconquered (mil.), unconquerable; strong, resolved, firm in mind' [Freq.]
invidendus -a -um, 'enviable; causing jealousy' [Rare]
invidentia -ae, f., 'envy' [UnCommon]
invideo -videre -vidi -visum, 'look askance at, begrudge; (then) envy; be jealous of . . . '(This verb takes a dat. object.) [Freq.]
invidia -ae, f., 'ill-will, dislike, hate; jealousy, envy'(The two basic meanings--separated by a semicolon above--are not separated as clearly in the Latin mind as in English.) [VeryFreq.]
invidiosus -a -um, 'envious; causing envy, envied; hateful' [Common]
invidus -a -um, 'envious, grudging, hateful' [Common]
invigilo -are, 'to stay away all night; watch, watch over'(See vigil) [Common]
inviolabilis -e, 'inviolable' [UnCommon]
inviolatus -a -um, 'unviolated, undamaged' [Common]
invisitatus -a -um, 'unseen, strange' [UnCommon]
inviso -visere -visi -visum, 'visit, see, see over, look over; look after' [Common]
invisus -a -um, 'unseen'(See next) [Common]
invisus -a -um, 'hated'(See prev. and invideo) [Common]
invitamentum -i, n., 'inducement (towards something)' [UnCommon]
invitatio -onis, f., 'invitation (specifically to dinner, drinks)' [UnCommon]
invito -are, 'invite, entertain, induce' [Freq.]
invitus -a -um, 'unwilling, against one's will' [Freq.]
invius -a -um, 'without a road, impassable' [Freq.]
invocatio -onis, f., 'invocation (of a god)'Note: In literary form, as in Homer, Iliad I, to the 'Mousa,' or Vergil, Aeneid I, line 11, 'Musa mihi causas memora.' An invocation was part of every early poem, probably because the creative force of imaginative writing was conceived as external to, and greater than, the poet as a mere person. In the l9th century, something like this re-occurred, when inspiration was seen as arising from "genius," which was partly within the mind of the artist, but largely sublime. See Lat. 'genius.' [Rare]
invoco -are, 'call upon (the gods in prayer)' [Common]
involito -are, 'float on the air' [Rare]
involo -are, 'fly, swoop, rush at' [UnCommon]
involucrum -i, n., 'wrapper, envelope' [Rare]
involvo -volvere -volvi -volutum, 'roll up, curl up, cover up, wrap up' [Freq.]
invulneratus -a -um, 'unwounded' [Rare]
io interj.(There is no English equivalent for this word, used in religion as a cry of ecstasy. "Wow!" is too ordinary and trite, "Hallelujah!" too antique and sectarian. If done with sufficient emphasis, "O My God!" might suffice.) [Common]
iocatio -onis, f., 'joking, verbal fooling around'('Fescennia iocatio' = ritual humor to avoid the evil eye. See Fescennia.) [Rare]
iocosus -a -um, 'funny, jokey, kidding' [Common]
iocularis -e, 'kidding, humorous'(= iocosus -a -um) [UnCommon]
ioculator -oris, m., 'joker (prob. in a bad sense)' [Rare]
ioculor -ari (dep.), 'to joke or jest' [Rare]
iocus -i, m., 'joke, fun; child's play; "a joke" = "a fool"' (The plural can be 'ioci,' "jokes," or 'ioca' (n.), "play.") [Common]
ipse -a -um, 'self, oneself (himself, herself, itself, themselves); "Himself" = "the Master"' (This word is used for emphasis, but also as a reflexive. In addition, the phrase, 'ipse dixit,' means "a direct quote from an authority," i.e. "Himself.") [VeryFreq.]
ira -ae, f., 'anger, ire, wrath; rage' [VeryFreq.]
iracundia -ae, f., 'anger, propensity for anger'(See ira) [Common]
iracundus -a -um, 'angry, irascible' [Common]
irascor -i (dep.), 'become (or be) angry' [Common]
irremeabilis -e, 'having no way back' (See meo -are) [Rare]
irreparabilis -e, 'irreparable' [Rare]
irrepertus -a -um, 'undiscovered (e.g. gold)' [Rare]
irrepo -ere -si -tum, 'crawl in; enter slyly, worm one's way into . . . ' [Freq.]
irrequietus -a -um, 'untiring, restless' [UnCommon]
irretio -ire -ivi, 'catch in a net' [UnCommon]
irretortus -a -um, 'not looking back (of vision)' [Rare]
irreverentia -ae, f., 'disrespect' [Rare]
irrevocabilis -e, 'not to be recalled; done and finished' [UnCommon]
irrevocatus -a -um, 'not called back (for applause in the theater); not asked for an encore'Note: But it could be worse: the actor could be 'explausus,' "clapped off the stage," or 'exsibilatus,' "whistled off." [Rare]
irrideo -ridere -risi -risum, 'laugh at, mock' [Freq.]
irridicule adv., '"un-funnily," in a not so funny way' [Rare]
irridiculus -a -um, 'not funny, not humorous, not amusing' [Freq.]
irridiculum -i, n., 'a joke (used of a person)' [Rare]
irrigatio -onis, f., 'flood, flooding' [Rare]
irrigo -are, 'water, wet down; flood, irrigate, flow over; flood with . . .' [Common]
irriguus -a -um, 'wet, well-watered' [Common]
irrisio -onis, f., 'derision' [Rare]
irrisor -oris, m., 'scoffer' [Rare]
irrisus -us, m., 'scoffing' [UnCommon]
irritabilis -e, 'irritable' [Rare]
irritamentum -i, n., 'spur, stimulus' [Rare]
irritatio -onis, f., '(angry) excitement' [UnCommon]
irrito -are, 'anger, irritate, provoke; stimulate' [Freq.]
irritus -a -um, 'invalid, unrealized, empty, void; unvalidated' [Freq.]
irrogatio -onis, f., 'recommendation for a (legal) sentence' [Rare]
irrogo -are, 'propose (penalties in lawcourt); impose (penalties in lawcourt)' [Common]
irroro -are, 'sprinkle dew on; wet down' [Common]
irructo -are, 'belch at' [Rare]
irrumatio -onis, f., 'a form of oral sex' Note: See next. [Rare]
irrumator -oris, m., '(a slang term) one who receives oral sex'Note: This word might be translated idiomatically as "mouth-fucker"; it is used as a general term for those one dislikes, not unlike "mother-fucker" in English. [Rare]
irrumo -are, 'receive oral sex'Note: Lit., stick the penis into the mouth ['rumen'], usually with hostile intent. But Catullus uses the words in a generalized pejorative sense, like the English "Fuck you!"---'irrumabo vos et pedicabo.' [Rare]
irrumpo -ere, 'upturn, burst in, rush foward (mil.); (also) penetrate' [Freq.]
irruo -ere -ui, 'rush into or at; attack (physically or verbally)' [Freq.]
irruptio -onis, f., 'attack, assault' [Common]
irruptus -a -um, 'unbroken' [Rare]
is ea id, 'he, she, it; this one (here, nearer, on this side)'(A general purpose pronoun, quite colorless--as against 'hic' ("this one over here"), 'ille' ("that one over there"), and 'iste' ("that one way over there.") [VeryFreq.]
ischnos -e -on , 'slender (of a girl)'(A single Lucretian use; retains the Greek endings, a new borrowing.) [Rare]
istac adv., 'over that way; by that route; over that way' [Common]
iste ista istud (demonstr. pron.), 'he, she, it, that (over there)'Note: 'is' = "nearer," 'ille' is "further away," and 'iste' is "still further away." --- Actually, 'iste' is often used in a derisively demonstrative way. [VeryFreq.]
istic istaec istoc (or istuc), demonstr. pron., 'that of yours' [Common]
istic adv., 'over there' [UnCommon]
istinc adv., 'from over there' [Common]
istiusmodi (istius modi or istimodi) adv., 'of that kind' [Common]
istoc (istuc) adv., 'to that place, thither' [Common]
ita conj., 'thus, so; (as interrog., 'itane?' = really?)'Note: Strangely, there is no word in Latin for "yes." However, 'ita' "thus," often fills in for it. [VeryFreq.]
itaque adv., 'and so, therefore' [VeryFreq.]
item adv., 'in the same way, likewise' [VeryFreq.]
iter itineris, n., 'a journey, march (mil.), progression, route, road'(But not used as "road, a way" which is 'via.') [VeryFreq.]
iteratio -onis, f., 'repeating, (verbal) reiteration' [Rare]
itero -are, 'repeat, reiterate, double, double-up' [Freq.]
iterum adv., 'again, a second time, over again' [VeryFreq.]
itidem adv., 'in the same way, just so; likewise' [Common]
itio -onis, f., 'a going' [Rare]
ito -are, 'go to (as a habit, repeatedly)' [Rare]
itus -us, m., 'going, motion; leaving' [Rare]
iuba -ae, f., 'any bunch of flowing hair; mane of a horse; crest of a woodpecker; tail of a comet; beard on wheat'(See next) [Common]
iubar -aris, n., 'light of dawn; any celestial light, shining object' (= Gr. 'eos,' see prev.) [Common]
iubatus -a -um, 'having a mane; crested (of snakes--cobra?); tailed (of a comet)' [Rare]
iubeo iubere iussi iussum, 'order, give orders, give military instructions; decree or direct (legal)' [VeryFreq.]
iucunditas -tatis, f., 'pleasantness' [Common]
iucundus -a -um, 'pleasant, pleasing, agreeable (of persons, places, actions)' [VeryFreq.]
iudex -icis, m., 'judge (various officials employ this title, often with an auxiliary adjective); juror; anyone appointed to adjudicate anything'Note: The developments of centuries of Roman Law make this an important, but difficult, word to comment on. Etymologically, it is 'ius + deiks (dico),' "he who speaks the law"; compare Oscan 'med-deix,' with exactly the same meaning, but a different word for the law. [VeryFreq.]
iudicatio -onis, f., 'a judge's opinion, judgment; adjudication' [Common]
iudicialis -e (and iudiciarius -a -um), 'judicial, forensic, legal' [Common]
iudicium -i, n., 'judgment, a legal decision' [VeryFreq.]
iudico -are, 'try a case, judge; come to an opinion; make a decision; decide in general; discern, figure out . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
iugalis -e, 'refering to the yoked condition of draft animals, yoked; conjugal (as used of marriage)' Note: In this second usage, 'iugalis' acts as as a shortened variant of 'coniugalis,' the regular word for marriage, basically meaning "bonded together, yoked."iugatio -onis, f., 'trellising' [Rare]
iugerum -i, n., 'an acre (about 125' x 225', as against our 208' x 208', thus, a short acre)Note: This was a measure used for all land surveying by the 'gromatici,' the ancient Roman surveyors, large examples of whose treatises survive. Their work was non-Euclidean and grossly inaccurate, but, like Roman thought, generally practical and sufficient for the situation at hand. [Common]
iugis -e, 'continuous' [Rare]
iuglans iuglandis, f., 'a walnut, walnut tree'Note: Still the botanical name for walnut trees. The American black walnut, used for quality furniture and cabinetmaking, is 'iuglans nigra.' [Rare]
iugo -are, 'bind together, tie up; "tie the knot" = marry' [Common]
iugosus -a -um, 'mountainous, ridged' [Rare]
iugulo -are, 'cut the throat (of butchers, gladiators, murderers); kill, ruin' [Freq.]
iugulum -i, n. (and iugulus -i, m.), 'the throat, area of the throat around the jugular vein; murder' [Common]
iugum -i, n., 'the yoke to join animals; a draft pair; plowing by draft animals; a cross beam of any sort; a ridge, mountainous territory; marriage (as if = coniugium)'(See conjugium, iugalis, and conubium) [VeryFreq.]
iumentum -i, n., 'a beast of burden' Note: From 'iungo,' not 'iuvo' ["the helping herd"], as the Roman grammarians wishfully thought. [Rare]
iunceus -a -um, 'made of rushes' [Rare]
iuncosus -a -um, 'full of reeds, rushes' [Rare]
iunctio -onis, f., 'combination' [Rare]
iunctura -ae, f., 'a joint (anatomy, carpentry); combination, bringing together (of persons)' [Common]
iuncus -i, m., 'a rush' [UnCommon]
iungo iungere iunxi iunctum, 'join (under a yoke), joint, bring together, combine, perform jointly, be connected with; join in marriage' [VeryFreq.]
iunior see iuvenisiuniperus -i, f., 'the juniper tree' [Rare]
iurator -oris, m., 'a bonded or sworn official, somewhere between our customs official and a notary public' [Rare]
iureperitus see iurisperitus iurgium -i, n., 'a quarrel, dispute; vindictive attack' [Common]
iurgo -are, 'quarrel; verbally attack' [Common]
iuridicialis -e, 'judicial' [UnCommon]
iuridicus -i, m., 'a judge (in the later Empire)' [UnCommon]
iurisconsultus -i, m., 'lawyer, attorney' [UnCommon]
iuro -are, 'swear, take an oath; promise; state under legal oath' [VeryFreq.]
ius iuris, n., 'soup' (See next) [Rare]
ius iuris, n., 'law'(See prev.)Note: This is such a serious item of use and concern that no attempt can be made to define it further here. Do note, however, that 'ius,' although divinely sworn to, is human law, whereas 'fas' is always divine law, a rather different matter. [VeryFreq.]
iussus -us, f., '(used only in abl. sg., 'iussu,' =) by order of . . . '(Hist. and mil. use only; see 'iniussus.') [Common]
iustitia -ae, f., 'justice, equity' [Freq.]
iustitium -i, n., 'suspension of all business and law (in time of national emergency only)'(From ius + sistere) [Common]
iustus -a -um, 'approved by law, just; deserving, equitable; justifiable, justified; proper; (mil.) the regular troops, "regulars"' [VeryFreq.]
iuvenalis -e, 'young, youthful' [Common]
iuvencus -a -um, 'young'(See next) [Rare]
iuvencus -i, m., 'young ox, cow'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
iuvenca -ae, f., 'a heifer, young calf (fem.)'(See prev. two) [Rare]
iuvenesco -escere -ui, 'mature, grow up; revive, re-root (plants)' [UnCommon]
iuvenilis -e, 'youthful' [UnCommon]
iuvenis -e, adj., 'youthful; (as noun) a young man' [Common]
iuvenor -ari (dep.), 'act (foolishly) like a young man' [Rare]
iuventa -ae, f., 'youth, the young; Youth'(See next) [Common]
iuventas -tatis, f., 'youth, the young; Youth'(See prev.) [Common]
iuventus -tutis, f., 'youth, youthfulness'(See prev. two) [Freq.]
iuvo iuvare iuvi iutum, 'help, aid; foster; develop; improve; give aid = give pleasure to' [Freq.]
iuxta adv., 'near, close to, close (in time); similarly to, like; almost' [VeryFreq.]
iuxtim adv., 'close to, side by side (physically)' [Common]
J [Did not exist in classical Latin. Later Latinists used -j- in place of a "consonantal" -i-. If you have a word with a -j- in it, replace it with an -i- to look it up in this dictionary.]Note: When used in some older texts, it represents "consonantal" -i-, by which the vowel -i- is used as a consonant because of the vocalic sounds immediately surrounding it. All modern texts use -i- for -j-, e.g 'ius,' not 'jus.'kllabasco -ere, 'fall apart, self-destruct' [Rare]
labecula -ae, f., 'a stain' [Rare]
labefacio -facere -feci -factum (pass.: labefio -fieri -factus sum), 'cause to fall apart, destroy, make totter' [Common]
labefacto -are, 'cause to fall apart, undermine, weaken' [Common]
labellum -i, n., 'lip' (The -a- is short. See next.) [Common]
labellum -i, n., 'basin, mixing bowl' (The -a- here is long. See prev.) [Common]
labes -is, f., 'fall, ruin, collapse; disaster; defect, spot, stain (physical defect); disgrace, a fall (from a high position)' [Freq.]
labia -ae, f., (and labium -i, n.), 'lip' [Common]
labo -are, 'totter, waver, be about to fall, begin to sink'(See next) [Common]
labor labi lapsus sum (dep.), 'glide, slide, flow; slip, fall down, fall away, decline; to make a mistake'(See prev.) [Common]
labor (labos) -oris, m., 'work, toil, a struggle; labor (of Heracles); piece of work, product; pain, labor (of birth); wear' [VeryFreq.]
laborifer -fera -ferum, 'laborious' [Rare]
laboriosus -a -um, 'laborious, hard-working; boring, painful' [Common]
laboro -are, 'work, take pains; be strained, overwork; labor (under difficulties, stress, sickness)' [Freq.]
labos -oris, m., see laborlabrum -i, n., 'the lip (anatomically), lip for kissing, drinking, pouting; "lip-winking"; lip of a cup, bank of a river' (The -a- is short.. See next.) [Freq.]
labrum -i, n., 'basin, bowl for mixing; bathtub, bath'(From 'lavo,' "wash"; the -a- is long. See prev.) [UnCommon]
labrusca -ae f, 'a wild grape tree'Note: Does the modern Italian wine, "Lambrusco," come from this word, and is it actually made from wild grapes? [Rare]
labruscum -i, n., 'a wild grape vine' [Rare]
labyrinthus -i, m., 'labyrinth, maze'Note: The famous Labyrinth of antiquity was Daedalus' construction on Crete, or the palace of Minos at Gortynia, entered by Greek looters who couldn't find their way out of the 100-room complex. At this point, the roofs may have still been intact, which would explain the echoing voice of a bovine "monster" (the Minotaur). Note that all words with the ending -inthos are genuine Cretan words; hence, the city of Corinth(os) must have been an ancient Aegean settlement. [UnCommon]
lac lactis, n., 'milk (human and animal); any white liquid, sap, latex' [Freq.]
lacer -cera -cerum, 'lacerated, torn, damaged (of clothes, bodies, armies, etc.)' [Common]
laceratio -onis, f., 'laceration' [UnCommon]
lacerna -ae, f., 'a cloak, a mantle fastened at the shoulders only' [UnCommon]
lacero -are, 'lacerate, rend, tear apart (physically, verbally); attack' [Freq.]
lacerta -ae, f., 'lizard; a(n) (obscure) fish'(Lizards are very [Common]
in Italian countryside. See lacertus.) [UnCommon]
lacertosus -a -um, 'muscular' [Rare]
lacertus -i, m., 'arm, upper arm; muscle (biceps and triceps); muscle = force, power' Note: The word is connected with 'lacerta,' "lizard," just as "muscle" is from Lat. 'mus,' "mouse." The bulge of contracting muscles suggested to the Romans mice and lizards under the skin. See lacerta. [Common]
lacertus -i, m., see lacertalacesso -ere -ivi -itum, 'provoke, assail, attack; challenge' [Freq.]
lacinia -ae, f., 'border, hem, fringe of a garment; rag' [Common]
lacrima (lacruma) -ae, f., 'a tear, weeping, lament; something that oozes (mineral, vegetable, etc.)' Note: A literary variant spelling of this genuine Italic word is 'lachryma,' as if more elegantly, even if falsely derived from Greek with the foreign-sounding -ch- and -y-. In the Roman literary world, Greek sounded elegant and seemed preferable to the home-grown Latin vocabulary. See pulcher and note. [VeryFreq.]
lacrimabilis -e, 'tearful; pitiful' [Rare]
lacrimabundus -a -um, 'full of tears' [Rare]
lacrimo (lacrumo) -are, 'shed tears, weep, bewail; drip gum (plants)' [Common]
lacrimosus -a -um, 'tearful, pitiable' [Common]
lacrimula -ae, f., 'one little tear (as opposed to really teary crying)' [Rare]
lactans -antis, 'sucking mother's milk; milking; exuding milk or any latex-style "milk"' [UnCommon]
lactens -entis see lactans lactes -ium, f. pl., 'intestines'Note: Used as a course in a Roman dinner, still commonly served broiled in the Mediterranean area, and regularly found in real Oriental cuisine. [Rare]
lactesco -escere, 'turn into milk' [Rare]
lacteus -a -um, 'milky, of milk; milk-like'("The Milky Way" = 'orbis lacteus') [UnCommon]
lactiolus -a -um, 'milk-white' [Rare]
lacto -are, 'lead on, entice; wheedle (with promise of milk)' [Rare]
lactuca -ae, f., 'lettuce' [Rare]
lactucula -ae, f., 'small head of lettuce' [Rare]
lacuna -ae, f., 'a pond, lagoon; hollowed-out place; a lacuna or missing portion (of a text or argument)' (From lacus) [Common]
lacunar -aris, n., 'panelled ceiling'Note: It actually has raised panels between the purlins; hence, it seems to have "hollowed out places," or 'lacunae,' in between. The concrete work of the Pantheon, although made from forms for concrete casting, imitates this kind of panelled woodwork. [UnCommon]
lacuno -are, 'hollow out'(See lacuna) [Rare]
lacus -us, m., 'a lake, pond; tank, water trough' [Freq.]
laecasin (= Gr. leichazein), 'lick, go suck . . . (meaning something like "Go to hell!")'Note: Used in Martial and Petronius only once each, probably for "cock-sucking." German has a "lingual" phrase with a different object, immortalized by Goethe, "leckt mich am arse," with a similar sarcastic meaning. [Rare]
laedo laedere laesi laesum, 'harm, offend, hurt; damage, injure; offend verbally' [Freq.]
laena -ae, f., 'cloak' [Rare]
laesio -onis, f., 'damage (as part of rhetorical formulation)' [Rare]
laetabilis -e, 'joyful, glad' [Rare]
laetamen -inis, f., 'manure'Note: Apparently, from 'laetus,' "joyful," as a farmer's periphrasis, like Engl. "honey-wagon" for the manure spreader. In an agricultural society, manure does make one glad and potentially rich. --- The second skit in Vittorio De Sica's l950's film on Italian life-scenes has a memorable episode about a contest for a shovel of manure, of inestimably high esthetic value to the farmers who actually went to court over its possession. [Rare]
laetatio -onis, f., 'rejoicing, joy' [Freq.]
laetificus -a -um, 'gladdening, joyous' [Rare]
laetitia -ae, f., 'joy, happiness; verbal ornamentation' [Freq.]
laetor -ari (dep.), 'be joyful' [Freq.]
laetus -a -um, '(originally) lush, luxuriant, blooming (of land); rich and happy, successful, pleasurable; florid (in verbal style)'(While the basic Latin use connotes happiness, the word always has a flowering, expansive and outgoing flavor.) [Freq.]
laevus -a -um, 'left (as opposed to right hand); on the left side; unfavorable, unlucky, bad'Note: 'Laevus' is connected with Roman religious omens and superstition; perhaps, for us too, for whom getting up on the "right" side of the bed is taken as a good and ominous practice. See dexter and dextra. [Freq.]
laganum -i, n., 'pancake' [Rare]
lagalopex -icis, 'a fox' (Gr. lagos + alopex, "rabbit-fox"?) [Rare]
lageos -ei, f., 'a Greek kind of wine' [Rare]
lagoena (lagona, the preferred form) -ae, f., 'a wine decanter or bottle' [Rare]
lagois -idis, f., 'some kind of bird' [Rare]
laguncula -ae, f., 'a small flask for wine' [Rare]
lallo -are, 'sing a lullaby' [Rare]
lama -ae, f., 'a bog, marsh' [Rare]
lambero -are, 'win = "beat me at my own game"'(Plautus only) [Rare]
lambo lambere lambi, 'lick, lick up, lap; lap (of waves), lap at (of fire licking at something, or of plants climbing up on something)' [Freq.]
lamenta -orum, n. pl., 'wailing, weeping' [UnCommon]
lamentabilis -e, 'lamentable' [Rare]
lamentatio -onis, f., 'weeping, wailing' [UnCommon]
lamentor -ari (dep.), 'weep, wail, lament' [Common]
lamia -ae, f., 'the "bogey-man," a witch, an awful ghostly personage (often mentioned to scare children)' [Rare]
lamina (lammina, lamna) -ae, f., 'a thin piece of sheet metal; knife blade; cash (slang)' [Common]
lampas -padis, f., 'a torch, lantern; "lamp" of the sun, moon' [Freq.]
lana -ae, f., 'wool; wooly fuzz on fruit' [Freq.]
lanarius -i, m., 'wool-worker' [Rare]
lanatus -a -um, 'covered with wool (or wooly fuzz)' [Common]
lancea -ae, f., 'lance, spear' [UnCommon]
lancino -are, 'tear to pieces' [Rare]
laneus -a -um, 'woolen, wooly' [Rare]
languefacio -facere, 'make languid' [Rare]
langueo -ere, 'be weak, languid (of the body), droop (of plants); be idle, lazy, lacking in vigor' [Freq.]
languesco languescere langui, 'become languid, weak' (See languo) [Freq.]
languidulus -a -um, 'droopy; drowsy' [Rare]
languidus -a -um, 'languid, drooping, weak, idle, faint'(See langueo) [Freq.]
languor -oris, m., 'faintness, languor, sluggishness' [Common]
laniatus -us, m., 'mangling of flesh'(See lanio, lanista) [Rare]
laniena -ae, f., 'a butcher's shop; butchery' [UnCommon]
lanificus -a -um, 'working in wool' [Rare]
laniger -gera -gerum, 'wool-bearing; wooly' [Common]
lanio -are, 'slash up, butcher, mangle; tear apart (verbally)' [Common]
lanista -ae, m., '(lit., "butcher," colloq. =) a trainer of gladiators'(See next) [Rare]
lanius -i, m., 'butcher'(See prev.) [Rare]
lanterna -ae, f., 'a lantern'( . . . with thin horn plates to keep out wind but transmit some light) [UnCommon]
lanternarius -i, m., 'lantern-bearer' [Rare]
lanugo -inis, f., 'downy ÒwoolÓ on the cheeks of adolescent boys, on fruit, etc.'(See lana) [Common]
lanx lancis, f., 'metal serving dish, platter; platters in a pair of balance beam scale (signifying "just weight" symbolically)'(Compare the legal phrase, 'per lancem.') [Common]
lapathum -i, n. (and lapathus -i, f.), 'sorrel, a medicinal herb' [Rare]
lapicidinae -arum, f. pl., 'stone quarries' [Rare]
lapidatio -onis, f., 'throwing stones' [Rare]
lapidator -oris, m., 'thrower of stones' [Rare]
lapideus -a -um, 'of stone' [Rare]
lapido -are, 'hurl stones at, rain down stones; cover a 'tumulus' with stones' [Rare]
lapidosus -a -um, 'stoney, full of stones, hard objects'Note: Used of arthritic lapidification in Persius 5,58. Celsus' medical treatise has much on this subject. [UnCommon]
lapillus -i, m., 'pebbles; slinger's stone; stones to mark good and bad days ('dies fasti,' 'nefasti'); voting ballots; gemstones; gallstone, bladdderstone' [Common]
lapis -idis, m., 'pebble, a stone; stone in general, masonry; gallstone; gemstone' [Freq.]
lappa -ae, f., 'burdock plant' [Rare]
lapsio -onis, f., 'falling into a mistake'(From labor [dep.]) [Rare]
lapso -are, 'slip, stumble' [Rare]
lapsus -us, m., 'slipping, falling, stumbling; a glide; fall from favor, position; falling into error' [Freq.]
laqueare -is, n. (esp. pl., laquearia), 'a panelled ceiling'(See lacuna) [Rare]
laqueatus -a -um, 'panelled' [Rare]
laqueo -are, 'catch with a rope, snare'(See next) [Rare]
laqueo -are, 'panel a ceiling'(See prev. and lacuna) [Rare]
laqueus -i, m., 'rope, trap' [Rare]
lar laris, m., '(usually pl., 'Lares') the protecting household divinities' [VeryFreq.]
lardum -i, n., 'bacon, fat' [Common]
lares see larlargificus -a -um, 'liberally giving' [Rare]
largifluus -a -um, 'flowing copiously' [Rare]
largior -iri (dep.), 'give (gifts) liberally, bestow; bestow (for political favor), bribe; permit; overlook, connive . . . ' [Freq.]
largitas -tatis, f., 'liberality (of giving), lavish style' [UnCommon]
largitio -onis, f., 'an act of big spending or freely giving; political bribing; giving of public dole, favors; bribery'(Compare "largesse" [Engl. from Fr.]) [Common]
largitor -oris, m., 'a big spender, generous giver; one who bribes' [UnCommon]
largus -a -um, 'generous, liberal, lavish, copious' [VeryFreq.]
laridum -i, n., 'bacon, lard'(See lardum) [Common]
larva (larua) -ae, f., 'evil and horrible ghost; a no-good person, a "devil"; a ghostly mask, a skeleton to frighten children' Note: The word is obviously connected with entomological larvae, but by some curious route that we can hardly trace. Perhaps, the eggs of insects were thought to be ghosts, from which the insects somehow condensed? [Common]
lasanum -i, n., 'a pot' [Rare]
lascivia -ae, f., 'playfulness (of animals, children), neoteny; lasciviousness in a sexual sense' [Freq.]
lascivio -ire, 'be playful, undisciplined, or sexually wanton' [UnCommon]
lascivus -a -um, 'playful; unrestrained, frank, open, sexually "naughty"; undisciplined in written style' [Freq.]
laserpicium -i, n., 'a plant from which "asafoetida" was obtained [med.]'(= Gr. silphium [med.]) [Rare]
lassitudo -inis, f., 'tiredness, fatigue' [Common]
lasso -are, 'make weary, tire out, exhaust' [Freq.]
lassulus -a -um, 'rather tired' [Rare]
lassus -a -um, 'tired, weary, mentally exhausted; troubled' [Freq.]
latebra -ae, f., 'hiding place, den; concealment; a hidden meaning; eclipse' [Common]
latebrosus -a -um, 'full of hiding places, secret; porous'(Used of the porous qualities of the stone, 'pumex,' Engl. "pumice.") [Rare]
latens -entis, 'hidden' [Common]
lateo -ere, 'be in hiding, hide, be invisible, be "latent"' [Freq.]
later -eris, m., 'brick; a brick-shaped ingot of precious metal, a brick of gold' [UnCommon]
lateramen -inis, n., 'pottery' [Rare]
laterculus -i, m., 'a small brick or tile' [Rare]
laterna see lanternalatesco -escere, 'hide oneself' [Rare]
latex -ticis, m., 'water, running water; juice of a plant, sap'Note: We have adapted this word for the sap of the rubber tree, discovered in the East Indies in the early l9th century and thereafter quickly becoming the basis of the natural rubber trade developed in England by the mid-l9th century. [Common]
latibulum -i, n., 'hiding place' [Rare]
laticlavius -a -um, 'wearing a broad purple stripe on the toga (as a sign of the senatorial class); noble' [UnCommon]
latifundium -i, n., 'estate (lit., a broad farm)'Note: After the Punic wars, large estates fell together from small holdings, which eliminated the small farmer from Italy forever, and centuries later produced the medieval duchies and minor kingdoms. This was in good part the reason for the development of slavery as a social institution, while the very staticness of this slave-based economy precluded engineering experimentation, without which industrial development was unthinkable. [Common]
Latinitas -tatis, f., '(originally) Latins' political rights; the (pure) Latin language' [Rare]
latio -onis, f., 'proposal of a law; franchise' [Rare]
latito -are, 'be in hiding, be hidden' [Common]
latitudo -inis, f., 'breadth (of an object); size; breadth of writing; a ÒbroadÓ pronunciation in speaking' [Freq.]
lator -oris, m., 'the proposer of a law' (See fero [latum]) [UnCommon]
latrator -oris, m., 'one who barks, howls out loud'(The figure comes from a dog. See latro.) [Rare]
latratus -us, m., 'barking; shouting aloud' [UnCommon]
latro -are, 'bark, howl; clamor'(The -a- is long. See next.) [Freq.]
latro -onis, m., 'robber, highwayman; mercenary soldier'(The -a- is short, from 'lateo,' "be hidden," i.e. a "rob-on-the-road" type of thief. See prev.) [Freq.]
latrocinium -i, n., 'robbery; pillage in force; a robber band' [Common]
latrocinor -ari (dep.), 'rob; be a mercenary soldier'Note: The connection between the two meanings is the mercenaries' impulse to loot, a well-attested military phenomenon in every age. [Common]
latrunculus -i, m., 'robber, bandit; a chess piece'Note: If we knew more about Roman chess, we would have a better idea of who the "robber" is: the knight ('eques'), the king ('rex') or the bishop ('episcopus')? It is curious that the pawn ('servus') gets a reincarnated life-after-death in any form the player desires, apparently a trait from Indian religious thought. [Rare]
latus -a -um, 'broad, wide, widely distributed, extensive, broad in scope, style; of a "broad" pronunciation or an overdeveloped Latin drawl'(The -a- is long. See next.) [VeryFreq.]
latus -a -um (ppl. from fero) see fero(The -a- is long, so this is indistinguishable from the prev. See prev.) [Freq.]
latus -eris, n., 'side of the body, a side in general; one side (in law); flank of an army'(The -a- is short. Compare prev. two.) [VeryFreq.]
latusculus -i, n., 'a side'(= latus -eris) [Rare]
laudabilis -e, 'worthy of praise' [Common]
laudatio -onis, f., 'praise' [UnCommon]
laudator -oris, m., 'praiser, eulogist; funerary eulogist; court character witness' [UnCommon]
laudo -are, 'praise, extol, laud'(See laus) [VeryFreq.]
laureatus -a -um, 'crowned with laurel' [UnCommon]
laureola -ae, f., 'laurel branch, the victory symbol' [Rare]
laureus -a -um, 'of laurel, laurel' [Rare]
lauricomus -a -um, 'covered with laurel foliage' [Rare]
laurifer -fera -ferum, 'crowned with laurels' [Rare]
lauriger -gera -gerum, 'crowned with laurels' [Rare]
laurus -i, f., 'laurel tree; laurel (our bay leaf) used in medicinal and culinary arts; laurel used in magic; festive laurel; laurel as crown of poets; laurel as sign of victory = triumph' [Freq.]
laus laudis, f., 'praise, laudation, merit'Note: One thinks of Armstrong, the Court Jester to kings of 17th century England, who quipped at grace: "Great grace to God, and little laud (Archbishop Laud, who was short!) to the devil," for which he was probably paid suitably. To make jokes like this, one would have to have a Latinate audience and know Latin reasonably well. See laudo. [Freq.]
lautitia -ae, f., 'lavish luxury; ostentatious fancy living (often pl.)' [UnCommon]
lautumiae (latumiae) -arum, f. pl., 'stone quarry; a quarry, used as a prison' [UnCommon]
lautus -a -um, 'washed up and clean; nice, respectable; rich, lavish'Note: Compare our grandparents' notion that "Cleanliness is next to Godliness . . . ", whereas the practical Romans seem to have connected it with achieving wealth. [Common]
lavo lavare (lavere) lavi lautum (lotum, lavatum), 'wash, bathe; moisten, wet; wash away'Note: Is "Lava Soap" named because of its hard, stonelike surface, or because of this wash-day verb? Or both? [Freq.]
laxamentum -i, n., 'open space, free time, relaxation and freedom' [Common]
laxitas -tatis, f., 'spaciousness, freedom; personal relaxation' [UnCommon]
laxo -are, 'widen, expand, open up; undo (doors, locks, etc.); untie, free; remove pressure and tension, i.e. relax' [Freq.]
laxus -a -um, 'loose, relaxed' [Common]
lea (leana) -ae, f., 'lioness' [Rare]
lebes -etis, m., 'cauldron, boiling-pot' [Rare]
lectica -ae, f., 'a "taxi" of sorts carried by four men; the "litter chair," "sedan chair"'Note: See Catullus #10 for social attitudes toward the 'lectica,' especially if it were an elegant, eight-man rig, such as would impress the girls. The abundance of slaves, which were cheaper in upkeep than horse and chariot, made this economically practical. [Common]
lecticariola -ae, f., 'a lady who sleeps with the rough lectica-slaves, a slave-groupie'(Used in Martial only. See prev.) [Rare]
lecticarius -i, m., 'a slave who carries the lectica'(See lectica) [UnCommon]
lecticula -ae, f., 'a little lectica'(See lectica) [Rare]
lectio -onis, f., 'picking, picking out, selection; a selection (of a book, literature), readings; reading, perusal of books'Note: But Latin 'lectio' stops short of the academic "lecture," which is medieval in origin, originally a public reading from a manuscript book before the time of mass-printed information. The continuation of this historical anachronism as the "classroom lecture" marks the unfortunate conservatism of the collegiate academic mind. [Freq.]
lectisternium -i, n., 'a feast offered to the gods' [Rare]
lectito -are, 'be in the habit of collecting; be in the habit of reading' [UnCommon]
lector -oris, m., 'a slave who reads aloud' [UnCommon]
lectulus -i, m., 'a small bed; couch for eating; reclining couch for reading' [Rare]
lectus -i, m., 'bed, couch'(See next) [Freq.]
lectus -a -um, 'chosen, special, select(ed)'(See prev.) [Freq.]
legatarius -i, m., 'inheritor' [Rare]
legatio -onis, f., 'legation, a body of persons sent as an embassy; office of the 'legatus' as an official' [Freq.]
legator -oris, m., 'giver of a legacy' [Rare]
legatum -i, n., 'a legacy, bequest' [Rare]
legatus -i, m., 'a "legate" or ambassador; military aide, officer, staff officer; deputy of an emperor' [VeryFreq.]
legifer -fera -ferum, 'law-bearing'(The standard epithet of the Roman grain-goddess Ceres. But see cerritus.) [Rare]
legio -onis, f., 'legion = a major unit of Roman army, around 5000 men; (also) an army in general, a "force"' [VeryFreq.]
legionarius -a -um, 'a soldier (belonging to a legion)' [Common]
legitimus (legitumus) -a -um, 'pertaining to the law, lawful; legal; legitimate (of progeny); proper, customary'. [Freq.]
legiuncula -ae, f., 'a small legion' [Rare]
lego -are, 'bestow, bequeath, leave as a legacy; empower . . . as legate or deputy of ambassador, appoint as envoy'(See next) [Freq.]
lego legere legi lectum, 'pick, pick out, select; remove; choose, select out . . . ; pick one's way (on a road); pick out = read, study, learn by reading'(See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
leguleius -i, m., 'a specializing legal consultant' [Rare]
legumen -inis, n, 'a leguminous plant, like beans, the [Common]
fare of the Roman masses'Note: This is called ÒpulseÓ in the reference books, possibly because its taste is so re-pulsive? [Sorry!] [UnCommon]
lembus -i, m., 'a skiff, small sailboat'(Greek word) [Rare]
lemma -atis, n., 'theme' [Rare]
lemniscatus -a -um, 'adorned with ribbons' [Rare]
lemniscus -i, m., 'ribbon'(Greek word) [Rare]
lemures -um, m. pl., 'ghosts, evil specters'Note: The African mammalian species, Lemures, was named from this Latin word, probably because of its nocturnal habits and huge green reflective eyes. The Lemures in Madagascar apparently were taken to be ghosts or "appearances" by early observers, but this use in Latin implies that either the Romans had connections with Madagascar, or that the lemurs were more widely distributed in southern Africa at an earlier date. See 'larva' for a parallel misapplication. [UnCommon]
lena -ae, f., 'a woman who solicits for prostitutes' (See leno) [UnCommon]
lenimen -inis, n., 'alleviation, soothing, softener' [UnCommon]
lenimentum -i, n., 'alleviation, soothing, softener' [UnCommon]
lenio -ire, 'make mild, mitigate, mollify' [Freq.]
lenis -e, 'mild, gentle, quiet; soft (of sounds, motions), mild (of persons . . . , mild (of food, wine)'(= "the meek" in the New Testament, who shall inherit the earth.) [VeryFreq.]
lenitas -tatis, f. (and lenitudo -inis, f.), 'smoothness, mildness, gentleness' [Common]
leno -onis, m., 'a man who solicits for prostitutes' Note: In Greco-Roman times, this was a regular profession, perhaps not savory, but less criminal than the modern, drug-inducing, woman-beating pimps of NY or LA. Prostitution may historically turn out to be one of the oldest of the businesses, if not yet quite accepted as a profession. [UnCommon]
lenocinium -i, n., 'business of a pimp or madame, whore-keeping; charm, flattering, favor-seeking' [Common]
lenocinor -ari (dep.), 'work as a pimp or madame' [UnCommon]
lens lentis, f., 'lentil'Note: This plant and its seed were a staple of the Roman diet. --- The Engl. word for an optical "lens" was adopted in recent centuries from the similarity in shape to the bean of the lentil. [UnCommon]
lentesco -escere, 'become pliant' [Rare]
lentiscus -i, f. (and lentiscum -i, n.), 'the mastic plant, "Pistacia lentiscus" (pistacchio?)'Note: The thorns were medically used as toothpicks. [Rare]
lentitudo -inis, f., 'pliability; bendability' [Rare]
lento -are, 'make pliable, soft' [Common]
lentus -a -um, 'slow, sluggish; pliable' [Freq.]
lenunculus -i, m., 'a little pimp'(See next, indistinguishable in form.) [Rare]
lenunculus -i, m., 'a little skiff, boat'(See prev., indistinguishable in form!) [Rare]
leo -onis, m., 'a lion; a fierce person, leonine personality; Leo in the Zodiac' [Common]
leoninus -a -um, 'of a lion' [Rare]
lepas -adis, f., 'a shellfish of some sort' [Rare]
lepidus -a -um, 'lovely, charming, nice'Note: Used of persons initially, also of things, as in Catullus #1, of his nice, new 'libellus,' or "volume," of poems. The word leans toward social charm, amusing wit, and an urbanely pleasant kind of cleverness. [Persons who have this style nowadays read "The New Yorker."] [Freq.]
lepos -oris, m., 'charm, pleasantness of personality'(See next) [Common]
lepus -oris, m., 'the rabbit; my rabbit = "my love"; the Hare constellation'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
letalis -e, 'fatal, deadly' [Rare]
lethargus -i, m., 'lethargy' [Rare]
letifer -fera -ferum, 'deadly' [Rare]
leto -are, 'put to death'(See next) [Rare]
letum -i, n., 'death, killing, destruction' [Freq.]
leucaspis -idis, f., 'having white shields'(In one lone passage in Livy. This is a Greek word with exactly the same meaning.) [Rare]
levamen -inis (and levamentum -i), n., 'solace, relief, comfort' [UnCommon]
levatio -onis, f., 'alleviation, comfort' (Like levamen in use. See prev.) [Rare]
levator -oris, m., 'one who lightens, alleviates; a pickpocket (who "relieves" you of your wallet)' [Rare]
leviculus -a -um, 'petty, small-minded' [Rare]
levidensis -e, 'thin spun (of weaving and woven material)' [Rare]
levis -e, 'light, quick, lightfooted; light-armed (troops), light (cloth, food, ideas); lightly-borne, slight, insubstantial, powerless; light and frivolous; light-headed, i.e. unreliable' (The -e- is short. See next.) [VeryFreq.]
levis -e, 'smooth, slippery; free from hairiness; (of speech) smooth-sounding'(The -e- is long. See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
levisomnus -a -um, 'sleeping lightly' [Rare]
levitas -tatis, f., 'lightness; gentleness; unreliability, fickleness'(The -e- is short. See next.) [Common]
levitas -tatis, f., 'smoothness; hairlessness; smoothness of speech, sound'(The -e- is long. See prev.) [Common]
levo -are, 'lift up, lighten, relieve, ease, refresh'(The -e- is short. See next.) [VeryFreq.]
levo -are, 'smoothe, polish; de-hair'(The -e- is long. See prev.) [Common]
levor -oris, m., 'smoothness'(The -e- is long. See 'levis' with a long -e-.) [Rare]
lex legis, f., '"Law"; the law, the legal process, statute, constitution of a state; laws enacted by senate, emperor; the laws of good writing, of art; the law of nature; law = control over; a contract, legally binding agreement; terms (of peace, of war, of business)'(Compare 'ius' and 'fas' for other notions of the law.) [VeryFreq.]
libamen -inis, n., 'a religious wine offering' [UnCommon]
libamentum -i, n., 'a religious wine offering' [UnCommon]
libella -ae, f., 'a small coin, penny; bob-weight' Note: A pointed weight on a string used to check verticality by builders, used by hanging with a string from the apex of an "A-frame" device, as the basic Roman tool for levelness in building. The form is still to be seen as a Masonic sign, while our familiar carpenter's liquid-filled, bubble level dates from the 17th century. [UnCommon]
libellus -i, m., 'a small book, small volume (of poetry); notebook; announcement, program'Note: English "libel" is the same word but with a legal implication not found in Lat. 'libellus,' except for the remarkable case of Trajan's reply to his judge, faced with the early Christians (Pliny, Letters X.95-6). See the note under Christus. [UnCommon]
liber -era -erum, 'free, a free-born Roman (legally); politically free, free from . . . ; free and open (lands, countries); free from debt; free = having free time; independent'(The -i- is long. See next.) [VeryFreq.]
liber -i, m., '(usually pl.) children'(Actually "free-born ones," i.e. children of free men. Gradually changed to all children and becoming the standard word legally. The -i- is long. See next and prev.) [Freq.]
Liber -eri, m., 'Italic deity of growing plants, later indentified with Dionysus/Bacchus; wine (symbolically)'(The -i- is long. See prev. and next.) [Common]
liber libri, m., '(originally) bark, wood shingle; (thin) sacred book written on wood; a book in general, a volume, a codex; a regular Latin book'(The -i- is short. See prev. four items which all have long -i-.) [VeryFreq.]
liberalis -e, 'of free men; (hence) honest, good, liberal (in 19th century sense), gentlemanly; (legal) of suits pertaining to free men (as against slaves)'Note: If the "Liberal Arts" are studies worthy of free men, and women too, the Romans knew little of it's real meaning, since their instruction of the arts was reserved for the educated few. Only rarelydid the son of a freedman, like Horace, enter this society of litterati. [Common]
liberalitas -tatis, f., 'generosity, goodness of heart, openness' [Common]
liberatio -onis, f., 'a release (from blame, debt, and court action)'(But not the emancipation of slaves, which is 'manumissio.') [UnCommon]
liberator -oris, m., 'deliverer, one who releases' [Rare]
libero -are, 'free, manumit (slaves), release, deliver; acquit (legal); complete or fufill a contract or debt' [VeryFreq.]
liberta -ae, f., 'freed woman' [Rare]
libertas -tatis, f., 'liberty, freedom' [Freq.]
libertina -ae, f., 'a freedwoman' [Rare]
libertinus -a -um, 'relating to the class of freedmen (especially in terms of the social/legal classification of persons)'(There are no sexual-social associations with Lat.' libertinus,' as there are with the Engl. "libertine.") [Freq.]
libertus -i, m., 'a freedman (specifically referring to a man in relation to his former owner = patronus)'Note: The freedmen became an increasingly large and powerful class under the empire, often rising to high position in finance and the government. On inscriptions, the word 'libertus' is abbreviated to 'l.' + gen. of former master's name, e.g. 'Gaius l. Sempronii.' [Freq.]
libens (lubens) -entis, 'glad, happy, willing' [Freq.]
libet (lubet) -ere -uit (or -bitum est) (impersonal), 'it is pleasing, it is to be desired' (With the "dat. of the person concerned"; such phrases are actually used like the Engl., "I like, I wish . . . ") [Freq.]
libidinor -ari (dep.), 'indulge in lust' [Rare]
libidinosus -a -um, 'lustful; self-willed' [Common]
libido (lubido) inis, f., 'lust, sexual passion; wish, pleasure; any wish or desire'Note: Freudian "libido," as part of the psyche, is conceived of as having a basically sexual component. The Romans knew all about lust, but under the heading of art and poetry, not of psychology. [Freq.]
Libitina -ae, f., 'goddess of the dead' [Common]
libo -are, 'pour out (a ritual libation); touch with the lips, nibble, kiss; reduce, diminish (as if pouring away a portion)' [Freq.]
libra -ae, f., 'a pair of scales; the scales = Libra of the Zodiac; a pound of 12 ounces'Note: Our modern pound has 16 oz., but the old Troy weight, with its ancient Roman origins, has 12 oz. The foot is still divided into 12 inches, but each inch is consecutively halved, giving16ths, 32nds, etc. Twelves are very good in a way, since they fit in the sexagesimal pattern, which has an excellent set of divisors. It is no accident that we have the 12 hour day, with 60 minutes per hour, a system traceable to the Sumerians. [Common]
libramentum -i, m., 'balance; counterweight, one pair of scales (chemists' old-fashioned scales with set of weights); a gradient or inclined plane'Note: This last usage must stem from the visual similarity between a Roman level, using a weight hung from an A frame, and a set of balance-scales. See libella. [UnCommon]
libraria -ae, f., 'secretary; bookstore' [Rare]
librarius -a -um, 'pertaining to books' [UnCommon]
libro -are, 'balance, keep even to the ground, level; calibrate a regular incline (architecture, aqueducts)'(See note on libramentum . . . ) [Common]
libum -i, n. (also libus -i, m.), 'a "wafer," ritual cake used in religious rituals; birthday cake'Note: The wafer used in Catholic service probably comes from older Roman ritual, as the Christmas tree derives from a Nordic rite. The early Church, while proposing to be different in all respects, actually borrowed heavily from its pagan hosts, especially, although in a much disguised form, from the popular Mystery Religions. [Common]
licens -entis, 'free, unrestrained; wild' [Common]
licentia -ae, f., 'freedom, rhetorical "license," imagination; unrestrained freedom; wild and uncontrolled freedom of action'Note: English "licence," as a legal paper of permission for driving, hunting, etc., is formally from Latin, but quite different in use, since it stresses the limitations, rather than the extent, of freedom. [Common]
liceo -ere -ui, 'bring a price (commercial)' [UnCommon]
liceor -eri -itus (dep.), 'make a bid, put a price on (at sale, auction)' [Common]
licet -ere -ui -itum (impersonal), 'it is permitted = one may . . . ; it is permitted = OK; "yes" (in answer to a question)'(Special use: 'licet' + subjunctive = "although . . . " [concessive clause], corresponds to English "given that this be so = although.") [Freq.]
lichen -enis, m., 'a fungal or parasitic skin infection' [Rare]
licitatio -onis, f., 'bidding (commercial)' [Rare]
licitus -a -um, 'lawful, permitted, acceptable' [Common]
licium -i, n., 'string, thread of yarn, shoelace; heddle (used on loom)' [Common]
lictor -oris, m., 'a lictor, an associate of Roman magistrates, a lesser staff member of governmental officers'(There are too many changes of this role in the course of Roman history to list in a paragraph.) [Freq.]
lien lienis, m., 'the spleen (as an organ)' [Rare]
ligamen -inis, n., 'string, cord; bandage' [Rare]
ligamentum see ligamen lignarius -i, m., 'a woodworker; the timber market' [Rare]
lignatio -onis, f., 'gathering of firewood' [Rare]
lignator -oris, m., 'man who collects wood' [Rare]
ligneolus -a -um, 'made of wood, wooden; woody = tough' [UnCommon]
ligneus -a -um, 'made of wood, wooden; woody = tough' [UnCommon]
lignor -ari (dep.), 'get firewood' [Rare]
lignum -i, n., 'wood, the material of trees; stumps and trunks and limbs; wood as a material for cabinet and furniture-making'Note: Lat. 'lignum' refers to a specific piece of wood, but 'materia/materies' is used of wood in a business sense, as "timber/boarding." See 'materia' and note. [Freq.]
ligo -are, 'tie, bend, tie up; fasten, bind fast; bind together (in marriage, friendship, business dealings' [VeryFreq.]
ligo -onis, m., 'a heavy garden hoe, a mattock' [Rare]
ligula (lingula) -ae, f., 'a tongue-like object of any kind (spoon, shoe-tongue); a promontory; blade of the strigil, reed of a pipe' [Common]
ligurio (ligurrio) -ire, 'lick with the tongue, lick up, lap up' [Common]
liguritio (ligurritio) -onis, f., 'gluttony' [Rare]
ligustrum -i, n., 'some sort of shrub or hedge plant' [Rare]
lilium -i, n., 'the lily; the "Lily," a (mil.) booby trap or pit-fall with stakes at bottom'Note: The name must be a jocular soldier's periphrasis, like WWII "Waltzing Matilda," a lethal German jumping anti-personnel mine, which features in the song: ". . .Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda/ won't you go waltzing, Matilda, with me?Ó The Australian song probably gave the name to the device. [UnCommon]
lima -ae, f., 'a file; file used by cabinetmakers and stone-carvers'Note: The file is synonymous with continuous, careful revision of literary work, as strongly recommended by Horace in the Ars Poet. 291--very good advice indeed! [Common]
limatulus -a -um, 'rather well-filed, well-polished, i.e. revised' [Rare]
limbus -i, m., 'ornamental hem on a robe'Note: Word used for foreign and mythological clothing, never of the 'toga,' which bears the Roman purple, or laticlavis, which is essentially the same thing, but with one difference: It is Roman! [Rare]
limen -inis, m., 'threshold, door step, sill, door beam; doorway, entrance; (symbolically) a doorway to . . . ; border, boundary' [Freq.]
limes -itis, m., 'a line, path, roadway; a roadway used to mark a boundary, limit; stone boundary marker' [Common]
limo -are, 'file smooth, polish, perfect; file away = diminish' [Common]
limosus -a -um, 'muddy' [Common]
limpidus -a -um, 'clear, limpid' [UnCommon]
limus -a -um, 'squinty, looking sideways, giving a sideways look to'(See next) [UnCommon]
limus -i, m., 'slime, mud'(See next and prev.) [Common]
limus -i, m., 'a formal skirt-like garment worn in old times by certain officials'(Mentioned by Vergil, Aen. 12, 120; see prev. two items.) [Rare]
linea -ae, f., 'string, cord, fishline; a line on paper; a cord to block off seats in theater; the finishing line in a race; carpenters snap-line = chalkline' [Freq.]
lineamentum -i, n., 'a line drawn on paper (in a picture or geometry); a line as a sketch; outline, features of a face' [Common]
lineo -are, 'line up, i.e. draw straight, straighten' [Rare]
lineus -a -um, 'of flax' [Rare]
lingo lingere linxi linctum, 'lick, lick at (anything)' [Common]
lingua -ae, f., 'tongue, (hence) speech, language, dialect; also used for any tongue-shaped object' [Freq.]
lingula -ae, f., 'a little slip (or tongue) of land' [Rare]
lingulaca -ae, f., 'talkative person' [Rare]
linguosus -a -um, 'a (big) talker, "big mouth"' [Rare]
liniger -a -um, 'wearing linen'Note: Especially, referring to Egyptian priests' robes, as in the Roman wall-painted scenes from Pompeii in the "Third Style," showing Eastern-style rituals. The Romans, after 100 B.C., were fascinated by eastern religions, the elegant and ancient cults of Cybele, Isis and Osiris, and many others, but less by the followers of Jesus of Nazareth, who appealed to the lower classes of society with a strong social, as well as moral, teaching. The Romans liked a good religious show, but for serious thought they were content with Stoicism, which incidentally shared many moral views with the nascent Christianity. [Rare]
lino -ere -evi -itum (also linio -ire -ivi -itum), 'smear, daub on; smear over writing; cover up; seal a wine jar (with plaster and tar); smear up, botch, ruin' [Freq.]
linquo linquere liqui lictum, 'leave, leave alone, desert, abandon; leave out' [Common]
linteatus -a -um, 'wearing linen; a Samnite army legion (Livy)' [Rare]
linteo -onis, m., 'a linen dealer' [Rare]
linteolum -i, n., 'linen rag' [Rare]
linter -tris, f., 'a light sailboat' [UnCommon]
linteum -i, n., 'linen; anything made of linen, from sailcloth to napkins for the table' [UnCommon]
linteus -a -um, 'linen, of linen' [Rare]
linum -i, n., 'the flax plant, linen thread; linen cloth, objects of linen, linen clothing; linseed oil' [Freq.]
lippio -ire, 'have sore eyes' [Rare]
lippitudo -inis, f., 'inflamation of the eyes' [Rare]
lippus -a -um, 'red-eyed, having painfully infected eyes' Note: The Romans were plagued with epidemic eye infections (see Horace, Sat. I, 5, for a poetic case-history). They used every kind of Egyptian eye-salve, in vain, and finally wrote books with inch-high capitals in the so-called "uncial" style to make reading easier. See note on 'collyrium.' [Freq.]
liquefacio -facere -feci -factum (pass. liquefio -fieri -factus), 'melt, liquify' [Rare]
liqueo -ere licui (liqui), 'melt, become liquid; be clear (mentally)' [Common]
liquesco -escere licui (liqui), 'become clear, be melting' [Common]
liquidus -a -um, 'liquid, flowing, fluid; limpid; clear (of the sky), bright, transparent; (of mind) clear, untroubled' [VeryFreq.]
liquo -are, 'make liquid; strain and purify; have diarrhea' [UnCommon]
liquor -ari (dep.), 'become liquid, flow, run'(See next) [Common]
liquor -oris, m., 'fluidity, liquidity; transparency, clarity'(See prev.) [Common]
lira -ae, f., 'ridge between two plowed furrows'(See 'delirus,' "crazed," for an interesting etymology involving this word.) [Rare]
lis litis, f., 'lawsuit, litigation; disagreement' [Freq.]
litatio -onis, f., 'omen-searching by sacrifice (rel.)' [Rare]
litigator -oris, m., 'a party in a lawsuit; litigator' [Rare]
litigiosus -a -um, 'tending to go to law, litigious; quarrelsome, contentious' [Common]
litigo -are, 'go to law' [Common]
lito -are, 'sacrifice (for atonement, for omens, to propitiate gods)' [UnCommon]
litoralis -e (and litoreus -a -um), 'inhabiting the seashore' [Rare]
littera (litera) -ae, f., 'letter of the alphabet; (pl.) a letter, epistle or missive; education (learning one's letters); written material; writing, literature; scholarship, learning' [VeryFreq.]
litterarius -a -um, '(ludus) litterarius = "primary school"'Note: Our age has seen this turned into a veritable reality, i. e. elementary school being converted into a literacy playground. [UnCommon]
litterator -oris, m., 'a (mere) primary school teacher' [Rare]
litteratura -ae, f., 'writing; learning to write; writings, literature'Note: This is not a commonly used Roman word, surprisingly, when we consider how much cultural mileage we have had from the literature of the Romans. See 'ars artis' for a similar situation. [UnCommon]
litteratus -a -um, 'bearing letters, an inscription; well-lettered, cultured' [Common]
litterula -ae, f., 'letter of alphabet; a little note, memo; a literary composition of some small sort' [Common]
littus see lituslitura -ae, f., 'smudging, smearing; inking over, blotting out'(But not an erasure, which would be a scraping off for a palimpsest. See palimpsest.) [Common]
litus -oris, n., 'seashore, coast, bank (of a river), beach'(See plaga, acte) [Common]
lituus -i, m., 'an augur's curved staff; a curved cavalry trumpet, clarion' [Rare]
liveo -ere, 'be discolored (bluish), be livid; be lividly jealous, envious'Note: A cognate is the Slavic word, 'Sliv-ovicz,' a "plum brandy," from IE '(s)liv-as,' made from purplish, plum fruit. [UnCommon]
livesco -escere, 'become bluish' [Rare]
lividulus -a -um, 'rather envious' [UnCommon]
lividus -a -um, 'dark-colored, dusky; envious, jealous' [Freq.]
livor -oris, m., 'blue bruise spot; envy'Note: The so-called "liver spots" on the skin of old people come not from liver dysfunction as most people think, but from this Latin word for discoloration. See 'planta' for a similar misconception. [UnCommon]
lixa -ae, f., 'a servant, attendant (on soldiers; on a magistrate)' [Rare]
locatio -onis, f., 'leasing, letting out contracts, investing' [Common]
locator -oris, m., 'leasor, contractor' [Rare]
locellus -i, m., 'a little money-box' [Rare]
locito -are, 'regularly put up for lease' [Rare]
loco -are, 'place, locate, set; locate (troops); let (contracts), place investments, invest money, place (at interest); give in marriage' [VeryFreq.]
loculus -i, m., 'a little place; a box with little "places," i.e. pidgeonholes; a divided box for money (to sort coins)' [Common]
locuples -pletis, 'rich in land ('locus'); rich, wealthy; financially responsible; rich in language (rhet.); rich (in mind, imagination)'Note: It is natural that in an originally agricultural society, the word for "rich" ['locuples'] should come from the farmstead ['locus'], while the word for "money" ['pecunia'] came from the concept of the herd ['pecus']. [Freq.]
locupleto -are, 'make rich' [UnCommon]
locus -i, m. (pl. sometimes 'loca -orum, n.'), 'place, situation, location, place for . . . ; ground, land; position (socially), office; place (in a book), passage, citation (pl., 'loca'); topic, theme'('Loca' [n. pl.] is used topographically, while 'loci' is reserved for passages in books. See locuples.) [VeryFreq.]
locusta -ae, f., 'locust; lobster' Note: Despite differences in size (and possibly flavor), both are clearly arthropods, a fact which the Romans accepted without question. [Rare]
locutio -onis, f., 'speech, style' [Rare]
lodix -dicis, f., 'blanket' [Rare]
lolium -i, n., 'weed-grass (in grain fields)' [Rare]
lolligo -inis, f., 'squid' [Rare]
lomentum -i, m., 'face cream, a face powder (bluish)'(From lavo, lautus [lotus]) [Rare]
longaevus -a -um, 'aged, old' [Rare]
longinquitas -tatis, f., 'remoteness; length; duration' [Common]
longinquus -a -um, 'remote, from afar, long in time; far off' [Freq.]
longitudo -inis, f., 'length, lengthiness, duration of time' [Freq.]
longiusculus -a -um, 'rather long, longish' [Rare]
longulus -a -um, 'rather long' [Rare]
longurius -i, m., 'a long pole' [Rare]
longus -a -um, 'long, large, tall; lengthy (of speech); long in time, far away (of times, places)' [VeryFreq.]
loquacitas -tatis, f., 'talkativeness' [UnCommon]
loquaculus -a -um, 'rather talkative' [Rare]
loquax -cis, 'talkative, babbling; chattering (of birds, animals); as if talking (trees, winds, gestures), expressive' [Common]
loquella (loquela) -ae, f., 'speech' [Rare]
loquens -entis, 'talking, able to talk' [Rare]
loquentia -ae, f., 'fluency in speech' [Rare]
loquitor -ari (dep.), 'keep on talking' [Rare]
loquor loqui locutus (dep.), 'talk, speak; speak of, mention, say that . . . ; speak conversationally' [VeryFreq.]
lora -ae, f., '(unfermented) grape juice'Note: Grape juice was apparently not invented by the anti-alcoholic Mr. Welch of Vineland, N.J., in the l9th century, but by the bibulous Romans! See 'amethystus,' a non alcoholic wine, and note. [Rare]
lorica -e, f., 'leather and metal chest-ornament; fortified parapet (mil.)' [UnCommon]
loricatus -a -um, 'wearing a breastplate' [Rare]
loripes -pedis, 'clubfooted, (lit.) strap-footed'(See next two items) [Rare]
lorius -a -um, 'of strips or leather (rawhide rope)' [Rare]
lorum -i, n., 'strap = shoelace of leather, necklace strap for children's I.D.; leather whip; dog-lash, horse-rein; vomitory-strap'Note: The 'lorum' was apparently used as an alternative to the 'pinna,' or "feather," to induce vomiting, in order to enjoy another course at dinner! In Cicero's letter on his visit from Caesar, he mentions that Julius enjoyed a good dinner, threw up, and then ate on with relish. [UnCommon]
lotos (-us) -i, m., 'the plant which supposedly induces amnesia (also used for some other plants by various authors)'Note: Identification of ancient plants is often impossible, but this does sound like an opiate! Homer's description of the men on Circe's isle, who were turned into pigs (metaphorically, of course), sounds like a typical case of heavy opium ingestion. Remember that opium country is only a short distance east of Greece in eastern Turkey. See D'Arcy Thompson, "Greek Plants." [Common]
lotus -a -um (ppl. from lavo), see lautuslotus -i, f., see lotoslubet lubido see libet libidolubrico -are, 'make slippery' [Rare]
lubricus -a -um, 'oily, slippery, sliding; flowing (of liquids), instable (of human affairs, states, fate)' [Freq.]
lucar -aris, n., 'a fund for public entertainments; (pl.) religious festivals' [Rare]
lucellum -i, n., 'a little profit'(See lucrum) [Rare]
luceo lucere luxi, 'give off light, shine, sparkle; be clear and evident, be obvious; be seen as excellent'(The name, 'Lucius,' must have seemed like this to the Romans; but it is probably akin to the Etruscan prenomen, 'Lucumo.') [Common]
lucerna -ae, f., 'an (olive) oil lamp' [UnCommon]
lucesco (lucisco) lucescere luxi, 'become bright'(Esp., of day dawning. It is used as impersonal 3rd person singular.) [UnCommon]
lucidus -a -um, 'bright, shining, clear; lucid' [Common]
lucifer -fera -ferum, 'light bearing; the morning star, morning'Note: A benign and gentle notion, since Lucifer the Devil, [Common]
as he was in later ages, does not appear in classical Latin thought. [Common]
lucifugus -a -um, 'avoiding daylight furtively' [Rare]
lucisco see lucescolucror -ari (dep.), 'gain, profit' [UnCommon]
lucrosus -a -um, 'profitable' [Rare]
lucrum -i, n., 'profit, money-making; avarice' Note: Romans, like Americans, loved a good profit, but they used this word cautiously as if there were something a bit underhanded about it. On the other hand, they employed the term 'usura,' "interest" with interest, being practical, intuitive capitalists. [Freq.]
luctamen -inis, n., 'great effort, push' [Rare]
luctatio -onis, f., 'struggle, wrestling match' [UnCommon]
luctator -oris, m., 'wrestler' [UnCommon]
luctificus -a -um, 'causing grief' [Rare]
luctisonus -a -um, 'sad-sounding (as of a cow's moo)' [Rare]
luctor -ari (dep.), 'fight, struggle, grapple; wrestle' [Freq.]
luctuosus -a -um, 'sorrowing, sorrowful' [UnCommon]
luctus -us, m., 'grief, sorrow; mourning' [Freq.]
lucubratio -onis, f., 'night work, "burning the midnight oil"; study'Note: It was really burning the midnight oil for late reading and study, since the light came from an olive oillamp. See lychnis. [UnCommon]
lucubro -are, 'work, study late at night, "burn the midnight oil"' (See prev.) [Common]
luculentus -a -um, 'bright, splendid, rich looking, fine' [Common]
lucus -i, m., 'grove, sacred grove'Note: The word comes from 'lux,' "light," which is let into a primitive forest when a clearing is made. But as Italy became stripped of woods, the "clearing" remained as a dark and shady "holy grove." These uses of 'lucus' document the deforestation of Italy which had already happened in ancient times. Hence, a late grammarian's comment: 'Lucus a NON lucendo,' which sounds impossible, but is a correct reference to a historical fact. [Freq.]
ludia -ae, f., 'woman slave; a "groupie" with a gladitorial troupe' [Rare]
ludibrium -i, n., 'toy, plaything; silly child's toy, something foolish; derision, mocking; a sham' [Freq.]
ludibundus -a -um, 'having fun, kidding around; free of worry' [Rare]
ludicer -cra -crum, 'funny, merry, jokey; stagey' [UnCommon]
ludicrum -i, n., 'toy; diversion; a public diversion or show' [Common]
ludificatio -onis, f., 'playing around with someone' [Rare]
ludifico -are (and ludificor -ari, dep.), 'treat as funny, make fun of' [Common]
ludo ludere lusi lusum, 'play, kid around; play (at dice), gamble; play (at love); play a part (in theater); play (as against work); trifle, trifle with . . . '( . . . but never used to "play" a musical instrument.) [VeryFreq.]
ludus -i, m., 'play, a game; a show (theatrical); festival; kidding around, fun; (also) play = a school'(A school gladiatorial combat, when noted as 'ludus gladiatorius.' For 'ludus litterarius,' see 'litterarius' and note.) [VeryFreq.]
luella -ae, f., 'atonement' [Rare]
lues -is, f., 'a plague; pestilence; corruption (of character); melting ice' [Freq.]
lugeo lugere luxi luctum, 'weep, lament, mourn' [Common]
lugubris -e, 'grieving, mourning; lugubrious' [Common]
lumbus -i, m., 'lower back, lumbar area; the groin (sexual); loin cut of meat' [Rare]
lumen -inis, n., 'light (sun, star, moon or lamp); a "light" = a window; the eyes (poet. only); light falling on the mind; "a shining light," glory' [VeryFreq.]
luminosus -a -um, 'dazzling' [Rare]
luna -ae, f., 'the moon; month; crescent moon; any crescent-shaped jewelry' [VeryFreq.]
lunaris -e, 'of the moon, lunar' [Rare]
lunatus -a -um, 'shaped like a crescent moon'Note: While the adjectives, "lunatic" and "looney," stem from Lat. 'luna,' they do not appear with this word, but rather under Lat. 'lunaticus,' a [Rare]
word used only by the late compiler-scholar, Isadore of Seville. Later usage followed his thoughtless lead and gave yet another word for mental anguish to the modern world. [Rare]
luno -are, 'curve (like a crescent)' [Rare]
lunula -ae, f., 'a crescent ornament' [Rare]
luo luere lui , 'pay a debt, suffer a punishment; complete a contract, fulfil a promise; vow; free, manumit, liberate'(The future active ppl., 'luiturus,' is often used, since paying a debt involves some pressure of future thinking.) [VeryFreq.]
lupa -ae, f., 'a she wolf; prostitute' [UnCommon]
lupanar -aris, n., 'brothel, whorehouse' [Rare]
lupatria -ae, f., 'whore'Note: The term is used by Petronius of Fortunata, Trimalchio's lady, a good enough wife and watchdog over the silver, even if she is actually a former prostitute. Moral abhorrence of a whore is not part of Roman thinking, but became integral to Protestant doctrine, probably as a reflex to the spread of lethal syphilis from Central America, just as the Protestant creeds were being formulated. The death toll around the year1500 was great, and it is often fear of a disease which creates a moral law. The avoidance of pork by Jews and later Moslems because of trichinosis, and the reduction of sexual promiscuity since l980, after the spread of the incurable AIDS virus, lends credence to this point of view, which might be called theologico-epidemiology. [Rare]
lupatus -a -um, 'having wolf teeth; of a rough bit with teeth, designed for tough horses' [Rare]
lupinus -a -um, 'of a wolf, wolfish' [Rare]
lupus -i, m., 'wolf; a fish called 'the wolf'; any jagged, toothy implement; a hook' [Freq.]
lurco (lurcho) -onis, m., 'glutton' [Rare]
lureo -ere, 'be pale' [Rare]
luridus -a -um, 'sickly yellow, pale' [UnCommon]
luror -oris, m., 'sickly yellow color' [Rare]
luscinia -ae, f., 'nightingale' Note: A derivation from 'luscus,' "blinded in one eye," and 'cano' is offered as an etymology, but surely something is missing. Better take 'luscus' in the sense of "dim," and combine this with 'cano' to give the "evening singer." See next. [Rare]
luscus -ae, f., 'one-eyed; (of light) dim, dull' [UnCommon]
lusio -onis, f., 'a game, a (specific) sport' [Rare]
lusito -are, 'keep on playing' [Rare]
lusor -oris, m., 'player (in a game); joker, trifler, teaser' [UnCommon]
lustralis -e, 'lustral, expiatory'(See 'lustrum' as "purification" for details.) [UnCommon]
lustratio -onis, f., 'travelling around an area; (specifically) marching around in the purification rite' [Rare]
lustro -are, 'spread light on, over; cast one's eyes over, look at; cast cleansing light on, purify, ceremonially "lustrate," expiate sin; go walking around purifying; go walking around, search around'(Note the rather odd development, parallel to English "survey," which means both "walk over to measure" and also "look over, behold.") [Common]
lustrum -i, n., 'haunts, wild country; den; den of vice = brothel'(See next) [Common]
lustrum -i, n., 'a five-year recurring expiatory period; period of a stellar cycle'(See prev.) [Common]
lusus -us, m., 'a game; gambling; dalliance; a public show, entertainment; a joke; minor literary trifle (light poems, etc.)'(See litterarius [with 'lusus'] and note.) [Freq.]
luteolus -a -um, 'yellowish' [Rare]
luteum (lutum) -i, n., ''reseda luteola' or saffron, a yellow dye plant'Note: For the Romans, cloth-dyes were [Rare]
and valuable, as the famous 'purpur,' the purple of great status. There were dyes from conches and from plants, but most came from powdered fired clays and were pretty dull. The two strongest colors were the yellow which came from this saffron plant and the Tyrian purple from the murex shellfish. The aniline dyes separated out from coal-tar around l840 changed the world's sense of color completely. See purpura and murex. [Freq.]
luteus -a -um, 'yellow-red' [UnCommon]
luteus -a -um, 'of mud or clay' [UnCommon]
luto -are, 'smear'( . . . with anything, not necessarily mud, 'lutum.') [Rare]
lutulentus -a -um, 'muddy (of style) ; dirty (of morals)(Lucilius' style is described as 'lutulentus' in Horace's first book of Satires, probably in the first sense above, for reasons which are not entirely clear.) [UnCommon]
lux lucis, f., 'light, daylight, daytime, dawn; eyesight (lumina = eyes); mental light = "it dawns on me"; light, a glimmer of hope' [VeryFreq.]
luxuria -ae (and luxuries -ei), f., 'jungle-like overgrowth of plants; overgrown-ness; overdoing (the pleasures of money and life), overindulgence (always referred to in a negative sense)'Note: Remember that the luxury-loving Romans had a strong Puritanical streak in their makeup, not unlike the heavy-drinking and swearing l9th century Americans who were real prudes under the skin. See sumptuarius and note on the Sumptuary Laws. [Common]
luxurio -are (and luxurior -ari, dep.), '(of plants) to grow excessively; (of people) to riot in immoderate self-indulgence' [Common]
luxuriosus -a -um, 'self-indulgent' [Freq.]
luxus -us, m., 'overindulgence, tasteless over-extravagance' [Freq.]
lychnus -i, m., 'an (oil) lamp'Note: This was the regular word for a household lamp, borrowed along with the object itself from the Greeks. An improved model with a wick at each end was called a 'bilychnus.' See lucubratio. [Rare]
lychnuchus -i, m., 'lamp holder, "candelabra"'(For oil lamps, of course, not candles.) [Rare]
lympha -ae, f., 'water, water-goddess'Note: This was an original Latin and Italic word, 'lumpa,' reformed "a la Grecque" with the imported Greek letters -y- and -ph-, and a fair amount of cultural elevation! Compare the Oscan Diumpais with a linguistically normal 'd-l' alternation.). Also see 'pulc(h)er' and note. [Freq.]
lymphaticus (lymphatus) -a -um, 'mad, frenzied, as if caught by water spirits'Note: Compare with 'lunaticus,' "mad," seized by the moon. Roman "animism" must be at work overtime here. See note under lunatus, lunaticus. [UnCommon]
lymphatio -onis, f., 'madness, frenzy, as if caught by water spirits' [UnCommon]
lympho -are, 'be mad, frenzied, as if caught by water spirits' [UnCommon]
lynx -ncis, f., 'a lynx, puma, mountain-cat; lynx-skin' [Rare]
lyra -ae, f., 'the lyre; music, lyric poetry; inspiration'Note: The lyre was a plucked musical instrument with five to seven strings, the ancestor of all the plucked string intruments, such as the guitar, the zither, and, finally, the harpsichord. Since there was no fingerboard, it is generally assumed that the notes were plucked on an open string, but the bowed Chinese fiddle which also lacks a fingerboard, shows that a pinch of the flesh between the first and second fingerjoint can give well-articulated tones. Since the whole of ancient music is in a cloudy state, speculation can have a holiday. The best information comes from the paintings on the Greek vases, aided by musical [Common]
sense. commonlyricus -a -um, 'of the lyre; lyric; poetical, inspirational' [UnCommon]
lyristes -ae, m., 'a lyre player' [Rare]
M (abbreviation for Mille), '1000, a thousand' [Freq.]
ma '"ma," "Mama," "Mommy"'Note: The first baby-word, stated to mean "milk," rather than "Mommy," although, at an early stage, they may mean the same thing. In the same framework, "pa" was supposed to mean solid food, bread. [Rare]
macellum -i, n., 'the food market; food purchased there; marketing; the food trade' [Common]
maceo -ere, 'be thin' [Rare]
macer -cra -crum, 'thin in body, lean; scruffy; (of soil) thin and infertile' [Common]
maceria -ae, f., 'a wall, garden wall'(Perhaps used to retain surface water. See next.) [UnCommon]
macero -are, 'make wet, soak; weaken by watering; weaken, water down; wear down (psychologically)' [Freq.]
macillarius -i, m., 'food-dealer' [UnCommon]
machaera -ae, f., 'sword, dagger'(Greek word) [Rare]
machina -ae, f., 'any machine, device; mechanical contrivance: winch, windlass, rock-cannon, scaffolding, battering-ram'Note: This word, as well as most Roman devices, is borrowed from the Greeks, but through the Doric dialect of Sicily ('machane,' not Attic 'mechane.' This possibly points to the high development of the science of mechanics under the guidance of such geniuses as Archimedes in Southern Italy and Sicily, which remained Greek-speaking throughout the Republican period. [Freq.]
machinamentum -i, n., 'machine, an instrument (a tool, not musical instrument); war equipment' [Rare]
machinatio -onis, f., 'engineering ability; machinery' [Rare]
machinator -oris, m., 'engineer; devisor (of plots etc.)' [Rare]
machinor -ari (dep.), 'devise, engineer, fabricate' [UnCommon]
macies -ei, f., 'thinness (of body, soil, stylistics)' [UnCommon]
macresco -escere, 'become thin, be ground down' [Rare]
macrocollum -i, n., 'big-size papyrus of high quality' (Like English "foolscap" paper) [Rare]
macte interj., 'Well done! Bravo! (in a religious context) "be ye blessed for . . . "'(See next) [Common]
macto -are, 'honor (at a sacrifice); sacrifice an animal; kill'(See prev.) [Freq.]
mactus -a -um (ppl. of macto), 'struck, hit, smitten' [Rare]
macula -ae, f., 'spot, stain, skin discoloration; disgrace, stigma; a knot in a net' [Common]
maculo -are, 'spot, stain; dishonor, stigmatize' [Common]
maculosus -a -um, 'spotted, stained; disgraceful; (of style) spotty' [Common]
madefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'soak, soak in, dye; soak up (wine)' [Common]
madefacto -are see madefaciomadeia (as in 'peri madeia,' words of unknown meaning in Petronius) (Perhaps something to do with 'madeo,' in the sense of getting drunk.) [Rare]
madeo -ere, 'be wet, soaked, boiled; be "soaked" = drunk' [Common]
madesco madescere madui, 'become wet; become soft (by cooking, ripening)' [Common]
madidus -a -um, 'wet, dripping; crying; drenched with oil, perfumes; drunk' [Freq.]
mador -oris, m., 'wetness' [Rare]
maena (mena) -ae, f., 'a small, cheap fish (mackerel?)' [Rare]
maereo -ere, 'grieve, be sad, be in mourning for . . . ' [Freq.]
maeror -oris, m., 'mourning, grief' [Common]
maestitia -ae, f., 'sadness' [Common]
maestus -a -um, 'sad, gloomy, grieving, in mourning; grim; ill-omened' [VeryFreq.]
magalia -ium, n. pl., 'Carthaginian native houses'Note: The word is used by Vergil, Aen. I, 421, and esp. IV, 459, specifically to create an impression of foreignness, against which Aeneas seems out-of-place. The word is Carthaginian, often confused with mapalia [same meaning but used in prose], and survives in the North African Arabic as 'al magal,' "the old city." [Rare]
mage see magismagicus -a -um, 'magical' [UnCommon]
magis (mage), 'more, rather; probably' [VeryFreq.]
magister -tri, m., 'master = general; master of a religious "collegium"; country, county leader, M.C.; head-herdsman; teacher in school, instructor in any discipline; past-master = expert'Note: Our M.A. degree [Magister Artium] is within the Roman tradition, whereas the Ph.D. [Philosophiae Doctor] is more Hellenic in spirit, and not something Romans would be much interested in, unless it were the specific teachings of the popular Stoic sect. [Common]
magisterium -i, n., 'directorship, magistracy' [UnCommon]
magistratus -us, m., 'magistracy; public office; public officer' [Freq.]
magnanimitas -tatis, f., 'greatness of soul' [Rare]
magnanimus -a -um, 'great-minded'(A rough translation of the Gr. 'megalo-psychos.') [Freq.]
magnadicus -a -um, 'big-mouthed' [Rare]
magnificentia -ae, f., 'nobility of manner; magnificence' [Common]
magnifico -are, 'magnify, extol' [Rare]
magnificus -a -um, 'magnificent, luxurious, proud; boastful, over-proud' [VeryFreq.]
magniloquentia -ae, f., 'lofty, elegant language; pompous language'(A word supposedly suited to the writings of Homer and Euripedes, but in which sense?) [Rare]
magnitudo -inis, f., 'size, expanse, volume, duration, force, weight; rank, status' [Freq.]
magnopere (or separately as 'magno opere'), 'greatly, very much' [VeryFreq.]
magnus -a -um, 'big, large, great; numerous; big (in value, sound, impression); great (of tasks), famous and great' [VeryFreq.]
magus -i, m., 'a magician' (See next) [Rare]
magus -a -um, 'magical'(See prev.) [Rare]
maiestas -tatis, f., 'majesty, grandeur (of a god), "majesty" of a people = sovereignty; majesty of a style in writing' [Freq.]
maior -ius (compar. of magnus), 'more, greater; older, the older one; (pl.) Elders = ancestors; the more reputable, powerful (ones)' [VeryFreq.]
maiusculus -a -um, 'somewhat greater or older' [Rare]
mala -ae, 'cheek, lower face; the jaws, mandible'(The -a- is long, distinguishing it from 'malus' with a short -a-, "evil.") [Freq.]
malacia -ae, f., 'dead-calm at sea; nausea'(Greek word, 'malakia,' "calm") [Rare]
malacus -a -um, 'soft, bendable; unpleasantly delicate'(Greek word. See prev.) [Rare]
maledico -dicere -dixi -dictum, 'insult, abuse verbally' [Rare]
maledictio -onis, f., 'abuse' [Rare]
maledicus -a -um, 'abusive' [Rare]
malefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'act wrongly; wrong . . . , harm' [Common]
malefactor -oris, m., 'an evil-doer' [Rare]
maleficium -i, n., 'wrongdoing' [Rare]
malesuadus -a -um, 'ill-advising' [Rare]
malevolentia -ae, f., 'ill-will, spite' [Common]
malevolus -a -um, 'malicious' [Rare]
malignitas -atis, f., 'ill-will, spite; cheapness'Note: Dickens' Scrooge is a composite example of both attributes, which, apparently, often go hand in hand. [Common]
malignus -a -um, 'ill-willed; poor, cheap, shoddy'(See prev.) [Freq.]
malitia -ae, f., 'malice, ill-will' [Common]
malitiosus -a -um, 'malicious' [UnCommon]
malleolus -i, m., 'a little hammer; a hammer-shaped treeshoot for grafting or planting; a "hand-grenade" (thrown weapon which bursts into fire)'Note: Flame-throwers were devised by Archimedes and used against the Romans; this must be a hand-thrown variety. There is a possibility that the active ingredient in such devices was acetylene gas, which can be easily released from calcium carbide by dripping water on it. Such chemical technology should have been within the grasp of the ancients. [UnCommon]
malleus -i, m., 'hammer, mallet' Note: The bones of the human middle-ear: uncus [anvil], malleus [hammer], and stapes [stirrup]. See uncus for more detailed note. [Rare]
malo malle malui, 'prefer, like better'(This is a contraction of 'maius + volo' ["wish more = prefer"]; thus, 'maius-volo' becomes 'malo,' but there are several uncontracted forms, such as 'maius vult.') [VeryFreq.]
malobathrum -i, n., 'oil of the Indian tomala tree (used in oil based unguent and perfume)' [Rare]
malum -i, n., 'trouble, anything bad, evil, Evil'(The -a- is short; see next) [VeryFreq.]
malum -i, n., 'an apple; other fruit'(The -a- is long, distinguishing this word from 'mala,' "cheek," and 'malum,' "evil." See next and prev.) [Common]
malus -a -um, 'bad, evil, harmful, hostile'(The -a- is short; see prev. and two next items.)Note: This word often implies magic or the evil eye; 'malum carmen' is "an incantation," not bad poetry, and something feared by most Romans. The Romans had a penchant for "voodoo" thinking, as witnessed by the hundreds of curses inscribed on lead tablets and buried in the woods, wherein the person mentioned was to have withered and died. --- Under the heading of omens, the Samnite town of Maleventum was analyzed as 'male + ventum' ["bad-wind"] and changed by the omen-fearing Romans to Beneventum. [VeryFreq.]
malus -i, f., 'apple-tree'(All masculine-ending trees are feminine grammatically, presumably because fruit are actually ovaries. The -a- is long; see next and prev.) [Rare]
malus -i, m., 'pole; mast of a ship'(The -a- is long, like 'malus,' "apple," as against 'mala,' "cheek," and 'malus,' "evil." See several prev. items.) [Common]
malva -ae, f., 'the mallow, a plant with eupeptic effects' [Rare]
mamilla -ae, f., 'nipple of a breast' [Rare]
mamillare -is, n., 'brassiere' [Rare]
mamma -ae, f., 'breast (human), udder (cows, etc.); (in baby-talk) "mommy," "nanna" (= grand-ma)'Note: Martial has a poem about a buxom lady he calls Maxima Mamma Mea, combining both senses of this word pithily. [Common]
manabilis -e, 'flowing, penetrating' [Common]
manceps -cipis, m., 'one who takes in hand; a contractor, purchaser, wholesaler' [Common]
mancipium (mancupium) -i, n., '(legal) ownership; legal possession; (that which is owned =) a slave' [Freq.]
mancipo (mancupo) -are, 'convey, transfer, sell (by process of law)' [UnCommon]
mancus -a -um, 'having a maimed hand; crippled; weak, feeble' [UnCommon]
mandatum -i, n., 'a (legal) order; an agreement for a given action or process; directive of an emperor'(See mando, next) [Common]
mando -are, 'entrust (to someone), legally entrust, entrust to memory, memorize; commission; order, give orders; send an order'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
mando mandere mandi mansum, 'bite, chew on, manducate'(Fr. 'manger,' It. 'mangiare,' from Late Latin, 'manducare.' See prev.) [UnCommon]
mandra -ae, f., 'a line of mules, oxen; a game to play on a board'(Was this game the same as 'Latrunculi,' "Robbers," a Roman equivalent of chess? See latrunculus.) [Rare]
mane adv., 'early, early in the morning'(Do not confuse with the imperative of maneo, "stay." See next.) [Freq.]
maneo manere mansi mansum, 'stay, wait, remain; wait for'(Do not confuse the imperative of this verb, 'mane,' with the identical adverb. See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
manes -ium, m. pl., 'ghosts of the dead, much-revered in Roman religion; place where ghosts are, the Underworld, place of death' [Freq.]
mango -onis, m., 'a slave dealer' [Rare]
mangonicus -a -um see mango [Rare]
manica -ae, f., 'manacles, handcuffs; cuffs, gloves' [Rare]
manicatus -a -um, 'having long sleeves' [Rare]
manicula -ae, f., 'a little hand' [Rare]
manifestus -a -um, 'caught in the act; obviously guilty; evident, obvious, clear' [Freq.]
manipularis (maniplaris) -is, 'soldier, infantryman; fellow soldier, buddy' [UnCommon]
manipulus (poet., maniplus) -i, m., 'a handful; small group; a "company" of infantrymen' [Freq.]
mannulus -i, n., 'a pony' [Rare]
mannus -i, m., 'a pony' [Rare]
mano -are, 'drip, flow (by drops); (of light) leak out; (of rumors) leak out' [VeryFreq.]
mansio -onis, f., 'a staying, place to stay, inn; any small abode' (Engl. "mansion" is from this word, but entirely too lordly as a translation.) [UnCommon]
mansito -are, 'lodge overnight' [Rare]
mansuefacio -facere -feci -factum (pass., mansuefio -fieri -factus sum), 'make tame, tame to the hand; quiet, pacify' [Common]
mansues -is (or -etis), 'tame' [Rare]
mansuesco -suescere -suevi -suetum, 'become tame (of animals); gentle, mild (of people)' [Common]
mansuetudo -inis, f., 'tameness; gentleness' [UnCommon]
mantele -is, n., 'napkin; tablecloth' [UnCommon]
mantelium -i, n., 'little towel' [Rare]
mantelum -i, n., 'covering, cloak' [Rare]
mantica -ae, f., 'rucksack, knapsack' [Rare]
manto -are, 'remain, wait, wait for' [Rare]
manuale -is, n., 'wooden book case' (See next) [Rare]
manualis -e, 'fitting the size of the hand'(See prev.) [Rare]
manubiae -arum, f. pl., 'loot money, military prize, booty; profit' [UnCommon]
manubrium -i, n., 'handle of an implement (agr.)' [Rare]
manuciolum -i, n., 'a little bundle' [Rare]
manuleus -i, m. (and manulea -ae, f.), 'a long sleeve' [Rare]
manumissio -onis, f., 'the emancipation of a slave'(Lit., 'e-manu + mittere,' the words of the manumission ritual.) [UnCommon]
manumitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'manumit, free (a slave)'(Often as two words, 'manu mitto.') [Common]
manupretium (manipretium) -i, n., 'payment for work done, cost of labor; wages, pay; reward' [UnCommon]
manus -us, f., 'hand, anything looking like a hand; handle; touch; the hand vs. the word; hand = violence; the legal power of a paterfamilias; a platoon of soldiers, a band of armed men' [VeryFreq.]
mapalia -ium, n. pl., 'Carthaginian houses' Note: This seems to be the prose and historical equivalent of the Punic word, 'magalia' (which Vergil uses for poetry). The word suggests foreignness and some sort of un-Roman disorderliness. See magalia. [UnCommon]
mappa -ae, f., 'napkin' [UnCommon]
marceo -ere, 'wither, droop; be weak' [Common]
marcesco -escere, 'begin to droop, wither' [Common]
marcidus -a -um, 'withered, weak, exhausted' [Common]
marcor -oris, m., 'wasting away; rot' [Rare]
marculus (martulus) -i, m., 'a little hammer, a jeweler's hammer' [Rare]
mare -is, n., 'the sea; 'mare nostrum' = Mediterranean Sea, "THE Sea" (for Romans)'Note: Many words are used of the sea, such as the Greek words, 'pontus' and 'pelagus,' as well as 'marmor' (flat water), 'mare,' and the all-encompassing 'oceanus.' But when 'mare' is used by itself, it is clearly, for the Romans, 'Mare Nostrum,' the Mediterranean Sea. [VeryFreq.]
margarita -ae, f. (and margaritum -i, n.), 'pearl' [Rare]
margino -are, 'add borders to . . . ' [Rare]
margo -inis, m., 'a border, boundary' [Rare]
marinus -a -um, 'of the sea (ships, plants, water, etc.)' [Common]
marinum -i-, n., 'a sea-creature' [Rare]
marisca -ae, f., 'a large fig; hemorrhoids'Note: Used of homosexuals in Juvenal. See ficus. [Rare]
maritimus (maritumus) -a -um, 'of the sea; nautical; near the sea' [Common]
marita -ae, f., 'wife' [UnCommon]
marito -are, 'marry, mate, join together'Note: Also used of training (fem.) vines on (masc.) poplars in Roman viticulture. Aside from the annoying tone of the "clinging vine," pseudo-feminine psychology, this is a clever way of getting vines up in the air where they can get abundant sunlight. In much the same vein of thinking, American Indians showed the Plymouth colonists how to put two fish in a hole for fertilizer, add several corn seeds and some bean seeds in a mound, with the knowledge that the early maturing corn would serve as a prop for the climbing bean vine. [Common]
maritus -a -um, 'related to marriage, married; (as noun) husband, wife, spouse; lover; a stud animal' [Common]
marmor -oris, n., 'marble; a finished flat marble sheet; the surface sheen of the sea, the sea' [Freq.]
marmoratus -a -um, 'covered with marble' Note: Augustus said he found Rome brick, and left it marble; but, actually, the Romans used marble as a facing, generally about half an inch thick, cemented onto brickwork. Modern steel framed highrise office buildings use the same economical treatment of marble. [Rare]
marmoreus -a -um, 'of marble' [Rare]
marra -ae, f., 'a hoe' [Rare]
marsupium -i, n., 'purse, money bag'Note: The English biological name, "marsupial," comes from this word--a very apt adaptation indeed. What could be a better receptacle for the undeveloped young of a kangaroo or an opossum than mommy's belly pocketbook? [UnCommon]
Martius -a -um, 'from Mars; pertaining to Mars, referring to warfare' [UnCommon]
mas maris, m., 'the male; (as adj.) manly' [Common]
masculinus (masculus) -a -um, 'male, manly; virile'Note: Used by Vitruvius of "male" fittings in carpentry, the tenons as against the female mortises in construction trades. We also retain the terms "male" and "female" in plumbing (a Roman craft, from 'plumbum,' "lead") and, since the l8th century, in machinery and electrical fittings. See plumbum. [Freq.]
masculus -a -um, 'male'(See prev.) [Freq.]
massa -ae, f., 'a lump; lump of ore; any "massive" object' [Common]
massicum -i, n., 'Massic wine' [Rare]
mastigia -ae, m., 'one worthy of whipping; a rascal'(Gr. mastigia, 'whipping') [UnCommon]
mastruca -ae, f., 'a sheepskin coat' [Rare]
masturbor -ari (dep.), 'masturbate' Note: This became a standard word in the Romanic languages, but nobody is quite sure of its origin. The best guess is that it is a compound derived from the phrase, 'manu se stup [Rare]
'; but Vulgar Latin linguistics cannot account for the exact changes involved in such a supposition. The word, howsoever derived, probably reflects early Christian ethics, with hostile attitudes towards practices which would limit the population of the minority-group church-goers. The Christians were bent on taking over the Empire and increasing their congregations by extensive conversions and intensive breeding. [Rare]
masturbator -oris, m., 'one who masturbates' (See prev.) [UnCommon]
matara -ae (and mataris -is), f., 'a javelin, spear' [Rare]
matella -ae, f., 'a pot, toilet pot' [Rare]
matellio -onis, m., 'a small pot' [Rare]
mater matris, f., 'mother, nurse; (sometimes =) nanny;Mother, specifically the goddess Cybele; Ma'am (of older women); Mother (Earth), mother (one's country); one's origin' [VeryFreq.]
matercula -ae, f., 'mommy' [Rare]
materfamilias -ae, f., 'mistress of a household' (See 'paterfamilias' for legal and social implications.) [Common]
materia -ae (and materies -ei), f., 'wood, timber (as building material); material, substance; the original "stuff" of the universe, matter; material (of study, of a book)'Note: Materia is used as a translation of the Gr. philosophical term, 'hyle,' "wood," but also used, following Aristotle, as the stuff of the universe, or "matter." Some old-fashioned American lumberyards are still called "The . . . Material Co.," which just means lumber in the Roman tradition. See 'denarius' for another survival. [VeryFreq.]
materiarius -i, m., 'a lumber merchant' [UnCommon]
materio -are, 'construct of wood' [Rare]
materior -ari (dep.), 'get wood, seek out and cut timber' [Rare]
maternus -a -um, 'maternal, of the mother's side of the family; motherly, gentle' [Common]
matertera -ae, f., 'maternal aunt' [Common]
mathematicus -a -um, 'mathematical; (as noun) mathematician; (also) astrologer' Note: Astrology was [Common]
in superstition-ridden Rome, a good example of which is Manilius' extant long poem on the subject. Astrology was the reason for adopting the seven-day week with planetary names. We are all conscious of the powerful role of Greek thought in science, but astrology was in fact the "science" of the superstitious multitudes through the millennia. And it has not lost its attraction in the modern world. See idus. [Rare]
matricida -ae, c., 'a matricide; a person who commits matricide' [Rare]
matricidium -i, n., 'matricide' [Rare]
matrimonium -i, n., 'matrimony, marriage' [Common]
matrimus -a -um, 'having a mother still living' [Rare]
matrona -ae, f., 'a married woman, matron; wife' [Common]
matronalis -e, 'of a married woman' [Rare]
mattea -ae, f., 'a delicacy (to eat)' [Rare]
matula -ae, f., 'pot; "pot-head," "blockhead," fool' [Rare]
maturesco -escere -ui, 'develop, mature; ripen' [Common]
maturitas -tatis, f., 'ripeness; harvest time; maturity' [Freq.]
maturo -are, 'ripen; mature; hurry, force (to ripen); hurry up, hasten' [Common]
maturus -a -um, 'ripe; developed, mature; at the right time of life; (also:) premature, early, before the right time of life'(The first sense comes from the idea of developing; the last comes from matu [Rare]
in the sense of 'hurry up.' One thinks of the Army slogan: Hurry up, and wait!) [Freq.]
matutinus -a -um,. 'of the early morning, early in the day' [Common]
maxilla -ae, f., 'jaw bone, jaw'(Compare med. English "maxillary") [Common]
maximitas -tatis, f., 'hugeness' [Rare]
maximus -a -um (superl. of magnus), 'very large, very great' [VeryFreq.]
mazonomus -i, m. (or mazonomon -i, n.), 'large dish' [Rare]
meatus -us, m., 'movement, path; route; passage-way' [Common]
meddix -icis, m., 'an Oscan magistrate'Note: The word is pure Oscan, a compound of 'med-,' "law," and 'deik,' "say" [Lat. 'dico,' earlier 'deico']. 'Iudex' ['ius + deics'] is the legitimate Latin translation. Oscan is still a worthwhile study for those interested in Latin and IE linguistics; it is one of those curious disciplines still taught by an aging professor to a class of three in a remote room in the library stacks. [Rare]
medeor -eri (dep.), 'heal, cure, treat (medically)' [Common]
mediastinus -i, m., 'a servant who does all kinds of jobs' [Rare]
medica -ae, f., 'an herb' (The -e- is long, while 'medicina,' "medicine," has a short -e-.) [Rare]
medicabilis -e, 'curable' [Rare]
medicamen -inis, n., 'medicine, drug; cosmetic; preservative; a dye' [UnCommon]
medicamentum -i, n., 'medicine, drug, medication; poison; cosmetic; dye'Note: The wide spread of so many entirely different uses points to the primitive state of Roman chemistry, which was based on extensive knowledge of materials with absolutely no connecting theory to burden the practical Roman mind. Much information in this area can be garnered from the pages of Pliny's "Natural History." [UnCommon]
medicatus -us, m., 'medication, medical treatment' [Rare]
medicatus -a -um, 'medicated; drugged' [Common]
medicina -ae, f., 'the art of medicine; a medicine; treatment, cure' [VeryFreq.]
medico -are, 'treat with medicine; poison, drug; preserve; dye' [Freq.]
medicor -ari (dep.), 'heal, cure' [Rare]
medicus -a -um, 'healing'(See next) [Common]
medicus -i, m., 'a doctor, physician'Note: One of the speakers in the Satyricon says: 'Medicus nihil est quam consolatio animi . . . ', a notion probably largely true then and perhaps partly true even today. [Common]
mediocris -e, 'of middle size, middling; moderate; ordinary, [Common]
, mediocre' [Freq.]
mediocritas -tatis, f., 'middleness, averageness; moderateness; self-restraint'Note: Often used as a translation of Gr. 'sophrosyne,' but there are real differences between the two words, as there are between Greek and Roman thinking in general. Just what is Horace's famed 'aurea mediocritas'? Is it really a laudible self-restraint, or just contentment with the intellectual averageness of his society? How the American l9th-century people loved Horace's phrase! [How well it fitted in with their unremarkable and un-egregious American preferences!] [Freq.]
meditamentum -i, n., 'physical training' [Rare]
meditatio -onis, f., 'considering, contemplation; practice' [Common]
mediterraneus -a -um,. 'inland; (hence) Inland Sea = Mediterranean Sea'(The word is a compound of 'medius + terra,' "in the middle of land." The Romans often called the Mediterranean Sea, 'mare nostrum,' quite logically, since that is what it became after 30 B.C., when they controlled virtually all the land around it.) [Common]
meditor -ari (dep.), 'think; prepare to . . . , practice to . . . , practice = rehearse' [Freq.]
medius -a -um, 'middle, central, in-between'(Used of places, time, actions, the course of human life--Dante, too: 'Nel mezzo del camin de nostra vita.' See next.) [VeryFreq.]
medius fidius (actually = 'me dius fidius [servet]'), '"as god is my witness"'(See fidius) [UnCommon]
medulla -ae, f., 'the marrow; one's innermost parts; innermost being, mind, soul' [Freq.]
mefites (see mephites), 'an odorous gas emitting from fissures in the earth (hydrogen disulphide); "Our Lady of Gasses" (as a diety)'Note: This same word is used in the scientific name for the North American skunk, 'mefites mefites,' with a shift in focus from earth gasses to animal juices, but not much difference in nasal repugnance. [Rare]
megistanes -um, m., '(native name for) Persian nobility, nobles' [Rare]
mehercule (mehercle) see Herculesmel mellis, n., 'honey (used for sugar); "Honey" = "dear," "sweetie"; sweetness'Note: Honey was the ancients' main sweetener--sugar ('saccharum') from cane only appearing after 600 A.D. and not becoming [Common]
in Europe until the 17th century. The Romans immersed all kinds of foods in honey as a method of preserving, not unlike our "candied" fruit. Apiculture was an important economic resource in the ancient world, and Vergil needed no apology is devoting the last lovely book of the"Georgics" to it. All the agricultural writers take beekeeping seriously: Cato, Varro, Columella. See apis. [VeryFreq.]
melancholicus -a -um, 'melancholy'Note: The word actually means "having black-bile," a reflex of the Greek doctrine of the dominant body secretions, or "humors." See Hippocrates' brilliant ecological treatise, "On Airs, Waters, Places." The doctrine of the "humors" persisted until modern times and, in a certain sense, crudely foreshadowed the functioning of the hormones and the endocrine system. [Rare]
melanurus -i, m., 'catfish' [Rare]
melculum -i, n., '"Little Honey," "dearie"' [Rare]
melicus -a -um, 'lyric, musical'(From Gr. 'melos,' which survives in Engl. "melody" and the phrase, "Melic poets.") [Rare]
melimelum -i, n., 'honey-apple, a sweet apple'(A word lifted from Sappho) [UnCommon]
melior -ius (compar. of bonus), 'better' [VeryFreq.]
meliusculus -a -um, 'somewhat better' [Rare]
mella -ae, f., 'honey-water' (Compare Engl. "hydromel") [Rare]
mellifer -fera -ferum, 'producing honey' [Rare]
mellitus -a -um, 'honeyed'Note: Consider the medical term, 'diabetes mellitus,' which the l9th-century doctor tested by tasting the urine of a patient for a sweetish flavor. [UnCommon]
melos n., 'song, poem'(Greek word) [Common]
membrana -ae, f., 'animal or human membrane; skin; sheep or goat skin, as parchment = "paper"'Note: After the failure of the Egyptian papyrus harvest in the early centuries after Christ, parchment became the rather expensive replacement for papyrus. It was sufficiently costly to warrant the practice of erasure of a whole book for rewriting, for which we use the obscure term, "palimpsest." [UnCommon]
membratim adv., 'limb by limb, piecemeal' [UnCommon]
membrum -i, n., 'arm; limb; member; part (of anything); a section, part, member' [Freq.]
memini -isse (defective, perf. only), 'remember, recall, keep in mind'(This verb takes a gen. obj. as do its compounds, as well as the negative of remembering, 'obliviscor.') [VeryFreq.]
memor -oris, 'remembering, recalling, referring back to . . . ' [Common]
memorabilis -e, 'memorable' [Common]
memorandus -a -um, 'memorable, to be remembered'Note: Our little reminder notes are called "memoranda," things to be recalled (n. pl. of the gerundive), and just so "agenda," things to be done. Perhaps, someday someone will invent the word, "obliviscenda," but then he will probably forget it before he can put it to use! [UnCommon]
memorator -oris, m., 'story-teller'Note: Propertius called Homer a 'memorator,' not a bad description of one who has been called everything from folk-bard and seer to supreme artist of the West. Homer does tell superlatively good stories. [Rare]
memoratus -us, m., 'mention' [Rare]
memoria -ae, 'memory, recall; the historical tradition; recollection; history' [VeryFreq.]
memorialis -e, 'having to do with memory'(E.g. 'liber memorialis,' = "a book of memoranda; records") [Rare]
memoriola -ae, f., 'a (nice, little) memory' [Rare]
memoro -are, 'remember, recall, call to mind; recount, tell, narrate' [VeryFreq.]
menda -ae, f., 'fault, defect, a blemish (physical, or in written style)' [Rare]
mendacium -i, n., 'a (verbal) lie; deceit' [Common]
mendaciunculum -i, n., 'a "little" lie, a white lie' [Rare]
mendax -acis, 'lying, false; incorrect; deceiving' [Freq.]
mendicabulum -i, n., 'signs of a person being a beggar' Note: For us it is very clear, the hat or outstretched hand, or the dark glasses . . . but what would it be for the Romans? General physical appearance, gesture, stance, location . . . ? We lack so much detail about the little traits, that it seems virtually impossible to put together a coherent view of Roman sociology. [Rare]
mendicitas -tatis, f., 'beggary' [Common]
mendico -are (and mendicor -ari, dep.), 'beg, go begging; beg for' [Common]
mendicus -a -um, 'of a beggar; poor' [Freq.]
mendosus -a -um, 'full of faults, erroneous' [Common]
mendum -i, n. (and menda -ae, f.), 'fault, spot, blemish' [UnCommon]
mens mentis, f., 'mind, rationality, a mind or purpose to . . . ; will, desire' [VeryFreq.]
mensa -ae, f., 'table; feast, dinner; a course of the dinner; an altar'(But 'ara' is the more [Common]
word for "altar.") [VeryFreq.]
mensarius -i, m., 'banker; treasury officer'Note: From 'mensa,' "the table" of the public money changers, quickly leading to large-scale banking, which was well-established in Rome by the time of Cicero and is often mentioned in his letters. In one letter, Cicero asks an agent to draw funds on a bank in Asia Minor to purchase a farm in Italy! [UnCommon]
mensio -onis, f., 'a measuring' [Rare]
mensis -is, m., 'a month; the menstrual cycle' [Common]
mensor -oris, m., '(a measurer) architect, surveyor; anyone who arithmetizes, a counter' [UnCommon]
menstruus -a -um, 'monthly; lasting a month' [Rare]
mensura -ae, f., 'measurement' [UnCommon]
menta (mentha) -ae, f., 'the herb mint' [Rare]
mentio -onis, f., 'a mention (of)' [Common]
mentior -iri -itum (dep.), 'lie, dissimulate; pretend, fake' [Freq.]
mentula -ae, f., 'penis (used derogatorily)'Note: This word is used of really annoying persons, exactly as in the English, "prick." According to etymologists, the word may be a diminutive of 'mentum,' "the chin," both being physical projections from the front of the body, the one higher and the other lower. See next. [Rare]
mentum -i, n., 'the chin' [UnCommon]
meo -are, 'go, walk, pass along' [Common]
mephitis -is, f., 'stink, offensive odor'(See 'mefites,' the alternate spelling) [Rare]
mercabilis -e, 'that can be bought' [Rare]
mercator -oris, m., 'merchant' [Common]
mercatorius -a -um, 'relating to trade' [UnCommon]
mercatura -ae, f., 'trade' [UnCommon]
mercedula -ae, f., 'fee, payment; rental fee' [Rare]
mercennarius (mercenarius) -a -um, 'mercenary, working for the money (merces); (as noun) hired worker, hired soldier, or mercenary' [Common]
merces -edis, 'payment, wages; payment; a bribe' [Freq.]
mercimonium -i, n., 'goods, merchandise' [UnCommon]
mercor -ari (dep.), 'buy and sell, deal in' [Common]
merda -ae, f., 'excrement, dung, feces' Note: A [Rare]
word in Latin, but [Common]
in the Romance languages, both as a substance and as an interjection, e.g. Fr. 'merde!' [Rare]
merenda -ae, f., 'paid lunch (given to workers)'(See mereo) [Rare]
mereo -ere -ui -itum (and mereor -eri -itus sum (dep.), 'earn, get paid for . . . , deserve'Note: See the notes on the cognate words: 'meretrix,' "prostitute," and 'emeritus,' "a retired Professor," a most unlikely pair indeed! [VeryFreq.]
meretricula -ae, f., 'prostitute' [Rare]
meretrix -icis, f., 'prostitute'Note: Lit., from 'mereo,' "work." [Common]
mergae -arum, f., 'a harvesting device for stripping heads of wheat' [UnCommon]
merges -gitis, f., 'a sheaf of wheat' [Rare]
mergo mergere mersi mersum, 'plunge, dip, immerse, submerge, bury, sink lower; overwhelm in general' [VeryFreq.]
mergus -i, m., 'a waterfowl of the diving duck group'(English "merganser," a diving duck; see 'mergo.') [Rare]
meridianus -a -um, 'at noon, midday; meridian; pointing (toward the sun at noon) = southern, southerly (for Italy)' [Common]
meridiatio -onis, f., 'siesta'Note: The siesta is apparently a very old and deep-rooted custom in the Mediterranean area, probably a function of the extremes of midday heat, but also of something to do with the temperament of the people, who know something about the effect of stress which the business folk of North America and Japan have yet to learn. [Rare]
meridies -ei, m. (and f.), 'midday, noon; the south' [UnCommon]
meridio -are, 'take a siesta' [Rare]
merito -are, 'earn'(See next) [Rare]
merito adv., 'rightly'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
meritum -i, n., 'a deserving action; one's "just desserts"' [UnCommon]
merops -opis, f., 'a bird; the bee-eater' [Rare]
merso -are, 'dip into, plunge in' [UnCommon]
merula -ae, f., 'a blackbird' [Rare]
merus -a -um, 'pure, unmixed (of metals, wine; the truth)' [Freq.]
merx (mers) mercis, f., 'merchandise; merchandising' [Freq.]
messor -oris, m., 'harvest, the season for harvest; the harvest, crop' [Freq.]
messorius -a -um, 'harvester, field worker' [UnCommon]
met (as an enclitic, -met), '"self"'(An intensifying enclitic added to personal pronoun, e.g. 'egomet.') [Freq.]
meta -ae, f., 'cane; the pole (used as a turning-point maker in Roman oval-track horse-racing); turning point (in racing, in life); the end of life' [Common]
metallum -i, n., 'mine, quarry; metal' [Common]
metamorphosis -is, f., 'transformation' [Rare]
metaphora -ae, f., 'metaphor ' [Rare]
metator -oris, m., 'one who marks out; a measurer' [Rare]
metior metiri mensus (dep.), 'measure, survey, look over . . . , estimate' [Freq.]
meto metere messui messum, 'mow, cut off, cut down, harvest'(See messis) [Common]
metor -ari (dep.) (and meto -are), 'lay out, survey, mark off; carefully examine' [Common]
metreta -ae, f., 'a 10-gallon jar' [Rare]
metrum -i, n., 'a measuring jar, calibrated vessel; poetic metre' [UnCommon]
metuculosus -a -um, 'fearful; fearsome'(See metuo, next) [Rare]
metuo -ere -i -tum, 'fear, be afraid; be afraid of . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
metus -us, m., 'fear, dread, alarm' [Freq.]
meus -a -um, 'my, mine, belonging to me'(See 'ego,' of which this is the adjective.) [VeryFreq.]
mica -ae, f., 'a particle, bit; a spark' [Common]
mico -are -ui, 'flash, dart, glitter; play at the odd/even finger game'(This game, known as 'morra,' is still [Common]
in Italy.) [Freq.]
micturio -ire, 'be compelled to urinate' [Rare]
migdilix (only appears in Plautus)(Apparently some term of abuse in Plautus, but the text is not clear.) [Rare]
migratio -onis, f., 'a change of home' [UnCommon]
migro -are, 'move, change place of residence; move on (to evade the law); pass on = die' [Freq.]
miles -itis, c., 'soldier, private in the army' [VeryFreq.]
miliarium -i, n., 'a milestone'(1 Roman "mile" = 1000 paces, hence the name, from 'mille.') [Common]
miliens adv., '1000 times (as a multiplier in money figures)' [UnCommon]
militaris -e, 'military; of military age (17-45); (as noun) a soldier' [Freq.]
militia -ae, f., 'active service, military service; soldiers, soldiery' [VeryFreq.]
milito -are, 'be a soldier; be like a soldier'Note: Ovid's description of the male sex, which endlessly "campaigns" in the battle of Love, demonstrates a verbally clever but socially unrewarding notion. In his own words: 'Omnis amans militat et habet sua castra Cupido . . . ' But the surprising thing is that college students, when asked about this, say that's the way it really is! Perhaps, the increasing rate of date-rape will make it clear that this is no harmless social whim. [Common]
milium -i, n., 'millet' [Rare]
mille 'a thousand, 1000, 'M' (Roman numeral)' [VeryFreq.]
mille(n)simus -a -um, 'thousandth' [Rare]
milvus -i, m., 'a hawk; a fish (unidentified)' [UnCommon]
mima -ae, f., 'mime-lady' [Rare]
mimicus -a -um, 'mime-like, ridiculous' [UnCommon]
mimula -ae, f., 'little mime-actress' [Rare]
mimus -i, n., 'an actor in mimes; a farce, a sham' Note: English "mime" has evolved in the last three centuries as a charade-like mute-show, with a highly specialized sophistication which marks the art. But Greek and Roman mime is social comedy imitating life (Gr. 'mimein'), with song, dance, and story. It has little to do with modern notions of what mime should be. The extant Mimes of Herondas give a good idea of the scope of the ancient mime-poem. [UnCommon]
mina -ae, f., 'a Greek weight' [UnCommon]
minae -arum, f., 'overhanging cliffs, rocks, walls; threats, signs of "im-min-ent" danger' [Freq.]
minatio -onis, f., 'threatening' [Rare]
minax -acis, f., 'threatening, dangerous' [Common]
mineo -ere, 'lean forward, overhang' [Rare]
miniatus -a -um, 'colored red'(See minium) [Rare]
minime (superl. of parum), 'in the least way, very little; not at all'(See parum)minimus -a -um (superl. of parvus), 'least, smallest'(See parvus) [Freq.]
minister -tri, m. (and ministra -ae, f.), 'attendant, servant, aide; religious assistant at services' Note: The Roman use of this word is socially far lower than American Protestant "minister," who is actually a Protestant equivalent of "priest." [Freq.]
ministerium -i, n., 'status of a servant, service, help, aid; being an attendant' [Freq.]
ministra -ae, f., 'handmaiden, female assistant' [Rare]
ministrator -oris, m. (and ministratix -icis, f.), 'attendant' [UnCommon]
ministro -are, 'act as a servant, serve, aid, help' [Freq.]
minitabundus -a -um, 'threatening' [Rare]
minito -are (and minitor -ari, dep.), 'threaten' [Common]
minium -i, n., 'bright red coloring matter'Note: An inorganic compound, probably mercury sulphide, used as an ink or marker of important paragraphs. Used in law books for "rubrics" and in financial ledgers for the credits and debits. See miniatus. [Common]
minor -ari (dep.), 'threaten, menace, scare' [VeryFreq.]
minor minus (compar. of parvus), 'lesser, smaller'(See parvus) [VeryFreq.]
minuo -ere -i -tum, 'make less, lessen, reduce; weaken' [Freq.]
minus (compar. adv. from parvus), 'less'(See parvus) [VeryFreq.]
minusculus -a -um, 'rather small' [Rare]
minutal -alis, n., 'minced meat, hash' [Rare]
minutatim adv., 'bit by bit' [UnCommon]
minutia -ae, f., 'smallness' Note: The pseudo-Latin, English word, "minutiae," as "little-matters of small consequence" is not an ancient use of this word, even though we outfit it with an authentic feminine plural termination. [Rare]
minutus -a -um (ppl. from minuo), 'small, minute; chopped up' [Freq.]
mirabilis -e, 'remarkable, wonderful' [Common]
mirabundus -a -um, 'full of wonder' [UnCommon]
miraculum -i, n., 'a marvel, miracle' [Freq.]
miratio -onis, f., 'wonder, astonishment' [Rare]
mirator -oris, m., 'an admirer' [Rare]
mirificus -a -um, 'causing wonder, wonderful' [UnCommon]
mirmillo -onis, see murmillomiror -ari (dep.), 'wonder at, gaze with astonishment at' [Freq.]
mirus -a -um, 'wonderful, extraordinary' [VeryFreq.]
miscellaneus -a -um, 'all mixed up, hodge-podge' [UnCommon]
misceo miscere miscui mixtum, 'mix, mix up, combine, bring together, concoct, stir up' [Freq.]
misellus -a -um (dim. of miser), 'poor little . . . ; pitiable'(This word is used sadly, or sometimes with a trace of sly humor, as in Catullus, Poem 45.) [UnCommon]
miser -era -erum, 'poor, wretched, sad; distressing; despicable' [VeryFreq.]
miserabilis -e, 'sad, wretched, mournful, plaintive' [VeryFreq.]
miserandus -a -um, see miserabilismiseratio -onis, f., 'pity; sympathy' [UnCommon]
misereo -ere (and misereor -eri, dep.), 'pity, feel sorry for' [Freq.]
miseresco -escere, see misereomiseria -ae, f., 'unhappiness, misery' [Common]
misericordia -ae, f., 'compassion, pity, sympathy' [Common]
misericors -cordis, 'pitiful compassionate' [UnCommon]
miseror -ari (dep.), 'feel sorry for, pity' [Common]
missicus -a -um, 'discharged from military service'(See 'emeritus' and 'rudiarius' in a similar military sense.) [Rare]
missilis -e, 'able to be thrown'(The n. sg. 'missile,' as substantive, means "a missile.") [UnCommon]
missio -onis, f., 'a sending off, release; discharge (of a soldier); the shooting of a missile' [Common]
missito -are, 'send repeatedly' [Rare]
missus -us, m., 'a sending, shooting; letting fly; letting go; a mission' [Common]
mitesco -escere, 'become soft, soften' [Freq.]
mitigatio -onis, f., 'softening (of a verbal phrase); soothing-ness' [UnCommon]
mitigo -are, 'soften, ripen; make softer, mollify, mitigate' [Freq.]
mitis -e, 'soft, gentle, mild; easy, pleasant; docile; (of weather) clement' [VeryFreq.]
mitra -ae, f., 'a headdress'Note: A cap with a tie-string under the chin, imported from Asia Minor, which turns up later as the Christian bishop's "mitre." [Common]
mitratus -a -um, 'wearing a mitra' [Rare]
mitto mittere misi missum, 'send, send forth, let go forth, send along; let, permit; hurl, throw, throw down; send a message'(But 'mitto' is often short for 'omitto,' = "omit, cease, stop," especially in colloquial usage. Compare 'de-pono.') [VeryFreq.]
mitulus -i, m., 'a mussel' [Rare]
mixcix 'botched (?)'(Only in Petronius) [Rare]
mixtim adv., 'mixed together' [Rare]
mixtum -i, n., 'wine mixed with water'(See 'vinum' for discussion of the watering of wine as a social habit among Romans.) [Rare]
mnemosynum -i, n., 'a souvenir'Note: The Romans use this Greek word for a remembrance gift, just as the English use the French, 'souvenir.' Apparently, such a delicate little gift deserves the elegance of a foreign locution! [Rare]
mobilis -e, 'mobile, fast-moving, rapid; movable; changeable (of things and persons)'("La donna e mobile . . . ") [Freq.]
mobilitas -tatis, f., 'quickness, mental agility; mental inconsistency, changeability' [Common]
mobilito -are, 'set in motion' [Rare]
moderabilis -e, 'controllable' [Rare]
moderamen -inis, n., 'guiding, guidance (of horses, ships, government)' [UnCommon]
moderatim adv., 'bit by bit' [Rare]
moderatio -onis, f., 'moderation, self-contol, restraint' [Freq.]
moderator -oris, m., 'one who directs, guides (horses, states, etc.)' [Common]
moderatrix -icis, f., fem. of moderator(See prev.)moderatus -a -um, 'moderate, middle-of-the-road-acting, restrained' [Common]
moderor -ari (dep.), 'direct, guide, govern; modify, temper; regulate, administer' [Common]
modestia -ae, f., 'moderation, restraint, self-control; respect for discipline, order; (female) modesty' [VeryFreq.]
modestus -a -um, 'moderate, restrained, unassuming, modest' [Freq.]
modicus -a -um, 'moderate, not too big, fast, or fancy; temperate, modest'(See modus) [Freq.]
modificio -are, 'regulate, restrain, delimit' [UnCommon]
modius -i, m., 'a grain measure, a "peck"; half bushel' [UnCommon]
modo adv., 'just, just now (in time); just so (and no more); only; (often in time) only just now'(But this word can also be abl. of modus, = "by this means," as in the phrase, 'eo modo,' "thus.") [VeryFreq.]
modulatio -onis, f., 'inflection of voice' [Rare]
modulator -oris, m., 'musical composer, improvisor' [Rare]
modulatus -a -um, 'musical' [Rare]
modus -i, m., 'measure, manner, way, kind; a measure, metre (of poetry or music)' [Freq.]
moechor -are (dep.), 'commit adultery' [Rare]
moechus -i, m., 'an adulterer' [UnCommon]
moenera see munus (Archaic spelling for munera.)moenia -ium, n. pl., 'walls of a town; defense; any barrier'(But compare with normal (non-archaic) spelling: 'munio,' 'munimenta.') [Freq.]
mola -ae, f., 'mill (for grinding wheat); millstone; ritual barley cake' [UnCommon]
molaris -e, 'of a mill; (as noun) grinding tooth = molar' [Rare]
moles -is, f., 'a large rock, lump of stone, earth; boulder; a huge wall; a "heavy" enterprise, danger; mass, force' [Freq.]
molestia -ae, f., 'bother, annoyance, "pain in the neck"' [Freq.]
molesto -are, 'bother (someone), annoy' [UnCommon]
molestus -a -um, 'annoying, bothersome, troublesome'Note: The 'tunica molesta' is a shirt soaked in oil used to burn criminals to death, a grisly detail attested by the satirists only. [Freq.]
molimen -inis, n. (and molimentum -i, n.), 'force, exertion, drive' [Common]
molior -iri (dep.), 'labor, strive; construct (with much labor); put into motion' [VeryFreq.]
molitio -onis, f., 'labor, laborious construction, fabricating'(English has only the antonym, "de-molition.") [Common]
molitor -oris, m., 'builder, engineer' [Rare]
mollesco -escere, 'become soft; become effeminate' [UnCommon]
molliculus -a -um, 'tender; somewhat effeminate' [Rare]
mollio -ire, 'make soft, calm, soothe, tame; weaken' [Freq.]
mollipes -pedis, 'soft-footed' [Rare]
mollis -e, 'soft, gentle, yielding; mild; womanly' Note: Note that 'mulier,' "woman," probably has the same root as 'mollis,' "gentle," an etymology contested by some American gentlemen. [VeryFreq.]
mollitia -ae (and mollities -ei), f., 'softness, gentleness, tenderness' [Freq.]
mollitudo -inis, f., 'softness' [Rare]
molo -ere -ui -itum, 'grind in a mill; grind, grind away (sometimes used in sexual terms)'Note: This might be midway mong the variety of sexual words: battuo, futuo, depso, permolo, molo, ceveo and crisso. See note on depso for more detail. [UnCommon]
moly -yos, n., 'a mythical herb (from Homer)' [Rare]
momen -inis, n., 'moving; motion, impulse' [Rare]
momentum -i, n., 'moving; movement, motion; force, weight, momentum; (also) a small particle of matter' [Common]
monedula -ae, f., 'jackdaw' [Rare]
moneo -ere, 'remind; advise, warn; give a warning (by words, advice, omens, etc.)' [VeryFreq.]
moneris -is, f., 'a rowed ship with one man on each oar'(The Gr. adj., 'monos,' must be involved, but details about this kind of ship are lacking.) [Rare]
monetalis -e, 'of the coinage, mint' [Rare]
monile -is, n., 'necklace; a decorative horsecollar'Note: For centuries the Romans used an ox-yoke on horses, which put undue pressure on the throat muscles, so that the horse did not pull hard or he would have asphyxiated himself. Only later did the Romans devise the ring-shaped, padded horsecollar, which permitted the hose to pull his weight and made him economically preferable to slaves for field traction. Had horses been properly fitted out earlier in Roman history, slavery might have been made obsolete, since a team of slaves capable of pulling a weight equivalent to that of one horse ate considerably more food than the horse. On such tenuous grounds, civilization grinds its way forward! [UnCommon]
monimentum see monumentummonitio -onis, f., 'reminding, warning' [VeryFreq.]
monitor -oris, m., 'counselor, advisor; promptor' [Common]
monitus -us, m., 'advice, counsel; warning' [Rare]
monogrammos (or -us) -a -um, 'drawn, sketched (that is, not filled in as a regular painted or shaded drawing)' [Rare]
monopodium -i, n., 'a table with one leg' [Rare]
mons montis, m., 'a mountain, mountains; any huge mass; a mountain of . . . ; a boulder' [VeryFreq.]
monstrator -oris, m., 'guide, demonstrator' [Rare]
monstro -are, 'point out, show, reveal; teach, direct' [VeryFreq.]
monstrum -i, n., 'a remarkable portent, omen; anything awful or monstrous; a calamity; a monster, atrocious person'(Lit., "that which is pointed out" ('monstro-are'), but always on the bad side.) [Freq.]
monstruosus (monstrosus) -a -um, 'ill-omened, awful' [UnCommon]
montanus -a -um, 'of the mountains, mountainous; (as noun) a hill-man, native of the hills' [UnCommon]
monticola -ae, c., 'a highlander' [Rare]
montivagus -a -um, 'wandering over mountains' [Rare]
montuosus (montosus) -a -um, 'mountainous' [Rare]
monumentum (monimentum) -i, n., 'anything remarkable to be commemorated, a memorial; a statue, public building, written memorial = book; historical account' [VeryFreq.]
mora -ae, f., 'delay, lost time; an interval; time to . . . ; obstacle, check, restraint'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
mora -ae, f., 'a division of the Spartan army'(See prev.) [Rare]
moralis -e, 'ethical, moral' [Rare]
morator -oris, m., 'a delayer' [Rare]
moratus -a -um, 'having a certain character; of good character'(This word comes from 'mos, moris,' "character," not mora, "delay.") [Common]
morbidus -a -um, 'sick, diseased, morbid' [UnCommon]
morbus -i, m., 'sickness, disease; weakness' [VeryFreq.]
mordax -acis, 'biting-ness of personality, snappishness' [Common]
mordeo mordere momordi morsum, 'bite; incise; gnaw away at, erode; criticize' [Freq.]
mordicus adv., 'biting; with the teeth'Note: Petronius has the memorable figure of a miser picking a coin out of a dunghill with his teeth, "mordicus." Some people will stoop to anything . . . [UnCommon]
moretum -i, n., 'a (cooked) cheese and herb dish'Note: Is it more like Greek mousaka or Italian lasagna? Apparently, some dishes have a way of lasting through the millennia. [Rare]
moribundus -a -um, 'dying, about to die' [UnCommon]
morigeror -ari (dep.) (and morigero -are), 'adjust to (socially), please'(Compound of 'mos, moris' + 'gero.' See next.) [UnCommon]
morigerus -a -um, 'adjusting one's ways (mores) to others; agreeable, socially acceptable'Note: In comedy, this adjective is typically used of women, presumably as an aspect of the proper Roman woman's social role. Yet, Roman women could be exempt from their husband's legal 'manus'; they could have funds in their own name, although they were socially prepared for a conservative female lifestyle. 'Domi sedit, lanam fecit' was the motto for a good Roman wife; but, from Juvenal's account, we know there were many bad ones too. [Freq.]
morior mori mortuus sum (fut. act. ppl. moriturus) (dep.), 'die, be about to die, dying; perish; disappear = die off'Proverbs: 'Memento mori'; (of the gladiators) 'morituri te salutamus' [VeryFreq.]
morologus -a -um, 'talking like a fool' [Rare]
moror -ari (dep.), 'delay, check, retard; restrain, hold back; put off, cease, stop'(From mora, "delay." Compare meaning with 'cunctor -ari.') [VeryFreq.]
morositas -tatis, f., 'peevishness' [Rare]
morosus -a -um, 'peevish, fretful, hard to please' (Not the same as English, "morose," which is derived from this, but changed into "gloominess.") [Common]
mors mortis, f., 'death, Death (as a god); annihilation' [VeryFreq.]
morsus -us, m., 'biting; a bit; a bite (of spiced food); envious back-biting' [Freq.]
mortalis -e, 'mortal, subject to death, human; impermanent' [Freq.]
mortalitas -tatis, f., 'death, mortality' [Common]
mortarium -i, n., 'a mortar (used for pounding up seeds, herbs, medicine)'(The mortar and pestle of the alchemists) [UnCommon]
morticinus -a -um, 'dying naturally (not killed)' [Rare]
mortifer -fera -ferum, 'carrying death, bringing death' [UnCommon]
mortualia -ium, n., 'funeral songs'Note: Formal rituals and funeral regalia were often considered foolish. Compare Horace's 'neniae supervacuae' or "empty wailing at the bier," which he forbids for himself. [Rare]
mortuus -a -um, 'dead' [VeryFreq.]
morum -i, n., 'a blackberry' [Rare]
mos moris, m., 'habit, custom; character, personality; the ancient tradition, custom; mores of a society, habits of an individual'Note: The sociologist's "mores" is from this word, but with specialized modern meanings. [VeryFreq.]
motio -onis, f., 'movement' [Rare]
moto -are, 'shake up, agitate' [Rare]
motus -us, m., 'motion, motion of stars; movement of the body, mind; any agitation or agitated act, passion' [Freq.]
moveo movere movi motum, 'move, make to move (causative); change location = move; remove, oust; disturb, agitate, provoke' [VeryFreq.]
mox adv., 'soon, presently; suddenly; shortly afterwards' [VeryFreq.]
mucidus -a -um, 'full of mucus; mouldy, rotten'. [Rare]
mucro -onis, m., 'sword-point; point, tip' [Common]
mucus -i, m., 'mucous material from the nose' [Rare]
mugil (mugilis) -is, m., 'mullet, a fish with sharp scales'Note: Used to punish adulterers under the early Republic by inserting this fish into the rectum of the offender, a process which would be hard to reverse or to forget. [Rare]
muginor -ari (dep.), 'roar; roar (and do nothing)' [Rare]
mugio -ire, 'bellow (of a cow); roar; make any deep, roaring sound' [Freq.]
mugitus -us, m., ''moo-ing' of cow, any roar of an animal; any rumble, roar' [Common]
mula -ae, f., 'she-mule' [Common]
mulceo mulcere mulsi mulsum, 'soothe, caress; calm, make to relax' [Freq.]
mulctra -ae, f. (mulctrarium -i, n., and mulctrum -i, n.), 'milk pail'(See next) [Rare]
mulgeo mulgere mulsi, 'milk'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
muliebris -e, 'of a woman, womanly, womanish; female' [Freq.]
mulier -eris, f., 'woman, wife (or mistress); a grown woman (as against girl, 'virgo')'Note: The etymology is not sure, but may be connected with mollis, "gentle, soft," i.e. "the gentler sex." See mollis and note. [VeryFreq.]
mulierarius -a -um, 'a man (thug) who works for a woman' [Rare]
muliercula -ae, f., 'silly little woman' [UnCommon]
mulierositas -tatis, f., 'the act of womanizing' [Rare]
mulierosus -a -um, 'womanizing' [Rare]
mulinus -a -um, 'mulish (i.e. insensitive)' [Rare]
mulio -onis, m., 'mule-driver, muleteer'(American "mule-skinner") [Rare]
mulionius -a -um, 'of a muleteer' [Rare]
mullus -i, m., 'the red mullet (a fish)' [Rare]
mulsus -a -um, 'honeyed' [Rare]
mulsum -i, n., 'a honeyed wine drink' [UnCommon]
multa -ae, f., 'a penalty, fine'(No connection with multus, "many." The Oscan cognate, with the same meaning, is 'molta.') [Common]
multangulus -a -um, 'having many angles' [Rare]
multaticius -a -um, 'relating to a fine'(See multa) [Rare]
multatio -onis, f., 'a fine; act of fining'(See multa) [Rare]
multesimus -a -um, 'infinitesimally small' [Rare]
multicavus -a -um, 'porous' [Rare]
multicia -orum, n. pl., 'light garments (?)' [Rare]
multifariam adv., 'in many places' [UnCommon]
multifidus -a -um, 'split into many pieces' (See findor, "split") [Rare]
multiformis -e, 'having many forms' [Common]
multiforus -a -um, 'having many holes, perforations' [Rare]
multigeneris -e, 'of different sorts' [Rare]
multigenus -a -um, 'of different natures' [Rare]
multiiugus -a -um (and multiiugis -e), 'yoked together (of oxen); multi-formed, varied' [Rare]
multimodis adv., 'in many ways, variously' [Rare]
multiplex -plicis, 'having many twists; manifold; of many parts, forms; multiple' [Freq.]
multiplico -are, 'multiply' [Common]
multitudo -inis, f., 'multitude, large number (usually of people rather than things); population' [VeryFreq.]
multivagus -a -um, 'wandering far' [Rare]
multivolus -a -um, 'amorous' [Rare]
multo -are, 'punish by fine; punish'(See multa) [Common]
multum -i, n., 'a large amount'(See next) [Common]
multum adv., 'much, very, greatly'(See prev.) [Freq.]
multus -a -um, 'much, many, very much, many a . . . , abundant; repeating; (of persons) repetitious, annoying' Note: One Naso, satirized in Catullus' poem, probably falls into this last category, when Catullus sneeringly remarks: 'multus es homo.' [VeryFreq.]
mulus -i, m., 'mule (sterile progeny of a mare and a he-ass; the reverse in Latin is 'hinnus')'Note: Amongst the Romans, this animal is more proverbial for load-carrying and intellectual dullness than for stubborness, as we usually take it. Perhaps their mules were the final result of different breeding processes. [Common]
mundanus -i, m., 'belonging to the universe astronomically, or socially'(See mundus) [Rare]
munde adv., 'nicely, neatly, elegantly' [UnCommon]
munditia -ae (and mundities -ei), f., 'cleanness, neatness; elegance' Note: Horace's fine phrase of a coquette in Book I, 5, 'simplex munditiis,' is neatly translated by Milton as "plain in your neatness," a version possibly made clearer by the Puritan tastes of that time. [Common]
mundo -are, 'make neat, tidy' [Rare]
mundulus -a -um, 'spruced up, spiffed up' [Rare]
mundus -a -um, 'clean, neat; refined and elegant'(See next) [Freq.]
mundus -i, m., 'the world, universe; the Earth (planet)'Note: The Greek word, 'kosmos,' meaning "order; orderly creation = the world," is easily translated by Lat., 'mundus,' "neat, orderly," which then is equated with "the world," following standard Greek philosophical usage. Even so, 'munditiae' happens to match English cosmetics. See prev. [Common]
munerigerulus -a -um, 'gift-bearing' [Rare]
munero -are (and muneror -ari, dep.), 'give, present' [Common]
munia -orum, n. pl., 'official duties, responsibilities' (Sometimes has the old spelling, 'moenia,' saved for archaic and socially important words, like this, poena, and the Poeni. See moenia.) [Common]
municeps -cipis, c., 'fellow-citizen' [Common]
municipalis -e, 'belonging to a municipium or township, municipal' [UnCommon]
municipium -i, n., 'self-ruling township in Italy'(This word involves citizenship without vote in the Republic; it was later used of any county or borough outside Italy.) [Freq.]
munificentia -ae, f., 'generosity' [Rare]
munifico -are, 'enrich, benefit' [Rare]
munificus -a -um, 'doing one's duties (munia); taxable; munificent, generous' [Common]
munimen -inis, n., 'fortification, defense' [Rare]
munimentum -i, n., see munimen(But this is actually more [Common]
.) [Common]
munio (moenio) -ire, 'build a defense, wall; fortify a town; protect; build up, repair or reconstruct (a road, building)' [Freq.]
munitio -onis, f., 'road-surfacing, fortification; the building up of defenses'Note: In regard to the last meaning, note how in the19th century "munitions" came to mean aggressive, chemically-explosive war equipment a la Nobel, shifting from defense to offense, while at the same time propagandizing the defense of the homeland as the aim of all this activity. [Common]
munito -are, 'build roads' [Rare]
munitor -oris, m., 'a builder of fortifications' [Rare]
munus (moenus) -eris, n., 'duty, official responsibility; something owed (to god, state) as public duty; a present (as something owed), a gift; an act of good will; public games (as the responsibility of aedile); funerary rites (due the dead)'Note: Among this variety of meanings, note 'sordida munera' as the name for bad political appointments under the Empire which brought in no profit.munusculum -i, n., 'a small gift' [UnCommon]
muralis -e, 'of walls, fortifications, or cities; 'muralis corona' = the crown for the first successful man over the walls of the enemy'(But this word was not used as in English, for "mural" painting, which was, however, something which the Romans were expert at.) [Common]
murena (muraena) -ae, f., 'eel' [Rare]
murex -icis, m., 'a Tyrian shellfish yielding one pinch of purple dye; the purple dye'Note: From the Tyrian murex comes this absolutely distinctive and terribly expensive dye, a true purple and the same as the Incas' purple color, which comes from a related South American conch. See purpura and note. [Common]
muria -ae, f., 'pickle'(Pickled in salt, see next) [Rare]
muriaticus -a -um, 'soaked in brine'Note: The hardware store's muriatic acid used for cleaning up brickwork, as well as the chemist's 'HCl,' takes its name from this Latin word wrongly, but the Romans did spot the chlorine in the salt at least. [Rare]
murmur -uris, n., 'murmur, rumble' [Common]
murmillo (myrmillo) -onis, m., 'armored gladiator, fighting a retiarius or "net-man"' [Common]
murmurillum -i, n., 'little murmur' [Rare]
murmuro -are, 'murmur, mumble, grumble' [Common]
murobatharius -i, m., 'a dealer in cosmetics?' [Rare]
murra -ae, f., 'myrrh (an aromatic herb)'(See next) [UnCommon]
murra -ae, f., 'crystal for making fine glassware'(See prev.) [Rare]
murrina -ae, f., 'a wine of some sort'(Spiced with murra?) [Rare]
murus -i, n., 'wall; fortification; boundary; limit' [VeryFreq.]
mus muris, m., 'mouse, (perhaps) rat' [Freq.]
musca -ae, f., 'a fly' [Freq.]
muscarium -i, n., 'fly-swatter; a fly-proof cabinet'(See musca) [Rare]
muscerda -ae, f., 'mouse feces'(See suscerda) [Rare]
muscipulum -i, n., 'mousetrap'(From mus + capio) [Rare]
muscosus -a -um, 'mossy; covered with moss' [Rare]
musculus -i, m., 'a little mouse; mussel; muscle (from shape of flexed biceps under skin); a shelter for siege-warfare' [Freq.]
muscus -i, m., 'moss' [UnCommon]
museum (musaeum) -i, n., 'place set aside for study (in honor of the Muses)'Note: The Hellenistic University at Alexandria had a Museum for the creative arts and the sciences; and, on the other side, a Bibliotheca or Library, reported to have had 200,000 books. The loss of this university complex, by fire and then neglect, was immense in terms of the loss of both books and scholarship, and obliterated over 90% of the knowledge accumulated in the ancient world. It is unsettling to observe that what we have of the written materials of the Greco-Roman world may be only a few percent of what the library at Alexandria contained, and it is no serious consolation to maintain that the bit we have represents only the best. Who knows for sure? [Rare]
musica -ae, f., 'Music (either theoretical or performed)'Note: The Roman word is already far more limited than the Greek, 'mousike,' which covered all the arts, including dance and history. We have, unfortunately, followed in the Roman tradition of isolating segments of the artistic world as separate teaching disciplines and have encapsulated Music as an art apart from the others. [Rare]
musicus -a -um, 'referring to music' [Rare]
mussito -are, 'whisper, mutter; be quiet, silent' [UnCommon]
musso -are, 'whisper, grumble, mutter; keep silent; mutter (but saying neither "yea" nor "nay" . . . )' [Common]
mustaceum -i, n., 'wedding cake, ritual cake (of laurel leaves)'Note: "One seeks the laurel [= 'fame'] in the 'laurel cookies.'" This is an obscure cleverness from the normally staid Cicero, in a [Rare]
punning mood. For real, good Latin puns, one must go to Plautus! [Rare]
mustela (mustella) -ae, f., 'weasel' [UnCommon]
mustum -i, n., 'new (unfermented) wine = grape juice'Note: Apparently, "grape juice" was not invented by the anti-alcoholic Mr. Welch of Vineland, N.J., in the l9th century, but by the bibulous Romans. See lora, amethystum for others. See next. [Common]
mustus -a -um, 'fresh'(See prev.) [Rare]
mutabilis -e, 'changeable, variable' [Common]
mutabilitas -tatis, f., 'changeableness' [Rare]
mutatio -onis, 'exchange, swap; business exchange; a change of fortune, opinion' [Freq.]
mutilo -are, 'cut off, mutilate' [Common]
mutilus -a -um, 'mutilated; with horns cut off (of an animal)' [UnCommon]
muto -are, 'change, swap; exchange; give back; do business; alter, vary; deteriorate; change (color, face, appearance, mind)'(Syntactic note: what you exchange is in the accusative, what you exchange it for is in the ablative.) [VeryFreq.]
muttio -ire, 'mutter, mumble' [UnCommon]
mutto -onis, m. (or muto -onis, m.), 'the penis'(Cicero uses it as a person's name, just as Catullus uses its equivalent, Mentula, of a man. See mentula.) [Rare]
mutuatio -onis, f., 'borrowing 'Note: From this comes our term, "mutual funds," and the business name "Mutual Company," not because an association is mutually profitable to owner and client, as customers might wrongly assume, but because the company has money ready for borrowing, or 'mutuatio.' [Rare]
mutuor -ari (dep.), 'borrow, loan, lend (money usually), borrow (words, ideas, etc.), plagarize'(See prev.) [Common]
mutus -a -um, 'mute, not having any speech (of animals, humans); silent'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
mutuus -a -um, 'mutual, equally relating both ways; of loans, business transactions'(See prev. and mutuatio) [Freq.]
myoparon (myparon) -onis, m., 'a light naval vessel' [Rare]
myrice -es, f., 'the tamarisk' [Rare]
myrtetum (murtetum) -i, n., 'a grove of myrtle-trees' [Rare]
myrteus (murteus) -a -um, 'of myrtle' [Rare]
myrtus -i, f., 'the myrtle-tree' [UnCommon]
mysteria -orum, n. pl., 'secret religious rites, mysteries; secrets'Note: Specifically, the services in the Bacchic-Orphic religion, which was the major religious belief from the 7th century B.C. until it was made illegal by famous decree of the Roman Senate in the mid-2nd century B.C., then unsuccessfully repressed, and later absorbed in part by some of the rites of early Christianity. [Common]
mystes (or mysta) -ae, m., 'one initiated in the mysteries' [Rare]
mysticus -a -um, 'secret, mystic' [Rare]
nablium -i, n., 'Phoenician musical instrument, like a harp, plucked with both hands' [Rare]
naenia see nenianaevus -i, m., 'birthmark, mole' [Rare]
nam conj., 'for, indeed, because, that's why . . . ; now (to begin with)' [VeryFreq.]
namque adv., 'indeed, for sure' [Common]
nanciscor nancisci nactus (nanctus) sum (dep.), 'get, get possession of, acquire; avail oneself of; find, come across' [Freq.]
nanus -i, m., 'a dwarf (human); a pony; a little ship' [Common]
nardus -i, f., 'the aromatic plant, "nard" (used in unguents)' [Common]
naris -is, f., 'nostrils, the nose; sense of smell; discernment (by a selective nose); anger, a sneer (with nose contorted upward)' [VeryFreq.]
narrabilis -e, 'worth relating' [Rare]
narratio -onis, f., 'a story, the telling of a tale; the setting out of a legal case' [Rare]
narratiuncula -ae, f., 'an anecdote' [Rare]
narrator -oris, m., 'narrator' [Rare]
narratus -us, m., 'narration, narrative' [UnCommon]
narro -are, 'tell, relate; tell a story; "tell all about it" = write history; (pass.) be talked about' [Freq.]
narthecium -i, n., 'a box for perfumes' [Rare]
narus see gnarus nascor nasci natus (dep.), 'be born; come into being, be made, be formed (of anything), arise; be produced (of vegetables); come forth (and develop)'(See the related noun, 'natura.') [VeryFreq.]
nassa -ae, f., 'a fish-trap' [UnCommon]
nasturcium -i, n., 'a kind of water-cress' (Not our flower, the nasturcium.) [Rare]
nasus -i, m., 'nose, sense of smell; wit, cleverness (as if the discriminating can smell wit!); the "lip" or spout on a cup' [VeryFreq.]
nasutus -a -um, 'having a large nose; witty, sharp, clever'(Not used as English "nosey" for "suspicious, curious.") [UnCommon]
natalicius -a -um, 'relating to birth; (n. pl., as noun) a birthday party'Note: Birthdays were marked as being astrologically important rather than personal celebratory days. There is much on this topic in Manilius' poem, 'Astronomica,' and in Censorinus' curious little monograph, 'De Die Natali.' See astrologus and note. [Rare]
natalis -e, 'relating to birth'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
natator -oris, m., 'swimmer' [Rare]
natio -onis, f., 'birth; nation, race, group of people; place from which someone comes; origin' [Common]
natis -is, f., 'buttock'(Usually used in the plural, for obvious anatomical reasons.) [UnCommon]
nativus -a -um, 'natural; native (to a place); original' [Common]
nato -are, 'swim; float; be swimming, be drenched, soaked; swim = waver (of body or mind)' [Freq.]
natrix -icis, f., 'a water snake (as a swimmer)' [Rare]
natu (abl. sg. m.), 'by birth' (Used specifically in the phrase 'maior natu' = "greater by birth, elder, ancestor.") [Freq.]
natura -ae, f., 'birth, origin; the way things are, or come to be; nature (of character, style); temperament; nature (= Gr. 'physis,' philosophically)'Note: 'Natura' is a rough approximation [by way of 'nascor'] of Gr. 'physis' [from 'phuo,' "beget, come into being"]. Hence, Lucretius' book, 'De Rerum Natura,' should be translated as "The Evolution of the World," rather than the catchy "On the Nature of Things," which is merely descriptive. Lucretius is following the Greek thinkers who were concerned with the processes by which things came to be what they were. [Freq.]
naturalis -e, 'natural, relating to nature' [Common]
natus -a -um (ppl. from nascor), 'born, descended from . . . '(Used as a noun, 'natus' is "son, child," a very [Common]
usage.) [Freq.]
natus -us, m., 'birth'(Esp. in abl. sg. 'natu,' e.g. 'maior natu' = "older, elder." See natu.) [Freq.]
nauarchus -i, m., 'captain of a warship' [Rare]
nauclerus -i, m., 'the master of a ship' [Rare]
naucum -i, n., 'a trifle, thing of no worth' [UnCommon]
naufragium -i, n., 'shipwreck' [Freq.]
naufragus -a -um, 'shipwrecked' [UnCommon]
naulum -i, n., 'boat-fare' [Rare]
naumachia -ae, f., 'a naval battle performed as a show'(Gr. naus + mache) [UnCommon]
nausea -ae, f., 'sea-sickness, nausea'(Compare 'navis' and Gr. 'naus,' "ship.") [UnCommon]
nauseo -are, 'be sea-sick' [Rare]
nauta -ae, m., 'sailor, mariner' [VeryFreq.]
nauticus -a -um, 'of a sailor, nautical; (m. pl., as noun) sailors' [UnCommon]
NAV- FOR WORDS BEGINNING WITH NAV-, POSSIBLY SEE NAU-
navalis -e, 'naval, of a ship' [Freq.]
navicula -ae, f., 'a little ship, boat' [Rare]
navicularius -a -um, 'a ship-owner' [Rare]
navifragus -a -um see naufragusnavigabilis -e, 'navigable' [Rare]
navigatio -onis, f., 'sailing, voyage' [Common]
naviger -gera -gerum, 'navigable' [Rare]
navigium -i, n., 'ship, boat' [Common]
navigo -are, 'sail, travel by boat, navigate' [Freq.]
navis -is, f., 'a ship, sailboat, cargo boat; military ship; cargo boat' [VeryFreq.]
navita see nautanavitas (gnavitas) -tatis, f., 'energy, diligence'(See gnavus and navus. See next.) [Rare]
navo -are, 'work with energy, willfully; accomplish . . . '(See prev.) [Common]
navus (gnavus) -a -um, 'diligent, active, energetic' [UnCommon]
ne (nae) interj., 'indeed, for sure' (A copy of Gr. 'nai,' = "yes," a word which surprisingly Latin lacked. See 'ita,' which is often used for "yes.") [UnCommon]
ne particle, 'lest; so that . . . not; not . . . '(A negativizing particle of many uses. Among specialized uses is the construction after verbs of fearing: 'vereor ne . . . '= "I fear that . . . ", rather than indirect discourse.) [VeryFreq.]
nebula -ae, f., 'mist, fog; cloud; any obscurity (of mind, words)' [Freq.]
nebulosus -a -um, 'misty, foggy' [UnCommon]
nec (neque) particle, 'nor; (in a pair) neither . . . nor . . . '(Compare 'et . . et . . . ' and 'vel . . . vel . . . ') [VeryFreq.]
necdum (neque dum) particle, 'and not yet' [Common]
necessarius -a -um, 'necessary, required; absolutely essential, vital; bound in friendship, family ties; (as a noun) close friend, obligatee, associate' [Freq.]
necesse indecl. adj., n., 'it is necessary, essential; it must be . . . so; it follows that . . . '(Regularly used with 'est' in an impersonal construction, "it is necessary." See 'opus' + 'est' for a similar construction.) [VeryFreq.]
necessis -e, (used only once: Lucr. 6, 815)(There, is it gen. sg. of a noun or nom. sg. of an adj. modifying 'vis'?) [Rare]
necessitas -tatis, f., 'necessity, suitability; need, requiring . . . , need = poverty; need (as of an obligation), what is needed' [Freq.]
necessitudo -inis, f., 'compulsion, necessity; bond, obligation, the relationships of closely-tied persons; ( [Rare]
ly) poverty' [Freq.]
necessum see necessenecne (in questions), 'or is it not?; is it (otherwise) or not?' [Freq.]
necnon see nequeneco -are, 'kill, destroy' [Common]
necopinans -antis, 'unsuspecting, unaware of . . . ' [UnCommon]
necopinatus -a -um, 'unexpected, not foreseen' [UnCommon]
nectar -aris, n., 'nectar (the drink of the gods, conferring immortality); a delectable beverage (wine, milk, honey) suitable for us to drink as humans'Note: Apparently the Romans knew something of the value of advertising . . . [Common]
nectareus -a -um, 'of nectar' [Rare]
necto nectere nexui (and nexi) nexum, 'tie together, interweave; attach onto; unite, connect; weave a trap (mil.)' [VeryFreq.]
necubi particle,. 'lest anywhere, that nowhere' [UnCommon]
necullus -a -um, 'not anyone' [Rare]
necunde adv., 'lest from anywhere' [UnCommon]
nedum conj., 'much less, all the less, let alone, so as not to speak of' [Freq.]
nefandus -a -um, 'unspeakable; wicked, awful, heinous'(See fandus. Both fandus and nefandus are gerundives from 'fari,' "to speak.") [Common]
nefarius -a -um, 'wicked, evil, abominable' (See nefas) [Common]
nefas (indecl.), n., 'evil, wicked, offensive, immoral; a portent of horror; a really evil person' Note: Actually, 'ne' + 'fas' literally = "not to be spoken of," and 'fas' = "that which is spoken" or, colloquially, "divine law." Any idea involving 'fas' or 'nefas' is ominously serious for Romans, with deep religious significance. [VeryFreq.]
nefastus -a -um, 'wicked, evil; 'nefasti dies' = "off days" for anything, ill-omen days'Note: On the 'nefasti dies,' public business is forbidden, so it is a "Sabbath," of sorts, but fearful. The 'fasti' later turn into formal Roman holidays. Ovid's poem, the 'Fasti,' delves into the history and origins of these ritual days. [VeryFreq.]
negatio -onis, f., 'a denial, refusal; negatively inverting an argument (rhet.)' [UnCommon]
negito -are, 'persist in denying' [Rare]
neglectio -onis, f., 'neglect' [Rare]
neglectus -us, m., 'neglect'(See next) [Rare]
neglectus -a -um, 'neglected'(See prev.) [Rare]
neglego -legere -lexi -lectum, 'disregard, dismiss; not care for, neglect; forget about' [Freq.]
nego -are, 'say that not; deny; dis-affirm, refuse, deny (a request)'(Often the meaning of 'nego' is nearer to English "say no" than simply "deny," which has a somewhat different, defensive meaning.) [VeryFreq.]
negotialis -e, 'relating to business' [Rare]
negotiatio -onis, f., 'business, commercial matters' [Rare]
negotiator -oris, m., 'a business man' [Rare]
negotiolum -i, n., 'a little business; business trouble' [Rare]
negotior -ari (dep.), 'carry on business' [Rare]
negotiosus -a -um, 'relating to business; having an active business' [UnCommon]
negotium -i, n., 'work, business; a task; a piece of business, a contract; a job, employment' [VeryFreq.]
nemo -inis, c., 'no one, nobody; a nobody'(But 'non nemo' = "not nobody," hence, "somebody"! Sometimes 'nemo homo' is the same as 'nullus homo' or 'nemo.') [VeryFreq.]
nemoralis (nemorensis) -e, 'forest-like, of groves and forests; of the woods'(See nemus) [UnCommon]
nemorosus -a -um, 'wooded, forested' [Rare]
nempe particle, 'indeed, to be sure, well . . . then, forsooth'(This sharp word is usually used with ironic overtones.) [VeryFreq.]
nemus -oris, n., 'woods, forest'(Often with mysterious and religious undertones, as against 'silva,' which is just a forest of trees.) [Freq.]
nenia -ae, f., 'a funeral dirge; any song; "song and dance" = silliness (Petronius)'Note: Horace dismisses 'neniae' as unnecessary and personally undesirable for his funeral, apparently in the belief that the funeral dirges of his day were merely formal and perhaps overdone. [Freq.]
neo nere nevi netum, 'spin wool; weave fabric' [UnCommon]
nepa -ae, f., 'a scorpion' [Rare]
nepos -otis, m., 'grandson, granddaughter; nephew; descendant (at any remove; a playboy, waster' (English "nepotism," the practice of questionably giving jobs to your family or close friends, is from the same root, but specialized in meaning.) [Freq.]
neptis -is, f., 'granddaughter' [Rare]
nequam indecl. adj., 'no good, bad, rotten (slangy)'Note: 'Nequam homo' = "a bum." One minor inscription has a certain Marcus, who styles himself as a 'nequam servus,' giving thanks to Almighty Zeus! The comparative, 'nequior,' and superlative, 'nequissimus,' are more commonly used. [Common]
nequaquam adv., 'by no means' [Common]
neque see nec [VeryFreq.]
nequeo -ire ivi (and -ii) -itum, 'not be able, be unable'(ne + queo, "not + be able"; see queo) [Freq.]
nequiquam adv., 'in vain' [Freq.]
nequissimus -a -um, 'most inferior, quite bad'(A [Common]
superlative from the [Rare]
indecl. adj., 'nequam.' See nequam.) [Freq.]
nequitia -ae (and nequities -ei), f., 'roguery; evil; vice, viciousness' [Freq.]
nequior -oris, 'worse, inferior, less good' ( commonly used comparative from the [Rare]
indecl. adj., 'nequam.' See nequam and nequissimus [superl.].) [Freq.]
nervosus -a -um, 'sinewy, stringy; strong, energetic, muscular'(See nervus) [UnCommon]
nervulus -i, m., 'strength' [Rare]
nervus -i, m., 'sinew, tendon; string (made from animal tendons); strength, force; energy, force of mind'(The Romans never worked out the nervous system, our "nerve" was confused with their tendons. On the vascular system, they fared better, although circulation was not well understood until Harvey in 1600.) [Common]
nescio -iri -ivi (and -ii) -itum, 'not know, be ignorant of, be unaware of'( = ne + scio) [VeryFreq.]
nescius -a -um, 'ignorant, unaware of, not understanding' [Freq.]
neu see neveneuter -tra -trum, 'neither, neither the one (nor the other); (politically) neutral' [Freq.]
neutiquam adv., 'by no means, not at all' [Rare]
neutrubi adv., 'in neither place' [Rare]
neve (neu), 'neither . . . (nor)' [Common]
nex necis, f., 'death by killing, murder, suicide; any death (but always violent)' [Freq.]
nexilis -e, 'intertwined, woven together' [Rare]
nexum -i, n., 'the formal legal bond between creditor and debtor in older Roman law' [Common]
nexus -us, m., 'binding, fastening, a bond; combination, nexus' [Freq.]
ni adv., 'not, that not'Note: One might remember the old saw: "After num, nisi, and ne / the si of nisi goes away." [You may laugh at this, but you'll probably need "Thirty days hath September . . . ," too, before the year is out!] [VeryFreq.]
niceterium -i, n., 'victory prize'(Gr. nike = "victory") [Rare]
nicto -are, 'blink (at light); wink (at a person)' [Rare]
nidor -oris, m., 'smell (from a kitchen); fumes; any powerful odor' [Common]
nidoricupius -i, m., 'one who loves kitchen smells'(See prev. and cupio) [Rare]
nidulus -i, m., 'a little nest' [Rare]
nidus -i, m., 'nest of a bird; nest with young, lair, den; pigeon-hole in a writing desk' [Common]
niger -gra -grum, 'black, dark skinned; dark; dirty; black (as Hell); black = ill-omened' [VeryFreq.]
nigresco nigrescere nigrui, 'become black, be stained; become dark (without sunlight)' [Rare]
nigro -are, 'be black' [Rare]
nigror -oris, m., 'blackness' [Rare]
nihil (and the contracted form: nil), 'nothing, nothing at all, naught'('Nihil' and 'nil' are used interchangeably. Actually the -h- was not pronounced audibly, so the words were probably identical in pronunciation.) [VeryFreq.]
nihilum (nilum), 'nothing, no thing'(ni + hilum. See hilum) [VeryFreq.]
nihilominus adv., 'nevertheless, notwithstanding' [Freq.]
nil see nihilnimbatus -a -um, 'stormy' [Rare]
nimbifer -fera -ferum, 'storm-bearing' [Rare]
nimbosus -a -um, 'stormy' [Rare]
nimbus -i, m., 'cloud; downpour, rain; deluge' [Freq.]
nimio adv., 'by far' [Common]
nimirum adv., 'without doubt, no wonder' [Common]
nimium adv., see nimis(See next) [Freq.]
nimis adv., 'too much, overly, excessively'(The opposite is parum, "too little.") [VeryFreq.]
nimius -a -um, 'too great, excessive' [Freq.]
ningues -ium, f. pl., 'snow'( = nix, nivis, f.) [Rare]
nisi conj., 'if not, unless' (One might remember the old saw: "After num, nisi, and ne / the si of nisi goes away." See ni.)nisus (nixus) -us, m., 'pushing, pressing, shoving'(See next) [Freq.]
nisus -a -um (ppl. from nitor), 'pushing, pressing forth; pressing down; striving hard' [Freq.]
nitedula -ae, f., 'mouse' [Rare]
nitela -ae, f., 'mouse'(The -i- is short. See next.) [Rare]
nitela -ae, f., 'brightness, shining'(The -i- is long, otherwise, like the prev.) [Rare]
nitens -entis, 'shining' [Common]
niteo -ere, 'be bright, shine, sparkle; glow (with health); stand out (as a shining example)' [Freq.]
nitesco -escere, 'grow bright; glow (with health, grooming)' [Common]
nitidus -a -um, 'bright, shining; glowing (with health, grooming, etc.); elegant, smooth; elegant in style' [Freq.]
nitor niti nisus (or nixus) (dep.), 'rest on, push off from; be supported by, rely on; be based on (lit.); push, press, strain (in giving birth); strain, strive'(See nisus as separate adj., but derived from this verb.) [VeryFreq.]
nitor -oris, m., 'brightness, glowing-ness; elegance' [Freq.]
nitratus -a -um, 'mixed with nitrum [= soda]' [Rare]
nitrum -i, n., 'soda, potash (used as fertilizer)'Note: It was only in l9th century that nitrogen was chemically identified and its role in growing plants understood. At that time the developing chemical industries of Europe quickly discovered that ammonium nitrate was not only a superior fertilizer, but a superior explosive. The chemical industries soon turned to still more powerful explosives and propellants, enjoying the easy interchangeability of peacetime and wartime industries. [UnCommon]
nivalis -e, 'of snow, snowy' [Rare]
nivatus -a -um (with aqua), 'snow-water, water cooled with snow'Note: Used just like that peculiar American beverage, "ice-water." [Rare]
nive see niniveus -a -um, 'of snow, snowy' [Rare]
nivosus -a -um, 'snowy' [Rare]
nix nivis, f., 'snow'(See ningues) [UnCommon]
nixor -ari (dep.), 'rest on, push up from' [Rare]
no nare navi, 'swim, float' [Common]
nobilis -e, 'worth knowing; remarkable, notable; (of men) worth knowing, worthy; noble, well-born, upper-class; superior, aristocratic' [VeryFreq.]
nobilitas -tatis, f., 'nobility'(See nobilis) [Freq.]
nobilito -are, 'make known; ennoble, raise to nobility' [Common]
noceo -ere -ui -itum, 'harm, hurt, injure (physically, mentally, or in reputation)' [VeryFreq.]
nocticula -ae, f., 'the moon' [Rare]
noctu adv., 'by night' [UnCommon]
noctua -ae, f., 'an owl'(Also called 'ululo' and 'bubo,' onomatopoetically [i.e. from its sound].) [Rare]
noctuabundus -a -um, 'travelling by night' [Rare]
nocturnus -a -um, 'nocturnal, by night, nightly' [Common]
nocuus -a -um, 'harmful' [Rare]
nodo -are, 'tie a knot' [Rare]
nodosus -a -um, 'full of knots; lumpy; knotty (of problems, of legal paperwork)' [Common]
nodus -i, m., 'a knot in a rope; rope, binding; a bunch of . . . ; a knotty problem; a knot in wood; the knot of any bond, association' [Freq.]
nolo nolle nolui, 'not wish; wish . . . not; be unwilling' [VeryFreq.]
nomas -adis, c., 'a nomad' [Rare]
nomen -inis, n., 'name (of a person); a noun (gram.); famous name; ethnic name; heading, paragraph, category' [VeryFreq.]
nomenclator -oris, m., 'a person who performs introductions; a servant who introduces persons at a party or calls out names of dishes; a "name-listing" government official (the "speaker") in the senate' [Common]
nominatim adv., 'by name' [Common]
nominito -are, 'name, call by a given name' [Rare]
nomino -are, 'call by a name, name; tell about, call, mention (by name); nominate (to office)' [Freq.]
nomisma -matis, n., 'a coin, coinage'(Greek word) [Rare]
non adv., 'not' [VeryFreq.]
nonae -arum, f., 'the "Nones," a date term used by the Romans to denote (approximately) the first third of each month'(Compare the Ides [middle of the month] and Kalends [last third]. See idus and kalendae.) [Common]
nonagenarius -a -um, 'of a person 90 years old' [Rare]
nonagiens '90 (x 100,000 as understood in coinage) = 9,000,000 S. in Roman currency'(S. = sestertius, the basic coin) [Rare]
nonaginta 'ninety' [Common]
nonanus -a -um, 'belonging to the ninth legion' [Common]
nondum adv., 'not yet' [Common]
nongenti -ae -a, 'nine hundred' [Common]
nonne interrog. particle, '(a question to which a "yes" answer is expected) it is, isn't it?' (As in logic, two negatives make a positive, thus 'non' + 'ne' anticipates a positive answer. For the reverse, see 'num.') [VeryFreq.]
nonnemo pron., 'someone, somebody'(Lit. "not no one") [Freq.]
nonnihil 'something'(Lit. "not nothing." The word is so [Common]
that it is used without special effect.) [Freq.]
nonnullus (non nullus) -a -um, 'some; (in plur.) several'(Lit. "not none") [Freq.]
nonnumquam adv., 'sometimes'(Lit. "not never") [Freq.]
nonus - a -um, 'ninth; the ninth legion; the ninth hour (roughly 3 p.m.)'Note: The Romans counted hours of the day from sun-up, a procedure which suits southern areas better than northern, where the time of sunrise varies considerably. [Common]
nonusdecimus -a -um, 'nineteenth' [UnCommon]
norma -ae, f., 'a carpenter's square; the standard (of anything)' [Common]
nos (pl. of ego), 'we, us' [VeryFreq.]
noscito -are, 'investigate, examine; get to know' [Common]
nosco noscere novi notum, 'know, get to know, be familiar with, know (sexually), know (a subject, language), admit knowing'Note: An alternate and older spelling is 'gnosco,' which shows the IE root, *gno-, as in Engl. "know." Compare Gr. 'gi-gnosko.' [VeryFreq.]
noster -tra -trum, 'our, ours, of our group, family, nation; on our side'('Noster' often is used for 'meus,' "my," as in 'Marce noster' = "my [friend] Marcus.") [VeryFreq.]
nostras -atis, 'a person of our country, a native of this land' [UnCommon]
nota -ae, f., 'mark, note; check on a list; stigma (of disfavor); a note or label on bottle; a letter of the alphabet, symbol; any surface marking, scratch, spot'(The familiar phrase, 'Nota bene' or 'N.B.', employs the imperative of the verb, 'noto -are,' not this noun.) [VeryFreq.]
notabilis -e, 'notable, noteworthy' [Common]
notarius -i, m., 'shorthand writer'(See next) [Rare]
notatio -onis, f., 'marking, noting down; defining'Note: Tironian annotation, named after Cicero's aide, Tiro, still exists in many (unread) manuscripts as a workable tachygraphic system, by virtue of which we have the great mass of Cicero's speeches preserved. Who knows but that a new poem of Horace may repose in Tironian annotation, or even lost portions of Varro's invaluable 'Antiquitates'? [Common]
notatus -a -um, 'marked out, well known; spotted ( [Rare]
ly)' [Rare]
notesco notescere notui, 'become known' [UnCommon]
nothus -a -um, 'illegitimate by birth; hybrid; fake, spurious'Note: Catullus, in Poem 63, the famous and shocking Attis story, uses 'nothus mulier' of a castrated male; Gr. 'nothos,' "fake, false." [UnCommon]
notio -onis, f., 'a personal acquaintance; a legal inquiry, inquiry in general; idea, notion' [Common]
notitia -ae (and notities -ei), f., 'knowledge, acquaintance; fame' [Freq.]
noto -are, 'mark, note, label; stain; note, make a note of, make a mention of; notice' [VeryFreq.]
notor -oris, m., 'co-signer (leg.) of a loan' [Rare]
notus -a -um, 'well-known; generally known, familiar; an acquaintance; notorious ( [Rare]
ly)'(See nosco and gnosco. See next.) [VeryFreq.]
Notus (notos) -i, m., 'the south wind'(See prev.) [Rare]
novacula -ae, f., 'a razor' [Rare]
novalis -is, f. (and novale -is, n.), '(of land used for farming:) new land; land left fallow and ready for use anew; cultivated land'(From novus) [UnCommon]
novellus -a -um, 'young, new; novel' [UnCommon]
novem 'nine' [Freq.]
novendialis -e, 'of a religious observance held for nine days after a portent or omen; the 9th day ceremony (actually 8) after a person's death; a funeral wake-feast'Note: Remarkably similar in duration to the traditional Jewish wake. [UnCommon]
noveni -ae -a, 'nine each, by nines' [UnCommon]
noverca -ae, f., 'stepmother'Note: Greek and Roman stepmothers were uniformly hostile to their husband's prior children, even to the point of poisoning them, a trait which can still be found in traditional Italian folksongs. [Common]
novercalis -e, 'of or like a step mother' [Rare]
novicius -a -um, 'new, new-fangled; of newly purchased slaves' [Common]
novies (noviens), 'nine times' [UnCommon]
novitas -tatis, f., 'newness, novelty; surprise; newness in public office' [Common]
novo -are, 'make new, replace, fix up as good as new; give new form to, renew' [Common]
novus -a -um, 'new, novel, strange and unfamiliar; unexpected, surprising; different; new, recent; new, inexperienced, inexpert'Note: In politics, Cicero was a technically a 'novus homo,' a term which refers to his political backing rather than his talent or expertise. [VeryFreq.]
nox noctis, f., 'night (as against day); a night; darkness, mystery' [VeryFreq.]
noxa -ae, f., 'harm, hurt; a legally liable act; injury (personal and legal)' [Freq.]
noxia -ae, f., 'harm, injury' [Freq.]
noxius -a -um, 'harmful, guilty; noxious (of persons)' [Common]
nubecula -ae, f., 'cloud; clouding over, discoloration; nebula (astr.)' [UnCommon]
nubes -is, f., 'cloud; condensation; cloud (of arrows, locusts); a cloud (on the mind); a cloud (of disaster)' [Freq.]
nubifer -fera -ferum, '(of hills) clouded; (of weather) cloudy' [Rare]
nubilis -e, '(of a woman) of suitable age for marriage' [Rare]
nubilus -a -um, 'cloudy, overcast, dark; (of ideas) cloudy; (of persons) mentally cloudy, troubled'Note: Originally a weather word, it was extended to things of the mind. Robert Frost's remarkable poem on the tree outside his house puts these together: the tree concerned with outside, Frost with inside weather. Frost was not unskilled in Latin! [Freq.]
nubo nubere nupsi nuptum, '(of a woman only) marry, get married to'(The man has a different verb, 'spondeo, -ere.') [Freq.]
nucleus -i, m., 'kind of a nut, seed of a fruit, a lump in anything'(The word is neatly used in modern physics as an illustrative figure for the atomic center.) [Common]
nuctifrangibulum (nucifrangibulum) -i, n., '"a tooth," used as a nutcracker (in Plautus)' [Rare]
nudius tertius (or nudiustertius), 'it is now the third day (i.e. day before yesterday, since Romans counted inclusively)'Note: = 'nu[nc] dies [est] tertius.' A word used in Republican speech only, it has nothing to do with nudity. [Rare]
nudo -are, 'bare, uncover, strip; expose, lay bare; disclose (facts, etc.)' [VeryFreq.]
nudula 'bare' (with animula)Note: A pathetic little word, used of the departing Emperor's soul, according to Suetonius' account of Hadrian. [Rare]
nudus -a -um, 'naked, bare; stripped; defenseless, open; plain (of style); bare of money; unadorned, simple' [VeryFreq.]
nugae -arum, f. pl., 'trifles, frivolities; little talk; light poems' [Common]
nugator -oris, m., 'trifler; storyteller, fibber' [UnCommon]
nugatorius -a -um, 'trifling, silly; storytelling, fibbing' [Common]
nugax -acis, 'trifling' [Rare]
nugor -ari (dep.), 'trifle, babble on' [UnCommon]
nullus -a -um, 'no . . . ; none, not any; (as noun) nobody, nothing' [VeryFreq.]
num interrog. particle (introducing a question to which a "no" answer is expected), 'it isn't, is it?; you couldn't say not, could you?'(The inverse of this word is its grammatical companion, 'nonne,' which always expects a "yes" answer. See nonne.) [VeryFreq.]
numella -ae, f., 'stall collar (barn stanchion) to hold animals still' [Rare]
numen -inis, n., 'a divine nod; sign of divine will, "a nod"; divine will, divinity; god'Note: Romans nodded "yes" crosswise, hence, a god's locks wave askew, or laterally, in affirming. Nodding, unlike smiling, is not an universal human trait. See nuo and nuto. [VeryFreq.]
numero -are, 'add up, count; sum up; list; include in a reckoning; reckon as . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
numero adv., 'quickly; too quickly' [Rare]
numerosus -a -um, 'numerous, having many parts; rhythmical'(This last sense, "rhythmical," comes from the Latin use of the word 'numerus' as the term in the metrics of poetry for the counting of syllables. See next.) [Freq.]
numerus -i, m., 'number, sum; quantity; group, class; a metre in poetry, metrical cadence; melody, melody line' [VeryFreq.]
nummarius -a -um, 'financial' [UnCommon]
nummatus -a -um, 'moneyed, rich' [Rare]
nummularius -i, m., 'a small operator who changes money' [Rare]
nummulus -i, m., 'a (rotten) little sum of cash' [Rare]
nummus -i, m., 'coin; money; a small coin (the denarius, later = M(ille) sestertium); cash' [Freq.]
numquam see nunquamnunc adv., 'now, right now, at present, in the present instance; well now . . . '(Often introducing the punch line of a joke; so used in four clearly identifiable humorous instances in Catullus.) [VeryFreq.]
nunciam see nuncnuncupatio -onis, f., 'naming by name (of an heir, of a vow)' [UnCommon]
nuncupo -are, 'call out by name; state (legally) . . . ; make a declaration, deposition (legal); name (a god in prayer); call on someone by name' [Freq.]
nundinae -arum, f. pl., 'market day; the market (held every ninth day)'Note: Actually the eighth day by our count, since the Romans counted "inclusively." [UnCommon]
nundinor -ari (dep.), 'market, sell; buy at market'Note: Sometimes with a pejorative sense, like the Yiddish 'hondel.' [Common]
nundinum -i, n., 'the period of one day at the market; one day of marketing' [Rare]
nunquam (numquam) adv., 'never' [VeryFreq.]
nuntiatio -are, 'notification (leg.); revealing an augury (rel.)' [UnCommon]
nuntio -are, 'announce, give order, inform; give (legal) notice; make a report' [VeryFreq.]
nuntius -i, m., 'a messenger; military messenger; message, information' [VeryFreq.]
nuper adv., 'recently; in the recent past; in recent history' [Freq.]
nuperus -a -um, 'just arrived' [Rare]
nupta -ae, f., 'a married woman, matron; 'nova nupta' = bride' [Common]
nuptiae -arum, f. pl., 'wedding ceremony; marriage' [Common]
nuptialis -e, 'marital, nuptial' [UnCommon]
nuptus -a -um, 'suitable for a married woman'(See next) [Rare]
nuptus -i, m. 'a male "bride"'(Used once in Plautus, as a joke. See prev.) [Rare]
nurus -us, f., 'daughter-in-law; young matron' [Common]
nusquam adv., 'nowhere, not in any place' [Freq.]
nuto -are, 'nod "yes" (sideways); nod = fall asleep; sway, swing back and forth; falter, weaken, waver'(See numen) [VeryFreq.]
nutricius -i, m., 'of a nurse or child caretaker' [Common]
nutrico -are (and nutricor -ari, dep.), 'nourish, help bring up; develop'(From nutrix, "nurse") [UnCommon]
nutricula -ae, f., 'a nurse; breast-feeding nurse, wet nurse; any fostering aid' [UnCommon]
nutrimentum -i, n., 'nourishing; upbringing'Note: Engl. "nutrient, nutriment" is restricted to food, unlike the Latin, which is much broader in meaning. Compare Engl. "diet," which comes from Gr. diaita, "way of life." In such matters, the modern world tends towards specificity, often losing something of scope. [UnCommon]
nutrio -ire (and nutricor -ari, dep.), 'nurse, breast-nurse; foster, bring up; tend (a sick person), nurse to health' [Common]
nutrix -icis, f., 'a nurse, breast nurse, wet nurse; aid to development'(Africa is just once poetically called the nurse of lions.) [Common]
nutus -us, m., 'nod of the head for "yes"; nod = divine will, an order to . . . ' [Common]
nux nucis, f., 'a nut (to eat); nuts distributed at weddings; nuts (= little nothings); a nut tree' [Freq.]
nympha -ae, f., 'a female wood and water spirit; a young woman, a "nymph"'(Also 'nymphe -es,' following the Greek inflection.) [Freq.]
o interj., 'oh! (indicating surprise)' [Common]
ob prep., '(acc. obj.) towards, in front of, up against; because of, for the sake of; against (a debt)' [VeryFreq.]
obaeratus -a -um, 'indebted (in money); a debtor'(See aes, aeris) [Rare]
obambulo -are, 'walk up and down' [Rare]
obarmo -are, 'equip with arms, arm' [Rare]
obaro -are, 'plough up' [Rare]
obbrutesco -escere, 'become stupid'(See brutus) [Rare]
obdo -dere -didi -ditum, 'set against, block; hamper' [Common]
obdormisco -iscere -ivi -itum (also obdormio -ire -ivi -itum), 'fall asleep, fall off into sleep' [Rare]
obduco -ducere -duxi -ductum, 'lead against (troops); obstruct, block off; draw over, cover over, cover, cover up' [Freq.]
obductio -onis, f., 'covering over, veiling' [Rare]
obduresco -escere, 'become hard, harden' [UnCommon]
obduro -are, 'be hard, stiffen up; be obdurate' [UnCommon]
obeo -ire -ivi (and -ii) -itum, 'go up to, face; go to have a look, inspect; meet; meet (keep an appointment); meet (one's end, death); go down (of stars, planets)' [VeryFreq.]
obequito -are, 'ride a horse up to' [Rare]
oberro -are, 'wander all over, get lost; wander (in mind)' [UnCommon]
obesitas -tatis, f., 'obesity' [Rare]
obesus -a -um, 'fat, swollen; coarse, rude' [Common]
obex -icis, m., 'door lock, bolt ("that which goes over" = 'ob-eo'); a barrier, impediment' [UnCommon]
obhaeresco -haerescere -haesi -haesum (and obhaereo -ere -ui), 'stick to, be stuck on to' [UnCommon]
obiaceo -ere, 'lie near (geog.); be near; block the way to' [Common]
obicio -icere -ieci -iectum, 'hurl forth, throw at; place against . . . ; produce; set, put, place; cite (an authority, reference)' [VeryFreq.]
obiecto -are, 'thrust out . . . at; put forth; put forth (an authority, citations) for' [Common]
obiectus -us, m., 'placing against' [Rare]
obirascor -irasci -iratus sum (dep.), 'be angry at' [Rare]
obiter adv., 'in passing; besides; so as to mention it . . . '('Obiter dicta') [Freq.]
obitus -us, m., 'visit; encounter; "the encounter" (with death), death; setting of a star' [Freq.]
obiurgatio -onis, f., 'rebuke, finding fault' [Common]
obiurgator -oris, m., 'fault-finder' [Rare]
obiurgatorius -a -um, 'fault-finding' [Rare]
obiurgo -are, 'find fault; reprove, rebuke' [Common]
oblanguesco -escere -ui, 'languish' [Rare]
oblatrix -icis, f., 'a barking woman (derogatory)'(From latro, "bark") [Rare]
oblatro -are, 'bark at; yap at (of persons)' [Rare]
oblatus -a -um, 'stolen'(From ob + fero) [Rare]
oblectamen -inis, n., 'delight' [Rare]
oblectamentum -i, n., 'delight' [UnCommon]
oblectatio -onis, f., 'delightfulness' [Common]
oblecto -are, 'delight, amuse, please, charm' [Common]
oblido -lidere -lisi -lisum, 'squeeze, strangle; crush (the life out of)' [UnCommon]
obligatio -onis, f., 'a (legal) obligation' [UnCommon]
obligatus -a -um, 'due; morally due; legally bound, responsible' [UnCommon]
obligo -are, 'tie up, bind; tie up by contract; bind (by services); bandage' [Freq.]
oblimo -are, 'cover with slime, mud' [Common]
oblino -linere -levi -litum, 'smear up, paint over, de-daub; foul up, defile; seal up (a wine or oil vessel)' [Freq.]
obliquo -are, 'thrust at a slant; slant; deflect; reflect; slant (one's words)' [Common]
obliquus -a -um, 'sidewise; slanting; oblique; indirect (of speech, writing)' [Freq.]
oblitesco -litescere -litui, 'disappear' [Rare]
oblittero (oblitero) -are, 'be forgotten; disappear, be effaced'(From 'obliviscor,' not from 'littera,' despite the -tt-.) [Common]
oblivio -onis, f., 'oblivion' [Rare]
obliviosus -a -um, 'forgetful; (of wine) causing forgetfulness' [UnCommon]
obliviscor oblivisci oblitus sum (dep.), 'forget'(As with all verbs of remembering and forgetting, it takes a gen. obj.) [VeryFreq.]
oblivium -i, n., 'oblivion' [UnCommon]
oblocutor -oris, m., 'one who breaks in or interrupts' [UnCommon]
oblongus -a -um, 'oblong' [UnCommon]
obloquor -loqui -locutus sum (dep.), 'interrupt; interpolate, intercalate; speak against; rant at' [Rare]
obluctor -ari (dep.), 'struggle against' [UnCommon]
obludio -are, 'act like a fool, idiot'(See ludus) [Rare]
obmolior -iri (dep.), 'obstruct, block' [Rare]
obmurmuro -are, 'murmur against; object to' [Rare]
obmutesco -escere -ui, 'become mute, silent; be silenced' [Common]
obnatus -a -um, 'growing up near . . . ' [Rare]
obnitor -niti -nixus sum (dep.), 'push against; fight against, oppose' [Common]
obnoxiosus -a -um, 'submissive'(See next) [Rare]
obnoxius -a -um, '(legally) under obligation; bound, bonded; liable (legally, personally; exposed to peril)'(Quite different from the related Engl. "obnoxious," which comes from 'noceo, -ere' and 'noxia,' whereas this word comes from the legal meanings of 'noxa,' esp. in the phrase 'ob noxam esse.' See noxa.) [Freq.]
obnubo -nubere -nupsi -nuptum, 'cover the head with a cloth, be covered'(Connected with nubes, "cloud," not nubo, "marry (of a woman)") [UnCommon]
obnuntiatio -onis, f., 'announcement of an unfavorable omen' [Rare]
oboedientia -ae, f., 'obedience' [UnCommon]
oboedio -ire, 'give ear to; be obedient to . . . ; be ruled by' [Freq.]
oboleo -ere, 'stink'(See oleo) [Rare]
obolus -i, m., 'an "obol" (the Greek coin)' [Rare]
oborior -oriri -ortus sum (dep.), 'rise up, appear; occur, happen' [Freq.]
obrepo -repere -repsi -reptum, 'creep up on, steal up on'(See 'repo,' originally used of a snake, e.g. 'reptilis.') [Freq.]
obretio -ire, 'catch in a net' [Rare]
obrigesco -rigescere -rigui, 'become rigid with cold, freeze' [UnCommon]
obrodo -ere, 'gnaw at, chew on'(See rodo) [Rare]
obrogo -are, 'abrogate, repeal' [Common]
obructo -are, 'belch at' [Rare]
obruo -ruere -rui -rutum, 'fall down on (landslides); collapse (of a building); flood over; overwhelm; bury' [VeryFreq.]
obrussa -ae, f., 'a test for purity of gold' [Rare]
obsaepio -saepire -saepsi -saeptum, 'fence off, block off (a road, entrance)'(See saepes) [Common]
obsaturo -are, 'be stuffed full' [Rare]
obscaena -orum, n. pl., 'external genitals, "private parts"'Note: The Latin term refers to both male and female sexual apparatus. The Romans may have been prudish in some ways, but they were very frank in their vocabulary, in contrast to Americans in mid-20th century, who banned books if even one word seemed obscene. For this excessive zeal for purity of tongue, we have been paid back later by a flood of dirty words in print, on TV, and in the popular mouth. Finally, one comes to realize that there are no dirty words at all, just dirty minds, many of which clothe themselves in the cleanest of vocabulary. [UnCommon]
obscaevo -are, 'be (a good or bad) omen' [Rare]
obscenitas (obscaenitas) -tatis, f., 'obscenity (of speech or action)'(See 'obscaena,' with different meaning.) [UnCommon]
obscenus (obscaenus) -a -um, '"filthy," obscene, indecent'(See next) [Freq.]
obscenus -i, m., 'a pervert; a bad-talking person'(See prev.) [Rare]
obscuratio -onis, f., 'blurring; darkening; an eclipse' [UnCommon]
obscuritas -tatis, f., 'darkness, muddiness; obscure speech, obscure meaning; social obscurity (of class)' [Freq.]
obscuro -are, 'darken; conceal; eclipse; erase (from history)' [Common]
obscurus -a -um, 'obscure, faintly seen, hidden; unknown; unclear (of words, ideas)' [VeryFreq.]
obsecratio -onis, f., '(rel.) entreaty, formal prayer or beseechment' [Common]
obsecro -are, 'beseech, beg for, imprecate' [Freq.]
obsecundo -are, 'follow; second (a motion)' [UnCommon]
obsepio see obsaepioobsequella -ae, f., 'obedience' [Rare]
obsequens -entis, 'obedient, obseqious, amenable' [Common]
obsequentia -ae, f., 'obsequiousness' [Rare]
obsequium -i, n., 'compliance, obedience, submission; obseqiousness' [Freq.]
obsequor -sequi -secutus sum (dep.), 'follow; be obedient to, be amenable to, comply with' [Freq.]
obsero -are, 'bolt, bar (a door), block (words, etc.)'(See next) [Common]
obsero -serere -sevi -situm, 'sow (seed), plant'(See prev.) [Freq.]
observans -ntis, 'attentive, helpful' [UnCommon]
observantia -ae, f., 'observation; attention; deference' [Common]
observatio -onis, f., 'watching (stars, omens), observing (rules, customs)' [VeryFreq.]
observator -oris, m., 'observer' [Rare]
observito -are, 'pay attention to, watch carefully' [Rare]
observo -are, 'watch, observe; observe (rules), pay attention to, regard' [VeryFreq.]
obses -sidis, c., 'hostage; person or thing given as security (pol.)' [Freq.]
obsessio -onis, f., 'blockade, seige (mil.)' [Common]
obsessor -oris, m., 'beseiger'(See next) [Rare]
obsideo -sidere -sedi -sessum, 'sit down (in front of); blockade, beseige; besiege (a person, a position, an idea); surround, close off' [VeryFreq.]
obsidio -onis, f., 'blockade, seige' [Common]
obsidium -i, n., 'the state of seige, blockade' [Common]
obsido -sidere -sedi -sessum, 'beseige; occupy (after seige), take over' [Common]
obsignator -oris, m., 'one who signs (a legal document as witness); notary' [Rare]
obsigno -are, 'sign, affix a seal (signum), to give legal and/or commercial witness to . . . ' [Common]
obsipo -are, 'sprinkle (water)' [Rare]
obsisto -sistere -stiti -stitum, 'stand against, oppose, block; resist, impede' [Freq.]
obsitus -a -um, 'covered over, over-clouded, overgrown' [Common]
obsolefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'degrade, devalue' [UnCommon]
obsolefio -fieri -factus sum, 'become worn' [UnCommon]
obsolesco -escere -evi -etum, 'fall out of employment, become obsolete, disused; become devalued' [Common]
obsoletus -a -um, 'worn, worn out; obsolete' [Common]
obsonator -oris, m., 'caterer' (From obsonium, "shopping") [Rare]
obsonatus -a -um, 'catering; marketing' [Rare]
obsonium -i, n., 'purchases at the food market, provisions; a pension or allowance for provisions' [Common]
obsono -are (and obsonor -ari, dep.), 'go shopping (for food); feast' [Common]
obsono -are, 'make a noise against; interrupt' [Rare]
obsorbeo -ere -ui, 'gulp down' [Rare]
obstetrix -icis, f., 'midwife' [Rare]
obstinatio -onis, f., 'stubborness, obstinacy' [UnCommon]
obstinatus -a -um, 'stubborn, obstinate' [Common]
obstino -are, 'be firm, resolute, stubborn' [UnCommon]
obstipesco (obstupesco) -stipescere -stipui, 'be struck dumb, be dumbfounded; be stupified'Note: Lat. stupidus means "with the mouth hanging open," not Engl. "stupid," which refers to a state of mind or possibly a lack thereof. [Freq.]
obstipus -a -um, 'leaning to one side' [Rare]
obsto -stare -stiti -statum, 'stand opposite; oppose, hinder, impede; block'(See obsisto) [Freq.]
obstrepo -strepere -strepui -strepitum, 'make a big noise (against); clamor, din; oppose (verbally)' [Freq.]
obstringo -stringere -strinxi -strictum, 'tie up (with a string or rope); bind; bind (legally, morally, politically); involve (in some action)' [VeryFreq.]
obstructio -onis, f., 'obstruction, hinderance' [Rare]
obstruo -struere -struxi -structum, 'pile up, bar, block, impede' [Freq.]
obstupefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'strike dumb (with argument); stupify (with wine or drugs)'(See stupidus) [Common]
obstupesco see obstipescoobsum obesse obfui, 'be in the way, be a block, hindrance' [Freq.]
obsuo -suere -sui -sutum, 'sew onto . . . ; sew up' [Freq.]
obsurdesco -escere -ui, 'become deaf; become deaf to . . . ' [Rare]
obtego -tegere -texi -tectum, 'cover over, cover up; conceal, hide away' [Freq.]
obtemperatio -onis, f., 'compliance' [Rare]
obtempero -are, 'bend to, comply with' [Common]
obtendo -tendere -tendi -tentum, 'stretch out, spread over, cover; pretend (stretch out an excuse)' [Freq.]
obtentus -us, m., 'stretching out; covering over, concealing' [Common]
obtero -terere -trivi -tritum, 'crush under foot, tread on; suppress, annihilate; denigrate, lower' [Freq.]
obtestatio -onis, f., 'an imploring (of the gods); a calling of the gods as one's witness' [Common]
obtestor -ari (dep.), 'call upon as witness (legally); call upon the gods as witness ("as the gods are my witness")'(As an archaic formula for this last meaning, see 'mediusfidius.') [Freq.]
obtexo -texere -texui, 'weave a web; web over, cover' [UnCommon]
obticeo -ere, 'remain (obstinately) silent' [Rare]
obticesco -ticescere -ticui, 'stay (obstinately) silent' [Rare]
obtineo -tinere -tinui -tentum, 'hold on, stay, remain; obtain (power, control); occupy (a position, job, location), obtain . . . ' [Freq.]
obtingo -tingere -tigi, 'happen, befall; fall (to one's advantage or disadvantage)' [Freq.]
obtorpesco -torpescere -torpui, 'become stiff, numb; become torpid' [UnCommon]
obtorqueo -torquere -torsi -tortum, 'to collar, "lasso" with a rope, hold back; twist, turn' [UnCommon]
obtrectatio -onis, f., '(verbal) attack, disparagement, criticism' [UnCommon]
obtrectator -oris, m., 'detractor' [UnCommon]
obtrecto -are, 'criticize severely, attack verbally' [UnCommon]
obtrudo (obstrudo) -trudere -trusi -trusum, 'stuff, push at . . . ; push off (something or somebody unpleasant)' [Rare]
obtrunco -are, 'chop off, kill' [UnCommon]
obtundo -tundere -tudi -tusum, 'pound on, beat, beat up; beat into deadness, bluntness; assail (the ears with words), dullen, deafen' [Freq.]
obturbo -are, 'mix up, disturb, confuse' [UnCommon]
obturgesco -escere, 'swell up' [Rare]
obturo -are, 'close up, put a stopper in . . . ; block (the mouth, ears); refuse to hear' [Common]
obtusus -a -um, '(beat upon =) dull, blunt, obtuse' [Common]
obtutus -us, m., 'gaze' [UnCommon]
obumbro -are, 'overshadow' [UnCommon]
obuncus -a -um, 'hooked'('Uncus' = any sort of hooked implement) [Rare]
obustus -a -um, 'burnt' [Rare]
obvagio -ire, 'cry'('Vagio' is the standard word for the wailing of babies.) [Rare]
obvallo -are, 'wall in' [Rare]
obvenio -venire -veni -ventum, 'meet; happen (by a chance meeting)' [Freq.]
obversor -ari (dep.), 'move about (so as to be seen); get in the way; (of thoughts) move about in the mind' [Freq.]
obversus -a -um, 'on the opposite side'(Engl. "obverse" = the back side of a coin) [UnCommon]
obverto (obvorto) -vertere -verti -versum, 'face towards, face, oppose' [Common]
obviam adv., 'in the path; in the way; in somebody's way'(Obviam ire = "come up against, meet." See next) [Freq.]
obvius -a -um, 'in the path, in the way; opposite, opposing; in the way of (a danger, an attack, troops)'(Never like the Engl., "obvious," = "clear, clearly seen," although this is the same word by derivation. See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
obvolo -volvere -volvi -volutum, 'wrap up one's head, muffle up; cover, smother' [UnCommon]
occaeco -are, 'blind; blot out, hide, conceal' [Common]
occallesco -callescere -callui, 'become calloused, hard, or insensitive' [UnCommon]
occano -canere -canui, 'sing out, make a loud sound' [Rare]
occasio -onis, f., 'occasion, the right moment; a good moment, good chance' [Freq.]
occasus -us, m., 'an opportunity; setting of the sun, stars; down- going; downfall, ruin' [Freq.]
occatio -onis, f., 'harrowing of the soil (agr.)'(From occa, "harrow") [Rare]
occedo -cedere -cessi -cessum, 'confront, go up to' [Rare]
occento -are, 'sing to'Note: This can be either serenading in a romantic vein or bewitching with sorcery. Both have a long history in the lands around the Mediterranean Sea. [Common]
occepto -are, 'begin' [Rare]
occido -cidere -cidi -cisum, 'cut down, kill, cause to die; ruin'(The -i- is long, the verbal root is from caedo, "cut," weakened to cido. See next.) [Freq.]
occido -cidere -cidi -casum, 'fall down, collapse; fall in battle; be ruined; collapse; sink down (stars); sink (into oblivion)' (The -i- is short, from cado, "fall, sink." See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
occiduus -a -um, 'sinking; setting (of the sun); (land of the setting sun =) western, westerly' [Common]
occino (occano) -cinere -cecini (and -cinui), '(of birds) sing away; (of trumpets) give a fanfare' [UnCommon]
occipio -cipere -cepi -ceptum, 'engage in; begin' [Freq.]
occipitium -i (and occiput -itis), n., 'back of the head, occiput'(ob + caput) [UnCommon]
occisio -onis, f., 'slaughter' [Rare]
occisor -oris, m., 'murderer' [Rare]
occludo -cludere -clusi -clusum, 'close up, stop up (doors, ears); restrain' [Common]
occo -are, 'harrow a field (agr.)'(See occa and oboccatio) [Rare]
occubo -are, 'lie down on; lie down (dead)' [Rare]
occulco -are, 'trample on, walk over' [Rare]
occulo -are, 'cover, hide, conceal' [Freq.]
occultatio -onis, f., 'hiding, concealment; an eclipse' [Rare]
occultor -oris, m., 'concealer' [Rare]
occulto -are, 'hide, conceal' [Rare]
occultus -a -um, 'hidden; secret; clandestine; mysterious in origin' [Freq.]
occumbo -cumbere -cubui -cubitum, 'lie down (in death), die' [Common]
occupatio -onis, f., 'taking possession of (leg.); a mental preoccupation' [Common]
occupo -are, 'occupy, take possession of; take over, occupy a position; occupy someone's attention; come in first, win out, take first place' [VeryFreq.]
occurro -currere -curri -cursum, 'run up to, meet; go to meet; move opposite to . . . ; meet (problems), counter; happen to meet (in the street); confront' [Freq.]
occursatio -onis, f., 'going to meet, receiving someone (in courtesy)' [Rare]
occurso -are, 'run up to; meet; oppose, check, block' [VeryFreq.]
occursus -us, m., 'meeting; confronting, attacking (mil.); blocking' [Common]
Oceanus -i, m., 'the ocean, any sea'(But not the Mediterranean, which is "mare nostrum" to the Romans.) [Common]
ocellus -i, m., '(literally, "little eye") darling, honey, sweetie; (of things, places) "a little beauty"'Note: To explain Catullus' expression 'ocelle' of Sirmio, best go to Lago de Como and take a look! [Common]
ocior ocius (compar.), 'quicker, faster; sooner' [Freq.]
ocrea -ae, f., 'soldier's shin-guard, greave' [UnCommon]
ocreatus -a -um, 'wearing greaves' [Rare]
octavus -a -um, 'eighth' [Freq.]
octies (octiens), 'eight times' [Rare]
octigentesimus -a -um, 'eight hundredth' [Rare]
octingenti -ae -a, 'eight hundred' [Rare]
octipes -pedis, 'having eight feet (of a crab, octopus)'(The squid should have been called a "decapus.") [Rare]
octo 'eight' [VeryFreq.]
octogenarius -a -um, 'eighty years old' [Rare]
octogies (octogiens), 'eighty times' [UnCommon]
octoginta 'eighty' [Freq.]
octoiugis -e, 'eight-abreast? (Livy)' [Rare]
octoni -ae -a, 'eight each' [Rare]
octupulus -a -um, 'eight-fold' [Rare]
octussis -is, m., 'eight cent's worth'(From octo + as) [Rare]
ocularius -i, m., 'opthalmologist, oculist' [Rare]
oculatus -a -um, 'sharp-eyed (of business acumen)' [Rare]
oculeus -a -um, 'having (many) eyes' [Rare]
oculus -i, m., 'eye; eyesight, vision; a sharp eye; the eye = the mind' [VeryFreq.]
odarium -i, n., 'a little ditty, ode' [Rare]
odi odisse, 'hate, dislike, destest'Defective verb in perf. only, but with pres. meaning, while for past meaning the plup. is used. Probably, the Romans understood that hate is not subject to the usual rules of time: Hate once = hate forever. [VeryFreq.]
odiosus -a -um, 'hateful, annoying' [Common]
odium -i, n., 'hate, dislike; aversion'Note: An especially vicious style of academic criticism, accompanied by trenchant wit and murderous dissection of the opinions of others, is deftly called 'odium philologicum.' As a prime specimen of this phenomenon, see the first volume of Housman's edition of Manilius, which stands in a class by itself. [VeryFreq.]
odor -oris, m., 'odor, smell (either good or bad); perfume smell' [Common]
odoratio -onis, f. (odoratus -us, m.), 'sense of smell'(See next) [Rare]
odoratus -a -um, 'having a smell (often a good smell); fragrant' (See prev.) [Common]
odorifer -fera -ferum, 'fragrant' [UnCommon]
odoro -are, 'to perfume (skin, hair, etc.)' [Rare]
odoror -ari (dep.), 'sniff, get a whiff of; scent, track down (information)' [Common]
odorus -a -um, 'sweet-smelling; sniffing, snuffling (of dogs)'(Used in this third sense is the 'odora canum vis' in Aen. IV.) [Rare]
oeconomia -ae, f., 'arrangement (of materials in a book)'Note: Economics and Economy, which up to the 18th century was spelled "oeconomy," is a modern term for something the ancients knew well but never named. It is from Gr. oikos, "house," + nom-, "regulate," hence "private householding economy, as such." [Rare]
oeconomicus -a -um, 'relative to household economy; to arrangement of materials in books' [Rare]
oenophorum -i, n., 'a wine-jug' [Rare]
oenus (archaic or archaizing) see unusoestrus -i, m., 'a horse-fly; wild frenzy'Note: English estrus, "female coming into heat," is actually this word, as if driven mad by a stinging horsefly. [Rare]
ofella -ae, f., 'a chop, cutlet' [Rare]
offa -ae, f., 'a lump (of dough); lump or bruise' [Common]
offendo -fendere -fendi -fensum, 'kick the foot against; stumble; offend; harm' [Freq.]
offensa -ae, f., 'collision; an offense' [Common]
offensio -onis, f., 'collision, mishap; injury; offense' [Freq.]
offensiuncula -ae, f., 'a little mishap; slight resentment' [Rare]
offenso -are, 'collide with, stumble over; break down' [UnCommon]
offensus -us, m., 'collision' [UnCommon]
offero offerre obtuli oblatum, 'put in a place, place; put (in danger); set forth, show; provide, put into another's hand; offer; help' [VeryFreq.]
offerrumenta -ae, f., 'a glue line in woodworking, shipbuilding'Note: The word comes from ferrumen, which is not connected with iron or ferrum; it was originally a gluing process, normally used of wood, but perhaps transferred to soldering lead, for which the correct term is 'lead burning,' since no filler is used. It is described as looking like a welt on someone's back by Plautus. [Rare]
officina -ae, f., 'factory, workshop; training school (of artists, gladiators, etc.)' [Common]
officio -ficere -feci -fectum, 'block, interfere with, impede, harm' Note: It is odd that this verb [in terms of the above meaning] should generate the noun, officina, "a factory," even without trade unions in the picture. The post-l991 Soviets should get a chuckle out of this one! [Freq.]
officiosus -a -um, 'doing one's office courteously, attentively; overly attentive = officious' [Common]
officium -i, n., 'service, act of service; dutiful function; job, role, position, office; piece of work; work = employment' [VeryFreq.]
offigo -gere -xi -xum, 'fix onto, nail up; firm up (the will, intent)' [UnCommon]
offucia -ae, f., 'rouge-ing, cosmeticizing; deception'(See fucus--the one which does not mean "drone bee.") [UnCommon]
offula -ae, f., 'a little chunk of meat'Note: Used as a chunk of meat for crucifixion, in Petronius 58.2. --- There is a general resemblance between the story of the soldier guarding the crucified bodies within the Ephesian Matron story and the broad outlines of Jesus' crucifixion. The gist and intent are entirely different, but several details are remarkably similar, as if someone had heard of Jesus' crucifixion as a piece of current news and mixed it up with a racy romance story somehow. The similaries of the burial vault, the women (the widow, as against the pure and impure Mary), the missing body, the military setting for the crucifixion--these would be remarkable coincidences. Such a confusion could only happen before Christianity assumed the status of a regular religion, which accords with the early date of the Cena. See offa and note. [Rare]
offulgeo -fulgere -fulsi, 'shine forth light on' [Rare]
offundo -fundere -fudi -fusum, 'pour over (of liquids); pour on (the ideas, feelings); pour over = overwhelm' [Common]
oggannio -ire, 'growl at (as of a dog); threaten, menace'(See gannio) [Rare]
oh interj. (of surprise, pleasure, generally said with a smile), 'Oh!' (But see O!) [Freq.]
ohe interj. (of annoyance, botheration), 'Hey there! (Cut it out!)' [Freq.]
olea -ae, f., 'the olive tree; an olive'Note: The olive was essential to the ancients in a wide variety of uses: lamp oil, body-scrub, a dressing on and in most food dishes, a food preservative, and as a compound with fat to make grease for machinery. The olive was just about as important to the ancient world as petroleum is to the modern world--but it was thoroughly biodegradable, and even edible! [Freq.]
oleaginus -a-um, 'of the olive tree' [UnCommon]
olearius -a -um, 'oily' [Rare]
oleaster -tri, m., 'the wild olive, oleaster' [UnCommon]
olens -entis, 'smelling; pleasant smelling; stinking' [UnCommon]
oleo -ere, 'give off a smell (good or bad); smell of . . . ' [Freq.]
oletum -i, n., 'stinky stuff, excrement, feces (Persius 1,112)' (From oleo. See next) [Rare]
oletum -i, n., 'an olive grove, an orchard of olive trees'(From oliva oleum. See prev. and next)oleum -i, n., 'olive oil; an oil'Note: For the ancients, the only oil to be taken seriously was olive oil, although an enbalming oil was compounded from petroleum oil surfacing in the Arabic regions, called in Lat. 'amomum.' Of course, everything changed in the early l9th century when a Pennsylvania farmer digging a well for water hit an oil gusher and ushered in the modern Age of Oil, which is probably the strongest industrial claimant for dynamically changing the world's way of life. [Freq.]
olfacio -facere -feci -factum, 'smell, sniff at; sniff out . . . ' [Common]
olidus -a -um, 'smelling, stinky' [Rare]
olim adv., '(two quite distinct uses:) once upon a time, a long time ago; at some (future) time, someday'(The first meaning is similar to quondam, which is often used to introduce a story, as in the phrase, 'Quondam rex fuit . . .') [VeryFreq.]
oliva -ae, f., 'an olive; the olive tree' [Rare]
olivetum -i, n., 'an olive orchard' [Rare]
olivifer -fera -ferum, 'olive-bearing' [Rare]
olivum -i, n., 'olive-oil, oil' [UnCommon]
olla -ae, f., 'jar, pot'Note: A Roman proverb which has remained perennially true is: 'Olla spectata non fervet.' [Common]
ollus olle, archaic form of illeolor -oris, m., 'a swan; the constellation Cygnus' [Common]
olorinus -a -um, 'of a swan' [Rare]
olus see holusomasum -i, n., 'tripe'Note: This is the lining of the stomach of a cow, which can still be found pickled in our larger city markets. More important, it gives us rennen, the enzyme which makes possible the development of the multifarious cheeses made from milk, which characterize the Western world, ancient and modern. [Rare]
omen -inis, n., 'an omen; a verbal omen; an augurial prediction'Note: Overcautious Romans were devoted to omen-seeking in a way we find hard to imagine. But, on the other hand, our omen-like concern with the meaning of "Freudian slips" would be absolutely incomprehensible to them. There may be no more rationality in the one than the other, and this may yet be another case of 'cuique suum'! [Freq.]
omentum -i, n., 'intestinal tissue'Note: Intestines were cleaned, spiced, and cooked as a delicacy, as is still done in modern Greece and the Orient. [UnCommon]
ominosus -a -um, 'ominous' [Rare]
omitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'let go, release; stop, leave off . . . ; disregard; ignore, omit'(Often, in casual and colloquial speech, omitto is shortened to mitto; thus 'mitte' can mean "skip it, forget it.") [VeryFreq.]
omnigenus -a -um, 'of all kinds' [Rare]
omnimodus -a -um , 'of every kind, of every sort' [Rare]
omnino adv., 'all in all, altogether; in general' [VeryFreq.]
omniparens -entis, '(Earth) the Parent-of-all' [Rare]
omnipotens -entis, 'omnipotent, the all powerful = Jupiter' [Rare]
omnis -e, 'all, entire, whole; complete; all, each and every, every one' [VeryFreq.]
omnivagus -a -um, 'wandering everywhere' [Rare]
onager (and onagrus) -i, m., 'wild ass' [Rare]
onerarius -a -um, 'carrying burden, of cargo ships' [Rare]
onero -are, 'load, burden; put cargo on . . . ; burden, oppress, weigh down' [VeryFreq.]
onerosus -a -um, 'heavy; burdensome' [Common]
onus -eris, n., 'a burden, a weighty load; all kinds of burdens (financial, moral, personal, mental)' [VeryFreq.]
onustus -a -um, 'burdened, loaded down' [Common]
onyx -ychis, m. and f., 'a fancy-figured marble; an unguent box ( commonly made of this)' [Common]
opacitas -tatis, f., 'darkness, duskiness' [Rare]
opaco -are, 'shade, darken, overshadow' [UnCommon]
opacus -a -um, 'shady, dark; lightless; "opaque"' [Common]
opella -ae, f., 'a small job; light employment'(From opus) [Rare]
opera -ae, f., 'work, effort, a job; attention (with 'dare'); effort and trouble for . . . ; services, labor, one man-day of labor' [VeryFreq.]
operaria -ae, f., 'hired woman' [Rare]
operarius -i, m., 'a hired man, laborer; mechanic' [UnCommon]
operculum -i, n., 'a cover, lid for a pot' [Rare]
operimentum -i, n., 'cover; protective cover, blanket' [Rare]
operio -ire -ui -tum, 'cover, cover over; clothe, hide, disguise; conceal; close (a door)' [VeryFreq.]
operor -ari (dep.), 'be at work, work at' [Rare]
operosus -a -um, 'careful, industrious; toiling, hard, working; of things done with much craftsmanship' [Common]
opertum -i, n., 'a hiding place; secret' [UnCommon]
opifer -fera -ferum, 'helpful' [Rare]
opifex -ficis, c., 'a craftsman, mechanic, hands-on worker' [Freq.]
opificina -ae, f., 'useful work' [Rare]
opilio (and upilio) -onis, m., 'shepherd' [Rare]
opimus -a -um, 'rich (spoils); rich (food); wealthy; rich (of verbal style in writing)'(The word has a plump and fatty set of connotations.) [VeryFreq.]
opinabilis -e, 'based on opinion (not fact)' [Rare]
opinatio -onis, f., 'forming an idea, opinion' [Rare]
opinator -oris, m., 'one who supposes or conjectures' [Rare]
opinatus -us, m., 'conjecture' [Rare]
opinio -onis, f., 'opinion, belief; conjecture; good opinion = reputation' [Freq.]
opinor -ari (dep.), 'think, believe, have in mind, consider; opine' [Freq.]
opiparus -a -um, 'sumptuous, rich'(From ops + paro) [UnCommon]
opisthographus -a -um, 'written on the back'Note: Greek word used of documents which are written on both sides, presumably as an economy. Writing materials were costly in the ancient world. Papyrus had to be imported from Egypt and glued, strip on strip, to make a roll, while parchment was processed from sheep and goat hides with a great many steps to remove natural grease and hair. If opisthographs were useful, palimpsests later became a sheer necessity because of costs. [Rare]
opitulor -ari (dep.), 'help, give aid to . . . (with dat.)' [UnCommon]
opobalsamum -i, n., 'a resinous salve' [Rare]
oportet -ere -uit (impersonal), 'it ought (to be), should, ought to . . .; it must, certainly should' [VeryFreq.]
oportunitas see opportunitasoppedo -ere, '"pass gas" toward = (grossly) insult' Note: See trit, prox, vissio, and, of course, pedo, giving Fr. 'petard,' on which a person might conceivably be hoisted into orbit! [Rare]
opperior -iri -pertus sum (dep.), 'wait for, await, wait to see . . . ' [Common]
oppessulo -are, 'bolt (the door)' [Rare]
oppeto -ere -ivi (and -ii) -itum, 'encounter, go to meet . . . ; go to meet (one's death)' [Common]
oppidanus -a -um, 'provincial, living in a township; (as noun) a townsperson' (See oppidum, a borrowed word for a Gaulish town.) [UnCommon]
oppido adv., 'completely, very much, very much so'(Etymology unclear; no connection with oppidum, "town.") [Common]
oppidulum -i, n., 'a little town' [Rare]
oppidum -i, n., 'a town, a provincial township (usually in Gaul)'(This is generally assumed to be a Gaulish-Celtic word.) [Freq.]
oppignero -are, 'give as pledge, put up as security'(See pignus) [UnCommon]
oppilo -are, 'stop up, block up, dam up' [Rare]
oppleo -plere -plevi -pletum, 'fill up, make full; cover over; fill with . . . ' [Freq.]
oppono -ponere -posui -positum, 'put up opposite to, block, shield; station (troops against . . . , mil.); oppose; put up or deposit (a sum)' [VeryFreq.]
opportunitas -tatis, f., 'convenience, opportuneness; an opportunity' [Freq.]
opportunus -a -um, 'suitable, useful, opportune; timely, ready' [Freq.]
oppositus -us, m., 'opposition, opposing' [UnCommon]
oppressio -onis, f., 'overwhelming, overpowering (mil.)' [UnCommon]
oppressiuncula -ae, f., 'a little squeeze'Note: . . . on the breasts, according to Plautus. It is doubtful whether this could incur a charge of sexual molestation under Roman law. [Rare]
oppressus -us, m., 'crushing down' [Rare]
opprimo -primere -pressi -pressum, 'push against, oppress, press; cover over, smother; overwhelm, overpower; suppress; finish, end' [Freq.]
opprobramentum -i, n., 'scandal' [Rare]
opprobrium -i, n., 'disgrace, scandal; an insult, attack on' [Freq.]
opprobro -are, 'reproach' [UnCommon]
oppugnatio -onis, f., 'military attack on a walled town' [Common]
oppugnator -oris, m., 'besieger' [Rare]
oppugno -are, 'attack, assault' [Freq.]
ops opis, f., 'power, wealth, influence, financial wherewithal; aid, succor, help to others' [VeryFreq.]
OPS- FOR WORDS BEGINNING WITH OPS- POSSIBLY SEE OBS-.
optabilis -e, 'desirable, to be wished for' [UnCommon]
optatio -onis, f., 'desire; a wish' [Rare]
optimas -atis, 'one of the upper-classes, the "best people"'Note: The Optimates were the old aristocracy, the old patricians; later, the word is used for a member of the senatorial party. [Freq.]
optimus (optumus) -a -um, 'best, most excellent, noblest, most perfect, complete; most choice, expensive, desirable' [VeryFreq.]
optio -onis, f., 'option, choice; (as noun) a junior military aide' [UnCommon]
optivus -a -um, 'chosen' [Rare]
opto -are, 'wish, desire; choose, select, pick' [VeryFreq.]
opulens -entis, see opulentus opulentia -ae, f., 'wealth, opulence; sumptuousness of life' [Common]
opulentitas -tatis, f., 'opulence, wealth' [Rare]
opulento -are, 'make rich' [Rare]
opulentus -a -um, 'rich, wealthy; powerful (mil.)' [Freq.]
opus -eris, n., 'work; construction works, mil. fortifications, mil. projects, erections; fortifications; one's job; hard work, effort; product of work'(Note the very [Common]
idiom: 'opus est' = "it is necessary," which is similar in use to 'necesse est.') [VeryFreq.]
opusculum -i, n., 'a minor literary production' [Common]
ora -ae, f., 'edge of . . . , border; shore, seashore, coast; furthermost edge, limit, reaches of . . . ; region'(See acta, plaga, and litus.) [VeryFreq.]
oraculum (oraclum) -i, n., 'oracular pronouncement; the oracle' [Common]
oratio -onis, f., 'speaking; a public speech, an oration; individual dialect or style; prose (as against verse); the oratorical art' [VeryFreq.]
oratiuncula -ae, f., 'a short speech' [Rare]
orator -oris, m., 'an orator, public speaker; envoy, delegate' [Freq.]
oratoria -ae, f., 'oratorical art, oratory' [Rare]
oratrix -icis, 'a female suppliant; the art of rhetoric' [Rare]
orbator -oris, m., 'bereaver'(See orbus) [UnCommon]
orbis -is, m., 'circle, disc, orb; wheel; round tray; orb (a heavenly body); eyeball, eye; hoop, ring; the world (=orbis terrarum); an orbit (in astronomy)' [VeryFreq.]
orbita -ae, f., 'orbit (of a planet); regular habitual routine; rut in a road made by rotating wheels (orbes)'Note: The streets in Pompeii have deep ruts from years of heavy hauling on wagons with iron tires. Since the wheels of Roman carts were large, it was found feasible to place foot-high stepping stones across the streets to enable pedestrians to cross streets without tripping in the ruts or stepping in the garbage, which was tossed into the street in all ancient cities. In the New Testament: ÒIf the salt lose its savor, what shall be done with it? . . . throw it into the street to be trod on by the feet of men"--like garbage. [Common]
orbitas -tatis, f., 'loss (of a child, of parents), childlessness' [Common]
orbo -are, 'bereave (of family); deprive, cause loss of' [Common]
orbus -a -um, 'deprived (of children, parents); childless; bereft or deprived of . . . '(The German cognate is "Erbe.") [Freq.]
orca -ae, f., 'a large-bottomed, small-necked jar'Note: Used, among other more useful things, for pitching pennies as a child's game, described by Persius, Sat. 3. [Rare]
orchas -adis, f., 'a kind of olive' [Rare]
orchestra -ae, f., 'section before stage in theater'Note: The section of the theater reserved by the Greeks for the chorus, but for Senators by the Romans, who had a better ear for political harmony than choral niceties. [Common]
orcivus -a -um, 'appointed to an office by a will' [Rare]
Orcus -i, m., 'the underworld, God of the underworld; Hell'Note: Used by Petronius colloquially in the modern sounding phrase, 'fortis tamquam orcus,' or "brave as hell." [Freq.]
ordeum see hordeumordia prima see primordiaordinarius -a -um, 'distributed in lines, ranks; regularly appointed, located; regular, ordinary = [Common]
' [Freq.]
ordinatim adv., 'in good order' [Rare]
ordinatio -onis, f., 'setting in order, arrangement' [Common]
ordinatus -a -um, 'well organized; in parallel rows (of trees)' [Common]
ordino -are, 'place in orderly rows, arrange; tactically arrange soldiers; organize; describe in an organized way, document; prescribe by law' [VeryFreq.]
ordior ordiri orsus sum (dep.) 'begin, undertake, start; begin a speech (with the 'exordium')' [VeryFreq.]
ordo -inis, m., 'a line, row (of any objects, persons); a battle line; a social class, rank; steps in a series, stages; regularness, regularity' [VeryFreq.]
orexis -is, f., 'uncontrollable craving for . . . (food, drink)' Note: Greek word. Compare the English medical term, "anorexia nervosa," a psychological condition characterized by complete lack of appetite. [Rare]
organicus -i, m., 'a musician; a mechanic' [Rare]
organum -i, n., 'tool, any mechanical device (more complicated than a hand tool); a musical instrument'Note: Whence the English words for a musical "instrument," as well as the many "organs" of the human body (seen as mechanical devices by science, at least in the old mechanical view of nature). The Gr. organon, "tool," lies behind all these uses. [Common]
orgia -orum, n., pl. 'secret mystery rituals (of Bacchus Dionysus); things relative to this service' [Common]
orichalcum -i, n., 'a copper-based alloy of gold-like color; "fool's gold"'(Lat. aurum, "gold" + Gr. chalkos, "bronze") [UnCommon]
oricula see auriculaoriens -entis, 'rising (of the sun); (as noun) the rising sun; the East, the Eastern world' [Common]
origo -inis, f., 'origin, beginning, birth, source; origin = family, source of a nation' [VeryFreq.]
orior oriri ortus (dep.), 'rise, rise up; come into being; grow up (of a tree, river, person); be descended from; rise up, get up from bed' [VeryFreq.]
oriundus -a -um, 'originating, deriving from . . . ' [Common]
ornamentum -i, n., 'adornment, decoration, trappings; ornaments on a horse; badge of an office; rhetorical "adornments"; honor, adornment (of a country or family)' [VeryFreq.]
ornatrix -icis, f., 'a female hairdresser' [Rare]
ornatus -us, m., 'decoration (of person, rank, literary works)' [Common]
orno -are, 'prepare, make ready, equip (mil.); dress, decorate; fancify (a literary work); doll up, enhance'(See next) [Freq.]
ornus -i, f., 'ash tree'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
oro -are, 'pray (to gods); beseech (a person); plead before a court, make an "oration"' [Freq.]
orsa -orum, n. pl. 'undertakings, enterprises; things said, words'(Lit. "things begun," ppl. from ordior.) [Rare]
orsus -us, m., 'a beginning' [UnCommon]
orthographia -ae f., 'correct written usage and spelling' (A term used in his scheme of education by Quintilian.) [Rare]
ortus -us, m., 'rising (of stars); quadrant of the sky; rising up = birth; coming into being' [Freq.]
oryx -ygis, m., 'antelope' [Rare]
oryza (oriza) -ae, f., 'rice'Note: From Gr. oryza, whence Engl. "rice," thought to be an early importation from Asia. The history of the development of the ten important grains is coeval with the development of civilization as we know it. Before the careful hybridization of certain grasses to make grains, man lived, for 95% of all human history, fairly successfully as hunter-gatherer. When man could control and direct his food supply, something which he began only twelve thousand years ago, he entered a radically new phase of existance. The cultivation of rice dates from the earliest stages of this process. [Rare]
os oris, n., 'mouth; face (as originator of speech; as site of the eyes' gaze)'(The -o- is long, as against 'os, ossis,' "bone," where the -o- is short. See next) [VeryFreq.]
os ossis, n., 'a bone; bones, skeleton'(The -o- is short, as compared with 'os, oris,' "mouth," where the -o- is long. See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
oscen -inis, m., 'a song bird; an omen bird that caws' [UnCommon]
Osci -orum, m. pl., 'the Oscans, Oscan people'Note: The Oscans were a neighboring Latin people, whose language persisted alongside Latin until about 100 B.C. We have numerous inscriptions, well worth perusing by the serious student of Roman origins. [Common]
oscillum -i, n., 'a mask; a scarecrow, left in fields to scare birds' [Rare]
oscitatio -onis, f., 'yawning' [UnCommon]
osculatio -onis, f., 'kissing' [Rare]
osculum -i, n., 'a kiss; lips, the mouth (in a kiss)' [Freq.]
osor -oris, m., 'one who hates'(See odi) [Rare]
osseus -a -um, 'bony' [Rare]
ostendo -tendere -tendi -tentum (-tensum), 'stretch out or extend in front of, hold out to view; demonstrate, display, exhibit' [VeryFreq.]
ostentatio -onis, f., 'display; ostentatious display of wealth' [Common]
ostentator -oris, m., 'a show-off' [Rare]
ostento -are, 'hold up to show, display; demonstrate to others; point out, indicate that . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
ostentum -i, n., 'a prodigy; omen' [UnCommon]
ostiarium -i, n., 'a tax on doors'Note: See columnarium for another odd tax, and note. [Rare]
ostiarius -i, m., 'janitor, door-man' [Rare]
ostiatim adv., 'from door to door' [Rare]
ostium -i, n., 'doorway, door; an aperture, any opening, doorway, "gateway"'Note: The town of Ostia was the "gateway" to Rome at the mouth of the Tiber River. [Freq.]
ostrea -ae, f. (and ostreum -i, n.), 'oyster'Note: The Romans prized oysters; they even flooded land for artificial oyster beds, a procedure thought by Horace to be the ultimate stage of aristocratic degeneracy. But it was actually an early experiment in controlled pisciculture, a modern and economically worthwhile industry, especially in developing countries, where protein food is in short supply and inefficient fishing is still at the hunting-gathering stage. [UnCommon]
ostreatus -a -um, 'ridged, striped (like an oyster)' [Rare]
ostrifer -fera -ferum, 'producing oysters' [Rare]
ostrinus -a -um, 'purple' [Rare]
ostrum -i, n., 'a purple dye prepared from a shellfish; a purple cloth' (See murex and purpura.) [Rare]
otiolum -i, n., 'a little leisure' [Rare]
otiosus -a -um, 'not occupied, not busy; at leisure; peaceful and relaxed; inactive, idle' [Freq.]
otium -i, n., 'leisure, open-time, relaxation, ease; inactivity' [VeryFreq.]
ovatio -onis, f., '"ovation"'Note: Actually, a second-class triumph for a general not qualifying for a full 'triumphus,' the real thing. In English, a "standing ovation" is first-class, however. [Rare]
ovile -is, n., 'a sheepfold, an enclosure' [Rare]
ovillus -a -um, 'of sheep'Ovellam, in Petronius 56.5, is "mutton." In that passage, the verb 'est' has a long -e- and is from edo, "eat." [Rare]
ovella see ovillusovis -is, f., 'a sheep' [Common]
ovo -are, 'be glad, rejoice'(See ovatio) [Freq.]
ovum -i, n., 'an egg'Note: Served as antipasto in a formal Roman dinner, probably in a prepared, spiced form, similar to our stuffed eggs. North African Arabs still eat a "bricque a oeuf" as a side dish. [Common]
pabulatio -onis, f., 'haying; pastureland' [UnCommon]
pabulator -oris, m., 'hay or grass procurer (for animal food)' [Rare]
pabulor -ari (dep.), 'graze, feed (of cattle); get feed (for the animals)' [UnCommon]
pabulum -i, n., 'food for cattle (hay, grass, grain, alfalfa, etc.); food, nourishment'Note: In the 1920's, when Latin was still widely appreciated, there appeared a baby food called Pablum! See 'ma' and note on 'pa.' [Freq.]
pacalis -e, 'peaceful' [Rare]
pacate adv., 'peacefully' [Rare]
pacator -oris, m., 'peace-maker' ( . . . but more in the manner of Caesar than of Jesus.) [Rare]
pacatus -a -um, 'peaceful, living in peace' [Freq.]
pacifer -fera -ferum, 'peaceful; of olive and laurel leaf (as signs of peace)' [Rare]
pacificatio -onis, f., 'making of peace' [Rare]
pacificator -oris, m., 'peace-maker' [Rare]
pacificatorius -a -um, 'peace-making' [Rare]
pacifico -are, 'make peace overtures; appease' [UnCommon]
pacificus -a -um, 'peacemaking' [UnCommon]
paciscor pacisci pactus (dep.) (and pacisco -ere), 'negotiate (orig. about peace); bargain; negotiate; settle; marry with' [Freq.]
paco -are, 'pacify, bring peace'( . . . in Roman style, with arms.) [Common]
pactio -onis, f., 'pact, agreement, contract; settlement' [Freq.]
pactor -oris, m., 'one who makes a contract' [Rare]
pactum -i, n., 'agreement, pact; settlement' [Common]
pactus -a -um (ppl. from paciscor), 'arranged, negotiated; agreed upon' [UnCommon]
Paean -anis, m., 'the god of medicine, (sometimes =) Apollo; a victory ode, a paean' [UnCommon]
paeda -ae, f., 'a short coat'(Martial 1,92,8 only) [Rare]
paedagogium -i, n., 'high-school for slave boys' [UnCommon]
paedagogus -i, m., 'a slave who accompanied children to and from school' [Common]
paedico -are, 'sodomize'(From Gr. pais, "boy." See next.) Note: Greek 'pais,' gen. 'paidos,' "boy or child," giving Engl. pederasty.In Latin, the word is used for sodomy specifically. --- The terrible verbal confusion in English--paediatrics, pediatrics, and podiatry--is un-repairable. [Common]
paedico -onis, m., 'a boy-molester'(From Gr. pais, "boy." See prev.) [UnCommon]
paedor -oris, m., 'dirt, filth' [UnCommon]
paegnarius -a -um, 'done for fun' [Rare]
paelex (pellex) -licis, f., 'mistress, second wife'Note: Roman scholars thought the word came from pellis, "hide," with the idea that Roman prostitutes did it on a hide. But this is clearly ridiculous, like most of the etymologies coming from the ancient world. Serious etymology was created in the l9th century. [Common]
paelicatus -us, m., 'concubinage' [Rare]
paene adv., 'nearly, almost' [VeryFreq.]
paeninsula -ae, f., 'a peninsula' (From paene + insula, quite logically.) [Rare]
paenitendus -a -um, 'regrettable, unfortunate'(See paenitet) [UnCommon]
paenitentia -ae, f., 'regret' [Common]
paenitet -ere -uit (impersonal), 'it is regrettable, unsatisfactory, sad to think of; it pains one (that . . . )'(Takes dat. obj. for the person concerned.) [VeryFreq.]
paenula -ae, f., 'a water-proofed parka' [UnCommon]
paenulatus -a -um, 'wearing the paenula'(See prev.) [Rare]
paetulus -a -um, 'squinty'(See next) [Rare]
paetus -a -um, 'squinting'Note: Like Brutus, Porcius, and many another uncomplimentary personal titles, Paetus is a [Common]
Roman name, e.g. the fine and nobly dying Thrasea Paetus in Pliny's Letters. [Rare]
paganicus -a -um, 'countryside-ish'Note: The 'pila paganica' is a ball stuffed with feathers, a countryside game, apparently the ancestor of football and soccer. See next and pagus. [Rare]
paganus -a -um, 'local, of a village, i.e. countryside; a country-man (not a soldier)'Note: It is interesting that English "pagan" reflects the persistence of the old "pagan" religion in remote country boroughs, lasting well into the 5th century A.D.; see prev. and pagus.) [UnCommon]
pagatim adv., 'village by village' [Rare]
pagella -ae, f., 'a little page (of a book)' [Rare]
pagina -ae, f., 'page of a book, letter' [Common]
paginula -ae, f., 'one column of a manuscript' [Rare]
pagus -i, m., 'country area, borough' [UnCommon]
pala -ae, f., 'garden spade with long handle; bezel of a ring' [UnCommon]
palaestrica -ae, f., 'the art of wrestling' [Rare]
palaestra -ae, f., 'wrestling floor, room, or school'(Greek word) [Freq.]
palaestrita -ae, m., 'wrestling master' [UnCommon]
palam adv., 'openly, explicitly, generally known' [VeryFreq.]
palatum -i, n. (and palatus -i, m.), 'the palate, the roof of the mouth; taste (in matters of food and wine)' [Common]
palea -ae, f., 'hay; chaff (as separated from the grain)' [UnCommon]
palear -aris, n., 'the dewlap of an ox' [Rare]
palimpsestus -i, m., 'an erased manuscript, subsequently written-over' Note: The process of erasing manuscipt books became [Common]
in the Middle Ages because of the cost of new parchment. Our only copy of Gaius' important law treatise is on a palimpsest of a work of Cicero, of which we have abundant copies. It takes great care to decipher the vestiges of the original underlying letters, the work is done now with a variety of light sources, rather than the l9th century chemical methods of Cardinal Mai, which reduced many an ancient manuscript to a blot of purplish patches. [Rare]
paliurus -i, m., 'a thorny thistle plant' [Rare]
palla -ae, 'a rectangular mantle'Note: It was used by women, foreigners, and actors, and was, in effect, a poncho. [Common]
pallens -ntis, 'pale, sallow, sick, pallid' [Common]
palleo -ere, 'be pale, sallow; be dark (i.e. without light)' [Freq.]
pallesco pallescere pallui, 'become pale; look sickly' [Common]
palliatus -a -um, 'wearing a Greek dress (pallium); Greek-looking; of Greek new comedy (where the 'pallium' was normal)'Note: Roman Comedy required Greek dress and names, since the stuffy and conservative Romans of the 3rd century B.C. could not tolerate the idea of seeing a Civis Romanus on the boards! [Common]
pallidulus -a -um, 'somewhat pale' [Rare]
pallidus -a -um, 'pale, wan' [Common]
palliolum -i, n., 'a little Greek cloak' [UnCommon]
pallium -i, n., 'a square-ish 'mantle' worn by Greeks; a bed spread'(See palla) [Common]
pallor -oris, m., 'paleness' [Common]
palma -ae, f., 'the hand, palm and fingers; palm-tree; the palm branch as an award in contests = victory' [Freq.]
palmaris -e, 'like the hand (palm); having the palm of victory' [Rare]
palmarium -i, n., 'a masterpiece' (Winning the palm leaf or prize. See palma.) [Rare]
palmatus -a -um, 'leaf-patterned' [Rare]
palmes -itis, m., 'a shoot, branch' [Rare]
palmetum -i, n., 'a palm-grove' [Rare]
palmifer -fera -ferum, 'abounding in palm trees' [Rare]
palmosus -a -um, 'full of palms'(Used of the palm of victory: Verg. Aen. 3, 705) [Rare]
palmula -ae, f., 'palm of the hand; an oar; fruit of the "palm" tree = dates' [UnCommon]
palor -ari (dep.), 'wander, stray about' [Common]
palpatio -onis, f., 'a caress' [Rare]
palpator -oris, m., 'a trickster' [Rare]
palpitatio -onis, f., 'twitching; palpitation' [Rare]
palpito -are, 'palpitate, throb; twitch' [Common]
palpo -are (and palpor -ari, dep.), 'stroke, caress, soothe'Note: The English medical term, "palpate," refers to a physician feeling carefully with the hand as part of a medical examination. [Common]
palpus -i, m., 'palm of the hand (used to stroke, soothe)' [Rare]
paludamentum -i, n., 'mantle or cloak worn by generals' [UnCommon]
paludatus -a -um, 'clad in the military cloak' [UnCommon]
paludosus -a -um, 'marshy' [Rare]
palumbes -is, m. and f., 'a pigeon; a dupe, a "bird," a "turkey"' [Rare]
palus -i, m., 'a stake, peg'(See next) [Common]
palus -udis, f., 'marsh, swamp'(See prev.) [Freq.]
paluster -tris -tre, 'marshy, swampy, boggy' [UnCommon]
pampineus -a -um, 'covered with vine branches' [Common]
pampinus -i, m. and f., 'a vine shoot, branch' [UnCommon]
panaca -ae, f., 'wine mug'(Apparently, mainly used in the north of Italy. Possible Germanic influence in this word?) [Rare]
panacea -ae, f. (and panaces -is, n.), 'name of an herbal cure (plant or plants)'Note: Like Engl. 'panacea' or "cure-all," this Latin word may have been used in advertising medicines by exploiting the power of the advertising word. Several of the panaceas sold in the U.S. in the l9th century contained morphine, which ensured comfort, as well as many repeat sales! [Common]
panariolum -i, n., 'little bread basket' [Rare]
panarium -i, n., 'bread basket' [Rare]
panchrestos -os -on (Greek), 'a medicine good for everything = Engl. "panacea"'(Greek word. See panacea.) [Rare]
pancratium (Gr. pancration) -i, n., 'a contest involving boxing and wrestling'(Greek word) [UnCommon]
pando -are, 'cause to sag; bend'(See next) [UnCommon]
pando pandere pandi pansum, 'spread out, stretch out; open wide (doors, gates); open up, uncover, display'(See prev.) [Freq.]
pandus -a -um, 'curved, crooked, warped; bent up at the ends'(See pando -are) [UnCommon]
pango pangere panxi (pepigi, pegi) panctum, 'fix firmly, stick, fix; fix up, arrange, make arrangements; make (a treaty), strike a bargain; compose (poetry)' [VeryFreq.]
panicum -i, n., 'a wild grain like millet' [Rare]
panificia -orum, n. pl., 'baking bread; loaves of bread' [Rare]
panis -is, m., 'bread, loaves of bread; bread, "the staff of life"; a bread-loaf shape' [VeryFreq.]
pannosus -a- um, 'ragged, tattered' [Rare]
pannuceus (pannucius) -a -um, 'ragged, wrinkled' [Rare]
pannus -i, m., 'scrap, rag' [Rare]
pansa -ae, 'duck-toed'Note: With feet pointing out in walking; this is another uncomplimentary adjective used as a personal name, including one of Caesar's generals and co-historians. [Rare]
pantex -icis, m., 'intestines, guts' [Rare]
panthera -ae, f., 'a panther' [Rare]
pantomimus -i, m. (and pantomima -ae, f.), 'a dancing act involving charades, a dumb-mime'(See mimus) [Rare]
papae interj., 'what? what! wow! whew!'(Expresses a wide range of feeling from pain to joy!) [Common]
papas -ae (and -atis ), m. '(child's name for) a slave who took care of children; a Roman "Popsy"'(Juvenal 6, 633 only) [Rare]
papaver -eris, n., 'poppy, poppy seed'Note: There are many indications in the ancient world of the use of various drugs: opium, as here; cannabis, from Indian hemp; and mushrooms, which grew widely in Greece. Gordon Wasson did studies on ancient uses of drugs many years ago; his book is out of date but still valuable. [Common]
papavereus -a -um, 'of the poppy' [Rare]
papilio -onis, m., 'butterfly, moth'(Compare Fr. 'papillon') [Rare]
papilla -ae, f., 'nipple of the breast (human and all mammals)'Note: The mamma is the breast; and papilla, the tip or nipple. Papilla is used also for the bud of a rose not yet opened, in a lovely late poem, the unique 'Pervigilium Veneris,' of which a text and loose translation is bound in at the back of the Loeb Catullus. [Freq.]
pappo -are, 'eat baby food (mashed "pablum")'(See pabulum) [Rare]
pappus -i, m., 'the fluff on certain seed pods; an old man (from the little fluff remaining on his head)' [Rare]
papula -ae, f., 'a pimple' [UnCommon]
papyrifer -fera -ferum, 'producing papyrus' [Rare]
papyrus -i, m. and f. (and papyrum -i, n.), 'the plant papyrus; "paper" made from papyrus reed, papyrus as writing material' [Common]
par paris, 'equal, same; matched, equivalent; reasonable'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
par paris, n., 'a pair (of any sort)'(See prev.) [Freq.]
parabilis -e, 'buyable, procurable; procured' [Rare]
parabola -ae (and parabole -es), f., 'an illustration, example' (Not to be confused with the geometric term, "parabola," although the root is the same.) [Rare]
paradoxa -ae, f., 'paradox'Note: A term in Stoic thought, referring to set examples of logic, the 'paradoxa Stoicorum,' of which we have a number of samples cited by Cicero and others. [Rare]
parasitus -i, m. (and parasita -ae, f.), 'a (human) social parasite, an uninvited dinner guest, a professional moocher'(Gr. para + sitos, "food") [Common]
paratio -onis, f., 'getting, purchasing' [Rare]
paratragoedo -are, 'do an imitation of high tragic style' [Rare]
paratus -a -um, 'ready'(See next) [Common]
paratus -us, m., 'preparation; equipment'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
parazonium -i, n., 'belt-dagger'(Gr. para + zone, "girdle, belt") [Rare]
Parca -ae, f., 'a goddess of fate' [Common]
parce adv., 'sparingly; stingily' [Common]
parcepronus -i, m., 'stingy person' [Rare]
parco parcere peperci (parsi, parcui) parsum, 'use sparingly; be thrifty with; be cheap; refrain from using; refrain from; save, save up, put away' [VeryFreq.]
parcus -a -um, 'economical; stingy, cheap; of moderate temper, middling' [Freq.]
pardus -i, m., 'a leopard'(Engl. "leopard" comes from leo + pardus, "lion-leopard," for some unaccountable reason.) [Rare]
parens -entis, 'obeying, obedient'(From pareo. See next.) [Common]
parens -entis, c., 'parent (mother or father); ancestor; 'parent' = inventor, founder, etc.'Note: The ancients had an idea that every important invention was the product of one finder, a 'heuretes' in Greek, 'inventor' or 'parens' in Latin. So Franklin would have been considered the Father of electricity, Bell the Father of the telephone, Edison the Father of the light bulb, etc. In the l9th century, this was still a viable way of looking at discoveries in science, but now we look toward corporate teamwork as the tool of discovery, although the Nobel prizes, grounded as they are in l9th century industry, still give annual "personal" awards. [VeryFreq.]
parentalia -ium, n. pl., 'ceremony for family dead'Note: Commemorated in the middle of Febuary, not as many cultures do, on the anniverary of the death. February was the last of the Italian winter months, and "life" re-commenced in March, the first month of the old Roman calendar (note September as 7th month), with the sowing of the seed. Compare the curious and ancient "Hymn of the Arval Bretheren" for this role of Mars as "Sower of the Seed." See Februa and intercalaris for notes on the leap-year days. [UnCommon]
parentalis -e, 'parental' [UnCommon]
parento -are, 'celebrate the parentalia' [Freq.]
pareo -ere, 'obey, be obedient to; obey (laws, orders, rituals, etc.); appear; be visible, be clearly seen, be clear'(It seems as if we have two verbs here, mixed and confused, unless the fact of being seen and present implies obedience, 'ipso facto.') [Freq.]
paries -etis, m., 'wall, wall of a house, building'(But not city walls, which are 'moenia' or 'muri.') [Common]
parietinae -arum, f. pl., 'old, dilapidated, tumbledown houses'Note: It is heartening to discover that Rome was not all temples and monuments, but that it had shacks and slums, too--apparently, nothing but the walls left; perhaps the "tenants" (see inquilinus) had been at work. See prev. [Rare]
parilis -e, 'similar, like' [UnCommon]
pario parere peperi partum, 'give birth (of women and also animals); produce; bring forth (crops, fruit, etc.), produce (products); create (artistically, literarily)' [VeryFreq.]
pariter adv., 'equally, likewise; in the same way; at the same time' [Common]
parito -are, 'get ready' [Rare]
parma -ae, f., 'a small round shield' [Rare]
parmatus -a -um, 'armed with the parma' [Rare]
paro -are, 'purchase, get, get ready; lay-away, prepare for' [VeryFreq.]
parochus -i, m., 'a provider for travellers' necessities of life'(Greek word) [Rare]
paron -onis, m., 'a ship' [Rare]
paronychium -i, n., 'hang-nail'(Gr. para + onyx, "nail, hoof") [Rare]
paropsis -idis, f., 'a fruit tray, salad tray'(In Greek, a side dish) [Rare]
parra -ae, f., 'a bird, owl with an ill-ominous cry'(Engl. parrot?) [UnCommon]
parret (impersonal), '"it is evident" (leg.)' (This is an old form of "it is clear" (apparet). Petronius uses it, parodying the lawyers' jargon.) [Rare]
parricida -ae, m., 'assassin; father-murderer' [Freq.]
parricidium -i, n., 'murder of a father (or mother, matricidium) or near family member (by extension)'Note: Death for parricide was originally prescribed by drowning, sewn up in a leather bag with stones, a viper, and a monkey, as suitable company for a crime of this kind. From 'patri-cidium,' whereas parracide would be murder of a parrot, prosecutable only by an overly avid Audobonite. See parra. [VeryFreq.]
pars partis, f., 'part, portion, section; large or small part; territory; direction; one side or the other; political party; a side (in an argument)' [VeryFreq.]
parsimonia -ae, f., 'thrift; stinginess; a refraining from excess' [Common]
particeps -cipis, 'one who has a share (pars) in something, a sharer; (as adj.) sharing, participating'(The grammatical term, "participle," comes from the Roman grammarians and is just this, a "sharer" of noun endings and verb stem.) [Common]
participo -are, 'share, share with; participate in' [Common]
particula -ae, f., 'a small part, section; bit, particle, atom; bit of anything (food, dirt); a phrase in a sentence' Note: But not a grammatical "particle," which is our not very enlightening term. [Freq.]
partim adv., 'partly' [Common]
partior -iri (dep.) (and partio -ire), 'share, distribute, divide into parts'(See next) [Freq.]
partio -onis, f., 'the process of giving birth'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
partitio -onis, f., 'division, sharing, distribution' [Common]
partitudo -inis, f., 'the act of giving birth' [Rare]
parturio -ire -ivi, 'be about to give birth, be ready to give birth; be in the process of giving birth' [Freq.]
partus -a -um (ppl. from pario), 'born from, the child of . . .'(See next) [Common]
partus -us, m., 'giving birth; offspring, children'(See prev.) [Common]
parum adv., 'too little, insufficient, inadequate, not enough'(The opposite is nimis, "too much.") [VeryFreq.]
parumper adv., 'for a (short) time; quickly' [Common]
parvitas -tatis, f., 'littleness, smallness' [Rare]
parvulus -a -um, 'small, little, tiny; (as noun) a child, young of animals' [Freq.]
parvus -a -um, 'small, young; little (in worth), insignificant' [VeryFreq.]
pasco pascere pavi pastum, 'pasture; feed animals, nourish, nourish oneself; grow crops; feast on; "feast the eyes on" (visually)'Note: The word is basically agricultural and refers to the feeding of animals, not humans. Just so, German 'essen' is used for humans, 'fressen' for animals, and only occasionally for a man eating like a beast. But, in English, only a terrible snob would say that the people "eat," while gentlemen and ladies "dine." [VeryFreq.]
pascuum -i, n., 'pasture land' [Rare]
pascuus -a -um, 'good for pasture' [Rare]
passer -eris, m., 'sparrow (or other small bird); the flounder (passer marinus)'Note: The sparrow was kept as a pet bird by elegant ladies, as in Catullus' poems on his lady's little darling, of which he was clearly jealous, in between the lines. [Rare]
passerculus -i, m., 'a little sparrow' [Rare]
passim adv., 'step by step, aimlessly, without direction or order' [VeryFreq.]
passum -i, n., 'raisin wine'Note: This was wine made from dried grapes, which we would probably call "reconstituted grape wine." (At the present time, a partially dehydrated grape extract is available for home-brewers.) See passus, next, for the idea of "stretching out" raisins into wine. [UnCommon]
passus -a -um (ppl. from patior), 'stretched out, extended; having suffered'(See prev. and next) [Common]
passus -us, m., 'a pace, stride (30-36" or so) used for measurement; 'mille passum' = one mile'(See two prev.) [Freq.]
pastillus -i, m., 'a pill or lozenge (med.)' [Rare]
pastio -onis, f., 'pasture' [Rare]
pastor -oris, m., 'shepherd' [Common]
pastoralis -e (pastoricius -a -um, and pastorius -a -um), 'of shepherds, pastoral' [UnCommon]
pastus -a -um (ppl. from pasco), 'fed, grazing on . . . (of animals)'(See next) [Common]
pastus -us, m., 'pasture; pasturing of animals'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
patefacio -facere -feci -factum (pass. patefio -fieri -factus sum), 'lay open; reveal, uncover; open (doors, windows, etc.); open up (land, areas, etc.)'(From pateo 'lay open, open up' + facio) [Freq.]
patefactio -onis, f., 'disclosure' [Rare]
patella -ae, f., 'dish, plate' [UnCommon]
pateo -ere, 'lie open; be open (doors, gates); be available, open to . . .; stretch openly all around . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
pater patris, m., 'father, forefather; father of the Gods = Jupiter (Iovis-pater); father (of history, philosophy); paterfamilias, legal title of Roman head of the household'(The ending, '-ias,' in the archaic but [Common]
term 'paterfamilias,' is an old gen. sg. form, which disappeared except for such formulae. Materfamilias also occurs. See manus for the powers of a paterfamilias.) [VeryFreq.]
patera -ae, f., 'a shallow dish; dish used to pour libations' [UnCommon]
paternus -a -um, 'of a father, paternal' [Common]
patesco patescere patui, 'be open (of a door, etc.); lie open (to impressions); be open to view, visible' [Freq.]
pathicus -a -um, 'submitting to sex; obscene, pornographic' (From Gr. 'pathein' to suffer, endure, i.e. be passive) [Rare]
patibilis -e, 'endurable' [Rare]
patibulum -i, n., 'the bar'(The part of the crucifix to which criminals were tied) [Rare]
patientia -ae, f., 'patience; endurance' [Common]
patina -ae, f., 'frying pan'Note: The English word "patina" (an antique metal finish) is how a fine Etruscan cast iron frying pan looked after a century of use. The Etruscans developed at an early date the technology for casting iron and became known throughout the Mediterranean area for their fine quality pots and pans. From this stemmed their wealth, which enabled them to draw on the artistic markets of Greece, which they used jointly with their native artwork to produce the remarkable examples of Etruscan art which we have. Giacometti drew heavily on Etruscan prototypes in his cast bronze sculptures, showing how alive this mine of art is. It has been suggested that when the Etruscans 'disappeared,' they fused into the gene pool of the Roman populace, maintaining a good deal of their physical typology in Italy even to the present day . [Rare]
patior pati passus sum (dep.), 'suffer, tolerate, endure; undergo, experience; bear up under, put up with; permit, allow' [VeryFreq.]
patrator -oris, m., 'accomplisher, achiever' [Rare]
patratus -i, m., 'a deputized "father" of an embassy (for legal reasons)' [Rare]
patria -ae, 'one's own country, a native country; the Fatherland' [VeryFreq.]
patriciatus -us, m., 'patrician rank' [Rare]
patricius -a -um, 'noble, of senatorial rank' [Freq.]
patricius -a -um, 'patrician'(As opposed to plebian, in the organization of Republican classes) [Freq.]
patrimonium -i, n., 'estate of a Roman 'paterfamilias'; estate of an Emperor as such' [Freq.]
patrimus -a -um, 'having a father still living'(See matrimus) [Rare]
patrisso -are, 'follow one's father' [Rare]
patritus -a -um, 'belonging to one's father' [UnCommon]
patrius -a -um, 'of a father; legally belonging to a father; belonging to one's fatherland; native' [Freq.]
patro -are, 'complete, accomplish' [UnCommon]
patrocinium -i, n., 'state of being a 'patronus' (a "patron" or chief); legal patronage, defense, protection' [Freq.]
patrocinor -ari (dep.), 'be patron; defend (legally), stand up for' [Common]
patrona -ae, f., 'patroness, protectress; defender (fem.) of the rights of a freedman or libertus' [UnCommon]
patruelis -e, 'of a father's brother (patruus), pertaining to an uncle' [UnCommon]
patruus -i, m., 'a father's brother, a paternal uncle'Note: The patruus had special position and legal rights in the organization of the Roman family and entered more into family structure than an uncle in the nuclear American family. He had a reputation of often being stingy and sometimes cruel. See next. [Common]
patruus -a -um, 'of an uncle'(See prev.) [Rare]
patulus -a -um, 'wide open, spread open, spread out' [Freq.]
pauciloquium -i, n., 'taciturnity' [Rare]
paucitas -tatis, f., 'scantiness, paucity; a scant number, a little bunch of . . . ' [Common]
pauculus -a -um, 'very few' [Rare]
paucus -a -um, 'few, small in number, just a few' [VeryFreq.]
paulatim (paullatim) adv., 'gradually, little by little' [Freq.]
paulisper (paullisper) adv., 'for a little while' [Common]
paululus (paullulus) -a -um, 'very small, tiny' [Rare]
paulum adv., 'a little, a bit' [VeryFreq.]
paulus (paullus) -a -um, 'small, little, tiny' [Freq.]
pauper -eris, 'poor (in money), without resources; of modest means, middle-class financially' Note: But far less impoverished than the English "pauper," which points to the extreme end of the financial scale. [Freq.]
pauperculus -a -um, 'rather poor' [UnCommon]
pauperies -ei, f., 'poverty' [UnCommon]
paupero -are, 'impoverish' [Rare]
pauperitas -tatis, f., 'poverty, scantiness of means' [Common]
pausa -ae, f., 'pause' [Common]
pauxillulus -a -um, 'little, tiny' [Rare]
pauxillus -a -um, 'small, little' [Rare]
pavefacio -ere, 'terrify' [Common]
paveo pavere pavui, 'be terrified, scared, scared of . . . ' [Freq.]
pavesco -escere, 'become frightened' [UnCommon]
pavidus -a -um, 'scared, frightened; fearful' [Freq.]
pavimentum -i, n., 'pavement; stone, mosaic, brick or tile (laid into mortar or cement)'Note: The Romans favored inset tilework, often turning it into elaborate tile-painting or mosaic art. There is a remarkable mosaic portrait of Vergil, actually done some centuries after his death, but showing the traits of innerness which we find in his poetry. A print of this portrait is a good thing to hang in the study of a person working with Vergil. See next. [UnCommon]
pavio -ire, 'pound down, beat flat, hammer, level; ram (earth)'Note: This word, which is the base for paving and pavement, concerns itself merely with the leveling of earth and ramming it down for a basic dirt-road. But the Romans soon learned how important a roadway system could be, and built strong road-bases, topped with large, flat paving stones, which in many places have lasted till this day. Roman roads near Ostia, and some near Dubrovnik can still be driven on by cars, although the climatic wear on the edges of the blocks makes driving a bit thumpy. The late Medieval Peutinger tables show a network of roads which clearly has a Roman origin, especially in the economically important East-to-West orientation. [Rare]
pavito -are, 'be terrified by, fearful of' [Common]
pavo -onis, m., 'peacock' [Rare]
pavonius -a -um, 'of (or like) a peacock's feather display' [Rare]
pavor -oris, m., 'fear, fright, terror' [Freq.]
pax pacis, f., 'peace, a pact (concluding war); a pact, agreement, covenant (of any sort); peacetime' Note: As historical comment about Roman ways of peace-making, it has been said 'ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant . . . ' = "they create a wasteland, then call it 'Peace.'" The Romans knew better; they respected a goddess called Bellona, whose temple doors were open during times of warfare, and they fervently prayed for the closing of the doors. But the fact is that the doors were open most of the time, although probably in a sincere effort to establish Peace and get them closed! [VeryFreq.]
peccatum -i, n., 'an error, fault, sin' [UnCommon]
pecco -are, 'make a mistake; err; commit a sin or moral evil' [VeryFreq.]
pecorosus -a -um, 'rich in cattle' [Rare]
pecten -inis, m., 'a hair comb'Note: Used for combing hair, but also for decoration in the elaborate Roman ladies' hairdo, much like the Victorian tortoise shell combs used primarily for show. [UnCommon]
pecto pectere pexi pectum, 'comb hair; comb through (anything)' (Colloquial: "give someone a good 'combing'" = "beating," Plautus) [Common]
pectus -oris, n., 'chest, breast-bone, thorax; (used as) heart, (then) soul, mind; seat of courage'Note: This error of the heart and chest being the seat of feelings is an old error going back to Aristotle, who, for all his brilliance, did not grasp the role of the brain, which he thought to be a vascular cooler perched atop the body. See cor and note. [Freq.]
pecu n., 'cattle, a herd of farm animals' [Freq.]
pecuarius -a -um, 'of cattle'(See next) [Rare]
pecuarius -i, m., 'cattle breeder'(See prev.) [Rare]
peculator -oris, m., 'embezzler of funds' [Rare]
peculatus -us, m., 'embezzlement of public money' [UnCommon]
peculiaris -e, 'of a person's private funds (peculium); private, personal; odd, "peculiar"'Note: See 'idiota' for the same shift from "private" to "peculiar, odd." Apparently, society has little tolerance for personal differences; in this, we are not far different from the Greco-Romans. [Freq.]
peculiariter adv., 'specially' [Rare]
peculium -i, n., 'privately held funds; savings, one's "bank account"' [Freq.]
pecunia -ae, f., 'farm animals (pecus); property, wealth; (then) money'Note: Originally "farm animals," this word marks the transfer of values from a farm economy to coinage and banking. It has been suggested that ancient coins were stamped with the figure of a farm animal to show that animal's value, but it is more reasonable to think that the animals were the real value, while the coins were a substitute, like paper money for the precious metals. See pecus. [VeryFreq.]
pecuniarius -a -um, 'of money' [Common]
pecuniosus -a -um, 'moneyed' [UnCommon]
pecus -oris, n., 'herd of cattle, cattle; a farm animal'(Also pecu) [Freq.]
pecus -udis, f., 'a farm animal (specifically sheep)' [Freq.]
pedalis -e, 'a foot long (or wide)'(From pes, pedis) [Rare]
pedarius -a -um, '(pedarii senatores) a lower rank of senator' [Rare]
pedatus -us, m., 'a stage in legal process (one of the three stages preceeding a final decision)' [Rare]
pedes -itis, m., 'pedestrian; a foot-soldier, infantryman' [Freq.]
pedester -tris -tre, 'pedestrian; walking; ordinary, "pedestrian" (of style); of the infantry or foot-soldiers' [Freq.]
pedetemptim adv., 'cautiously feeling one's way (testing by foot)' [UnCommon]
pedica -ae, f., 'ankle-shackle, "foot-cuff"; foot trap' [UnCommon]
pediculus (peduculus and peduclus) -i, m., 'body-louse'(See next) [Common]
pedis -is, m., 'a louse (the insect)'(See prev.) [Rare]
pedisequus -i, m. (and pedisequa -ae, f.), 'personal servant, "footman"' [Rare]
peditastellus -i, m., ' an ignorant soldier, a dumb G.I.' [Rare]
peditatus -us, m., 'infantry' [Rare]
peditum -i, m., 'act of "passing gas"'(See next) [Rare]
pedo pedere pepedi peditum, '"pass gas"' [Rare]
pedum -i, n., 'a shepherd's crook' [Rare]
pegma -atis, n., 'a scaffold, stage built of wood; a bookcase' [Rare]
peiero (periuro) -are, 'commit perjury, lie in court under oath' [Common]
peior -ius (comparative of malus), 'worse'(See malus, pessimus) [VeryFreq.]
pelagus -i, n., 'the sea; a large, open body of salt-water'(Greek word, used for poetic diction) [Common]
pellacia -ae, f., 'allurement, seduction' [Rare]
pellax -acis, 'seductive' [Rare]
pellego see perlegopellex see paelexpellicio -licere -lexi -lectum, 'entice, attract; seduce, inveigle' [Freq.]
pellicula -ae, f., 'skin or hide' [UnCommon]
pellio -onis, m., 'a tanner (processor of skins, fur)'(See next) [Rare]
pellis -is, f., 'the skin; skin as leather, a hide; parchment'(See prev.) [Freq.]
pellitus -a -um, 'covered with or wearing skins' [UnCommon]
pello pellere pepuli pulsum, 'knock, hit, beat against; stir up, wake up; expel, drive out forcefully; beat (in battle); drive off, ward off' [VeryFreq.]
pelluceo see perluceopeloris -idis, f., 'a mussel or clam' [Rare]
pelta -ae, f., 'a small shield'(Similar to parma) [Rare]
peltastes (or peltasta) -ae, m., 'a soldier armed with the pelta' [Rare]
peltatus -a -um, 'armed with the pelta' [Rare]
pelvis -is, f., 'a shallow basin'Note: The English anatomical "pelvis" has a basin-shaped center in appearance, hence, the name coined by the Romans. [UnCommon]
penarius -a -um, 'for storing food (of a cupboard or larder)'(See penus) [Rare]
Penates -ium, m. pl., 'household gods'(See Lar, lares) [Freq.]
penatiger -gera -gerum, 'carrying the Penates' [Rare]
pendeo pendere pependi, 'hang, be hung up; hang in the balance (in weighing), hang down; overhang; float (on water, air), hang = be uncertain; depend on'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
pendo pendere pependi pensum, 'hang in the scales; weigh; pay out, pay, pay for; weigh, consider, evaluate'(See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
pendulus -a -um, 'hanging, overhanging, floating' [Common]
penes prep., '(acc. obj.) in the possession of, in the power of, in the charge of' [Common]
penetrabilis -e, 'penetrating, penetrable' [Common]
penetrale -is, n., 'inner chambers of a building; inner shrine of a temple, esp. of the Penates' [Freq.]
penetralis -e, 'penetrating; interior, innermost' [UnCommon]
penetro -are, 'go into, penetrate into; penetrate (mentally)' [Freq.]
penicillus -i, m., 'an artist's brush'Note: Penicillin, microscopically viewed, has a brushy, hair-like appearance. This is a descriptive word coined in the late 1920's, when the bacteria-fighting qualities of certain molds was first observed. [UnCommon]
peniculus -i, m., 'an artist's brush; a brush-like sponge'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
penis -is, m., 'the tail; the penis'Note: If the tail is something which hangs down behind, the penis would seem to be a tail-like appendage which hangs down in front.The whole business---etymology, name, and anatomy---is very odd. [Freq.]
penitus -a -um, 'inward, inner'(See next) [Common]
penitus adv., 'deep within, deep inside, deeply'(See prev.) [Freq.]
penna -ae, f., 'bird's feather, wing' [Freq.]
pennatus -a -um, 'feathered; winged' [Rare]
pennipotens -ntis, 'having power over wings (i.e. a bird)' [Rare]
pensilis -e, 'hanging' [Common]
pensio -onis, f., 'payment; money paid as rent'(Engl. pension, "rent money," as against Fr. pension "rentable apartment") [Rare]
pensito -are, 'weigh (mentally); weigh out = pay out' [Freq.]
penso -are, 'weigh out = pay; balance off; weigh in the mind' [VeryFreq.]
pensum -i, n., 'a weight of wool to be processed, "a job of wool"; a job, a task'Note: The old English nursery song has an interesting economic comment about wool: " . . . three bags full, one for my master, one for my dame, and one for the little boy who lives in the lane." The little boy did the shearing, he had the "job of wool," but did he get one third of the value of the wool sheared, in a pre-union world? [UnCommon]
penuria -ae, f., 'lack, want; poverty, penury' [Freq.]
penus -us and -i, c. (penum -i, n., as well as penus -oris, n.), 'provisions, stored food, stock of food'Note: The Roman household gods, the Penates, take their title from the well-stocked larder, which is natural in an agricultural society. [Common]
peplum -i, n. (and peplus -i, m.), 'a woman's shoulder-to-ankle mantle; the robe of a goddess, esp. Athena'(Greek word) [Common]
per prep., '(acc. obj.) through, along, all-along, during (a time), throughout; by means of . . . , by the agency of . . . ; by itself ('per se'); through, because of'(When joined with verb or noun stems, 'per-' means "very, highly, thoroughly, completely.") [VeryFreq.]
pera -ae, f., 'a shoulder-hung shopping bag'(See bursa and marsuppium as words of parallel meaning.) [Rare]
perabsurdus -a -um, 'very absurd' [Rare]
peraccommodatus -a -um, 'very convenient' [Rare]
peracer -cris -cre, 'very acute of mind' [Rare]
peracerbus -a -um, 'very sour' [Rare]
peracesco -escere, 'become quite bitter'Note: We have unbroken amphorae of Greek wines from ancient shipwrecks, which have been uncorked (or un-gypsumed) by scholars in eager anticipation of a Hellenic treat, only to find absolute evidence of the above verb! --- An Irish archaeologist recently dug up a thousand-year-old cheese buried in an acidy bog, which he said had a wonderful taste. His only regret was that he couldn't find an example of an ancient wine to go with it. In fact, he wasn't going to get it from a sunken Greek ship. [Rare]
peractio -onis, f., 'finishing, completion' [Rare]
peracuo -ere, 'sharpen up (the mind)' [Rare]
peracutus -a -um, 'very sharp (of sound); sharp-witted' [Common]
peradulescens -ntis, 'very young' [Rare]
peraeque adv., 'quite equally' [Common]
peragito -are, 'stir up repeatedly' [Rare]
perago -agere -egi -actum, 'drive in every direction; drive to the finish or end; conduct (one's life); go through = recount, relate, narrate' [VeryFreq.]
peragratio -onis, f., 'traveling through the fields'(From ager) [Rare]
peragro -are, 'travel over land, course over the land; (mentally) survey(See 'lustro' for parallel meanings of "walking over" meaning "beholding.") [Rare]
peramanter adv., 'very fondly' [Rare]
peramans -antis, 'most fond of' [Rare]
perambulo -are, 'walk around, visit, inspect on a tour' [Common]
peramice adv., 'most amiably' [Rare]
peramoenus -a -um, 'very lovely' [Rare]
peramplus -a -um, 'very large' [Rare]
perangustus -a -um, 'very narrow, constricted' [Rare]
perantiquus -a -um, 'very old; very ancient' [Rare]
perappositus -a -um, 'very suitable' [Rare]
perarduus -a -um, 'very difficult' [Rare]
perargutus -a -um, 'very bright (sounding); bright = clever' [Rare]
peraro -are, 'dig through, plow through; write on a wax tablet (plowing a 'furrow' with the stylus)' [UnCommon]
perattentus -a -um, 'very attentive' [Rare]
peratus -a -um, 'having a bag (pera); put in a bag, bagged' [Rare]
perbacchor -ari (dep.), 'revel on (through the night)' [Rare]
perbeatus -a -um, 'very fortunate' [UnCommon]
perbelle adv., 'very charmingly' [Rare]
perbene adv., 'very well indeed' [Rare]
perbenevolus -a -um, 'very well disposed' [Rare]
perbenigne adv., 'in a very kindly manner' [Rare]
perbibo -bibere -bibi, 'drink right up, absorb' [UnCommon]
perbito -are, 'perish' [Rare]
perbonus -a -um, 'very good' [Rare]
perbrevis -e, 'very short' [Rare]
perca -ae, f., 'the (fish) perch' [Rare]
percalefacio -ere, 'heat right through' [UnCommon]
percalesco -calescere -calui, 'become very warm'(See next) [Rare]
percallesco -callescere -callui, 'become conversant with, know well about . . . ; become callous to'(We apparently have conflation of two words here: calleo, "be smart," and callus, "a skin callus, hard skin." See prev.) [Rare]
percarus -a -um, 'beloved' [Rare]
percautus -a -um, 'very cautious' [Rare]
percelebro -are, 'publish, announce everywhere (verbally)' [Rare]
perceler -eris -ere, 'very swift' [Rare]
percello -cellere -culi -culsum, 'hit, knock, knock down; overcome; strike (with terror)' [Freq.]
percenseo -censere -censui, 'look over, think over; estimate' [Freq.]
perceptio -onis, f., 'harvesting crops; taking possession; mental perception' [Common]
perceptum -i, n., 'an idea, principle; rule' [Rare]
percipio -cipere -cepi -ceptum, 'take, grasp, take possession of; harvest in; acquire, get; perceive (mentally)' [Freq.]
percitus -a -um, 'excitable, nervous' [Rare]
percivilis -e, 'very "civil" (in English sense)' [Rare]
percolo -are, 'strain, as through a sieve'(Compare Engl. "colander" = food strainer. See next.) [UnCommon]
percolo -colere -colui -cultum, 'cultivate, respect; devote oneself to . . . , cherish'(See prev.) [Common]
percolopo -are, 'beat, strike, cuff' [Rare]
percomis -e, 'quite courteous' [Rare]
percommodus -a -um, 'very convenient' [Rare]
percontatio (percuntatio) -onis, f., 'questioning, (leg.) interrogation' [Rare]
percontator -oris, m., 'investigator' [Rare]
percontor (percunctor) -ari (dep.), 'investigate; interrogate' [Freq.]
percontumax -acis, 'very proud, haughty' [Rare]
percoquo -coquere -coxi -coctum, 'cook well, boil up; ripen' [Common]
percrebresco (and percrebesco) -escere -ui, 'become [Frequently heard, get well known'(The alternate form arises by dissimilation of the -r-'s in consecutive syllables, a [Common]
linguistic phenomenon. See meridies for a -d- dissimilation.) [Common]
percrepo -crepere -crepui -crepitum, 'resound' [Rare]
percupidus -a -um, 'very desirous of . . . ' [Rare]
percupio -cupere, 'desire exceedingly' [Rare]
percuriosus -a -um, 'painstaking' [Rare]
percuro -are, 'care for; cure (med.)' [UnCommon]
percurro -currere -cucurri (or -curri) -cursum, 'run through, over; travel over; touch upon; review = run through' [Freq.]
percursatio -onis, f., 'journey' [Rare]
percursio -onis, f., 'mental review of . . . ' [Rare]
percurso -are, 'range over a (geog.) region' [Rare]
percussio -onis, f., 'hammering, beating; beating musical time' [Rare]
percussor -oris, m., 'one who hits, a "hit-man," assassin' [UnCommon]
percussus -us, m., 'impact' [Rare]
percutio -cutere -cussi -cussum, 'hit, strike; kill; stamp . . . on; make an "impression" on . . . ; knock on the door' [Freq.]
perdecorus -a -um, 'quite elegant' [Rare]
perdelirus -a -um, 'absolutely crazy'(See delirus and lira) [Rare]
perdepso -ere, 'knead well (as dough); have sexual intercourse with'Note: Lit. "knead like dough, work over, 'fuck'." In his fascinating letter on dirty words, the Puritanical Cicero discusses obscene terms in a nervous fashion. See depso in Vol. VII of the Index to Tyrell and Purser's edition of Cicero's Correspondence for the letter (Catullus 74.4). A most gross word, see depso and note. [Rare]
perdifficilis -e, 'very difficult' [UnCommon]
perdignus -a -um, 'very worthy' [Rare]
perdiligens -entis, 'very diligent' [Common]
perdisco -discere -didici, 'learn thoroughly' [Common]
perdiserte adv., 'very eloquently' [Rare]
perditor -oris, m., 'destroyer' [Rare]
perditus -a -um, 'ruined, cracked-up, "lost"; depraved, morally lost' [Freq.]
perdiu adv., 'for a very long time' [UnCommon]
perdiuturnus -a -um, 'lasting a very long time' [Rare]
perdives -itis, 'very rich' [Rare]
perdix -dicis, c., 'partridge' [UnCommon]
perdo -dere -didi -ditum, 'destroy, ruin; be unsuccessful, miss one's mark; be ruined, lose . . . ' [Freq.]
perdoceo -docere -docui -doctum, 'thoroughly teach, instruct' [Common]
perdoleo -ere, 'grieve; cause grief to . . . ' [Rare]
perdomo -domare -domui -domitum, 'tame (animals); subdue' [Common]
perdormisco -ere, 'sleep right on through . . . ' [Rare]
perduco -ducere -duxi -ductum, 'bring through, conduct; lead up to; carry forth (roads, buildings); bring over by persuasion (pol.)' [VeryFreq.]
perducto -are, 'guide; misguide' [Rare]
perductor -oris, m., 'a guide; a procurer or pimp' [Rare]
perdulcis -e, 'very sweet' [Rare]
perdumdum adv., 'a long time ago' [Rare]
perduellis -is, m., 'a public enemy'(This must be an ancient word since it shows the old form of the [Common]
noun, 'bellum,' which is 'duellum.') [Rare]
perduro -are, 'last long, endure' [Common]
Peredia see peredo, nextNote: This is Plautus' imaginary country, Peredia, "the land of good food," like the "Big-Rock-Candy-Mountain" of Burl Ives' folksong. When a restaurant puts over its door the sign, "Eat Your Heart Out," it appeals to the same unsatisfied, gastral hungering that ever haunts the human soul. This may in fact be a genetically coded function for building up body fat in the summertime, as bear and deer do, since Man was a hunter-gatherer for over 90% of his existence, and a certain amount of obesity may have been a survival technique. peredo -edere -edi -esum, 'eat up, devour' [Rare]
peregre adv., 'in, to, or from a foreign country' [Common]
peregrinabundus -a -um, 'travelling abroad' [Rare]
peregrinatio -onis, f., 'travel abroad, "peregrination"' [Common]
peregrinator -oris, m., 'one who travels abroad' [Rare]
peregrinitas -tatis, f., 'foreign-ness' [Rare]
peregrinor -ari (dep.), 'travel abroad; dwell abroad' [Common]
peregrinus -a -um, '"overseas," abroad; foreign, strange; odd, outlandish'Note: Engl. "pilgrim" comes from this word, with verifiable phonetic changes. [Freq.]
perelegans -antis, 'very elegant' [UnCommon]
pereloquens -entis, 'very eloquent' [Rare]
peremnis -e, 'relating to the auspices taken on crossing any running water'(From amnis, "river") [Rare]
perendie adv., 'on the day after tomorrow' [Rare]
perendinus -a -um, 'relating to the day after tomorrow' [Rare]
perennis -e, 'lasting throughout the year, lasting through the years; constant, regular'(From annus, 'year') [Freq.]
perennitas -tatis, f., 'duration, perpetuity' [Rare]
perenno -are, 'last many years' [UnCommon]
pereo -ire -ii (and -ivi) -itum, 'pass through, pass away (from sight or notice); pass away = die; be used up, disappear' [VeryFreq.]
perequito -are, 'ride about (on a horse), ride through' [Rare]
pererro -are, 'wander around; wander off (the right course)' [Common]
pereruditus -a -um, 'very learned; over-erudite' [Rare]
perexiguus -a -um, 'very small, insignificant' [UnCommon]
perfabrico -are, 'over-contrive' [Rare]
perfacetus -a -um, 'terribly clever; over-clever' [Common]
perfacilis -e, 'very easy, easy to do, perform' [VeryFreq.]
perfamiliaris -is, m., 'a very close friend, an associate' [Rare]
perfectio -onis, f., 'completion; perfection' [Common]
perfector -oris, m., 'one who completes, finishes up; finishes off' [Rare]
perfero -ferre -tuli -latum, 'carry through, bring to the end, complete, perfect; bear with = endure, suffer, endure' [VeryFreq.]
perficus -a -um, 'perfecting' (As a fem. sg. in -a, used by Lucretius only.) [Rare]
perficio -ficere -feci -fectum, 'bring through, carry to completion, finish; perfect; accomplish (a task)' [VeryFreq.]
perfidelis -e, 'most faithful' [UnCommon]
perfidia -ae, f., 'faithlessness; perfidy; treachery' [Freq.]
perfidiosus -a -um, 'faithless, treacherous' [Common]
perfidus -a -um, 'faithless' [Freq.]
perfigo -figere -fixi -fixum, 'pierce through, stab, perforate, make a hole in' [Common]
perflabilis -e, 'that which can be blown through (one might say, "transventous")' [Rare]
perflagitiosus -a -um, 'most shameful, disgraceful' [Common]
perflo -are, 'blow through (of winds); blow over' [Common]
perfluctuo -are, '(of waves) rush over, surge over' [Rare]
perfluo -ere -i, 'flow over, pour over' [UnCommon]
perfodio -ire, 'dig through, put a hole through, perforate (walls, mil.; also in med. surgery)' [UnCommon]
perforo -are, 'drill a hole through, perforate; dig into' [UnCommon]
perfrequens -ntis, 'thronged, crowded with visitors' [UnCommon]
perfrico -are, 'rub over, scratch; rub out, obliterate' [UnCommon]
perfrigefacio -ere, 'chill, freeze' [Rare]
perfrigesco -escere, 'get a cold, chill' [Rare]
perfrigidus -a -um, 'very cold, chilly (of weather)' [Rare]
perfringo -fringere -fregi -fractum, 'break through, smash, shatter; break through the lines (mil.)' [Freq.]
perfruor -frui -fructus sum (dep.), 'enjoy thoroughly'(Takes abl. object, as with fruor) [Common]
perfuga -ae, m ., 'a military deserter' [Common]
perfugio -fugere -fugi, 'flee; run for cover, refuge, safety' [Freq.]
perfugium -i, n., 'a place of refuge, shelter; a safe place to flee to' [Freq.]
perfunctio -onis, f., 'discharging (of duties, responsibilities)' [Rare]
perfundo -fundere -fusi -fusum, 'pour (a liquid) over; immerse, inundate; overrun; fill (to the rim), fill with . . . ' [Freq.]
perfungor -fungi -functus sum (dep.), 'perform, fulfil, discharge (a duty, responsibility)'(Takes abl. obj., as with fungor) [Common]
perfuro -are, 'rage on, rave' [Rare]
pergaudeo -ere -gavisus sum (semi-dep.), 'take great pleasure in . . . ' [Rare]
pergo pergere perrexi perrectum, 'go on, go first, proceed (in walking); proceed (with an action), go on to . . . ' [Freq.]
pergraecor -ari (dep.), 'overdo, carouse, act like a Greek'Note: This word is a key testimonial to a severe Roman Puritanism, confronted with a looser Greek social code which encouraged more self-expression than the Romans permitted themselves. [Rare]
pergrandis -e, 'overly large, outsize, huge' [Freq.]
pergraphicus -a -um, 'highly skilled, clever' [Rare]
pergratus -a -um, 'very pleasant, quite pleasurable' [Freq.]
pergravis -e, 'very serious, very weighty' [Freq.]
pergula -ae, f., 'a covered front-shed; a shop; a brothel; a vine-covered area, pergola' [Common]
perhibeo -ere -ui, 'bring forward, state, maintain; cite (an author, case); say, assert that . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
perhilum adv., 'very little' (= per + (ni)hilum) [Rare]
perhonorificus -a -um, 'very honorific, honorable; respectful, respectable' [Common]
perhorresco -escere -ui, 'start to tremble, shudder all over' [UnCommon]
perhorridus -a -um, 'bristling all over (of forests)' [Rare]
perhumanus -a -um, 'eminently human; civilized' [Rare]
periclitor -ari (dep.), 'run a risk, be in danger; stand trial (leg.)'(See periculum) [Freq.]
periculosus -a -um, 'dangerous, hazardous' [Freq.]
periculum (periclum) -i, n., 'danger; test; a trial (leg.); liablility' [VeryFreq.]
peridoneus -a -um, 'most suitable' [UnCommon]
perillustris -e, 'very illustrious, honorable' [UnCommon]
perimbecillus -a -um, 'very weak' [Rare]
perimo (peremo) -imere -emi -emptum, 'take away; remove, destroy, annihilate' [VeryFreq.]
perinde adv., 'just as, just so, in the same way, equally' [VeryFreq.]
perindulgens -entis, 'very indulgent (of a parent)' [Rare]
perinfamis -e, 'very notorious' [Rare]
perinfirmus -a -um, 'very weak' [Rare]
peringeniosus -a -um, 'very clever' [Rare]
periniquus -a -um, 'very unfair' [Rare]
perinsignis -e, 'very remarkable' [Rare]
perinvisus -a -um, 'very much hated' [Rare]
perinvitus -a -um, 'very unwilling' [Rare]
peripetasma -atis, f., 'a fancy bed-spread'Note: A borrowing of the word along with the object. Many Greek words are borrowed this way, we do the same with French, e.g. menu, a-la-carte, chauffeur, a la mode, etc. [Rare]
periphrasis -is, f., 'circumlocution (gram.)' [Rare]
peristatis -is, f., 'statement of the case (leg.)' [Rare]
peristroma -atos, n., 'bed-spread'(A borrowing of the object along with the word. Many Greek words are borrowed this way; we do the same with French, e.g. menu, a-la-carte, chauffeur, a la mode, etc.) [Rare]
peristylium -i, m., 'columned courtyard, peristyle' [Rare]
periratus -a -um, 'very angry' [Rare]
periscellis -idis, f., 'anklet (jewelry)'(Gr. skelos, = "bone," in Engl. as skeleton and isosceles triangle) [Rare]
peritia -ae, f., 'expertise, experience; knowledge gained first hand' [UnCommon]
peritus -a -um, 'skilled, experienced; expert on . . . ' [Freq.]
periucundus -a -um, 'very pleasant' [UnCommon]
periurium (also commonly peiurium) -i, n., 'false swearing, perjury' [Freq.]
periuro see peiuroperiurus -a -um, 'perjured; lying' [Common]
perlabor -labi -lapsus sum (dep.), 'slip along, skim, slide' [Common]
perlateo -ere, 'stay hidden' [Rare]
perlaetus -a -um, 'very happy' [Rare]
perlectio -onis, f., 'skim reading; reading through (a book)' [Rare]
perlego (pellego) -legere -legi -lectum, 'skim, read over; read through' [Common]
perlepide adv., 'charmingly' [Rare]
perlevis -e, 'slight' [Rare]
perliberalis -e, 'well bred, very liberal' [Rare]
perlibet (perlubet) -ere -uit (impersonal), 'it is pleasing to . . . ; . . . really wants to' [UnCommon]
perlicio see pellicioperlito -are, 'do an auspicious ceremony or liturgy' [UnCommon]
perlongus -a -um, 'very long, drawn out' [Rare]
perlubet see perlibet perluceo (pelluceo) -lucere -luxi, 'shine through (of light); be visible' [Common]
perlucidulus -a- um, 'transparent' [Rare]
perlucidus (pellucidus) -a -um, 'transparent, letting light through; radiant' [Common]
perluctuosus -a -um, 'very mournful' [Rare]
perluo -luere -lui -lutum, 'wash, bathe; rinse' [UnCommon]
perlustro -are, 'purify (by walking around); walk around, survey; examine'(See lustro) [Common]
permaestus -a -um, 'very sad' [Rare]
permadefacio -ere, 'soak, drench' [Rare]
permadesco -escere, 'be drenched' [UnCommon]
permagnus -a -um, 'very great, very large' [Freq.]
permaneo -manere -mansi -mansum, 'remain, stay; survive' [Freq.]
permano -are, 'trickle, drip through, flow through' [Freq.]
permansio -onis, f., 'remaining in one place, abode; mental persistance' [Rare]
permarinus -a -um, '(of gods) presiding over seafaring' [Rare]
permaturesco -maturescere -maturui, 'become thoroughly ripe' [Rare]
permediocris -e, 'very moderate' [Rare]
permeditatus -a - um, 'having memorized . . . ' [Rare]
permeo -are, 'go through, traverse' [Common]
permetior -metiri -mensus sum (dep.), 'measure out, survey; travel over' [Common]
permirus -a -um, 'amazing' [Rare]
permisceo -miscere -miscui -mixtum, 'mix all in together, scramble, blend; bring together, involve; mix up, confuse' [Freq.]
permingo -ere, 'urinate all over, defile'(See mingo, meio, and compare Engl. micturition.)permissio -onis, f., 'surrender, yielding (in opinion)' [Rare]
permissus -a -um, 'promising' [UnCommon]
permitialis -e, 'deadly, deathly' [Rare]
permities -ei, f., 'destruction, annihilation' [Rare]
permitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'let go, release; hurl (a weapon), let it go; permit, allow, yield (in opinion)' [Freq.]
permixte adv., 'in a mixed manner' [Rare]
permixtio -onis, f., 'blending' [Rare]
permodestus -a -um, 'very unassuming' [Rare]
permodicus -a -um, 'very moderate' [Rare]
permolestus -a -um, 'very annoying' [Rare]
permolo -ere, 'grind up thoroughly; have sexual intercourse with'Note: People take their sexual figures from what they know well in their world. The Romans think of what goes on in the bakery, while in a mechanical engineering society we say "screw" or "put the blocks to." See depso, "knead bread," with similar meaning. [Rare]
permotio -onis, f., 'stirring up the feelings, emotions' [Rare]
permoveo -movere -movi -motum, 'move, agitate, stir; stir up, perturb' [Freq.]
permulceo -mulcere -mulsi -mulsum, 'stroke, soothe, massage; calm down, relax' [Freq.]
permultus -a -um, 'very much' [UnCommon]
permunio -ire -ivi -itum, 'heavily fortify by walls (mil.)' [Rare]
permutatio -onis, f., 'exchange, change, transformation' [Common]
permuto -are, 'exchange, change, alter; switch; deal by exchange bill (fin.)' [Freq.]
perna -ae, f., 'thigh; ham of a pig; ham as food' [Common]
pernecessarius -a -um, 'very necessary' [Rare]
pernecesse indecl. adj., 'very necessary' [Rare]
pernego -are, 'absolutely deny, refuse to . . . ; say "no"' [Rare]
perniciabilis -e, 'destructive' [Rare]
pernicies -ei, f., 'harm, ruin, destruction' [Common]
perniciosus -a -um, 'destructive, ruinous, pernicious' [Common]
pernicitas -tatis, f., 'nimbleness'(From pernix, "quick") [UnCommon]
perniger -gra -grum, 'very dark (of eyes)' [Rare]
pernimium adv., 'far too much' [UnCommon]
pernix -nicis, 'speedy, nimble-footed; fast, fastmoving' [Common]
pernobilis -e, 'very famous' [Rare]
pernocto -are, 'pass the night' [Common]
pernonides -ae, f., 'son of a ham'Note: A Plautine fake noble title, from 'perna' + Gr. patronymic '-ides,' = "Sir P. I. G. Hamesson." --- Plautus' inventive verbal skills are amazing; he develops a huge vocabulary by trying and testing words, punning, and playing with them. [Rare]
pernosco -noscere -novi -notum, 'come to know, know well, know thoroughly' [Common]
pernox -noctis, 'continuing through the night' [Common]
pernula -ae, f., 'a little ham'(? An emended reading in Plautus, Capt. 580) [Rare]
pernumero -are, 'count up (numbers); count out = pay' [UnCommon]
pero -onis, f., 'rawhide or suede boot' [Rare]
perobscurus -a -um, 'very obscure' [Rare]
perodi -isse (defective, perf. only), 'I really hate'(Has present meaning, like 'odi,' the pluperfect being used for past.) [Rare]
perodiosus -a -um, 'very troublesome' [Rare]
peroleo -ere, 'emit a strong smell' [Rare]
peronatus -a -um, 'wearing leather boots'(See pero) [Rare]
peropportunus -a -um, 'very convenient' [Rare]
peroratio -onis, f., 'conclusion of a speech, peroration' [Common]
perornatus -a -um, 'very ornate' [Rare]
perorno -are, 'honor greatly' [Rare]
peroro -are, 'deliver a speech; come to the conclusion (the peroration) of a speech; conclude' [Freq.]
perosculor -ari (dep.), 'kiss all over; overdo kissing' [Rare]
perpaco -are, 'pacify thoroughly' [Rare]
perparce adv., 'very cheaply, stingily' [Rare]
perparvulus (perparvus) -a -um, 'very little' [Rare]
perpauculi see perpauciperpauci -ae -a, 'very few' [UnCommon]
perpauper -eris, 'very poor; in the most modest circumstances' [Rare]
perpauxillum '"teeny-weeny," "itsy-bitsy"' [Rare]
perpello -pellere -puli -pulsum, 'drive hard on, drive on through, compel' [Common]
perpendiculum -i, n., 'plumb-line; perpendicular line or direction' [Common]
perpendo -pendere -pensi -pensum, 'weigh out with care; carefully estimate' [Common]
perperam adv., 'wrongly, mistakenly' [Common]
perpes -petis, 'continual, perpetual (of time)' [UnCommon]
perpessio -onis, f., 'suffering, endurance' [Rare]
perpetior -peti -pessus sum (dep.), 'endure, tolerate' [Common]
perpetitus -a -um, 'developed' [Rare]
perpetro -are, 'carry through, achieve; perpetrate' [Common]
perpetuitas -tatis, f., 'continuity, uniformity (in space and time), permanence, perpetuity' [Freq.]
perpetuo adv., 'continually, permanently'(See next) [Common]
perpetuo -are, 'continue; perpetuate'(See prev.) [Rare]
perpetuum see perpetuo, adv.perpetuus -a -um, 'continuous, uninterrupted; lasting forever, permanent'Note: There are legal uses of many kinds involving this word, specifically, in the legal projection of arrangements and contracts into future time. Legal perpetuity brings up many legal problems, then as now. [VeryFreq.]
perplaceo -ere, 'be really pleasant to . . . ' [Rare]
perplexabilis -e, 'puzzling' [Rare]
perplexor -ari (dep.), 'puzzle, confuse, mix up' [Rare]
perplexus -a -um, 'confused, entangled, cryptic, enigmatic' [Common]
perplicatus -a -um, 'entangled' [Rare]
perpluit -ere (impersonal), 'let the rain in, to rain through (of leaky roofs)' [UnCommon]
perpolio -ire, 'polish, finish exactingly; polish (a book, etc.)' [Common]
perpopulor -ari (dep.), 'completely devastate (an area)' (A purely mil. word) [UnCommon]
perpotatio -onis, f., 'drinking bout' [Rare]
perpoto -are, 'drink on; swill, souse it up' [Rare]
perprimo -primere -pressi -pressum, 'push, press hard . . . ; accomplish something' [Rare]
perpugnax -acis, 'very aggressive' [Rare]
perpurgo (perpurigo) -are, 'purge right on out; clean out thoroughly; get rid of something for good' [Common]
perpusillus -a -um, 'very small; short (of time)' [Rare]
perputo -are, 'explain fully' [Rare]
perquam adv., 'very much, extremely' [Freq.]
perquiro -quirere -quisivi -quisitum, 'search for, look for; examine carefully' [Common]
perrarus -a -um, 'very un [Common]
' [Rare]
perreconditus -a -um, 'very obscure' [Rare]
perrepo -repere -repsi -reptum, 'crawl through, creep over'(See the "snake" verb, 'repo.') [Rare]
perrepto -are, 'crawl about, crawl (like a reptile)' [Rare]
perridiculus -a -um, 'very laughable, absurd' [Rare]
perrogo -are, 'ask in succession, ask one after the other' [Rare]
perrumpo -rumpere -rupi -ruptum, 'break, break up, smash; break through . . . ; prevail' [Freq.]
persaepe adv., 'very often' [Freq.]
persalse adv., 'wittily' [Rare]
persalsus -a -um, 'very witty' [Rare]
persalutatio -onis, f., 'a formal greeting (in a reception line)' [Rare]
persaluto -are, 'greet in succession' [Rare]
persapiens -entis, 'very wise' [Rare]
persapienter adv., 'very wisely' [Rare]
perscienter adv., 'expertly, skillfully' [Rare]
perscindo -scindere -scidi -scissum, 'rip apart, split asunder' [Rare]
perscitus -a -um, 'very clever' [Rare]
perscribo -scribere -scripsi -scriptum, 'write out in full; give a record of . . . ; compose (a book, literary work)' [Freq.]
perscriptio -onis, f., 'a financial, written statement; ledger entry; cash draft' [UnCommon]
perscriptor -oris, m., 'financial clerk' [Rare]
perscruto -are ( perscrutor -ari, dep.), 'examine, look into, study carefully' [UnCommon]
perseco -secare -secui -sectum, 'cut through, cut open, divide' [UnCommon]
persecto -ari (dep.), 'pursue a question; investigate' [UnCommon]
persecutio -onis, f., 'pursuit, following up, completion; a legal suit' [UnCommon]
persedeo (persideo) -sedere -sedi -sessum, 'sit, stay seated' [UnCommon]
persegnis -e, 'very sluggish, lazy' [Rare]
persentio -sentire -sensi -sensum, 'become aware of; feel deeply' [Rare]
persentisco -ere, 'perceive, get the feeling; feel sensations' [UnCommon]
persequor -sequi -secutus sum (dep.), 'follow, follow up, press hard on, prosecute (leg.); persecute; follow through (an idea, book, etc.), accomplish, follow to the end' [VeryFreq.]
perseverantia -ae, f., 'perserverance' [Common]
persevero -are, 'persist, continue to . . . ; keep on . . . ' [Freq.]
persica -ae, f., 'a peach or pear tree'(See persicus)Persicus -a -um, 'Persian'(But note 'persica -ae, f.,' "a peach or pear tree." Horace I.33 mentions 'Persicos . . . apparatus,' possibly thinking of fancy, exotic Persian melons.) [Rare]
persido -sidere -sedi -sessum, 'penetrate, sink in' [Rare]
persigno -are, 'stamp (articles on a list), mark, note down' [Rare]
persimilis -e, 'resembling, similar to . . . ' [UnCommon]
persolla -e, f., 'mask; "You mask!"'(Diminutive of persona) [Rare]
persolvo -solvere -solvi -solutum, 'pay, pay out; discharge (debts, duties)' [Freq.]
persona -ae, f., 'a mask as used by actors; a character in a play (i.e. dramatis personae); role; personality; a (legal) person; person (in grammar)'Note: At an early period, the Greek masks were used in a manner similar to the African masks used in rituals, that is, with deep spiritual, as well as artistic, concern. When the masks became frozen into Tragic and Comic styles, they lost the reason for which they were created, which was to free the person from stage acting and permit him to bring forth a message from his inner mind. Masks continued to be used in ancient drama as a static accompaniment, rather than a psychologically valid instrument of the stage art. [VeryFreq.]
personatus -a -um, 'masked; disguised' [Rare]
persono -sonare -sonui -sonitum, 'make a sound; sound out loudly; play an instrument; sing, chant' [Freq.]
personus -a -um, 'sounding out loud, noisy; echoing' [Rare]
perspergo -ere, 'sprinkle, moisten' [Common]
perspicax -acis, 'sharp-sighted' [UnCommon]
perspicientia -ae, f., 'perception; clarity of comprehension' [Rare]
perspicio -spicere -spexi -spectum, 'look over, examine, see into; discern, become aware of' [Freq.]
perspicuitas -tatis, f., 'lucidity; transparency; being self- evident' [UnCommon]
perspicuus -a -um, 'transparent; visible; clearly understandable' [Freq.]
persterno -sternere -stravi -stratum, 'pave a road' (From 'sterno,' "lay down (the roadway)," but 'pavio' could also be used if we are thinking of the actual surface and subsurface.) [Rare]
perstimulo -are, 'incite' [Rare]
persto -stare -stiti -statum, 'remain standing, stand, stand firm; stay, last; stand fast' [Freq.]
perstringo -stringere -strinxi -strictum, 'bind up, tie up; skirt, graze; affect' [Freq.]
perstudiosus -a -um, 'very studious, much interested in . . . ' [Rare]
persuadeo -suadere -suasi -suasum, '(to be sweet to . . . ) persuade; be persuasive in . . . ; succeed (by persuasion); make people believe . . .' (Ultimately, this word connects with suavis, "sweet," in the Indo-European realm.) [VeryFreq.]
persuasio -onis, f., 'persuasion, persuading; belief; conviction' [Freq.]
persubtilis -e, 'very fine; very subtle' [Rare]
persulto -are, 'jump and leap; run all over an area' [Common]
pertaedet -taedere -taesum est (impersonal), 'be disgusted with, be bored with, be turned off by'(See taedet) [Common]
pertego -tegere -texi -tectum, 'cover over, roof over' [Rare]
pertempto -are, 'test, try, explore; try (feelings)' [UnCommon]
pertendo -tendere -tendi -tensum (or -tentum), 'push resolutely on; follow one's intention' [Common]
pertento -are see pertemptopertenuis -e, 'very slight' [Rare]
perterebro -are, 'bore a hole through' [Rare]
pertergeo -tergere -tersi -tersum, 'wipe up, clean up; brush over, pass over lightly' [UnCommon]
perterreo -ere -ui, 'thoroughly terrify' [Rare]
perterricrepus -a -um, 'making a terrible, clattering sound'(Lucretius only) [Rare]
pertexo -texere -texui -textum, 'weave perfectly; compose a speech (perfectly, like a well woven cloth)'(Compare 'textilis' and Engl. "textiles.") [Rare]
pertica -ae, f., 'a rod, wand, stick; a measuring rod (the 10-foot rod used in surveying); land surveyed for colonizing use' [Freq.]
perticatus -a -um, 'having a pole'(Used of a circus performer in Martial. See pertica.) [Rare]
pertimefactus -a -um, 'very much afraid' [Rare]
pertimesco -escere -ui, 'be very much afraid' [Common]
pertinacia -ae, f., 'obstinancy, stubbornness' [Common]
pertinaciter adv., 'tenaciously, doggedly' [Common]
pertinax -acis, 'firm in grasp; stubborn, obstinate' [Freq.]
pertineo -tinere -tinui, 'reach, extend, spread; pertain to, point to, indicate; be a concern to; belong to' [VeryFreq.]
pertingo -ere, 'reach to, reach as far as; concern, affect' [Common]
pertolero -are, 'endure to the end' [Rare]
pertorqueo -ere, 'twist, distort' [Rare]
pertractatio -onis, f., 'thorough study, detailed examination' [UnCommon]
pertracto -are, 'feel, feel over; handle; study in detail' [Freq.]
pertraho -trahere -traxi -tractum, 'drag along; drag; draw out (mil.)' [Common]
pertrecto see pertractopertribuo -are, 'pay in full' [Rare]
pertristis -e, 'very sad; very stern' [Rare]
pertritus -a -um, 'very trite; quite worn out'(From 'tero,' which explains the two divergent meanings, "well trodden" and "trod out.") [Rare]
pertumultuose adv., 'in an agitated manner' [Rare]
pertundo -tundere -tudi -tusum, 'pound through; drill through'Note: The Romans used "star drills" to make holes in marble; these are four-lipped chisels, like those still found in older hardware stores, which were pounded with an occasional twist, not rotated like drills. Hence, the unfamiliar use of 'pound' for what we would consider 'drill.' To this day, commercial rock-drilling pounds with compressed air on a slowly rotating four-lipped bit, the only practical way to drill stone. [UnCommon]
perturbatio -onis, f., 'agitation, disorder; mental distress' [Frequent]
perturbatrix -icis, f., '(female) confuser' [Rare]
perturbatus -a -um, 'disorderly, disordered, perturbed' [Common]
perturbo -are, 'disorganize, confuse, upset; trouble (mentally)' [Frequent]
perturpis -e, 'very disgraceful' [Rare]
pertusus -a -um, 'perforated'(See pertundo) [Rare]
perungo (perunguo) -ungere -unxi -unctum, 'annoint; grease up' [Rare]
perurbanus -a -um, 'sophisticated; over-urbane' [Rare]
peruro -urere -ussi -ustum, 'burn up, burn, scorch; kindle (emotionally)' [Frequent]
perustus -a -um, 'scorched (of the tropics)' [Rare]
perutilis -e, 'very useful' [Rare]
pervado -vadere -vasi -vasum, 'make one's way over, cross over; spread over; penetrate' [Frequent]
pervagatus -a -um, 'widespread, well known'(See next) [UnCommon]
pervagor -ari (dep.), 'wander about, rove; spread out, extend' [Frequent]
pervagus -a -um, 'wandering' [Rare]
pervaleo -ere, 'stay strong, powerful' [Rare]
pervarie adv., 'with a lot of variety' [Rare]
pervasto -are, 'lay waste (mil.)' [Rare]
pervello -ere, 'skim over' [Rare]
perveho -vehere -vexi -vectum, 'carry through, transport; sail past' [Frequent]
pervenio -venire -veni -ventum, 'arrive (come through); penetrate (= get through); reach, arrive at a given point'(Also used financially as "come up to a price.") [VeryFreq.]
pervenor -ari (dep.), 'hunt out, search out'(From venor, "hunt"; compare Engl. "venison.") [Rare]
perversitas -tatis, f., 'wrongheadedness, perversity' [UnCommon]
perversus -a -um, 'having things turned around backwards; wrongheaded' [Frequent]
perverto (pervorto) -vertere -verti -versum, 'overturn, twist out of shape, ruin, turn around (backwards), distort'(Engl. "pervert" is a modern use, but by now outmoded, except in some antique statutes.) [VeryFreq.]
pervesperi adv., 'very late in the evening' [Rare]
pervestigatio -onis, f., 'careful investigation' [Rare]
pervestigo -are, 'search out, track down'(Since vestigia are footprints, this word has a clear territorial sense.) [Common]
pervetus -eris, 'very old; ancient, of ancient times' [Common]
pervetustus -a -um, 'very ancient' [Rare]
pervicacia -ae, f., 'stubborness; steadfast resolution' [UnCommon]
pervicax -acis, 'steadfast; stubborn' [Common]
pervideo -videre -vidi -visum, 'see through, examine in detail' [Common]
pervigeo -ere, 'be strong, healthy; be continually prospering' [Rare]
pervigil -ilis, 'watching throughout the night (in a ritual); having insomnia, sleepless'(See insomnium and insomnis.)Note: By all means, examine the 'Pervigilium Veneris' carefully. It is an amazingly beautiful, little poem of unknown period and by unknown author, connecting with nothing we know in Latin Literature, and suggesting a substratum of poetic expression familiar to the Romans but forever lost to us. Only the delicacy of Shakespeare's 'Midsummer Night's Dream,' with Mendelssohn's music to accompany it, can approach the tone of this little gem. One might note the central chapters of Walter Pater's 'Marius the Epicurean,' which reconstruct, as it were, an ambience for this poem, quite hypothetically but sensitively. [Common]
pervilis -e, 'very cheap' [Rare]
pervinco -vincere -vici -victum, 'win, win a (mil.) victory, overcome, win; win one's point' [Frequent]
pervium -i, n., 'a way through, a passage' [Rare]
pervius -a -um, 'traversable, passable; accessible'(The opposite of invius and avius.) [Frequent]
pervivo -vere -vixi -victum, 'live through, live on, survive' [Rare]
perula -ae, f., 'a little bag, purse' [Rare]
pervolgo see pervulgopervolito -are, 'flit over, fly by' [Common]
pervolo -are, 'fly over (birds, stars); rush by, fly past' [Rare]
pervolo -velle -volui, 'wish greatly'(This verb appears only in the subjunctive in our surviving texts; therefore, it seems to be used specifically in wishes and wishful statements.) [UnCommon]
pervoluto -are, 'turn over, roll over; inspect, unroll a (scroll) volume' [Rare]
pervolvo -volvere -volvi -volutum, 'move around, roll over; unroll a (scroll) book' [Rare]
pervulgo (pervolgo) -are, 'be publicly visible; be publicly available (of prostitution); publish' Note: The jarring proximity of the second and third meanings must be unsettling to untenured faculty bent on making a success in the Groves of Academe. [Common]
pes pedis, m., 'foot, leg; a foot (measurement); a foot (in prosody); foot of a chair, foot of an implement' [VeryFreq.]
pessimus pessime see maluspessulus -i, m., 'bolt (the sliding bolt on a door)' [Common]
pessum adv., 'to the lowest part, bottom'(As idioms, 'pessum ire,' "go to the dogs," and 'pessum dare,' "ruin, really put down") [Common]
pestifer -fera -ferum, 'deadly, fatal, destructive' [Common]
pestilens -entis, 'unhealthful, dangerous, pestilential' [Common]
pestilentia -ae, f., 'pestilence, plague, disease' [Common]
pestilitas -tatis, f., see pestilentiapestis -is, f., 'plague, a communicable disease; ruination, destruction; disaster (pol.); cause of disaster' [Frequent]
petalium -i, n., 'gold-leaf' [Rare]
petastus -a -um, 'wearing the petasus, a broad brimmed hat' [Rare]
petaso -onis, m., 'pork shoulder'(As opposed to perna, "ham"; perhaps, this word (from petasus) is so named because it has a hat-shaped form when cut up? Or, it is a fancy, dressed roast, like our standing roast? See petasus.) [Rare]
petasus -i, m., 'a wide-rimmed hat used on the road by travellers'(It would appear not unlike standard American State Police headgear, round cap with a flat, broad brim. See prev.) [Rare]
petaurum -i, n., 'spring board, used by trapeze artists' [Rare]
petesso (petisso) -ere, 'strive for, try to reach, try to get' [Rare]
petitio -onis, f., 'an attack, assault on . . . ; a petition, demand (leg.)' [Frequent]
petitor -oris, m., 'a seeker; plaintiff in court; suitor in courtship; one who canvases for office' [Frequent]
petiturio -ire, 'be candidate for public office' [Rare]
petitus -us, m., 'request'(In Lucretius, "a movement toward . . . ") [Rare]
peto -ere -ii (or -ivi) -itus, 'seek, search for; go for, attack, chase; strive for . . . ; be candidate for . . . ; sue (leg.); demand' [VeryFreq.]
petorritum (petoritum) -i, n., 'an uncovered four-wheel carriage'Note: Gaulish word, possibly the numerical equivalent to Lat. 'quattuor,' for the "four" wheels of the cart. [Rare]
petra -ae, f., 'rock, boulder, stone' [Rare]
petro -onis, m., 'a ram used for stud breeding'(See admitto and admissarius for parallels in stock breeding.) [Rare]
petulans -antis, 'aggressive; insolent; sexually provocative' [Frequent]
petulantia -ae, f., 'petulance; impudent aggressiveness' [Frequent]
petulcus -a -um, 'butting with the head (goats)' [Rare]
pexatus -a -um, 'wearing a garment with the nap on (meaning, it is new)'(See next) [Rare]
pexus -a -um, 'with combed hairs; wooly (of garments) = new'(See prev.) [Rare]
phaecasium -i, n., 'a (Greek) woman's shoe, slipper'(The adj. phaecasiatus, "slippered," can be used of a philosopher, but not of a soldier!) [Rare]
phalangae (palangae) -arum, f. pl., 'rods of wood, rollers for moving heavy weights (mil.)'(The rod-shaped bones of the fingers are called the phalanges; see next.) [Rare]
phalangitae -arum, m. pl., 'soldiers belonging to a phalanx'(Here from Gr. phalanx, the close-packed military formation; see prev. and next) [Rare]
phalanx -angis, f., 'an infantry formation in close array'(Greek word. See prev.) [Common]
phalerae -arum, f. pl., 'medals, escutcheons, used as decoration on soldiers, horses'Note: . . . and aristocrats, as in Persius, Sat. 3, with the vitriolic jeer: 'ad populum phaleras.' --- This satire has in the middle section a packed sermon on God and Man, which in later Christian ages was taken as virtual Christianity. The number of 10th century manuscripts of Persius is astounding, considering how difficult he is to read and hard to understand when read. The Christians simply took him for a Christian prototype, missing the fact that Roman Stoicism and Christianity had many points in common . [Common]
phaleratus -a -um, 'wearing phalerae'(See prev.) [Rare]
phantasma -atis, n., 'an apparition' [Rare]
pharetra -ae, f., 'a quiver (the archer's arrowholder, shoulder mounted)' [Rare]
pharetratus -a -um, 'wearing a quiver' [UnCommon]
pharmacopola (pharmacopoles) -ae, m., 'drug-merchant; quack' [UnCommon]
phaselus -i, m., 'a light ship for passenger travel, yacht' [Rare]
phasma -atis, n., 'a ghost; the play "The Ghost"' [Rare]
phiala -ae, f., 'a shallow drinking-cup, a bowl or patera' [Rare]
philema -atos, n., 'a kiss' (Greek word from phileo, "love") [Rare]
philologia -ae, f., 'love of learning, study of literature'Note: The modern use of the term, "philology," began with the detailed and almost scientific studies of the ancient world begun in Germany in the first decades of the l9th century. Scholars like Wolf, Heyne, and Boeck did wonders for the understanding of the remains of the ancient world, but soon the process became an end in itself, causing a split which has lasted until our day. On the one hand, we have the cult of miscroscopic, factual philology, and, on the other hand, the interpretation of the past for cultural understanding by means of a more humanistic philology. [Rare]
philologus -a -um, 'learned, literary' [Rare]
philosophia -ae, f., 'philosophy; a school of philosophy'Note: This was a term which no Roman fully understood, other than Lucretius, who was admittedly a purveyor of Greek thinking. There is no Roman writer after Lucretius who can rightly be called a philosopher. The nearest thing to philosophy in the Roman world was Stoicism, with all its quirks and quiddities, which served well as a religious philosophy for educated Romans, while the masses went for the Eastern cults. [UnCommon]
philosophor -ari (dep.), 'philosophize' [UnCommon]
philosophus -a -um, 'philosophical' [UnCommon]
philtrum -i, n., 'a love potion, philtre'Note: Lucretius, according to the slim information we have about his life, died at the age of 44 from a love-philtre. Nowadays, we would probably interpret this as an overdose of a drug, while noting that the highly technical and assiduously pursued argumentation of his poem 'De Rerum Natura' does not coincide with our notion of a drug user. Are we speaking in this case of a different drug, or of an entirely different social reaction to drugs? Since we have so little historical information about these matters, Lucretius' fate in relation to his work may be useful in supplying background. [Rare]
philyra -ae, f., 'the inner fibre of the linden tree'(Used as an example of over-fancy floral decoration, according to Horace, Odes I.33) [Rare]
phimus -i, m., 'a dice-box' [Rare]
phoca -ae (and phoce -es), f., 'a seal or sea-calf' [Rare]
phoenicoperus -i, m., 'a flamingo' [Rare]
phoenix -icis, m., 'the phoenix, a mythological bird'Note: It was reborn from its own ashes, at least according to the myth, a detail which became famous in post-Renaissance poetry. --- Might this be a story about a bird which was often roasted, yet whose population continued to grow beyond all expectations, so that the more it was cooked, the more it lived on? [UnCommon]
phonascus -i, m., 'a teacher of music or speech'(A phonetician, it would seem.) [UnCommon]
phrasis -is, f., 'style; an expression, phrase' [Rare]
phrenesis -is, f., 'madness, frenzy' [Rare]
phreneticus -a -um, 'mad, frantic' [Rare]
phthisis -is, f., 'tuberculosis' [Rare]
phy interj., '(German) pfui!, (Amer. colloq.) fooey!'Note: The -y- represents Gr. -u-, which, along with the aspirated consonant, clearly points to a Greek borrowing. Yet this seems a funny word to borrow, unless the self-restrained Romans did not have a native way of expressing such disgust. The Greeks were apparently more open and expressive of their feelings, as the Latin verbs 'per-graecor' and 'graecisso' indicate. [Rare]
phylaca -ae, f., 'prison'(Greek word, phylax) [Rare]
physice adv., 'scientifically, as science'(See next) [Rare]
physicus -a -um, 'scientific, of nature study'Note: This comes from the Greek 'physis,' a word of the Presocratics which had already become obsolete by the time the Greeks started to develop real science in the 4th century B.C. [Rare]
physiognomon -onis, m., 'a physiognomist' [Rare]
physiologia -ae, f., 'natural science' [Rare]
piabilis -e, 'avoidable by expiation, prayer' [Rare]
piacularis -e, 'expiatory, pertaining to the rules of atonement' [UnCommon]
piaculum -i, n., 'expiatory victim; expiatory rite' [Common]
piamen -inis, n., 'means of expiation' [Rare]
pica -ae, f., 'a jay or magpie'Note: Magpies can learn to repeat words, parrot-like. In this sense, Petronius speaks of a wife as a 'pica pulvinaris' or "talkative magpie" in bed. Persius calls up a similar situation in the brilliant little prelude to his satires, citing the parrot who can memorize our words and repeat them, but . . . [Rare]
picaria -ae, f., 'the place where pitch is made' [Rare]
picea -ae, f., 'the spruce fir' [Rare]
piceus -a -um, 'of pitch; pitch-black' [Rare]
pico -are, 'smear with pitch' [Rare]
pictor -oris, m., 'a painter'(From pingo -ere) [Common]
pictura -ae, f., 'painting (as a craft); a painting; coloring; embroidery with colored threads' [Frequent]
picturatus -a -um, 'painted' [Rare]
pictus -a -um, 'painted; colored; embroidered with coloring' [UnCommon]
picus -i, m., 'a woodpecker' [UnCommon]
pietas -atis, f., 'piety ; "respectfulness" toward gods, father, and mother, the close family, and the state'Note: Roman 'pietas' concerns family, state, and deity; while English "piety" concerns deity alone. This goes a long way to explain Vergil's iterative use of 'pius' as an adj. for the not overly scrupulous Aeneas. [VeryFreq.]
piger -gra -grum, 'slothful, sluggish, lazy, inert' [Frequent]
piget -ere -uit -itum est (impersonal), 'it is annoying, distasteful unpleasant' [VeryFreq.]
pigiciacus -a -um, 'sodomitic (?)'Note: This odd and rare word seems to come from Gr. pygai, 'buttocks,' and is used only once, by Petronius. Words of single occurance are always a problem, especially when they refer to things we know very little about. The number of hapax legomena in Latin is astonishing, whereas the number of these which we cannot "solve" is small, probably because many of our interpretations are problematical. [Rare]
pigmentarius -i, m. 'a seller of paints and unguents' [Rare]
pigmentum -i, n., 'color, paint; literary "coloring"' [Common]
pignerator -oris, m., 'a mortgage'(See pignus) [Rare]
pignero -are, 'pledge; mortgage; lay a claim on (legal)'(See next) [Common]
pignus -noris (-neris), n., 'pledge, something given as security; token, assurance; children (as pledges of the marriage bond)' [VeryFreq.]
pigritia -ae (and pigrities -ei), f., 'laziness, sluggishness' [Common]
pigro -are (and pigror -ari, dep.), 'be lazy; be uninvolved, hang back' [Rare]
pila -ae, f., 'a mortar, the stone block for grinding grain, herbs'(Note that the -i- is long. See next two items.) [Rare]
pila -ae, f., 'a column; monument in cemetery'(The -i- is long. See prev and next.) [Common]
pila -ae, f., 'a ball; ball game' (The -i- is short. 'Pila paganica'--see paganicus--is a game of catch. See prev. two items.) [Rare]
pilanus -i, m., 'the third line of Roman soldiers, the veterans'(The word is equivalent to the 'triarii,' soldiers of the third line, men the general could count on.) [Common]
pilatus -a -um, 'armed with the pilum or javelin'(Possibly so in Martial 10, 48.2)Note: One is reminded of Pontius Pilatus, Jesus' judge, who must have been an Oscan, since Pontius is the Oscan equivalent of the [Common]
Roman name Quintus. See next. [Rare]
pilatus -a -um, 'closely packed'(See prev.) [Rare]
pilentum -i, n., 'a fancy ladies' coach' [Rare]
pilleatus (pileatus) -i, m., 'wearing the "cap of liberty" (sign of a freed slave)'(See pilleus) [Common]
pilleolus (pileolus) -i, m., see pilleatus, pilluspilleus (pileus) -i, m. (and pilleum -i, n.), 'a "cap of liberty"'Note: This is the cap which is worn by freed ("manumitted") slaves, as a sign of a newly freed slave. [Common]
pilo -are, 'pluck (feathers, hair), depilate'(See both entries for pilatus.) [Rare]
pilum -i, n., 'the heavy javelin of the Roman infantry'(The -i- is long. Perhaps the 'pilum Graecum,' a war machine of some sort.) [UnCommon]
pilus -i, m., 'a hair; a little bit, something of no value'(The -i- is short. See next.) [UnCommon]
pilus -i, m., 'a division of the Roman army, "troop"'(The -i- is long. This may be actually the same word as pilum "javelin" with extended mil. uses. See prev.) [UnCommon]
pina -ae, f., 'a clam' [Rare]
pinetum -i, n., 'a pine forest' [Rare]
pineus -a -um, 'made of pine wood' [UnCommon]
pingo pingere pinxi pictum, 'paint, color up; embroider with colors; color (literarily)' [VeryFreq.]
pinguiarius -i, m., 'a lard-merchant'(See pinguis) [Rare]
pinguesco -escere, 'grow fat, fatty; grow greasy, oily' [UnCommon]
pinguis -e, 'fat; well-fed, plump; (of land) rich; (of sounds, sky) heavy; dull, stupid; literarily obtuse' [VeryFreq.]
pinguitudo -inis, f., 'fatness; plumpness; greasiness' [UnCommon]
pinifer -fera -ferum, '(of land) having pine trees' [Rare]
piniger see piniferpinna -ae, f., 'feather; wing of a bird; any winged-beastie; fins (of fish as well as of dolphins)'(See next) [Frequent]
pinna (pina) -ae, f., 'a species of clam'(See prev.) [Rare]
pinnatus -a -um, 'feathered; winged' [UnCommon]
pinniger -gera -gerum, 'feathered; winged'(Not to be confused with piniger and pinifer, from pinus, "pine tree.") [Rare]
pinnirapus -i, m., 'a "crest-snatcher" (a kind of gladiator)' [Rare]
pinnula -ae, f., 'a small feather or wing' [Rare]
pinso pinsere pinsi (and pinsui) pinsitum (pistum), 'pound, crush (grain, etc.)'(See pistor, both miller and baker in one Roman occupation.) [Common]
pinus -i (and pinus -us), f., 'fir, pine; mast of a ship; an oar; a ship' [Common]
pio -are, 'atone for, propitiate a god; expiate, cleanse' [Frequent]
piper piperis, n., 'pepper'Note: Used of a 'Mr. Pepper,' as a hot head, in Petronius, with the remark that he is a "piper, non homo." --- For us, associations run to Sgt. Pepper and Dr. Pepper in another key. [Common]
piperatus -a -um, 'seasoned with pepper' [Rare]
pipio -are, 'chirp (of a bird)' [Rare]
pipilo -are see pipiopipulus -i, m. (and pipulum -i, n.), 'a loud, chirping sound' [Rare]
pirata -ae, m., 'a pirate'Note: Piracy is an ancient Mediterranean profession, dating from the Homeric period right on through the Roman Empire, and sufficiently dangerous in the early l9th century to involve American action off North Africa. At the present time, the heisting of cargoes of valuable goods on land and sea (and in the air), as well as international terrorism, shows that the impulse which begat piracy is by no means spent. [Rare]
piraticus -a -um, 'piratical' [Rare]
pirum -i, n., 'a pear'(See next) [Rare]
pirus -i, f., 'a pear tree'(See prev.) [Rare]
piscator -oris, m., 'a fisherman' [Rare]
piscatorius -a -um, 'of a fisherman or fishing' [Rare]
piscatus -us, m., 'fishing; fish brought in' [Rare]
pisciculus -i, m., '"small fry"; bait for fishing' [Rare]
piscina -ae, f., 'pool; a tank, fish pond' [Common]
piscinarius -i, m., 'a person fond of fish ponds' [Rare]
piscis -is, m., 'fish; Pisces (the constellation)' [Frequent]
piscor -ari (dep.), 'to go fishing' [Rare]
piscosus -a -um, 'abounding in fish' [Rare]
pisculentus -a -um, see piscosuspistillum -i, n., 'a pestle (for pounding in a mortar or pela)' [Rare]
pistor -oris, m., '(grain pounder) miller; baker'Note: Milling and baking were the work of one person or trade at Rome and had not yet been separated into separate trades, as with us. [Common]
pistorius -a -um, 'of a miller or baker'(The 'opera pistoria' are simple pastry materials. See pistor.) [Rare]
pistrinensis -e, 'slave kept in a mill (as a jail)' [Rare]
pistrinum -i, n., 'a mill; a mill kept as a jail for slaves; workhouse' [Rare]
pistrix -icis, f., 'a whale'(See pristis) [Rare]
pithecium -i, n., 'a little monkey'Note: In Anthropology, the 'australo-pithecus' is thought to be an immediate ancestor of Homo Sapiens, but still a monkey. The original Greek word and the Latin place the accent on the second syllable, while anthropologists have rather arbitrarily transferred it to the first syllable. [Rare]
pittacium -i, n., 'a label (on a jar, etc.)' [Rare]
pituita -ae, f., 'mucus, catarrh; pus'Note: This word has, by some mistaken identification, been confused with the brain (and pituitary gland), a mix-up arising from the Greek medical doctrine of the "humors" and a lack of understanding of the real function of the brain as something analogous to the computer's CPU. See cor and note. [UnCommon]
pituitosus -a -um, 'full of phlegm' [Rare]
pius -a -um, 'pious; honorable in dealing with deities, parents, family, country, and religious responsibilities'(See pietas) [VeryFreq.]
pix picis, f., 'a monster; the Sphinx (?)' [Rare]
placabilis -e, 'appeasable (of deities)' [Common]
placabilitas -tatis, f., 'forgivingness' [Rare]
placamen -inis (and placamentum -i), n., 'placating; soothing, quieting (of persons)' [Rare]
placatio -onis, f., 'soothing' [Rare]
placatus -a -um see placidusplacenta -ae, f., 'pancake, ceremonial cake'Note: The connection of this word with the mammalian "placenta," the structure within the uterus which forms the base on which an embryo grows, is based merely on the form and pancake-like appearance. [Rare]
placeo -ere -ui -itum, 'please, be pleasing to; find favor with'(The impersonal use is often used to mean "it is pleasing; it seems a good idea.") [VeryFreq.]
placidus -a -um, 'agreeable, pleasant, pleasing; (of weather) agreeable, nice; (of places) quiet and peaceful)' [Frequent]
placo -are, 'pacify, placate, calm, make agreeable' [Common]
plaga -ae, f., 'a blow, whack; wound'(The -a- is long. See next two items.) [Common]
plaga -ae, f., 'an open expanse; the beach'(The -a- is short. See prev. and next.) [Frequent]
plaga -ae, f., 'a hunting net, animal trap'(The -a- is short. See two prev. items.) [Common]
plagiarius -a -um, 'a kidnapper' [Rare]
plagiger -era -erum, 'beaten, taking blows' [Rare]
plagigerulus see plagigerplagipatides '"son of a thwacking"'Note: This is a mock-heroic, Greek patronymic, as if the patronymic ending -ides were grafted onto 'plaga,' "blow." Humor is often not explicable, and this word is probably no odder than the Engl. "son of a gun" would seem to a Roman. [Rare]
plagosus -a -um, 'beating up' [Rare]
plagula -ae, f., 'bed-spread' [Rare]
planctus -us, m., 'lamentation (at funerals)'(Referring to the noisy "beating of the breasts" at funerals.) [Frequent]
plane adv., 'clearly, evidently; completely, actually' [Frequent]
plango plangere planxi planctum, 'beat noisily; beat the breast in lamentation; lament, bewail' [Frequent]
plangor -oris, m., 'beating the breast; lamentation' [Common]
planiloquus -a -um, 'speaking plainly, simply' [Rare]
planipes -pedis, m., 'dancer who wears no shoes' [Rare]
planitas -tatis, f., 'plainness' [Rare]
planities -ei, f., 'a level surface; a plain' [Common]
planta -ae, f., 'sole of the foot'Note: "Planter's wart" has nothing to do with tropical plantations, as most people assume. It is from 'planta,' "the sole" of the foot. It is a [Common]
linguistic device to substitute a known word for one which has lost its meaning, e.g. "bridegroom," where the second root of OEngl. 'brides-guma,' meaning "man" is unrecognizable. [UnCommon]
planta -ae, f., 'plant, seeding; shoot of a plant'(See prev.) [Rare]
planum -i, n., 'level ground; (geom.) a plane' [Common]
planus -a -um, 'flat, level, (geom.) plane; clear, obvious, plain' [Common]
planus -i, m., 'a wandering con-man, sycophant'(From Gr. 'plano,' "wander," the same word which gives "planet.") [Rare]
platalea -ae, f., 'the spoonbill' [Rare]
platanus -i, f., 'the plane tree' [Frequent]
platea -ae, f., 'a street, plaza'Note: The Greek 'plateia' or "flat place, plaza" gives this Latin word, as well as the ancient Goth. 'plapjo,' Ital. 'piazza' and English 'place.' In Mediterranean society, the 'platea' is a social center, the place for evening walks in the summertime, for meetings, riots, religious rites, and celebrations. [Rare]
plaudo (plodo) plaudere plausi plausum, 'clap the hands, applaud, approve' [Common]
plausibilis -e, 'worthy of applause' [Rare]
plausor -oris, m., 'an applauder at the theater' [Rare]
plaustrum (plostrum) -i, n., 'a waggon, cart; Charles' Wain' [UnCommon]
plausus -us, m., 'a noise of clapping; approbation, applause' [Common]
plebecula -ae, f., 'the little folk = the [Common]
people'Note: Not the little folk of Celtic myth, although there are striking similarities between Latin and Celtic, both in terms of linguistics and mythopoiea. Who else in Indo-European has a genitive singular for masculine nouns in -i, e.g., Lat.: 'vir, viri,' as compared with Old Irish: 'fer, fir' (from -i)? And who else is as consumed with the deities of the woods, fields, and streams? [Rare]
plebeius -a -um, 'plebian, of the lower class under the old Republic' [UnCommon]
plebes -ei , f., see plebsplebicola -ae, m., 'a (false) cultivator of the favor of the people or plebs' [Rare]
plebiscitum -i, n., 'a formal resolution of the plebs (people's party) in the tribunal councils' [Common]
plebs plebis, f., 'citizens, citizenry (as against patricians); the "people," the people's voting entity, [Common]
people' [Frequent]
plecto plectere plexi plectum, 'weave, braid up'(See next) [Common]
plector -i (dep.), 'be beaten, chastised; be punished' [Common]
plectrum -i, n., 'plectrum or quill for playing a plucked instrument' [Common]
plene adv., 'fully; completely; in a general sense' [Common]
plenus -a -um, 'full, complete, entire; abundant; rich; full sounding (of music and oratory)' [VeryFreq.]
plerumque adv., 'often, at many occasions; generally, to a large extent' [VeryFreq.]
plerusque -aque -umque (pl.: plerique -aeque -aque), 'the greater number of, most, most of . . . ' [Frequent]
plicatrix -icis, f., 'a maid who folds clothes' [Rare]
plico -are, 'fold, fold up; wind up (string)' [Frequent]
plodo see plaudoplorabilis -e, 'lamentable' [Rare]
plorator -oris, m., 'a lamenter' [Rare]
ploratus -us, m., 'weeping, lamenting' [Rare]
ploro -are, 'cry, wail; lament, bewail' [Frequent]
plostellum -i, n., 'a farm-wagon' [Rare]
plostrum see plaustrumplovo plovebat is the occurring form, = pluvebat, 'it rained' [Rare]
pluit pluere pluit (or pluvit), 'it rains, a shower falls' [Common]
pluma -ae, f., 'a feather; feathers, down (for cushions, etc.)' [Common]
plumatus -a -um, 'covered with feathers' [Rare]
plumbeus -a -um, 'made of lead (plumbum); leaden, heavy; dull, stupid' [Common]
plumbum -i, n., 'lead 'Note: Chem. symbol, 'Pb'; Engl. "plumber." Lead was used by Romans for waterpipes, for slinger's bullets, for a pencil (today's "lead pencil" is actually graphite in a fired clay matrix, since about l800). Did lead water pipes, which were used mainly in homes of the rich and famous, lead to the "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" through cumulative blood-poisoning? [Common]
plumeus -a -um, 'light as feathers' [Rare]
plumosus -a -um, 'feathered' [Rare]
plures -ium (pl. only), 'more, more in number, very many' Note: As a special use, 'plures' can refer to "the many, i.e., the many who have lived through the ages and are now gone, i.e., the dead," as in the phrase 'abivit ad plures' = "he died." --- About l970 the number of people living at the time was calculated to be greater than the number of all people who had ever lived, shifting the idea of the 'plures' from the dead to the survivors. The Romans would have been astonished, while we might well be dismayed at the idea of cumulative overpopulation. [VeryFreq.]
plurimus -a -um, 'most, the greatest number of' [VeryFreq.]
plus pluris, 'more'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
plus adv., 'more'(Often plus . . . quam, 'more than'; see prev.) [VeryFreq.]
plusculus -a -um, 'somewhat more, rather more' [Common]
pluteus -i, m. (and pluteum -i, n.), 'an upright movable panel; backboard of a bed; protective (mil.) wall; movable shelter for siege troops (mil.)' [Common]
pluvia -ae, f., 'rainfall'(See next) [UnCommon]
pluvialis -e, 'rainy, watery'(See prev.) [Rare]
pluvius -a -um, 'rainy, of rainfall'Note: The 'arcus pluvius' or "rainbow," literally, the "rainy bow" of summers' evenings! The Romans never deduced the polychrome quality of daylight from the refraction of the rainbow, which was a mystery until the 17th century physicists did their investigations with prisms. [UnCommon]
pocillum -i, n., 'a little cup'(See next) [Rare]
poculum -i, n., 'a wine-cup; a drink; drink of wine'(See prev.) [Frequent]
podagra -ae, f., 'gout' [UnCommon]
podagrosus -a -um, 'gouty' [Rare]
podex -icis, m., 'anus' [Rare]
podium -i, n., 'a raised base, raised architectural trim'Note: But it never has the meaning of the English 'podium,' a raised speaker's lectern for political or academic diatribing. [Common]
poema -atis, n., 'a poem' [UnCommon]
poena -ae, f., 'punishment; payment of an injury, fine; penalty'Note: The -oe- is an intentional archaism, suitable for such a serious and legalistic word. Similar in use is the cry at the opening of English court sessions, "oyez," an archaic French legal borrowing which sets the serious tone of a trial. See moenia and Poeni. [VeryFreq.]
poenio see puniopoenitet see paenitetpoesis -is (acc. -in), f., 'poetry'Note: Follows Greek inflectional endings, since this is not an acclimatized word, for which the simple Latin would be 'carmina.' [Rare]
poeta -ae, m., 'a poet, composer of poetry; an artist' [Common]
poeticus -a -um, 'poetical; creative' [UnCommon]
poetica -ae, f., 'the art of poetry' [Rare]
poetria -ae, f., 'a poetess'Note: It is remarkable how few women wrote poetry in the Roman world. The only poetess appearing in the manuals is Sulpicia, of whom almost nothing is preserved. This is especially odd, since Roman women had far more prestige and rights than Greek women, where at least a Sappho and a Diotima could appear. When women complain that civilization has been a restricted phenomenon of man's world, they are largely correct so far as the ancient world is concerned. [Rare]
pol interj., '(by Pollux!) truly! really!'(A word from Roman Comedy.) [Common]
polenta -ae, f., 'barley, groats' [Rare]
polio -ire, 'polish, smoothe over; dress (stone or wood); polish (writing)' [Frequent]
politia -ae (acc. -an), f., 'the Republic (Plato's)' [Rare]
politicus -a -um, 'political' [Rare]
politus -a -um, 'polished; refined, elegant (of persons)' [Common]
pollen -inis, n. (and pollis -inis, c.), 'fine-ground flour; face powder'Note: Plant pollen is a post-Renaissance biological term, coined in the days when a few, discerning minds began to see the sexual nature of plant reproduction among the Compositae, and the role of the male reproductive material, which they called 'pollen' for lack of a better word. [Common]
pollens -entis, 'powerful, mighty'(See next) [Common]
polleo -ere, 'be strong, powerful, able'(See prev.) [Frequent]
pollex -icis, m., 'the thumb; the big toe' [Common]
polliceor -eri -citus sum (dep.), 'promise; give a promise; bid on . . . ; guarantee' [Frequent]
pollicitatio -onis, f., 'promise' [UnCommon]
pollicitor -ari (dep.), 'keep on promising' [Rare]
pollingo -lingere -linxi -linctum, 'lay out for a funeral, prepare a body' [UnCommon]
polluceo -lucere -luxi -luctum, 'serve up (in a ritual); serve for a meal' [UnCommon]
polluo -uere -ui -utum, 'pollute, defile, stain; filthify' [Frequent]
polus -i, m., 'the pole, rotating axis of the earth; the "pole," i.e. the sky' [Frequent]
polyhistor -oris, n., 'the polymath; learned one' (Alexander Cornelius, the historian of the1st century B.C., often has this title.) [Rare]
polymitus -a -um, 'having many colored threads' [Rare]
polymyxos (acc. -on), 'having many wicks (of a lamp)'(See lychnus) [Rare]
polyphagus -a -um, 'omnivorous, devouring' [Rare]
polypus -i, m., 'an octopus; a growth on the nose, (med.) polyp'Note: The octopus was common edible fare then, as now, fresh from the Mediterranean sea, delicious boiled and served cold with a generous bottle of fine Greek "Fix" beer! Ahhh! --- But best tell the waiter "choris lathi!" or he will inundate your delicacy with sour-tasting olive oil. [Rare]
pomarius -a -um, 'an orchard, apple (or other fruit) orchard' [Rare]
pomarius -i, m., 'fruit dealer' [Rare]
pomeridianus see postmeridianuspomerium (or pomoerium -i), n., 'bare strip around the walls of ancient Italian towns; boundary lines' [Common]
pomifer -fera -ferum, 'producing fruit; fruitful' [UnCommon]
pomosus -a -um, 'having fruit; fruitful' [Common]
pompa -ae, f., 'a ceremonial procession, triumphant march; funerary procession; course of dishes at a dinner; ostentation, "pomp"'Note: From the Greek word, 'pompe,' "a sending forth" or "a march." The British tune "Pomp and Circumstance," is really a march, which is exactly what it sounds like. [Frequent]
pompilus -i, m., 'the pilot-fish' [Rare]
pomum -i, n., 'any kind of fruit; a fruit tree'(See next) [Rare]
pomus -i, f., 'a fruit tree'(See prev.) [Common]
pondero -are, 'weigh out; appraise; consider carefully, weigh the matter'(See pondus -eris, n.) [Common]
ponderosus -a -um, 'heavy, weighty; serious, dignified' [Common]
pondo adv., 'by weight' [Common]
pondus -eris, n., 'weight, a weight, mass, load; importance, weight, "gravity"' [VeryFreq.]
pone adv., 'behind, in the rear of' [Common]
pono ponere posui (rarely posivi) positum, 'place, locate, set, sit down; pitch (camp, mil.); place (a foundation); place (money out at loan); get rid of, put down, relinquish, leave; put aside = "put-by"; pose, set up (a problem); put down (in writing)' Note: There is a [Common]
use of pono for de-pono, which can be confusing. See (o)mitto for a similar shortening in Common usage. [VeryFreq.]
pons pontis, m., 'a bridge; bridgeway, catwalk; platform' [VeryFreq.]
ponticulus -i, m., 'a little bridge-like structure'Note: In string music, 'sul ponticello' means literally "on the bridge" of the instrument. [Rare]
pontifex -ficis, 'priest, pontiff, official in charge of public religion in Rome' [Common]
pontificalis -e, 'pontifical' [Rare]
pontificatus -us, m., 'the office of the pontiff' [Rare]
pontificus -a -um, 'pontifical' [Rare]
ponto -onis, m., 'a flat-bottomed boat, a punt' [Rare]
pontus -i, n., 'the sea'(An elegant Greek marine word, like pelagus, suited for poetry, as against the ordinary Latin word, mare. See marmor, pelagus.) [Frequent]
popa -ae, m., 'a priest's attendant in charge of sacrificing animals (known for being very fat)'Note: No palpable connection with Engl. 'Pope,' which is from Lat. papa 'father,' as in adj. 'papal.' [Rare]
popanum -i, n., 'a round cake used in sacrifices'(Like popa, round and fat?) [Rare]
popellus -i, m., 'the little people, the vulgar crowd'(From populus, not popa) [Rare]
popina -ae, f., 'a cheap (Oscan?) eatery'Note: Like an Ital. trattoria or Engl. 'fast-food place' --- The word must be Oscan for coquina, cocina, 'kitchen' [coquo], since Oscan regularly has -p- where Latin has the IE -qu-. [Rare]
popino -onis, m., 'a person who eats in cheap restaurants'(See prev.) [Rare]
poppysma -atis, n., 'smacking of the lips' (Onomatopoetic, from the popping sound, showing how unaspirated the Greek -p- actually was!) [Rare]
populabilis -e, 'ravaging (a land)' [Rare]
popularis -e, 'belonging to the people; public; popular; popular in esteem' [VeryFreq.]
popularitas -tatis, f., 'fellow-citizenship; an attempt to please the people' [Rare]
populatio -onis, f., 'ravaging a territory'Note: It is actually a planned military stategy of de-population, with the expectation of repopulating with colonies of your own choice. The Romans planned for results; the means were not important, least of all from a "soft-headed," humanitarian point of view. The 'de-' is omitted. [UnCommon]
populator -oris, m., 'plunderer' [Rare]
populeus -a -um, 'of the poplar tree' [Rare]
populifer -fera -ferum, 'producing poplar trees' [Rare]
populo -are (and populor -ari, dep.), 'plunder, ravage'(See populatio) [VeryFreq.]
populus -i, m., 'the people; nation; race; the "people" politically; the populace; the lower classes'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
populus -i, f., 'a poplar tree' Note: All trees are masculine in form with -us, but feminine grammatically, since trees are collectives of branches and leaves, and all collectives are considered linguistically feminine. Grammatical gender was originally concerned with the singular and plural functions rather than sex. The Semitic languages have this same trait: all plurals are really feminine collective singulars. See prev. [Common]
porca -ae, f., 'a sow'(See next) [Rare]
porca -ae, f., 'a ridge between two plowed furrows (agr.)'(This word must have come from porcus -i, 'pig,' since pigs cut furrows in grassland as they dig for roots to eat. See prev.) [Rare]
porcillus -i, m., 'piglet' [UnCommon]
poricino abl. only, meaning uncertain(Possibly 'ring (?)' in Petronius 48.7) [Rare]
porcinus -a -um, of a swine' [Rare]
porcus -i, m., 'a pig, hog' [Common]
porgo see porrigoporrectio -onis, f., 'reach, thrust' [Rare]
porricio (poricio) -ricere -reci (and -rexi) -rectum, 'offer up (as a religious sacrifice)' [UnCommon]
porrigo (porgo) -rigere -rexi -rectum, 'reach out, extend out, stretch; spread out; hold out, offer . . . to someone'(See next) [Frequent]
porrigo -inis, f., 'scab, scurf; scabies'(See prev.) [Rare]
porro adv., 'further, straight on, toward; further (on); furthermore' [VeryFreq.]
porrus -i, m. (and porrum -i, n.), 'leek' (A heavier type of leafy onion, of which tops were used as a vegetable in cooking.) [Rare]
porta -ae, f., 'gate, city-gate; gateway; any doorway, opening'Note: This is not a house-door as such, for which fores or valvae are used. --- It is used as the 'ass-hole' in Catullus 45.18. [VeryFreq.]
portatio -onis, f., 'carrying, conveying' [Rare]
portendo -tendere -tendi -tentum, 'prophesize, divine (from some omen), portend' [Frequent]
portentificus -a -um, 'miraculous' [Rare]
portentosus -a -um, 'extraordinary' [Common]
portentus -i, n., 'a rare phenomenon, portent, omen; a strange happening' [Frequent]
porthmeus (acc. -ea), m., 'the "ferryman"'Note: Refers to Charon, who carried souls in his boat across the river Styx to Hades, for a fee, of course, which was the coin set under the tongue of the deceased. --- A New Yorker cartoon some years ago graphicly depicted the above scene, with a sign affixed to the boat saying: "The operator of this vehicle does not carry money and cannot make change." [Rare]
porticula -ae, f., 'a small porch' [Rare]
porticus -us, f., 'porch, portico, columned open walkway'Note: Specifically, the portico of the Stoics; when this word is used in Latin, the writer is clearly thinking of something associated with Stoicism. [Common]
portio -onis, f., 'proportion, ratio; a portion, part' [Frequent]
portisculus -i, m., 'time-keeper, beat-keeper (for oarsmen at work)' [Rare]
portitor -oris, m., 'customs official, person in charge of import and export taxation'Note: Since Charon carried over only souls who paid, he is at times somewhat whimsically called the "customs man." [Rare]
porto -are, 'carry, transport; move, bear, bring' [VeryFreq.]
portorium -i, n., 'customs tax, toll, port-tax' [Common]
portula -ae, f., 'a little gate' [Rare]
portuosus -a -um, 'having many harbors' [Rare]
portus -us, m., 'port, harbor; a haven; safe-repository' [Frequent]
posca -ae, f., 'vinegar-water'Note: Used for a variety of medical purposes, but specifically for sobering-up, thus analogous to our use of coffee. See crapula and note. [Rare]
posco poscere poposci, 'ask for (strongly); demand; summon forth; require, request' [VeryFreq.]
posculentus -a -um, 'drinkable, potable' [Rare]
posia (pausia, pausea), 'a green olive'(See samsa) [Rare]
positio -onis, f., 'placement; planning; position (gram.)' [Common]
positor -oris, m., 'founder, builder' [Rare]
positura -ae, f., see positiopositus -us, m., see positiopossessio -onis, f., '(leg. or mil.) possession (such as land or domain)'Note: Then, as now, possession is at least semi-legally considered nine tenths of the law. In fact, it was the Romans who first took continued use to constitute legal right. [Frequent]
possessiuncula -ae, f., 'a small property (of real estate)' [Common]
possessor -oris, m., 'a land-owner; ruler of a (mil.) province' [Common]
possideo -sidere -sedi -sessum, 'possess, have and hold (leg.); control, administer; rule, dominate; take over, occupy' [Frequent]
possido -sidere -sedi -sessum, 'take hold of' [Rare]
possum posse potui, 'be able, be able to . . . ; have power to . . . ; be capable of, have within one's power' [VeryFreq.]
post adv. and prep., 'after, afterwards, later; behind; further on; (acc. obj.) after, behind' [VeryFreq.]
postea adv., 'afterwards, next' [VeryFreq.]
posteaquam conj., 'after that, later on, afterwards' [Frequent]
posteritas -tatis, f., 'future generations, posterity' [Common]
posterior -ius see posterus(Comparative of posterus)posterus -a -um, 'later, next; future'(Posteri = the men who live later, the descendants) [Frequent]
postfero -ferre -tuli -latum, 'place after; put as of less value' [Rare]
postgenti -orum, m. pl., 'those to be born later, future people'(A rarer word than the equivalent posteri. See posterus.) [Rare]
posthabeo -ere -ui -itum, 'put second, consider of less importance' [Common]
posthac adv., 'hereafter, in the future, afterwards' [Common]
posthinc adv., 'next' [Common]
posthoc adv., 'afterwards' [Common]
postis -is, m., 'doorway, portal, gate; post of a doorway' [Frequent]
postquam adv., 'after . . . ' [Frequent]
postremus -a -um see posterus(Superlative of posterus) [Frequent]
postridie adv., 'on the following day' [Frequent]
postulo -are, 'ask for, demand' [Frequent]
potens -entis, 'powerful, capable, able' [Frequent]
potentia -iae, f., 'power, force, strength, the supreme authority, rule' [Frequent]
potentatus -us, m., 'power, rule; the supreme rule' [Frequent]
potestas -tatis, f., 'power, rule' [VeryFreq.]
poterium -i, n., 'a wine cup, mug' [Rare]
potio -onis, f., 'a drink, swallow; dose of a medicine' [Rare]
potior potiri potitus, 'get power over, get in one's possession, rule, rule over.'(Generally takes abl. obj., like many [Common]
deponents, but occasionally takes a genitive object, probably in a Grecizing pattern, since all Greek verbs of ruling (basileuo, archo, etc.) take gen. obj.; see next.) [VeryFreq.]
potior -ius, 'more powerful; preferable; rather to be preferred . . . ' (See potis and prev.) [Frequent]
potis pote, 'having the power, able; able to. . '(An old adj. from which possum, = potis + sum, was developed, rarely used and archaic in tone. But the comparative, potior, "more powerful, preferable" and superlative potissimus, "most powerful" are Commonly used words.) [Rare]
potissimus -a -us, 'most powerful, supreme in power'(See potis) [Frequent]
poto -are, 'drink, drink down, swallow' [Frequent]
potor -oris, m., 'one who drinks, drinker; a "real drinker," an alcoholic'(The "Rhone-drinker," in Horace's phrase, means merely a native of Gaul.) [Rare]
potulentus (poculentus) -a -um, 'drunk, "soused"' [Rare]
potus -a -um, 'drunk, wasted, "blotto"'(See next) [UnCommon]
potus -us, m., 'drinking'(See prev.) [Rare]
prae prep., '(abl. obj.) in front of, ahead of, before; compared with; in regard to . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
praeacutus -a -um, 'sharpened, very pointed' [UnCommon]
praealtus -a -um, 'very high or deep' [Rare]
praebeo -bere -bui -bitum, 'set forth, put forth; offer, provide; produce (such and such an effect)' [Frequent]
praebibo -bibere -bibi, 'drink before, drink to . . . , toast (someone)'Note: The Romans toasted and then passed the drink to the honored one, as against our rather prissy [if hygienic] toasting each with his own glass. [Rare]
praebitor -oris, m., 'supplier' [Rare]
praecalidus -a -um, 'very hot' [Rare]
praecantrix -icis, f., 'a witch' [Rare]
praecanus -a -um, 'very grey'(or "early grey," of Horace) [Rare]
praecaveo -cavere -cavi -cautum, 'watch out for, be careful of, be on one's guard' [Frequent]
praecedo -cedere -cessi -cessum, 'go ahead of . . . ; precede (in place, in time, in discovery); take precedence over (honor), outrank' [VeryFreq.]
praecello -ere, 'come first; anticipate, outclass, outstrip; recommend (as coming first)' [Frequent]
praecelsus -a -um, 'very high, very tall (in stature)' [Rare]
praecentio -onis, f., 'a musical prelude' [Rare]
praeceps -cipitis, 'head-first, headlong; rushing onwards, falling, pitching over' [Frequent]
praeceptio -onis, f., 'an intuitive idea; instructions, precepts; early draft; a still unsettled estate (leg.)' [Common]
praeceptor -oris, m. (and praeceptrix -icis, f.), 'teacher, tutor, preceptor (as in English)' [Common]
praeceptum -i, n., 'precept, instruction; advice; a principle, guideline' [Frequent]
praecerpo -cerpere -cerpsi -cerptum, 'pluck off, pluck off early; have an early harvest; excerpt from a book' [Common]
praecido -cidere -cidi -cisum, 'cut off, cut short, shorten; cut out; deprive' [Frequent]
praecingo -cingere -cinxi -cinctum, 'bind on (in front), tie up the toga (for walking or any action); encircle (mil.), delimit, ring around' [Common]
praecino -cinere -cinui -centum, 'make music, produce music; make prophecy, prophetic statements'(See cano) [Frequent]
praecipio -cipere -cepi -ceptum, 'take first, get before the others; anticipate; advise; teach'(See praeceptum -i, n.) [Frequent]
praecipito -are, 'send headlong, throw; plunge, go headfirst; fall; be plunged into; lose face'(See praeceps) [Frequent]
praecipitium -i, n., 'leap from a height, a jump-off' [UnCommon]
praecipue adv., 'especially, chiefly' [VeryFreq.]
praecipuus -a -um, 'exceeding, surpassing (others), special; individual, one's very own, personal' [Frequent]
praecise adv., 'categorically' [Rare]
praecisus -a -um, 'cut off, sheared off, broken off' [UnCommon]
praeclarus -a -um, 'bright, brilliant, shining; outstanding, splendid' [Frequent]
praecludo -cludere -clusi -clusum, 'close off, block, bar the way; hinder, impede, prevent' [Frequent]
praeco -onis, m., 'a public "crier," a herald; an auctioneer' [Frequent]
praecogito -are, 'consider beforehand' [Rare]
praecognosco -noscere -novi -notum, 'learn beforehand' [Rare]
praeconium -ii, n., 'heralding; the announcment in public of a "praeco"'(See praeco, -onis) [UnCommon]
praecolo -colere -colui -cultum, 'practice in advance, become skilled at' [Rare]
praecompositus -a -um, 'pre-arranged, pre-meditated' [Rare]
praeconius -a -um, 'of an auctioneer; (as noun) auctioneer'(See 'praeco, -onis')praeconsumo -sumere -sumpsi -sumptum, 'use up too soon' [Rare]
praecontrecto -are, 'touch, caress' [Rare]
praecordia -orum, n. pl., 'heart, breast, chest, "thorax"; heart'(As seat of the feelings, an old error going back to Aristotle. See cor.) [Frequent]
praecorrumpo -rumpere -rupi -ruptum, 'bribe beforehand' [Rare]
praecox -cocis (and praecoquis -e), 'early to ripen, develop; precocious, too early'Note: The medical term, "dementia praecox," refers to the typical early occurance of this mental disorder. [Common]
praecupidus -a -um, 'very desirous of' [Common]
praecurro -currere -cucurri (and -curri) -cursum, 'run out ahead, precede; get ahead (of)' [Frequent]
praecursio -onis, f., 'a preceeding; precedence' [Rare]
praecursor -oris, m., 'one who goes forth first; (mil.) advance guard' [Rare]
praecursorius -a -um, 'sent out in advance' [Rare]
praecutio -cutere -cussi -cussum, 'shake in front of . . . ' [Rare]
praeda -ae, f., 'booty, plunder, loot (mil.); prey (in hunting); a reward, prize' [Frequent]
praedabundus -a -um, 'plundering, looting' [Rare]
praedamno -are, 'pre-condemn, pre-convict, pre-judge (leg.)' [Rare]
praedatio -onis, f., 'plundering, pillaging'(From praeda) [Rare]
praedator -oris, m., 'plunderer, robber; a predatory animal, hunter'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
praedatorius -a -um, 'plundering' [Rare]
praedelasso -are, 'weaken beforehand, undermine' [Rare]
praediator -oris, m., 'an official dealing with state properties'(From praedium) [UnCommon]
praediatorius -a -um, 'relating to the function of the 'praediator'. (See prev.) [Rare]
praedicabilis -e, 'praiseworthy' [Rare]
praedicatio -onis, f., 'proclamation, public notice; praise, renown' [Common]
praedicator -oris, m., 'announcer, public crier' [UnCommon]
praedico -are, 'proclaim, promulgate, announce; recommend, praise'(The -i- in the stem is short.) [Frequent]
praedico -dicere -dixi -dictum, 'predict, foretell, prophesize; appoint early; give warning to'(The -i- in the stem is long.) [Frequent]
praedictio -onis, f., 'early notification; prophecy' [UnCommon]
praedictum -i, n., 'early warning; early notification; prophecy' [Common]
praediolum -i, n., 'a small estate' [Rare]
praedisco -ere, 'learn early, learn before . . . ' [UnCommon]
praeditus -a -um, 'endowed with (qualities); furnished with, having; put before = in charge of' [Frequent]
praedives -itis, 'very rich' [UnCommon]
praedivino -are, 'guess at, divine' [Rare]
praedium -i, n., 'a farm, a country estate' [Common]
praedo -onis, m., 'a robber'(From praeda) [Common]
praedoceo -docere -docui -doctum, 'teach beforehand' [Common]
praedor -ari (dep.), 'plunder, rob'(From praeda) [Common]
praeduco -ducere -duxi -ductum, 'draw out (defenses) in advance, go forward (mil.); produce a straight line' [UnCommon]
praedulcis -e, 'very sweet (to ear, eye or taste)' [UnCommon]
praedurus -a -um, 'very hard, harsh; strong' [Common]
praeeo -ire -ivi (and -ii) -itum, 'go ahead, procede; come first (in place or time); go first = lead a song, a mass, etc.' [VeryFreq.]
praefatio -onis, f., 'preface, introduction (to a book, speech)' [Common]
praefectura -ae, f., 'position of authority (of a praefectus); a prefecture = Italian town under a prefect; a territory in the Empire' [Frequent]
praefectus -us, m., 'a commander, one in charge (mil. or gov.); a captain in the army' [Frequent]
praefero -ferre -tuli -latum, 'carry out in front; carry past; bear out (to give), offer; consider first = prefer' [VeryFreq.]
praeferox -ocis, 'very wild, bold, impetuous' [Rare]
praefervidus -a -um, 'burning hot, very hot' [Rare]
praefestino -are, 'hasten, hurry out' [UnCommon]
praeficio -ficere -feci -fectum, 'place in front of; put in charge of (an administrative term); charge to . . . ' [Frequent]
praefidens -entis, 'over-confident' [Rare]
praefiscini (praefiscine) adv., 'so as to avoid the evil eye, "knock wood"' [UnCommon]
praefigo -figere -fixi -fixum, 'fix onto, stick onto; block' [Common]
praefinio -ire, 'fix limits for . . . ; delimit, restrict' [Common]
praefloro -are, 'de-flower (of plants)' [Rare]
praefluo -fluere, 'flow past, flow by (of rivers)' [UnCommon]
praefoco -are, 'suffocate, choke' [Rare]
praefodio -fodere -fodi -fossum, 'dig a ditch before, dig in early (mil.)' [Rare]
praefor -fari -fatus sum (dep.), 'say as preface, remark initially' [Frequent]
praefrigidus -a -um, 'very cold' [Rare]
praefringo -fringere -fregi -fractum, 'break off (the tip), crack, snap off' [UnCommon]
praefulcio -fulcire -fulsi -fultum, 'prop up, bolster up, support'(See next) [UnCommon]
praefulgeo -fulgere -fulsi, 'shine out conspiciously'(See prev.) [Common]
praegelidus -a -um, 'very cold' [Rare]
praegestio -ire, 'be avid, eager for . . . ' [Rare]
praegnans -antis, 'pregnant; full of . . . (literary)' [Common]
praegracilis -e, 'very slim' [Rare]
praegrandis -e, 'huge, enormous' [Rare]
praegravis -e, 'weighty, very heavy; hard to endure' [UnCommon]
praegravo -are, 'weigh down, depress; over-weigh' [Common]
praegredior -gredi -gressus sum (dep.), 'go ahead, walk ahead, precede' [Common]
praegressio -onis, f., 'forward motion' [Rare]
praegressus -us, m. see praegressiopraegustator -oris, m., 'one who tastes before'(See next) [UnCommon]
praegusto -are, 'taste before'Note: Poisoning was [Common]
in Rome; a slave who pre-tasted food saved many a master from untimely death, while the master had little thought for the plight of the slave. [Common]
praeiaceo -ere, 'lie, lie before' [Rare]
praeiudicium -i, n., 'a preliminary trial; a legal opinion; previous legal authority' [Common]
praeiudico -are, '(leg.) pre-try; form an opinion at law; judge unfavorably to . . . ' [Frequent]
praelabor -labi -lapsus sum (dep.), 'flow on, glide past' [UnCommon]
praelambo -ere, 'lick before (of a mouse . . . )' [Rare]
praelautus -a -um, 'very lavish'(See lautitia) [Rare]
praelego -legere -legi -lectum, 'read out loud (before a teacher)' [Rare]
praeligo -are, 'tie up, bind, tie on' [Rare]
praelongus -a -um, 'very long; (of persons) very tall' [Rare]
praeloquor -loqui -locutus sum (dep.), 'speak first; give prefatory remarks' [Common]
praeluceo -lucere -luxi, 'shine out ahead, shine in front of' [Rare]
praelusio -onis, f., 'preface' [Rare]
praelustris -e, 'splendid, exemplary, illustrious' [Rare]
praemando -are, 'pre-recommend, pre-engage' [Rare]
praematurus -a -um, 'too early, premature' [Rare]
praemedicatus -a -um, 'previously "treated"'(The sole occurrance is about things treated with fire resistant materials: Ovid, Epistulae 12.15.) [Rare]
praemeditatio -onis, f., 'previous consideration' [Rare]
praemeditor -ari (dep.), 'plan out in advance; try out a musical instrument'Note: The l7th century music terms 'toccata' [touching] and 'ricercar' [investigating] originally meant "trying out" the instrument beforehand, that is, trying out or warming up before playing a formal piece. Later, these became formal pieces in their own right. [UnCommon]
praemercor -ari (dep.), 'buy in advance' [Rare]
praemetuo -ere, 'be apprehensive' [Rare]
praemineo -ere -ui, 'be pre-emininent (hist.)' [Rare]
praeminor -ari (dep.), 'threaten beforehand' [UnCommon]
praemior -ari (dep.), 'claim a reward' [Rare]
praemium -i, n., 'payment; reward, pay, extra pay; loot, plunder; a prize' [Frequent]
praemitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'send ahead, dispatch foward' [Frequent]
praenato -are, 'swim ahead' [Rare]
praemolestia -ae, f., 'something troublesome (which one anticipates)' [Rare]
praemolior -iri (dep.), 'prepare in advance' [Rare]
praemoneo -ere, 'give advance warning of; foretell' [Common]
praemonitus -us, m., 'a forewarning, premonition' [Rare]
praemonstrator -oris, m., 'a guide' [Rare]
praemonstro -are, 'point out the way, road; guide; foretell' [UnCommon]
praemordeo -mordere -morsi -morsum, 'bite off, nip off' [Rare]
praemorior -mori -mortuus sum (dep.), 'cease to be alive'(Refers to loss of limbs, faculties, etc., before death, rather than survivorship.) [UnCommon]
praemunio -ire, 'fortify (a wall, town); fortify (an argument, point of view)' [Common]
praemunitio -onis, f., 'fortifying beforehand' [Rare]
praenato -are, 'swim before or past' [Rare]
praenavigo -are, 'sail past' [Rare]
praeniteo -ere, 'outshine' [UnCommon]
praenomen -inis, n., 'a first name = given name'Note: The word, "Imperator," is somewhat arbitrarily considered the praenomen of an emperor. [Common]
praenosco -ere, 'get to know beforehand' [UnCommon]
praenotio -onis, f., 'a preconception' [Rare]
praenubilus -a -um, 'very cloudy' [Rare]
praenuntio -are, 'announce beforehand' [UnCommon]
praenuntius -a -um, 'announcing, heralding; foretellng' [Common]
praeoccupo -are, 'seize in advance (mil.); anticipate, foretell' [Frequent]
praeoleo -ere, 'send out a scent ahead; give a sniff of, give an idea of' [Rare]
praeopto -are, 'choose as first; prefer' [UnCommon]
praepando -ere, 'stretch out, reveal' [UnCommon]
praeparatio -onis, f., 'getting ready, preparation' [Rare]
praeparo -are, 'make ready, prepare' [Frequent]
praepedio -ire, 'tie up the feet; impede, obstruct'(See 'impedio,' and the opposite, 'expedio.') [UnCommon]
praependeo -ere, 'hang down in front' [UnCommon]
praepes -petis, 'flying straight ahead; swift of wing; showing good augury (of birds)' [Common]
praepilatus -a -um, 'of swords used for practice'(With a ball at the tip, like modern fencing gear.) [Rare]
praepinguis -e, 'fat (of men, animals), rich (of land, of vocal quality)' [Rare]
praepolleo -ere, 'have great power, influence' [UnCommon]
praepondero -are, 'lean, incline, incline towards . . . ; outweigh' [UnCommon]
praepono -ponere -posui -positum, 'place in front of; prefer, value more; place in a position of authority' [Frequent]
praeporto -are, 'carry out in front, display in front' [Rare]
praepositio -onis, f., 'placing in front; preference; (gram.) prefixing' [Rare]
praepositum -i, n., 'a possible point of view' [Rare]
praeposterus -a -um, 'having the first thing second, wrong way around; (of persons) wrong-headed'Note: Actually, = "having the postera (behind) prae (in front)." Note English "preposterous" is from this word but in a much extended sense, 'ridiculous,' which is what Lat. 'praeposterus' really is, having the front and rear reversed in position. [Common]
praepotens -entis, 'very powerful' [Common]
praeproperanter adv., 'very quickly, fast' [Rare]
praeproperus -a -um, 'very speedy, (overly) fast' [UnCommon]
praeputium -i, n., 'foreskin, prepuce' [Rare]
praequero -queri -questus sum (dep.), 'complain beforehand'(From queror) [Rare]
praeradio -are, 'outshine' [Rare]
praerapidus -a -um, 'very fast, rapid' [Rare]
praerigesco -rigescere -rigui, 'freeze off (by frostbite)' [UnCommon]
praeripio -ripere -ripui -reptum, 'grab first, seize; forestall, intercept' [Frequent]
praerodo -rodere -rodi -rosum, 'nibble away, bite off the end' [UnCommon]
praerogativus -a -um, 'privileged for first vote (pol.)' [Rare]
praerumpo -rumpere -rupi -ruptum, 'snap off (masts, oars, sails, 'sheets' of a ship)' [Rare]
praeruptus -a -um, 'broken off (of hills), sheer; disastrous' [Common]
praes praedis, m., 'a guarantee, surety; one who guarantees a contract (fin.)' [Common]
praesaepe (praesepe) -is, n., 'a fenced in enclosure, hedged area; stall, beehive' (See saepio and saepes) [UnCommon]
praesagio -ire, 'presage, forebode, have a presentiment of' [Common]
praesagium -i, n., 'presage, presentiment' [UnCommon]
praesagus -a -um, 'foreboding; predicting' [UnCommon]
praescisco -scere, 'get to know in advance' [Rare]
praescius -a -um, 'knowing beforehand' [UnCommon]
praescribo -scribere -scripsi -scriptum, 'write out, indicate by writing; outline, describe; prescribe' [VeryFreq.]
praescriptio -onis, f., 'introduction; excuse; precept; (leg.) outline of a case' [Frequent]
praescriptum -i, n., 'outline; the outline of alphabet for childrens' tracing; precept, rule' [Common]
praeseco -secare -secui -sectum, 'cut off (the end), lop off' [UnCommon]
praesegmen -inis, n., 'a clipping, the lopped-off part' [Rare]
praesens -entis, 'present, being there, here; ready, ready for action; present in the mind; actual = present time, now; of this present age; of this moment' [VeryFreq.]
praesensio -onis, f., 'awareness, presentiment' [Rare]
praesentaneus -a -um, 'prompt, ready to act' [Rare]
praesentarius -a -um, 'in ready cash, in cold cash' [Rare]
praesentia -ae, f., 'presence; being present (in a beneficial or helpful way)' [Frequent]
praesentio -sentire -sensi -sensum, 'feel beforehand, have a presentiment of' [Common]
praesepe (praesaepe) -is, n., 'barn-stall (for animals), stall; stall in a whorehouse' [UnCommon]
praesertim adv., 'especially, chiefly' [Frequent]
praeses -sidis, m., 'a guardian, legal custodian; a provincial governor' [Common]
praesideo -sidere -sedi -sessum, '(sit before) keep watch, guard, watch out for; surprise, oversee' [Frequent]
praesidiarius -a -um, 'forming a guard (mil.)'(See next) [Rare]
praesidium -i, n., 'guard, protection, security; a (mil.) outpost, garrison; a fort' [Frequent]
praesignifico -are, 'indicate beforehand' [Rare]
praesignis -e, 'distinguished, remarkable' [Rare]
praesono -sonare -sonui, 'sound beforehand' [Rare]
praespargo -gere -si -sum, 'sprinkle, scatter out in front' [Rare]
praestabilis -e, 'distinguished, pre-eminent' [UnCommon]
praestans -antis, 'outstanding, valuable, worthy, worthwhile' [Frequent]
praestantia -ae, f., 'superiority, excellence' [Common]
praestatio -onis, f., 'payment of funds, "pay-out" (fin.)' [UnCommon]
praestes -stitis, m., 'a guardian; a guardian deity' [UnCommon]
praestigae -arum, f. pl., 'trickery, illusion; con-manship' [Common]
praestituo -stituere -stitui -stitutum, 'fix conditions, limits; finalize' [Common]
praesto adv., 'ready at hand, ready on the spot, at hand'(See next) [Frequent]
praesto -stare -stiti -stitum, 'stand forth, be outstanding, excellent, important; make available, offer, furnish; fulfill (a promise, a financial deal); be responsible for . . . '(See prev.) [Frequent]
praestolor -ari (dep.), 'wait for, lie in wait for, expect' [UnCommon]
praestringo -stringere -strinxi -strictum, 'tie-up, constrict; touch upon, graze lightly; 'touch' (the sharp edge = blunt); dazzle (the eyes)' [Frequent]
praestruo -struere -struxi -structum, 'build up . . . before; block off, obstruct; defeat beforehand' [Common]
praesul -sulis, c. (and praesultator -oris, m.), 'dancer (at the head of a religious processional)' [Rare]
praesulto -are, 'dance out in front of (mil.)' [Rare]
praesum -esse -fui, 'be at the head of, be in charge of; lead, be leader' [VeryFreq.]
praesumo -sumere -sumpsi -sumptum, 'use up early; consume; assume (a duty); take up in anticipation; assume (as . . . )' [Common]
praesumptio -onis, f., 'assumption; anticipation' [UnCommon]
praesuo -ere -ui, 'sew over; cover over, pad' [Rare]
praetego -tere -texi -tectum, 'roof over, cover over' [Rare]
praetempto -are, 'try, test beforehand' [Rare]
praetendo -tendere -tendi -tentum, 'stretch out, stretch forth; protect' [Frequent]
praetento see praetempto praetepesco -tepescere -tepui, 'become warm, hot (sexually)' [Frequent]
praeter adv., 'beyond, past; in opposition to, against; except, excluding' [VeryFreq.]
praeterago -agere -egi -actum, 'drive past' [Rare]
praeterea adv., 'besides, further; after this, hereafter' [VeryFreq.]
praetereo -ere -ivi (or -ii) -itum, 'go past, pass by; omit, leave out; pass over, forget' [VeryFreq.]
praeterequito -are, 'ride past on a horse (mil.)' [Rare]
praeterfero -ferre -tuli -latum, 'carry past; (pass.) be borne past' [Rare]
praeterfluo -fluere, 'flow past, flow away; be lost' [UnCommon]
praetergredior -gredi -gressus sum (dep.), 'march past (mil.)' [UnCommon]
praeteritus -a -um, 'that which has been passed by, past (things); previous (in time); (as noun) the Past' [Frequent]
praeterlabor -labi -lapsus sum (dep.), 'glide past (of water, of an idea)' [Rare]
praetermeo -are, 'go past, move past' [Rare]
praetermissio -onis, f., 'omission' [Rare]
praetermitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'carry past, send past; omit; let slip (an advantage; an idea; memory)' [Frequent]
praeterquam conj., 'except; in addition; apart from . . .'(Sometimes occurs as praeter . . . quam.) [Frequent]
praetervectio -onis, f., 'a sailing past' [Rare]
praeterveho -vehere -vexi -vectum, 'carry past'(See next) [Common]
praetervehor -vehi -vectus sum (pass.), 'ride past (on a horse; on a boat)' (See prev.) [Common]
praetervolo -are, 'fly past; slip past, (pass.) be passed over' [UnCommon]
praetexo -texere -texui -textum, 'cover over, cloak; cover = protect; edge, bind the edge of, weave a border' [Common]
praetexta -ae, f., 'a toga with purple border worn by magistrates, boys, and adolescents'Note: The 'fabula praetextata' was a thoroughly Roman play, based on Roman scenes and Roman history, as against the copies of Greek New Comedy and the sad Senecan apings of Greek tragedies. Only one example has survived, and we have little background to know how to evaluate it or the lost native genre. Too bad! [Common]
praetextatus -a -um, 'wearing the "toga praetexta"' (See prev.) [UnCommon]
praetimeo -ere -ui, 'worry over' [Rare]
praetingo -tingere -tinxi -tinctum, 'dip (in dye; poison)' [Rare]
praetor -oris, m., '(he who is in front =) leader, captain; a Roman magistrate, judge under the consuls' [VeryFreq.]
praetorianus -a -um, 'belonging to the imperial bodyguard' [Common]
praetorius -a -um, 'of the praetor, magisterial; of the Praetorian Guard' [Frequent]
praetorqueo -torquere -torsi -torsum, 'twist, wring' [Rare]
praetracto -are, 'consider, treat in advance' [Rare]
praetrepido -are, 'fall all over oneself in anxiety; be excited for' [Rare]
praetrepidus -a -um, 'very agitated' [Rare]
praetrunco -are, 'lop off' [Rare]
praetura -ae, f., 'the office of the praetor' [Common]
praeumbro -are, 'cast a shadow over' [Rare]
praeuro -urere -ussi -ustum, 'scorch at the tips; frostbite' [UnCommon]
praevaleo -valere -valui, 'be very strong; have or get the upper hand' [Common]
praevalidus -a -um, 'very strong' [UnCommon]
praevaricatio -onis, f., 'collusion (between prosecution and defense); conniving' [UnCommon]
praevaricator -oris, m., 'an advocate guilty of collusion' [Rare]
praevaricor -ari (dep.), '(of an advocate) to be guilty of collusion'Note: Engl. 'prevaricate' means merely telling lies, having lost its legal meaning, which is now occupied by 'perjury.' See varicus. [UnCommon]
praevehor -vehi -vectus sum (pass. of veho), 'travel along (on foot, horse, or ship)' [Rare]
praevelox -cis, 'very fast' [Rare]
praevenio -venire -veni -ventum, 'get there first, "beat"; forestall, anticipate' [Common]
praeverro -ere, 'sweep the ground (before someone)'(See verro) [Rare]
praeverto (praevorto) -vertere -verti -versum (and praevertor -verti -versus sum, dep.), 'turn towards; direct; give attention to; anticipate' [Frequent]
praevideo -videre -vidi -visum, 'forsee, see first' [Common]
praevitio -are, 'corrupt beforehand' [Rare]
praevius -a -um, 'leading the way, proceeding' [Rare]
praevolo -are, 'fly ahead of' [Rare]
pragmaticus -i, m., 'a legal advisor; a financial advisor' [UnCommon]
prandeo prandere prandi pransum, 'eat the morning meal, lunch, brunch' [Common]
prandium -i, n., 'a late breakfast or lunch'Note: Our kind of breakfast was not a Roman meal, since they brunched later in the morning and ate things which we cannot exactly document, certainly not cornflakes or "ham 'n' eggs." [UnCommon]
pransus -a -um, 'having had lunch' [UnCommon]
prasinus -a -um, 'green, green-colored; (of clothes) light green; related to the political party "the Greens"'Note: A Greek word, used as the standard word for green color, as against viridus, which is restricted to chlorophyllic or 'plant-green.' Do not confuse this hue with the political party of "the Greens" in the l990's, although there actually was an ancient party of the "Prasini." [Common]
pratensis -e, 'growing in the fields' [Rare]
pratulum -i, n., 'a little field' [Rare]
pratum -i, n., 'open field, meadow' [Common]
pravitas -tatis, f., 'crookedness, warpedness; wrong-headedness; depravity, sin' [Frequent]
pravus -a -um, 'crooked, warped; "twisted"; perverse, weird; wrongheaded; evil'Note: Much in the sense of the old rhyme: "There was a crooked man / Who walked a crooked mile. . . ," who is basically 'pravus.' [Frequent]
precans -antis, 'praying' [Rare]
precario adv., 'by entreaty' [Common]
precarius -a -um, 'at the pleasure of someone else; dependent on entreaty, begging; precarious (in the English sense)' [Frequent]
precatio -onis, f., 'begging, prayer' [Common]
precator -oris, m., 'suppliant' [UnCommon]
precor -ari (dep.), 'beg for, pray for; earnestly ask for' [VeryFreq.]
prehendo prehendere prehendi prehensum (and prendo prendere prendi prensum), 'grab, grasp; catch, hold; take over (mil.); apprehend; grasp (in mind)' [VeryFreq.]
prelum -i, n., 'a press, device to apply pressure; wine-press, olive press, clothes press' [Common]
premo premere pressi pressum, 'press, crush; compress; press upon (mil.); oppress; hug, stick near; overwhelm; make love' [VeryFreq.]
prendo see prehendoprensatio -onis, f., 'canvassing for office' [Rare]
prenso -are, 'grasp at; corner, "buttonhole"; canvas for pol. office' [Common]
pressio -onis, f., 'leverage' [Rare]
presso -are, 'press' [Common]
pressus -a -um (ppl. from premo), 'hard, compressed, firm; firm, resolute; restrained; pressed down, sunken' [Frequent]
pressus -us, m., 'pressure' [Rare]
prester -eris, m., 'a waterspout'(See pristrix, "whale"?) [Rare]
pretiosus -a -um, 'costly, expensive; valuable, priceless' [Frequent]
pretium -i, n., 'price, value; evaluation; prize; price, cost; money; a bribe, "funny money"' [VeryFreq.]
prex precis, f., (usually in pl., preces), 'request, entreaty' [Frequent]
pridem adv., 'long ago, long since' [Frequent]
pridie adv., 'on the day before' [Frequent]
primaevus -a -um, 'young, youthful' [UnCommon]
primani -orum, m. pl., '(soldiers) of the first legion' [Rare]
primarius -a -um, 'important, illustrious (of persons)' [UnCommon]
primigenius -a -um, 'first-born; original, primitive' [Common]
primigenus -a -um, 'of birth, pertaining to an origin' [Rare]
primipilaris -is, m., 'the chief centurion of a legion'(See pilum) [UnCommon]
primipilus see primipilarisprimitiae -arum, f., '"first fruits" of harvest, consecrated to a deity; origins, beginnings' [Common]
primitus adv., 'first, for the first time' [Rare]
primordium -i, n., 'origin, origins, beginning; original elements' [Frequent]
primoris -e, 'first, foremost; earliest; of first rank' [Frequent]
primum -i, n., 'the beginning, origin; first place, rank'(See next) [Common]
primum adv., 'first, first of all, for the first time'(See prev.) [Frequent]
primus -a -um, 'first, foremost; earliest; nearest; first class, most important' [VeryFreq.]
princeps -cipis, 'first; (as noun) leader, head; a prince, president' [VeryFreq.]
principalis -e, 'original, ancient, pristine; first in importance; pertaining to the "princeps"' [Common]
principatus -us, m., 'leader's position; rule; principate; the principle which governs' [Frequent]
principalis -e, 'original' [Rare]
principium -i, n., 'origin, beginning; cause, first principle; first place = high rank' [VeryFreq.]
prior prius (compar.), 'first, prior, earlier; last (until now); primary, more basic; ancient, of earlier times, ancient style' [VeryFreq.]
prius adv., 'earlier, before; rather, sooner; rather, preferably'(See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
prius quam (priusquam) conj., 'before' [VeryFreq.]
priscus -a -um, 'ancient, from or of ancient times; old-fashioned; archaic' [Common]
pristinus -a -um, 'ancient, old; original, pristine' [Common]
pristis -is, f., 'whale (?); a ship called "The Whale"'(See prester) [Rare]
privatim adv., 'privately, as a private person, in private life' [Frequent]
privatio -onis, f., 'removal' [Rare]
privatus -a -um, 'private (as against public), personal; unofficial, of a private citizen' [Frequent]
privigna -ae, f., 'stepdaughter' [UnCommon]
privignus -i, m., 'stepson' [UnCommon]
privilegium -i, n., 'a special law; special legal status, privilege (in legal sense)' [Common]
privo -are, 'deprive of, prevent from possession of; be free from' [Frequent]
privus -a -um, 'individual, personal, private; deprived of . . . ' [Common]
pro prep., '(abl. obj.) before, in front of; for, on behalf of, in favor of; in place of' [VeryFreq.]
pro! interj., 'roughly equal to "Oh my god!"' [Common]
proagorus -i, m., 'mayor in Greek towns' [Rare]
proauctor -oris, m., 'an ancestor' [Rare]
proavia -ae, f., 'a great-grandmother' [Rare]
proavitus -a -um, 'ancestral' [UnCommon]
proavus -i, m., 'a great-grandfather; an ancestor' [Common]
probabilis -e, 'approvable, honest; credible, plausible, probable' [Frequent]
probabilitas -tatis, f., 'probability' [Rare]
probatio -onis, f., 'approval; proof, testing; legal evidence' [Frequent]
probator -oris, m., 'one who approves' [UnCommon]
probatus -a -um, 'honest, approved; "an honest sort," nice, agreeable' [Common]
probitas -tatis, f., 'probity, honesty; integrity' [Common]
probo -are, 'approve, commend; authorize, give assent to; prove (as true and provable)' [Frequent]
proboscis -idis, f., 'trunk of an elephant' [Rare]
probrum -i, n., 'a reproach; disgrace, dishonor; fault, sin'(See next) [Frequent]
probus -a -um, 'good, honest; worthy sound; clever, well-made, well-done' [VeryFreq.]
procacitas -tatis, f., 'sexual suggestiveness; an inveigling attitude' [UnCommon]
procax -acis, 'aggressive, forward; shameless; unrestrained' [Frequent]
procedo -cedere -cessi -cessum, 'go ahead, go on, proceed; come forth, advance (mil.); come forth (of flowers), arise, happen, progress' [VeryFreq.]
procella -ae, f., 'a tempest, sudden storm; civil trouble' [Frequent]
procellosus -a -um, 'stormy' [Rare]
proceres -um, m. pl., 'leaders, nobles' [Common]
proceritas -tatis, f., 'height, length' [Rare]
procerus -a -um, 'tall, long' [Common]
processio -onis, f., see processus(See next)processus -us, m., 'foward-going; progress, an advance in . . . ' [Common]
proci -orum, m. pl., 'leading citizens in the older Republic' [Rare]
procido -cidere -cidi, 'fall forward, collapse; drop; fall out' [Common]
procinctus -us, m., 'readiness for . . .; an alert (mil.)'(Having one's belt on ahead of time. See cinctus.) [UnCommon]
proclamo -are, 'cry out, raise a cry; declare, claim; (leg.) make a "claim"' [Common]
proclino -are, 'tilt, totter, incline (so as to fall over)' [UnCommon]
proclivis -e (and proclivus -a -um), 'inclining, sloping (downwards); hard to navigate, difficult; inclining to . . . ; inclining, leaning (of the mind)' [Frequent]
proco -are (and procor -ari, dep.), 'ask, demand (in marriage)' [Rare]
procoeton -onos, m., 'room in front of a bedroom'(A Greek word, retaining the Greek endings.) [Rare]
proconsul -sulis, m., 'proconsul; governor, administrator (mil. and civil)' [Common]
proconsularis -e, 'proconsular, of a proconsul' [Rare]
proconsulatus -a -um, 'of the office of proconsul' [UnCommon]
procrastinatio -onis, f., 'procrastination'(From cras, 'tomorrow') [Rare]
procrastino -are, 'procrastinate'(From 'cras,' the eternal tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow . . . ) [UnCommon]
procreatio -onis, f., 'begetting, procreation' [Rare]
procreator -oris, m., 'begetter, creator' [Rare]
procreatrix -icis, f., 'female procreator' [Rare]
procreo -are, 'beget, bring forth; produce, cause' [Frequent]
procresco -escere, 'grow, mature, develop' [Rare]
procubo -are, 'lie down; stretch out (of the shade)' [Rare]
procudo -cudere -cudi -cusum, 'beat, hammer; forge, fashion' [UnCommon]
procul adv., 'at a distance; from afar, far away; long ago; far from' [VeryFreq.]
proculco -are, 'tread on, trample' [UnCommon]
procumbo -cumbere -cubui -cubitum, 'lean forward, incline forward; genuflect; stretch out; fall, crash' [Frequent]
procuratio -onis, f., 'attention; responsibility; being a "procurator" in government'(See next two items) [Common]
procurator -oris, m., 'superintendant, magistrate in charge; a regular title under the Empire with various functions' [Frequent]
procuratrix -icis, f., 'female procurator' [Rare]
procuro -are, 'take care of, take responsibility for . . . ; be in charge of, administer' [Frequent]
procurro -currere -curri (and -cucurri) -cursum, 'run out ahead; attack (mil.); rush headlong; project' [Frequent]
procursatio -onis, f., 'a charge (mil.)' [Rare]
procurso -are, 'charge, advance quickly (mil.)' [UnCommon]
procursus -us, m., 'advance, charge (mil.)' [Rare]
procurvus -a -um, 'curving'(Used of a pruning-knife blade and shorelines) [Rare]
procus -i, m., 'suitor'(See proco) [UnCommon]
prode (?) (A questionable form in Plautus, Curculio 487, perhaps = 'prodest'?) [Rare]
prodeo -ire -ii (-ivi) -itum, 'come forward, advance; go forth; appear (on stage, in public); stick out, project; come into being' [VeryFreq.]
prodico -dicere -dixi -dictum, 'give notice, fix (a day, date)'(A legal term; it has a long -i- in the present stem.) [UnCommon]
prodigentia -ae, f., 'extravagance' [Rare]
prodigialis -e, 'exhibiting prodigies' [Rare]
prodigialiter adv., 'like a prodigy, a portent' [Rare]
prodigiosus -a -um, 'prodigy ridden; amazing, prodigious' [UnCommon]
prodigium -i, n., 'a prodigy, a portentous happening; a marvel, a monster' [Common]
prodigo -igere -egi -actum, 'shoot out (funds), waste money'Note: The key word in the 'prodigal son' story in the Bible. [UnCommon]
prodigus -a -um, 'wasteful, lavish; unrestrained; lavish but not nececessarily bad' [Common]
proditio -onis, f., 'betrayal' [Common]
proditor -oris, m., 'traitor' [Common]
prodo -dere -didi -ditum, 'give forth; hand over, betray; hand over (ideas, information); hand down; give up = abandon (mil.); betray (a fault, bad character, etc.)' [VeryFreq.]
prodoceo -ere, 'teach by rote' [Rare]
prodromus -i, m., 'precursor; a north-wind (which precedes the Etesian winds)' [Rare]
produco -ducere -duxi -ductum, 'bring forward, forth; produce (in court); bring into view; bring up (children); invent, produce; promote; draw out at length, extend' [VeryFreq.]
productio -onis, f., 'lengthening, extension' [Rare]
producto -are, 'extend, lengthen' [Rare]
productus -a -um, 'drawn long; drawn out' [Common]
proeliator -oris, m., 'warrior' [Rare]
proelior -ari (dep.), 'fight in battle, strive against' [UnCommon]
proelium -i, n., 'battle, fight; any hostile encounter; any contest (involving drink, sex); verbal battle' [VeryFreq.]
profano -are, 'offer in front of a shrine; de-consecrate; profane, violate a shrine'(From fanum) [Common]
profanus -a -um, 'not involved in or initiated into religious rites; profane, secular; evil, sacrilegious'(Pro + fanum, 'shrine') [Frequent]
profectio -onis, f., 'a starting or setting out, departure; origin' [Rare]
profecto adv., 'surely, certainly, for a fact' [VeryFreq.]
profero -ferre -tuli -latum, 'bring forth, display; bring into being; produce (ideas, words); produce (evidence); cite, quote; advance; extend; put off, delay' [VeryFreq.]
professio -onis, f., 'a statement of faith, profession; statement (leg.); an occupation or profession' [Frequent]
professor -oris, m., 'a professor, one who professes to know a subject well; a rhetorician, a mere teacher of rhetoric' [Common]
professorius -a -um, 'of a teacher of rhetoric' [Rare]
proficio -ficere -feci -fectum, 'get ahead, succeed, make advances; progress; advance; be of use, help' [VeryFreq.]
proficiscor -ficisci -fectus sum (dep.), 'go forth, set out, start on a trip; proceed; derive from, develop' [Common]
profectus -us, m., 'advance, advancement; success, profit' [UnCommon]
profiteor -fiteri -fessus sum (dep.), 'state, affirm; give assurance, promise; make a claim; practice (a profession)' [Frequent]
profligator -oris, m., 'spendthrift' [Rare]
profligo -are, 'crush, defeat, overwhelm; ruin' [Frequent]
proflo -are, 'blow forth, breathe forth' [Rare]
profluo -fluere -fluxi -fluxum, '(of liquids) flow out, overflow, over-run; derive from' [Common]
profluvium -i, n., 'any abnormal discharge of a body fluid'Note: Used for diarrhea, menstrual discharge, seminal ejaculation, spurting of arterial blood, . . . ! Whew! [UnCommon]
profor -fari -fatus (dep.), 'speak out, say; give a warning, speak prophetically'(Translates Greek 'pro-phetes' literally.) [Common]
profugio -fugere -fugi, 'flee, escape, run away; desert (one's home, country), emigrate' [Frequent]
profugus -a -um, 'escaping, running away; runaway (slave); emigrant, self-exiled (person)' [Frequent]
profundo -fundere -fudi -fusum, 'pour forth; pour out (words, ideas, feelings); pour forth 'animum' = die' [Frequent]
profundum -i, n., 'deep water, an abyss; chasm; the infinity of outer space' [Frequent]
profundus -a -um, 'deep (water, sea, heavens); underworldly; dark and deep, profound; secret, hidden away' [Frequent]
profusus -a -um, 'letting it all out, uncontrolled; lavish' [Frequent]
progener -eri, m., 'a grand-daughter's husband' [Rare]
progenero -are, 'breed, propagate' [UnCommon]
progenies -ei, f., 'progeny; family, line, race' [Frequent]
progenitor -oris, m., 'ancestor' [UnCommon]
progigno -gignere -genui -genitum, 'produce, propagate; cause' [Frequent]
prognatus -a -um, 'born, sprung from' [Common]
prognascor -sci -tus sum (dep.), 'be born from, spring from; come from a given family, nation, race'(Prognascor should be the verb form, but the present system does not occur--only the perfect does.) [Common]
progredior -gredi -gressus sum (dep.), 'go forward, advance; proceed; go on to . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
progressio -onis, f., 'advance, progress; increase' [UnCommon]
prohibeo -ere -ui -itum, 'hold back, hold off; avoid; prohibit, remove; prevent, restrain' [VeryFreq.]
prohibitio -onis, f., 'prohibition' [Rare]
proicio -icere -ieci -iectum, 'hurl, throw forth; rush, advance rashly (mil.); jam, jab, thrust . . . ; throw away, give up, abandon; cast out, reject' [VeryFreq.]
proiectio -onis, f., 'forward thrust; voice "projection" (of a speaker)' [Rare]
proiectus -a -um, 'projecting; rushing forth, precipite; cast forth on one's knees = grovelling, abject' [Common]
proinde (proin) adv., 'consequently, therefore'(The -o- and -i- vowels are sometimes scanned as one syllable.) [Common]
prolabor -labi -lapsus sum (dep.), 'glide forward, slide forth; slip away; collapse, disintegrate; fall into (error)' [Frequent]
prolapsio -onis, f., 'slipping' [Rare]
prolatio -onis, f., 'setting forth; enlarging; procrastination' [Rare]
prolato -are, 'enlarge, expand, extend; push off, defer, procrastinate' [Common]
prolecto -are, 'entice, coax' [Rare]
proles -is, f., 'progeny, descendants, family, race; a generation' [Frequent]
proletarius -i, m., 'proletariat (the lowest class in the Republic); [Common]
, vulgar' [Common]
prolicio -licere -lixi, 'lure out, coax forth' [UnCommon]
prolixus -a -um, 'luxuriant, big, overgrown; expansive, liberal; prolonged, continuing'(But not with the sense of the English "prolix" = 'verbally excessive.') [Frequent]
prologus -i, m., 'prologue to a play; (as noun) the prologist' [UnCommon]
proloquor -loqui -locutus sum (dep.), 'speak out, announce, say; state in words' [VeryFreq.]
prolubium -i, n., 'desire, wish'(See libido/lubido) [Rare]
proludo -ludere -lusi -lusum, 'play out ahead of time = rehearse; be a prelude to . . . ' [Common]
proluo -luere -lui -lutum, 'wash off, scour; purify' [Common]
prolusio -onis, f., 'rehearsal for a contest, fight' [Rare]
proluvies -ei, f., 'flood, overflow; discharge of pus, excrement, vomit, etc.' [UnCommon]
promeritum -i, n., 'an action deserving thanks, something deserving an obligation' [UnCommon]
promereo -ere -ui -itum (promereor -eri -itus, dep.), 'earn, work for, merit, deserve; win, gain' [Frequent]
promineo -ere -ui, 'project, stick out, stick up; lean forward, reach out to grasp' [Frequent]
promiscam see promiscuepromiscue adv., 'all mixed together, indiscriminately' [Common]
promiscus (promiscuus) -a -um, ' [Common]
, mutually usable; used in the same way; in the public domain, used by all, universal'(English "promiscuous" is a new development from this word in a different sense.) [Frequent]
promissio -onis, f., 'promise; (legal) guarantee' [Common]
promissor -oris, m., 'guaranteer, warrantor' [Rare]
promissum -i, n., 'a promise' [Rare]
promitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'send forth, release, let out; undertake, agree to . . . , promise; guarantee (legal), make a contract' [VeryFreq.]
promo promere prompsi promptum, 'bring forth, draw out, reveal; bring out of hiding; publish, reveal, display; reveal to the world' [VeryFreq.]
promoneo -ere -ui, 'warn openly' [Rare]
promontorium -i, n., 'a promontory' [Rare]
promoveo -movere -movi -motum, 'move forward; advance; promote (a person); progress' [Frequent]
promptarius -a -um, 'pertaining to storage (a closet, etc.)'(From promo) [Rare]
prompte adv., 'readily, directly, quickly; gladly' [Common]
promulgatio -onis, f., 'publication, promulgation (of a proposed law)' [Rare]
promulgo -are, 'publish publicly, announce; make widely known' [Common]
promulsis -idis, f., 'antipasto (in Italy); hors d'oeuvres (elsewhere)' [Rare]
promunturium -i, n., 'promontory, rocky procession of hills into sea (but less cut off than a peninsula)'. (See promontorium and paeninsula, = paene + insula.) [Common]
promus -i, m., 'steward, butler'(Literally one who brings things forth: 'promo, -ere.') [Rare]
promutus -i, m., 'on loan, loaned'(See mutuus) [Rare]
pronepos -nepotis, m., 'great-grandson' [Rare]
promptus -a -um (ppl. from promo), 'easily purchasable, ready at hand; something ready to be dealt with; ready for action; quick to respond = Engl. prompt'(See next) [Common]
promptus -us, m., 'action of making ready'(The supine in -u-, 'promptu,' is [Common]
. See prev.) [Common]
proneptis -is, f., 'great-granddaughter' [Rare]
pronoea -ae, f., 'the concept of "Divine providence"'(A direct use of the Greek word, 'pronoia,' = Lat. 'providentia.') [Rare]
pronuba -ae, f., 'a (matronly) "bridesmaid"; (Juno) Pronuba'Note: This is the regular epithet of Juno, who presides over marriages. See coniugium and conubium and notes. [Common]
pronuntiatio -onis, f., 'a proclamation; statement; (leg.) verdict; legal deposition' [Frequent]
pronuntiator -oris, m., 'one who makes known (such as a historian or orator)' [Rare]
pronuntiatum -i, n., 'Cicero's word for the Greek geometric term "axioma"' [Rare]
pronuntio -are, 'state, pronounce; speak out; give a verdict or legal decision; tell, relate' [VeryFreq.]
pronurus -us, f., 'a grandson's wife' [Rare]
pronus -a -um, 'bending forward, leaning forward; prone, lying on one's stomach (the opp. of supinus); inclining downward (geog.); setting (of stars); prone to . . . , inclined to . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
prooemior -ari (dep.), 'make an introduction'(See next) [Rare]
prooemium -i, n., 'preface, introduction; beginning' (See prev.) [Common]
propagatio -onis, f., 'handing down (in time, space); "layering" (in plant-grafting technique)' [UnCommon]
propagator -oris, m., 'one who extends' [Rare]
propago -are, 'propagate (plants from slips); hand down, transmit; extend'Note: In agr., this is used for the asexual cloning of plants from fragments of other plants, e.g. Concord grapes and Baldwin apples, whose replacements are all derived from one single plant. The Romans used such propagative techniques with much knowledge and finesse. See next. [Frequent]
propago -inis, f., 'progeny, children; descendants'(See prev.) [Frequent]
propago -onis, f., 'a layer, slip or shoot (esp. of vines)'(See two prev.) [Common]
propalam adv., 'openly, without concealing' [Common]
propatulus -a -um, '(stretching out in front) open, uncovered; unenclosed; of the open part of a house' [UnCommon]
prope adv., 'close, near; closer; nearly = almost' [VeryFreq.]
propediem adv., 'very soon, any day now' [UnCommon]
propello -pellere -puli -pulsum, 'push forth, push on; push away; push over' [Frequent]
propemodo (and propemodum) adv., 'almost, nearly' [Common]
propendeo -pendere -pendi -pensum, 'hang down (in weighing scales), dip; incline to . . . ' [Common]
propensio -onis, f., 'inclination, propensity' [Rare]
propensus -a -um, 'weighty; sloping towards . . . ; "inclined" to, having a propensity toward' [Frequent]
properanter adv., 'quickly, fast' [Common]
properantia -ae, f., 'haste, rapidity' [Rare]
properatio -onis, f., 'hurry' [Rare]
propero -are, 'rush, hurry, be in haste; rush to (do something)' [VeryFreq.]
properus -a -um, 'quick, speedy' [UnCommon]
propexus -a -um, 'combed forwards'Note: Used mainly of beards, occasionally of locks, perhaps even Julius Caesar's balding hair, which he carefully combed forward, although Suetonius does not use this word of him. [Rare]
propin (indeclinable noun), 'a toast, drink or aperitif'Note: This word is colloquially contracted from the Gr. infinitive pro-pinein, 'to drink to. . . ; toast.' [Rare]
propinatio -onis, f., 'toast to health, luck, "good cheer" (a party locution along with wine)'(From Greek pino, "drink." See prev. for a more colloquial version.) [Rare]
propino -are, 'drink to, "toast," drink to someone's health'(See two prev.) [Common]
propinque adv., 'nearby' [Rare]
propinquitas -tatis, f., 'nearness, proximity; kin, relationship' [Common]
propinquo -are, 'come near to, approach' [Common]
propinquus -a -um, 'near, close by; neighboring; related, as a family member' [Frequent]
propior -ius, 'near, nearer to; nearer (in time); more like, similar to'(A compar. adj. formed as if from the adv. prope!) [Frequent]
propitio -are, 'win over, propitiate' [Common]
propitius -a -um, 'favorable, well disposed' [Common]
propius adv., compar. of prope see prope(Compare propior, the adj. form)propola -ae, m., 'a retailer'(Greek word, from polein, 'sell') [Rare]
propolluo -uere, 'disgrace (?)' (A questionable reading or interpretation of Tacitus.) [Rare]
propono -ponere -posui -positum, 'set forth, expose, exhibit; publish, post, announce; bring to mind, call attention to; propose; propound' [VeryFreq.]
proporro adv., 'in turn' [UnCommon]
proportio -onis, f., 'proportion, analogy' [Rare]
propositio -onis, f. 'setting forth, publishing, notifying; a statement; proposition' [Common]
propositum -i, n., 'an intention, idea; subject, thought; proposition' [Frequent]
propraetor -oris, m., 'propraetor (a surrogate magistrate in the provinces)' [Rare]
proprie adv., 'actually, specifically, particularly' [Frequent]
proprietas -atis, f., 'a property, peculiarity' [Common]
propritim adv., 'specifically' [Rare]
proprius -a -um, 'one's own, "proper"; personal, individual; belonging to one individual'Note: Not like Engl. 'proper' meaning "decent, socially acceptable," but French 'propre,' Òown.Ó The French has adhered to the Latin meaning, while the English word has gone off on its own. [VeryFreq.]
propter adv. and prep., 'near, close-by, close; (acc. obj.:) near; because of, through; for the sake of' [VeryFreq.]
propterea adv., 'on that account, therefore'(Often in the phrase 'propterea quod . . . ' "because of the fact that . . .") [VeryFreq.]
propudium -i, n., 'a shameful action; a criminal (person)' [Rare]
propugnaculum -i, n., 'a fortification rampart, defence' [Common]
propugnatio -onis, f., 'defence, protection' [UnCommon]
propugnator -oris, m., 'a defender' [Common]
propugno -are, 'fight out in front, in front ranks (mil.); defend, protect' [Common]
propulso -are, 'drive back, ward off' [Common]
propylaeon -i, n., 'gateway; (pl.) the Parthenon Gates'Note: The famous gateway to the Acropolis of Athens, which still bears this name, is the eye of the needle by which every tourist from every country must enter to see the Parthenon. If you are ever there, please stop at the worn step at the top of the Propylaeum steps, and take a view from that spot of the Acropolis. Doxiades has laid out a system of rotational views by which each building, whether there in ruins or removed eons ago, occupies a certain angular position exactly from that spot, from which the Acropolis was originally laid out! [Rare]
proquaestor -oris, m., 'a deputy-quaestor; an ex-quaestor' [Rare]
proquam (or pro quam) adv., 'in proportion as, according as' [UnCommon]
prora -ae, f., 'prow (of a ship); a ship' [Common]
prorepo -repere -repsi, 'crawl forth, steal forth; emerge'(From repo) [Common]
proreta -ae (and proreus -i), m., 'prow-man (to watch the sea--naut.)' [Rare]
proripio -ripere -ripui -reptum, 'snatch out; bring forth; burst forth' [Common]
prorogatio -onis, f., 'prolongation of a term of office; postponement' [Rare]
prorogo -are, 'prolong; postpone, put off; extend (a condition, office, duty)' [Frequent]
prorsum (and prorsus) adv., 'forward, straight ahead' [UnCommon]
prorsus (prosus) -a -um, 'straight, straightforward' [Common]
prorumpo -rumpere -rupi -ruptum, 'burst forth, break out; (of news) appear suddenly' [Frequent]
proruo -ruere -rui -rutum, 'rush forward; rush forth and fall over, collapse' [Frequent]
prosapia -ae, f., 'family, race'Note: Not from sapiens 'wise,' as many people have foolishly surmised, but cognate with Skt. sapah, 'penis.' [UnCommon]
proscaenium -i, n., 'the stage of a theater' [UnCommon]
proscindo -scindere -scidi -scissum, 'cut, slice up; plow (land); lash, Òslice intoÓ (verbally)' [Common]
proscribo -scribere -scripsi -scriptum, 'write up (and publish); put up as a notice; proscribe = put up a list of wanted criminals' [Frequent]
proscriptio -onis, f., 'affixed notice of sale; publicly posted list of wanted criminals' [Common]
proscripturio -ire, 'be in a mood to conduct an inquisition (proscriptio)' Note: A whimsically contrived word appearing soly in a passage of Cicero, joined in the same sentence with "act like a Sulla." See sullurio for the companion word. [Rare]
proseco -secare -secui -sectum, 'cut off, slice off; slice = plough (land)' [UnCommon]
prosectum -i, n., 'a cut off part (of a sacrificial victim)' [Rare]
proseda -ae, f., 'a prostitute'Note: Whether sitting (prosedit) or standing (prostituit), the business, the intent, and probably the cost are the same. [Rare]
prosemino -are, 'beget; produce' [Rare]
prosequor -sequi -secutus sum (dep.), 'go along before, with; accompany; send along; follow up' [VeryFreq.]
prosero -ere, 'jut forward; stick out (the tongue)' [Rare]
prosero -ere -evi -atum, 'sow seed, produce crops; generate . . . ' [Rare]
proserpo -ere, 'crawl, sneak forth' [Rare]
proseucha -ae, f., 'a (Jewish) house of prayer'Note: Technical Jewish term, but using the Greek word. Note that ÒsynagogueÓ is also Greek, and so is "Sanhedrin" (from Gr. sun-hedra), as was the LXX translation of the OT made for the use of the Hellenized Jews, whose lingua franca was Greek, not Hebrew or Aramaic. The sure mark of the depth of Hellenistic influence can be measured by tha amount of Greek language used in lands outside Greece proper after 300 B.C. [Rare]
prosilio -ire -ui (-ivi or -ii), 'leap out, leap forth; rush, gush; grow forth, sprout' [Frequent]
prosocer -eri, m., 'a wife's grandfather' [Rare]
prosopopoeia -ae, f., 'imitation, impersonation'(Gr. combination of 'prosopon' + 'poiea,' "character-making") [Rare]
prospecto -are, 'look out at, look out for; face toward (of views)' [Frequent]
prospectus -us, m., 'prospect, view; outlook' [Frequent]
prospeculor -ari (dep.), 'look out over, examine' [Rare]
prospere adv., 'successfully; favorably' [Common]
prosperus -a -um, 'favorable, nice; successful' [Frequent]
prosperitas -tatis, f., 'success, prosperity' [UnCommon]
prospero -are, 'fare well, do well, succeed'Note: Prospero, in Shakespeare's 'Tempest,' is well named, in terms of the outcome at least. Anyone reading the 'Tempest' should have Sophocles' 'Philoctetes' at hand; there is probably no borrowing, but a curious parallelism in the late plays of two like geniuses. [UnCommon]
prospicientia -ae, f., 'foresight' [Rare]
prospicio -spicere -spexi -spectum, 'look out ahead; watch; anticipate, think of (ahead); take care (for the future)' [Frequent]
prosterno -sternere -stravi -stratum, 'stretch out = knock down; abase, lay low; defeat, route, ruin'('Sterno' is basically the action of spreading out something. It may be as harmless as laying out a blanket on a bed or, on the other hand, stretching out your mortal enemy at your feet, dead.) [Frequent]
prostibulis -e, 'prostitute-able' [Rare]
prostituta -ae, f., 'prostitute, hooker' [Rare]
prostitutuo -stituere -stitutum, '(sell in public) prostitute; dishonor' [UnCommon]
prosto -stare -stiti -stitutum, 'set forth (goods, for public sale); sell, hire out' [Common]
prosubigo -ere, 'root up (of a pig)' [Rare]
prosum prodesse profui, '(be ready at hand) be of use, be of advantage to, aid' [VeryFreq.]
protego -tegere -texi -tectum, 'cover over, shield; protect' [Frequent]
protelo -are, 'drive out, beat back'(See next) [Rare]
protelum -i, n., 'a team of two oxen; a succession (Lucr.)'(See prev.) [Rare]
protendo -tendere -tendi -tentum, 'stretch out, spread out; extend' [Common]
protenus see protinusprotero -terere -trivi -tritum, 'step on, tread on, walk all over, trample; crush' [Frequent]
proterreo -ere, 'scare off' [UnCommon]
protervitas -tatis, f., 'boldness; pertness' [Rare]
protervus -a -um, 'bold, unafraid; reckless; shameless, sexually forward' [Common]
protectum -i, n., 'a gable (arch.)' [Rare]
protinam adv., 'directly, straight on' [Rare]
protinus (protenus) adv., 'forward, right on from; immediately, directly' [Frequent]
protollo -are, 'hold up (hands); hold up, delay, prolong in time' [Rare]
protopraxia -ae, f., 'first claim, lien' [Rare]
protraho -trahere -traxi -tractum, 'drag forwards, drag out; draw out (in time); entend; reveal, bring to light' [Frequent]
protrudo -trudere -trusi -trusum, 'push forward, thrust out' [Common]
proturbo -are, 'drive forward' [UnCommon]
prout conj., 'so far as, insofar as' [Frequent]
provectus -a -um, 'extended, late; advanced in years'(See next) [UnCommon]
proveho -vehere -vexi -vextum, 'carry forwards, bring forth; bring forth, press forth; develop (to a point)' [Frequent]
provenio -venire -veni -ventum, 'come forth, come into existence; progress, advance, succeed' [VeryFreq.]
proventus -us, m., 'coming forth, growing' [Common]
proverbium -i, n., 'a proverb' [UnCommon]
providens -entis, 'provident, prudent' [Common]
providentia -ae, f., 'foresight, foreknowledge; forethought, intellectual providence' [Common]
provideo -videre -vidi -visum, 'see ahead, perceive in advance; provide for, be cautious against' [VeryFreq.]
providus -a -um, 'provident, foreseeing; foretelling, prophetic' [Common]
provincia -ae, f., 'a Roman province; provincial magistracy; rule, command' [Frequent]
provincialis -e, 'concerned with a province; of a provincial magistracy'(When used as a noun, an inhabitant of the provinces.) [Frequent]
provisio -onis, f., 'foresight' [Rare]
provisor -oris, m., 'one who provides for' [Rare]
provocatio -onis, f., 'a challenge (to a fight); subpoena (to court); an ÒappealÓ to a supreme court' [Common]
provocator -oris, m., 'challenger (gladiatorial)' [Rare]
provoco -are, 'call forth, summon; challenge, question; provoke, arouse, stir up' [Frequent]
provolo -are, 'fly forth, rush out' [UnCommon]
provolvo -volvere -volvi -volutum, 'roll forward, roll over; fall down, collapse' [Frequent]
provomo -ere, 'vomit forth; emit, disgorge' [Rare]
provulgo -are, 'publicize, divulge' [Rare]
prox interj. 'the sound of flatulence'Note: See trit, the note under vissio, and of course pedo, the source. [Rare]
proxeneta -ae, m., 'broker, financial agent' [Rare]
proximitas -tatis, f., 'nearness, proximity' [Common]
proximus -a -um, 'nearest, adjacent; nearest at hand; last, most recent; nearest (relative); nearest (friend); next, succeeding' [VeryFreq.]
prudens -entis (= providens -entis), 'forethinking, aware, sagacious, clever' [Frequent]
prudentia -ae, f., 'foresight; knowledge'(See prev.) [Common]
pruina -ae, f., 'frost on the ground' [UnCommon]
pruinosus -a -um, 'frosty' [Rare]
pruna -ae, f., 'a live coal' [UnCommon]
prunitius (prunicus) -a -um, 'of plum-tree wood' [Rare]
prunum -i, n., 'a plum' [UnCommon]
prunus -i, f., 'plum-tree' [Rare]
prurio -ire, 'itch' [UnCommon]
prytaneum -i, n., 'the town hall in a Greek city' [Rare]
prytanis -is (acc. -in), m., 'chief magistrate in a Greek state'(Greek word) [Rare]
psallo psallere psalli, 'pluck (the cithara), finger (the guitar)'(Greek word) [Rare]
psalterium -i, n., 'harp' [Rare]
psaltria -ae, f., 'a (female) player on the cithara' [Rare]
psellus -a -um, 'stammering'Note: A Greek word; Michael Psellus was a Byzantine Greek writer. The Romans were not the only ones to employ un-complimentary names. [Rare]
psephisma -atis, n., 'popular vote (in a Greek state)' [Rare]
pseudomenos -i, m., 'a logical impossibility'Note: The example used by the ancients is: "If a man states falsely that he is lying, is he telling the truth or actually lying?" Parallel is the modern puzzle question: "Have you stopped beating your grandmother?" Such questions were logical oddities until the advent of Boolean logic and computer programs, when it was discovered that they do have to be answered after all. [Rare]
pseudothyrum -i, n., 'a secret door' [Rare]
psithia (vitis) -ae, f., 'a kind of vine' [Rare]
psittacus -i, m., 'parrot'Note: Psittacosis is well-known as a parrot-carried disease. [Rare]
psychomantium (or psychomanteum -i), n., 'a place to summon up the deceased' [Rare]
pte (-pte) suffix, 'self, own'(Added to the ends of certain words for emphasis, e.g. suopte.) [Common]
pubens -entis, '(of plants) in full growth, strong' [Rare]
puber -beris, see pubespubertas -tatis, f., 'maturity; puberty' [UnCommon]
pubes -is, f., 'adulthood, maturity; puberty; the pubic area, groin'(See next) [Common]
pubes (puber) -eris, 'mature, ripe; adult'(See prev.) [Common]
pubesco -escere -ui, 'arrive at maturity; arrive at puberty' [UnCommon]
publica -ae, f., 'a public woman = prostitute' [Rare]
publicanus -i m., 'a public works contractor, a tax collector' [UnCommon]
publicatio -onis, f., 'confiscation' [Rare]
publicitus adv., 'at the public expense; publicly' [Common]
publico -are, 'make public = confiscate for the state; publish, promulgate, make generally known' [Frequent]
publicum -i, n., 'public property, funds; public welfare; the public (places); public awareness, knowledge' [Frequent]
publicus -a -um, 'of the public, of the people, public; [Common]
, open to the public' [VeryFreq.]
pudeo -ere (impersonal), 'it shames, fills with shame, causes a sense of shame' [VeryFreq.]
pudibundus -a -um, 'shy; modest' [Common]
pudicitia -ae, f., 'chastity, purity; female "virtue"' [Common]
pudicus -a -um, 'clean, chaste (sexually); decent, honest' [Frequent]
pudor -oris, m., 'feeling of shame, bashfulness, decency' [Frequent]
puella -ae, f., 'girl, maiden; any young woman; darling, dear(ie); girlfriend' [VeryFreq.]
puellaris -e, 'girlish' [UnCommon]
puellula -ae, f., 'a little girl' [Rare]
puellus -i, m., 'a little boy'Note: Archaic and archaizing for puer. The word is basically used of children, and this rarely used word does not give a sense of girlishness for a boy, like bellus or pulcher would. [Rare]
puer -i, m., 'boy, boy-child, son; child (boy or girl); "boy" = slave'Note: Perhaps the American South, having justified slavery by the example of the Greeks and Romans, saw a justification in the use of the word "boy" (puer) for any black male, following a bad Classical example. [VeryFreq.]
puerilis -e, 'like a child; childish' [Common]
pueritia -ae, f., 'childhood; childishness' [Common]
puerpera -ae, f., 'a woman in childbirth, a mother of a child (who is still an infant)' [Common]
puerperium -i, n., 'childbirth' [Common]
puerulus -i, m., 'a little boy; young slave'(See puer) [Rare]
puga (pyga) -ae, f., 'buttocks; rump'Note: Horace speaks in Satire1.2.133 on the dangers inherent in adultery, specifically losing his money or his ass. [Rare]
pugil -ilis, m., 'a boxer'Note: Roman boxers used brass-knuckles, many of our surviving statues of boxers have much mutilated faces. The Romans were not interested in the gentlemanly sport of self-defense, as developed in England in the18th century; they wanted to see blood. See caestus. [UnCommon]
pugillaris -e, n., 'that can be grasped by the fist' Note: As noun, 'pugillaria -ium' (= libelli), 'writing tablets.' Catullus uses pugillaria as equivalent to codicilli in the poem about the verse-snatching lady. [UnCommon]
pugio -onis, m., 'dagger' [Rare]
pugiunculus -i, m., 'little dagger' [Rare]
pugna -ae, f., 'fist-fight, any fight; battle (mil.); legal conflict, argument' [VeryFreq.]
pugnacitas -tatis, f., 'pugnacity' [UnCommon]
pugnaculum -i, n., 'a fortification' [Rare]
pugnator -oris, m., 'a fighter, combatant' [Rare]
pugnax -acis, 'pugnacious, aggressive; verbally aggressive' [Common]
pugno -are, 'fight, battle; engage in battle (mil.); contend, fight against' [VeryFreq.]
pugnus -i, m., 'the fist; fistful, handful of . . . ' [Common]
pulchre adv., 'beautifully (done); fine, great, nicely done!' [Frequent]
pulchellus -a -um, 'pretty, cutesy'Note: Cicero slyly uses this adj. in a pun with the name of his hated enemy, Clodius Pulcher, implying effeminate manners. Clodius was implicated in insinuating himself into a women's ritual of the Bona Dea, which may be the point here. [Rare]
pulcher pulchra pulchrum (and pulcer -cra -crum), 'beautiful, lovely, handsome; fine, splendid; decent, noble'Note: The pure Latin form is pulcer, fancified by substituting the Greek letter -chi-, in order to make a plain word more "beauteous." [VeryFreq.]
pulchritudo -inis, f., 'beauty, loveliness; fine quality' [Common]
puleium (Mentha Pulegium) -i, n., 'a mint-family aromatic herb used to refresh the spirits or revive' Note: Used like the ammonia whiff regularly furnished in a little vial at funerals today, with an advertisement for something or other. [Rare]
pulex -icis, m., 'a flea' [Rare]
pullarius -i, m., 'feeder of sacred chickens' [Rare]
pullatus -a -um, 'wearing old and dreary clothes'Note: Used of the poor, but also of mourners at a funeral in "sackcloth," whereas we moderns go to funerals dressed in our best dark suits and dresses. [Common]
pullulo -are, 'sprout, shoot forth new branches, grow, develop' [UnCommon]
pullus -i, m., 'a young one (horse, chick, child); young boy, "kid"'(See next) [Common]
pullus -a -um, 'dark colored, drab, poor; of mourning clothes'(See prev.) [Common]
pulmentarium -i, n., 'a relish' [Rare]
pulmentum -i, n., 'a relish' [Rare]
pulmo -onis, m., 'the lung'(Often used in the plural, pulmones, for obvious reasons.) [Rare]
pulpa -ae, f., 'pulp, fleshy fruit; flesh' [Rare]
pulpamentum -i, n., 'meat, hors d'oeuvres, appetizer' [Rare]
pulpitum -i, n., 'stage, wooden raised platform'(The church took this over as the "pulpit" for services and sermons.) [UnCommon]
puls pultis, f., 'porridge' [Rare]
pulsatio -onis, f., 'beating; assault' [UnCommon]
pulso -are, 'strike, hit, beat; assault, attack; assail (mil.)' [VeryFreq.]
pulsus -us, m., 'beating, knocking; impulse; pulse of the heart' [Frequent]
pultatio -onis, f., 'a knock on the door'(See next) [Rare]
pulto -are, 'knock at the door' [Rare]
pulvereus -a -um, 'dusty' [UnCommon]
pulverulentus -a -um, 'full of dust, dusty' [Rare]
pulvillus -i, m., 'pillow'(Dim. from pulvinus) [Rare]
pulvinar -aris, n., 'an upholstered couch (used in honorific ritual for a god, etc.)'Note: Used in Plautus, Cas., for a padded support for a boat drawn up on the shore. See pica for note on 'pica pulvinaris.' [Common]
pulvinus -i, m., 'a pillow, cushion' [Common]
pulvis -eris, m., 'dust; volcanic ash; dust (in the race, in the field of battle); a powder; ash from cremation' [Frequent]
pulvisculus -i, m., 'some dust; powder' [Rare]
pumex -icis, m., 'pumice'Note: This soft, volcanic stone was used to remove hair from bodies by rubbing, also to remove stray hairs from goatskin manuscript sheets. [Common]
pumico -are, 'rub smooth with pumice' [UnCommon]
pumilio -onis, c. (and pumilus -i, m.), 'midget, dwarf' [Rare]
punctim adv., 'with the point (of weaponry)' [Rare]
punctum -i, n., 'point, puncture, perforation; point (on the paper)'Note: The Romans did not use spaces between words, as early 5th century manuscripts still show: ARMAVIRUMQUECANOTROIAEQUIPRIMUSABORIS [Common]
pungo pungere pupugi (pepugi) punctum, 'pierce, stick, puncture; dot, mark; disturb, annoy, "jab at"' [Frequent]
puniceus -a -um, 'red, crimson; (really) purple'(The famous dye ÒTyrianÓ purple was Punic or Phoenician, derived from a Tyrian mollusk. See murex and purpura and notes.) [Common]
punio (poenio) -ire, and punior -iri (dep.), 'punish; avenge by punishment'(The -oe- spelling is an archaism, used in words of high antiquity with a legalistic flavor, as here.) [Rare]
punitio -onis, f., 'punishment' [Rare]
punitor -oris, m., 'punisher, avenger' [Rare]
pupa -ae, f., 'a little girl; doll'(Engl. puppet) [Rare]
pupillaris -e, 'of an orphan or ward' [Rare]
pupillus -i, m., 'a minor in guardianship of someone else; ward' [Common]
puppis -is, f., 'the poop or stern of a ship; a ship' [Frequent]
pupula -ae, f., 'a little girl; the pupil of the eye' [Rare]
pupus -i, m., 'little boy'(Engl. pupil) [Rare]
purgamen -inis, n., 'purgation, cleansing; the dirt cleaned off, filth' [UnCommon]
purgamentum -i, n., see purgamenpurgatio -onis, f., 'cleaning, purging; removing blame, errors' [Common]
purgo -are, 'clean, purge; de-husk, pit (olives--agr.); purify (rel.); absolve oneself, apologize' [Frequent]
purifico -are, 'purify ceremonially' [Rare]
purpura -ae, f., 'purple color, purple dye; cloth dyed purple; purple of toga hem of magistrates, senators'Note: This is the dye extracted from the murex, a Phoenician or Tyrian shellfish. The hue is a brilliant and unmistakable purple, identical to the color used by ancient Central Americans in their woven work. See murex for note. [Frequent]
purpurasco -ere, 'become purple' [Common]
purpuratus -a -um, 'purple; of the magistracy' [Rare]
purpureus -a -um, 'purple-colored' [Common]
purpurissum -i, n., 'a cosmetic derived from Tyrian purple; a "rouge" of a bluish hue'(See purpura) [Rare]
purus -a -um, 'pure, clean; free from (moral) stain; taboo' [VeryFreq.]
pus puris, n., 'pus (med.)' [Common]
pusillus -a -um, 'tiny, very little; small (of character); small and unimportant, trifling' [Frequent]
pusio -onis, m., 'little boy' [Rare]
pusula (pussula, pustula) -ae, f., 'pustule; blister; a "hickey"' [Rare]
putamen -inis, n., 'shell of an egg; skin of a fruit'(Lit., that which is cut off, removed, amputated. See next and puto.) [UnCommon]
putator -oris, m., 'pruner (agr.)' [Rare]
puteal -alis, n., 'rim (and lid) of a well; the (sacred) well at Rome' Note: The word has religious significance as a formalized place where lightning was supposed to have struck. It also refers to the location of the money lenders. [Common]
putealis -e, 'of a well' [Rare]
puteo -ere, 'stink, have a really bad smell; smell rotten' [Common]
putesco putescere, 'rot, become rancid; decay' [UnCommon]
puteus -i, m., 'a water well; any deep pit'(See puteal) [Frequent]
putidiusculus -a -um, 'rather offensive (of odor)' [Rare]
putidus -a -um, 'rotten, stinking, rotten; rotten = no-good; objectionable, offensive, annoying' [Frequent]
puto -are, 'think, consider, think about, go over in one's mind; suppose that . . . , suppose'Note: Also, in what was the original agricultural meaning, 'prune, clean up, tidy up (trees, garden plants), put in order.' 'Putting in order and tidying up' seems to be the common ground between these two divergent meanings. Vergil uses the agricultural meaning once in Georg. 2, 407. [VeryFreq.]
putor -oris, m., 'rottenness, decay; stench' [Rare]
putrefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'make rotten' [Rare]
putresco -escere, 'decay, rot' [Common]
putridus -a -um, 'rotten, decayed' [Rare]
putus -a -um, 'pure, unadulterated'(Sometimes in antique phrase, 'purus putus.' One questionable reading of this word as meaning 'boy'--puer, in Vergil, Catalepton 7.) [UnCommon]
pyctes -ae, m., 'a Greek-style boxer' [Rare]
pyrethrum -i, n., 'an herbal drug and aphrodisiac'Note: We use this word today in the name of a modern insecticide ingredient, made from natural materials and supposedly having a short poison-life in sprayed use. [Rare]
pyra -ae, f., 'funeral pyre' [Common]
pyramis -idis, f., 'pyramid' [UnCommon]
pyropus -i, m., 'a gold-bronze alloy used for "gilding"'(Compare our Òfilled gold.Ó) [Rare]
pytisso -are, 'spit out a mouthful of wine'(Must be onomatopoetic from the sound of spitting, like 'ptui.') [Rare]
pyxis -idis, f., 'a little (boxwood) box, used for cosmetics, drugs, poisons, etc.'Note: Trimalchio in the Satyricon, with characteristic modesty, uses a gold pyxis for the safekeeping of his invaluable adolescent beard! [UnCommon]
qua (f. abl. of qui) adv., 'how, by what way, where, on which side'(This is short for either 'qua via,' "by what road," or 'qua parte,' "in which direction.") [VeryFreq.]
quacumque (quacunque) adv., 'by whatever road or way; wherever' [Frequent]
quadamtenus adv., 'in a certain degree' [Rare]
quadra -ae, f., 'a square (shape); one fourth of . . . ' [Common]
quadrageni -ae -a, 'forty at a time, forty each' [Common]
quadragesimus -a -um, 'fortieth' [UnCommon]
quadragies (quadragiens) adv., 'forty times' [UnCommon]
quadraginta 'forty' [UnCommon]
quadrans -antis, m., 'one fourth; a fourth of a pound (weight); a small coin (one fourth of an 'as' or cent)' [Frequent]
quadrantal -alis, 'liquid measure a little over one gallon' [Rare]
quadrantarius -a -um, '(of value) worth one fourth an 'as' (cent); cost of fee to enter public baths'Note: This is an interesting bath admission sum, since it is considerably less than the cost of most public baths today. The bath facilities, which Mussolini had put in many smaller Italian towns, by the l970's cost 350 lira, certainly more by now, and they offer no entertainments. [Common]
quadratum -i, n., 'a cube; a block of dressed stone' [Common]
quadratus -a -um, 'squared, cube-shaped; squarish (of a person's build); divided into four parts' [Frequent]
quadriduum (quatriduum) -i, n., 'a space of four days' [Common]
quadriennium -i, n., 'a period of four years' [Common]
quadrifariam adv., 'divided into four . . . ' [Rare]
quadrifidus -a -um, 'split into four'(From findo) [Rare]
quadrigae -arum, f. pl., 'a four-horse chariot (for racing)' [Common]
quadrigarius -a -um, 'of a racing charioteer' [Rare]
quadrigatus -a -um, 'stamped with the figure of a four-horse chariot (of a coin)' [Rare]
quadriiugis -e, 'in a team of four' [Rare]
quadrilibris -e, 'weighing four pounds' [Rare]
quadrimus -a -um, 'four years old' [Common]
quadringenarius -a -um, '(of cohorts) having 400 men' [Rare]
quadringenti, 'four hundred; 400,000 sesterces (using a multiplier of l000x for the much devalued Imperial coinage)' [UnCommon]
quadringentiens (quadringenties), 'four hundred (the numeral); 400 times 100,000 sesterces = 400 million sesterces (inflation!)' [Common]
quadripertitus -a -um, 'divided into four parts' [UnCommon]
quadriremis -e, 'a type of ship with four men on an oar (?) or four tiers of rowers (?)' [Rare]
quadrivium -i, n., 'a crossroads, place where four roads meet'(See bivium, trivium) [Common]
quadro -are, 'make square, square up; fit up' [Common]
quadrum -i, n., 'a square; any regular geometrical shape' [Rare]
quadrupedans -antis, '(of horses) galloping; (as noun) a horse (galloper)' [UnCommon]
quadrupedus see quadrupedansquadrupes -edis, 'quadruped, a four-footed animal; any animal' [Frequent]
quadruplator -oris, m., 'one who brings criminal cases (which carried a fourfold penalty!)'Note: These are the desperate cases, presumably carrying a healthy fee, like modern criminal law practice. [Rare]
quadruplex -plicis, 'multiplied by four; having four parts' [Rare]
quadruplico -are, 'increase fourfold' [Rare]
quadruplor -ari (dep.), 'multiply fourfold' [Rare]
quadruplus -a -um, 'fourfold' [UnCommon]
quaerito -are, 'search for, hunt for, look out for; seek after'(Derived from next) [Common]
quaero quaerere quaesii (or quaesivi) quaesitum, 'seek, look for, hunt after; hold a legal inquiry' [VeryFreq.]
quaesitor -oris, m., 'investigator, inquirer, (esp.) judicial investigator' [UnCommon]
quaesitus -a -um, 'carefully worked out, planned; deliberate' [Common]
quaeso (quaesso; quaiso, as a false archaism) -ere, 'I ask you, I beg you; please . . . '(Most often used in1st person sg., but there is a scattering of other forms as very rare occurances, mainly in earlier authors, up to and including Cicero and Catullus.) [Frequent]
quaestio -onis, f., 'seeking, searching; inquiry, investigation; (esp.) judicial inquiry' [Frequent]
quaestiuncula -ae, f., 'a puzzling little question' [Rare]
quaestiunculus -i, m., 'some minor profit'(From quaestus, 'profit')uaestusquaestor -oris, m., 'a magistrate, the quaestor'(Originally legal, later financial and military, finally assistant to the emperor.) [VeryFreq.]
quaestorius -a -um, 'belonging to a quaestor' [UnCommon]
quaestuosus -a -um, 'lucrative, profitable; successful financially'(See quaestus) [UnCommon]
quaestura -ae, f., 'the office of the quaestor, quaestorship' [Common]
quaestus -us, m., 'business (aimed at making a profit); profit; wealth, income' [Frequent]
qualibet (qualubet) adv., 'howsoever, in any way you please' [Frequent]
qualis -e, 'of what sort (nature, personality, disposition, social class, etc.)'Note: In philosophical and scientific context, this word translates Gr. poios. It was actually created for this use in the time of Lucretius, since there was no proper word for this concept in Latin. [VeryFreq.]
qualiscumque (qualiscunque) qualecumque, 'of whatever sort or kind' [VeryFreq.]
qualislibet -qualislibet -qualelibet, 'of whatever kind; of what sort you will' [UnCommon]
qualitas -tatis, f., '(what-kind-ness =) quality, nature, sort'(This word was created in the time of Lucretius to translate Gr. poiotes as an abstract concept. See qualis.) [VeryFreq.]
qualus -i, m. (and qualum -i, n.), 'wicker basket' [UnCommon]
quam adv., 'how? in what way?; how much! what a . . . !; (more) than, rather than'(In fact, there are many special uses, but these are the main ones.) [VeryFreq.]
quamlibet (quamlubet) adv., 'as much as you please'. [Common]
quamobrem (quam ob rem) conj., 'for which reason, because of which thing' [Frequent]
quamquam (quanquam) adv., 'although, though; (at the beginning of a sentence) nevertheless, yet' [VeryFreq.]
quamvis adv., 'as much as you please; however you want; however, although' [VeryFreq.]
quanam adv., 'by what way?' [Rare]
quando adv., '(interrog.) at what time? when? (relative) when' [VeryFreq.]
quandocumque (quandocunque) adv., 'at whatever time, whenever' [Frequent]
quandoque adv., 'at whatever time, at some time; whereas' [Frequent]
quandoquidem, adv., 'insofar as, in so much as, because' [Common]
quanti adv., 'for how much, at what price'(This is a Frequently used expression, actually a rare genitive used in inquiring the price of something. A parallel "genitive of price" is 'tanti,' 'so much!') [VeryFreq.]
quantillus -a -um, see quantulusquantitas -atis, f., 'size (large); quantity'(See 'qualis' and 'qualitas' which were used to translate Greek abstract ideas new to Latin, just like this word.) [Common]
quantopere (quanto opere), adv., 'how greatly' [UnCommon]
quantulus -a -um, 'how little, how small' [Frequent]
quantuluscumque -acumque -umcumque, 'however small in size' [Frequent]
quantum adv., 'how much' [Frequent]
quantus -a -um, 'how great? how much?; as great, as much' [VeryFreq.]
quantuscumque -acumque -umcumque, 'however great' [Frequent]
quantuslibet -alibet -umlibet, 'as much as it pleases, however much' [Common]
quantusquantus -a -um, 'however much, whatsoever'(Both parts are inflected throughout [like parallel thirds in music], e.g. quantiquanti, etc.) [Rare]
quantusvis -avis -umvis, 'as great as you please, however great' [UnCommon]
quapropter adv., 'why? wherefore?' [VeryFreq.]
quaqua adv., 'in any direction; wherever' [UnCommon]
quare (= qua re), '(interrog.) in what way? how? (relative) in this way; therefore, wherefore' [VeryFreq.]
quartadecumani -orum, m., 'soldiers of the fourteenth legion' [Rare]
quartanus -a -um, 'of the fourth day (fever)' Note: A fever which becomes acute on day four, as described by Hippocratic medicine in the Diagnostics, the first casebook of medical history in the Western world. [Rare]
quartarius -i, m., 'the fourth part of a sextarius (liquid measure)' [Rare]
quartus -a -um, 'fourth (in order, rank, etc.)' [Frequent]
quasi adv. and conj., 'as if; just as if; supposed that if . . . , as if (it were . . . )' [VeryFreq.]
quasillaria -ae, f., 'a basket girl (fetcher)'(See quasus) [Rare]
quasillus -i, m. (and quasillum -i, n.), 'a little basket'(See prev.) [Rare]
quassatio -onis, f., 'a shaking' [Rare]
quasso -are, 'shake about, brandish; batter, break' [Frequent]
quassus -a -um, 'shaken up, battered'(From quatio) [UnCommon]
quatefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'cause to shake' [Rare]
quatentus adv., 'how far, to what extent; in so far as' [Frequent]
quater 'four times' [Common]
quaterni -ae -a, 'four at a time, four each' [Common]
quatio quatere quassi quassum, 'shake, brandish; shake down; upset, disturb; beat on, assault' [Frequent]
quattuor 'four, (Roman numeral) IIII or IV' [Frequent]
quattuordecim 'fourteen' [Frequent]
quattuorviratus -us, m., 'the office of the quattuorviri, the Board of Four'(See next.) [Common]
quattuorviri -orum, m., 'a board of four magistrates' [Common]
que (-que), enclitic conj., 'and'(When repeated ' . . . -que . . . -que,' the meaning is 'both . . . and . . . ') [VeryFreq.]
queis (quis) see qui(Old forms for dat./abl. pl., quibus.)quemadmodum (= quem ad modum) adv., 'in what manner, how'(Often used interchangably with quomodo.) [VeryFreq.]
queo quire quivi (and quii) quitum, 'be able to'(This is an old and archaizing verb with a meaning equal to 'possum,' which effectively replaced it in the Classical period, although it still finds some use in poetry in the later poets, especially when a monosyllable is required for the verse!) [VeryFreq.]
querceus -a -um, 'oaken' [UnCommon]
quercus -i, f., 'oak, oak tree' [Frequent]
querela (querella) -ae, f., 'complaint, grieving; non-agreement; a medical complaint' [Frequent]
queribundus -a -um, 'full of complaints; complaining' [Rare]
querimonia -ae, f., 'complaint'(See queror.) [Frequent]
quernus -a -um, 'of oak, oaken'(See quercus.) [Rare]
queror queri questus (dep.), 'complain, lament; complain of . . . ; protest, complain about; make a complaining sound (doves' cooing, etc.)' [Frequent]
querulus -a -um, 'complaining, plaintive' [Common]
questus -us, m., 'angry complaint about . . . '(Although -ae- and -e- often exchange orthographically, this must be kept separate from quaestus.) [UnCommon]
qui quae quod, pron. and adj., 'who, which, what, what kind of' (There are many special syntactical uses and peculiarities involved with this ubiquitous word. See next.) [VeryFreq.]
qui (old abl. of qui), interrog. adv., 'in what manner? how?'(This is actually a 'qui' which means 'quo modo' or 'how?' See prev.) [Frequent]
quia conj., 'because; so, thus, therefore'('Quod' is also used to mean 'because,' but with some difference in syntactic treatment.) [VeryFreq.]
quianam adv., 'why ever (in the world)'(This is an archaic expression, with the tone of Engl. "mercy me!") [UnCommon]
quicumque (quicunque) quaecumque quodcumque, 'whosoever, whatsoever, whatever' [VeryFreq.]
quidam quaedam quoddam, 'a certain person or thing, a particular . . . '(This form, looking much like a relative, aligns with English "a certain . . . "; distinguish from next.) [VeryFreq.]
quidem adv., 'indeed' (emphasizing the immediately preceding word)(Also note the phrase: ne . . . quidem, 'not even . . . ; clearly distinguish this from prev. item, quidam, "a certain.") [VeryFreq.]
quidni? adv., 'why not?' [Common]
quies -etis, f., 'sleep, rest; quiet peacefulness, serenity'Note: But English 'quiet' is largely restricted to noise, probably because the world we live in is so much noisier than that of the placid Greco-Roman cities. [VeryFreq.]
quiesco -escere -evi -etum, 'go to sleep; rest, get away from . . . ; rest (in death); rest (do nothing, wait), cease, die, pass away' [Frequent]
quietus -a -um, 'sleeping, resting, reposing, quiet'Note: Shakespeare, in the overquoted Òto be or not to beÓ passage, cleverly uses the Latin quietus for 'quiet', with a nice emphasis on the finality of suicidal death. The Latin sounds so much more final! [Frequent]
quilibet quaelibet quodlibet, 'what one wishes, as one desires, whatever you wish' [VeryFreq.]
quin '(in questions) why not?; but that . . . '(Translating 'quin' as Òbut thatÓ is terribly poor English, but seems to satisfy the meaning of most Latin uses. --- 'Quin' is also used in special constructions, such as 'dubito quin . . . ') [Frequent]
quinam quaenam quodnam, 'who?; who (ever) is it?; who, I beg you?' [Frequent]
quincunx -cuncis, 'five-twelfths' [Rare]
quindeciens (quindecies), 'fifteen times' [Rare]
quindecim 'fifteen' [Common]
quindecemvir -i, m., 'one of a board of fifteen magistrates' [Common]
quindecemviralis -e, 'of the decemviri' [Rare]
quingeni -ae -a, pl. only, 'five hundred each' [UnCommon]
quingentesimus (quingentensimus) -a -um, 'one five-hundredth' [Rare]
quingenti -ae -a, 'five hundred' [Common]
quingentiens (quingenties), 'five hundred times'Note: As used in finance, 500 x a factor of1000 sesterces = 50 million terribly devalued sesterces! [Rare]
quini -ae -a, 'five at a time, five each' [UnCommon]
quinquageni -ae -a, 'fifty at a time, fifty each' [UnCommon]
quinquagesimus (quinquagensimus) -a -um, 'fiftieth' [UnCommon]
quinquaginta 'fifty' [Common]
quinquatrus -uum, f. pl. (and quinquatria -orum and -ium, n. pl.), 'the five days (19-24 March) as festival of Minerva)' [UnCommon]
quinque 'five' [VeryFreq.]
quinquennalis -e, 'of five years (holding office)' [Rare]
quinquennis -e, 'of five years; five years old' [Rare]
quinquennium -i, n., 'a period of five years' [Rare]
quinquepedal -alis, 'a five-foot ruler' [Rare]
quinqueperitus -a -um, 'in five portions' [Rare]
quinqueplex -icis, 'five parted' [Rare]
quinquevir -i, m., 'one of a board of five' [Rare]
quinqueviratus -us, m., 'the office of quinquevir; having the position of quinquevir'(See prev.) [Rare]
quinquies (quinquiens), 'five times' [Common]
quinquiplico -are, 'multiply by five' [Rare]
quintadecimani -orum, m., 'the soldiers of the fifteenth legion' [Rare]
quintana -ae, f., 'fifth street in a Roman camp, the post market'Note: Apparently, the same as the Post Exchange or 'PX' in American military jargon. [Rare]
quintanus -a -um, 'of the fifth' [Rare]
quintus -a -um, 'fifth; one fifth' [Frequent]
quippe particle/adv., 'to be sure (ironic); indeed, for sure!'(This word carries a large load of not carefully disguised sarcasm, like Engl. "oh sure!; you can be sure!") [VeryFreq.]
quippini 'why not?'(Often this is used outside a sentence, as a freestanding phrase: "Why not?") [UnCommon]
Quiris see QuiritesQuirites -ium (and -um), 'Romans'Note: The archaic and formal term for Roman citizens, possibly taken from the ancient city of Cures. [Frequent]
quiritatio -onis, f., 'public protest' [Rare]
quirito -are, 'make a public outcry, protest' [Common]
quis quid, interrog. pron., 'who? what? which?'(Only the nom. sg. forms, 'quis'--both masc. and fem.--and neut. 'quid,' distinguish this word from the relative pron. 'qui,' since all the rest of the singular forms and the entire plural are identical.) [VeryFreq.]
quis see aliquisNote: Memorize this silly old rhyme and avoid a lot of trouble: ÒAfter si, nisi, num and ne, the 'ali-' of 'aliquis' goes away.Ó See next. [Frequent]
quis see quibus(In poetry, often quis, with long -i-, stands as a shortened form for quibus; see prev.) [VeryFreq.]
quisnam quaenam quidnam, pron., 'who indeed?, what indeed?' [Frequent]
quispiam quaepiam quidpiam, 'anyone, anything; someone, something' [Common]
quisquam quaequam quidquam (quicquam), 'anybody, anyone, anything' [Frequent]
quisque quaeque quidque, 'each one, each person (or thing)'(This looks like a ÒwhoÓ word, but it means ÒeachÓ! Remember this word by the [Common]
expression: 'cuique [dat. sg.] suum' = Òto each his own!Ó) [VeryFreq.]
quisquiliae -arum, f. pl., 'garbage, junk to be swept out; trash; (human) trash'Note: Possibly onomatopoetic from sound of a broom at work, 'whoosh/swish'! Or, perhaps, from quisquis with a diminutive ending, = 'little whatevers, or whatcha-ma-callems.' [Rare]
quisquis quaequae quidquid (quicquid), 'whoever, whatever, whichever; anyone, anything' [VeryFreq.]
quius see cuius, gen. sg. of quiquivis quaevis quodvis (quidvis), 'whosoever, whatsoever' [VeryFreq.]
quo interrog. adv., 'where? in what place?' (This is actually short for 'quo loco'; see next.) [VeryFreq.]
quo 'from which, by which, whereby' (Very similar to 'quo modo,' "in which manner"; see prev.) [VeryFreq.]
quoad adv., 'how far; as far as, so far' [Frequent]
quocirca adv., 'since this is so; wherefore'(Sometimes split into two words: quo . . . circa) [UnCommon]
quocumque adv., 'wheresoever, wherever; anywhere' [VeryFreq.]
quod conj., 'the fact that, the point that; as to the fact that; because' (See quia) [VeryFreq.]
quoias see cuiasquoius -a -um (archaic), see cuiusquolibet adv., 'withersoever you please, to wherever you please' [Common]
quominus conj., 'so that . . . not'(Often split into two words: quo . . . minus.) [Frequent]
quomodo adv., 'in what manner, how'(Actually quo + modo, 'in what' + 'manner.') [VeryFreq.]
quomodocumque adv., 'in whatever way; somehow' [UnCommon]
quomodonam adv., 'how then?' [Rare]
quonam adv., 'where in the world? where, ever?' [UnCommon]
quondam adv., 'once, once upon a time, long ago; at some time (= in the future), someday'Note: This word reflects the same Janus-like time sense as olim, which can also refer to past and future. Perhaps the Romans were less accurately historical in mind than we are. [VeryFreq.]
quoniam adv., 'since, whereas, because' [VeryFreq.]
quoque conj., 'also, too'(Generally placed after the word it emphasizes.) [VeryFreq.]
quoquo (or quo quo) adv., 'to whatever place' [UnCommon]
quoquoversus (quoquoversum, quoquovorsum) adv., 'in every direction' [UnCommon]
quorsum (quorsus) adv., 'where to, whither?' [Common]
quot indecl., 'how many?; so many!' [VeryFreq.]
quotannis see quot annisquotcumque adv., 'as many as; however many' [Common]
quoteni -ae -a, 'how many each' [Rare]
quotidianus (cottidianus) -a -um see cotidianus (From quot + dies)quotidie (cottidie, cotidie) adv., 'daily, every day'(From quot + dies) [Frequent]
quoties (quotiens) adv., 'how many times? so many times (as . . . ); so many times!' [VeryFreq.]
quotiescumque (quotiescunque) adv., 'however often' [Common]
quotquot indecl. adj., 'however many as . . . ' [Frequent]
quotus -a -um, 'where in a number series?; of what "number"' [Common]
quotuscumque (quotuscunque) -acumque -umcumque, 'in whatever number or position' [UnCommon]
quousque adv., 'how long?, how far?'(quo + usque, 'where' + 'up to?') [UnCommon]
quovis adv., 'to whatever place you will' [UnCommon]
quum see cum (Used mainly in editions of the18th century and earlier.)
rabidus -a -um, 'raging, wild (animals, forces of nature); frenzied, wild (of emotions, conduct, etc.)'(See next) [Frequent]
rabies -iei, f., 'madness, frenzy; wild, uncontrolled behavior'Note: Not yet categorized as the disease, 'rabies,' carried by dogs and many wild mammals, although the disease was known to the Romans. [Frequent]
rabiosulus -a -um, 'slightly frenzied' [Rare]
rabiosus -a -um, 'raging, mad' [UnCommon]
rabo see arrabo [Rare]
rabula -ae, f., 'a filibustering speaker' [Rare]
racemifer -fera -ferum, 'bearing clusters of grapes' [Rare]
racemus -i, m., 'a cluster of grapes' [UnCommon]
radiatus -a -um, 'having rays of light; bright; radial (in tech. authors)' [UnCommon]
radicesco -escere, 'take root' [Rare]
radicitus adv., '(dug out) by the roots (completely)' [Rare]
radicula -ae, f., 'a little root' [Rare]
radio -are (and radior -ari, dep.), 'gleam, shine' [UnCommon]
radiosus -a -um, 'radiant' [Rare]
radius -i, m., 'a ray of light; spoke of a wheel (in radial display); stick, rod; the teacher's baton'Note: The Roman teacher may have had his baton, but the orchestral conductor's baton did not evolve until well into the l8th century. Before that the performers were generally led by the bow of the viola or violin. The cult of the conductor as supreme artist of the orchestra evolved partly as the result of the work of talented artists like Toscannini, but also from the public's desire to focus on a single person, who looked right for the part and handled himself with an actor's frenetic drive. [Frequent]
radix -icis, f., 'root, base, origin; source' [Frequent]
rado radere rasi rasum, 'rub, scrape off, shave; brush past' [Frequent]
raeda -ae, f., 'a coach with four wheels for long trips' [Common]
raedarius -a -um, 'a coachman' [Rare]
ramale -is, n., 'branches of a tree' [Rare]
ramentum -i, n., 'shavings, splinters' [UnCommon]
rameus -a -um, 'of a branch' [Rare]
ramex -icis, m., '(pl.) lungs; any enlarged or ruptured area'(See pulmo) [Rare]
ramosus -a -um, 'branching' [Rare]
ramulus -i, m., 'a little branch' [Rare]
ramus -i, m., 'a branch, bough' [Common]
rana -ae, f., 'a frog' [Common]
rancidulus -a -um, 'rather rancid, somewhat stinky' [Rare]
rancidus -a -um, 'stinking, rotten; offensive (in manners)'(Engl. raunchy) [UnCommon]
ranunculus -i, m., 'a little frog'(See rana) [Rare]
rapacitas -tatis, f., 'greed' [Rare]
rapax -acis, 'grasping, greedy' [Common]
rapiditas -tatis, f., 'rapidity' [Rare]
rapidus -a -um, 'flowing quickly (of rivers); swift, quick; scorching hot (sun, flame); having a violent character' [Frequent]
rapina -ae, f., 'plunder, looting; stealing of a woman'Note: Used for violent abduction of women, as of the Sabines, for social purposes, but not the same as our criminal charge of "rape," which is power-sexual and violently anti-social. [Common]
rapio rapere rapui raptum, 'sieze, grasp, grab; "rip off," steal; plunder; carry off (from life); grasp at . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
raptim adv., 'hastily, hurriedly' [UnCommon]
raptio -onis, f., 'abduction' [Rare]
rapto -are, 'drag off (to court), drag away; plunder, loot' [Common]
raptor -oris, m., 'plunderer; abductor' [Common]
raptum -i, n., 'plunder'(Actually perf. pass. ppl. of rapio, = 'something taken away') [UnCommon]
raptus -us, m., 'a snatching away; carrying off, abduction' [Rare]
rapulum -i, n., 'a little turnip' [Rare]
rapum -i, n., 'a turnip'(Engl. has the rarish vegetable word, 'rape.') [Rare]
rare adv., 'seldom, rarely' [UnCommon]
rarefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'thin out, rarify'(See rarefio, next) [Rare]
rarefio -eri, 'become thinner'(As passive of prev.) [Rare]
raresco -escere, 'thin out, become thinner, fainter; become less densely populated' [UnCommon]
raritas -tatis, f., 'openness, spongelike spaciness, ÒaerationÓ; sparseness; rarity, infrequency' [Common]
raro adv., 'rarely, not often' [Frequent]
rarus -a -um, 'reticulated (like a net); airy, spacey; (rarely) rare' Note: This is a very hard word to translate. It starts with the idea of a reticulated or net-like field, but ends up (if in Frequently with a social notion like the English, "rare old Ben Jonson." But compare Propertius' phrase, "Cynthia rara mea-st." [Frequent]
rasilis -e, 'smooth, polished' [Rare]
rasito -are, 'shave daily' [Rare]
rastrum -i, n. (but pl. rastri -orum, m.), 'a heavy hoe; mattock' [UnCommon]
ratio -onis, f., 'a "reckoning" (adding up numbers; financial totaling); reason, reasoning; proportion, ratio; a matter, business; a guiding principle, plan' [VeryFreq.]
ratiocinatio -onis, f., 'reasoning; calculating; planning' [Common]
ratiocinativus -a -um, 'concerned with reasoning' [Rare]
ratiocinator -oris, m., 'accountant' [Rare]
ratiocinor -ari (dep.), 'think, reason; do up accounts (fin.)' [Common]
rationalis -e, 'reasonable, rational' [Rare]
rationarium -i, n., 'a financial assessment'Note: Specifically used of Octavian's assessment of the resources of the Empire, according to Suetonius. [Rare]
ratis -is, f., 'a raft; a craft, a boat' [Frequent]
ratiuncula -ae, f., 'a small financial statement; thin reasoning; little argument(s)' [UnCommon]
ratus -a -um (ppl. of reor, ÒthinkÓ), 'thought of; considered; accepted as valid, ratified; fully thought out; well-stated' [Frequent]
raucisonus -a -um, 'raucous-sounding' [Rare]
raucus -a -um, 'raucous, rough-sounding, harsh (of voices, music, noises of birds, etc.)' [Frequent]
raudus (rodus, rudus) -eris, n., 'a rough mass, lump'(See next) [Rare]
raudusculum -i, n., 'a small bit of cash'(A slang word, like "a bit of the stuff"; see prev.) [Rare]
raveo -are, 'make a raucous sound' [Rare]
ravis -is, f., 'hoarseness'(See next) [Rare]
ravus -a -um, 'tawny or greyish colored'(See prev.) [Rare]
rea see reusreapse adv., 'in truth, really' [UnCommon]
reatus -us, m., 'state of being an accused party (leg.); an accusation, legal suit' [Rare]
rebellatio see rebelliorebellatrix -icis, f., 'rebellious' [Rare]
rebellio -onis, f., 'rebellion, insurrection, revolt' [UnCommon]
rebellis -e, 'rebellious' [Rare]
rebello -are, 'rise up, revolt, rebel' [Common]
rebito -ere, 'go back again'(re + ito, from eo, with an euphonic -b-.) [Rare]
reboo -are, 'echo, resound'(See bo-o -are, and possibly bos, bovis.) [UnCommon]
recalcitro -are, 'kick back' [Rare]
recaleo -ere, 'become warm again, warm up' [UnCommon]
recalesco -escere, 'become warm again, warm up' [UnCommon]
recalfacio -facere -feci -factum, 'make warm again' [Rare]
recalvus -a -um, 'balding, balding (back)'(The normal male loss of hair proceeds from the forehead backward, hence, the prefix 're-.') [Rare]
recandesco -candescere -candui, 'glow hot; become white' [Rare]
recanto -are, 'resound; sing off a spell; ÒsingÓ = recant' [UnCommon]
recedo -cedere -cessi -cessum, 'go back, withdraw, retire; disappear, pass away; withdraw, reside; withdraw, remove oneself from; fall away from' [VeryFreq.]
recello -ere, 'swing back, fly back' [Rare]
recens -entis, 'new, fresh, recent; vigorous' [Frequent]
recenseo -censere -censui -censum, 'go back, withdraw, retire; disappear, pass away; withdraw, recede; withdraw, remove oneself from; fall away from' [VeryFreq.]
recensio -onis, f., 'the review of data by the "censor"' [Rare]
recensus -us, m., 'review, revision' [Rare]
receptaculum -i, n., 'storage place; storage box; place of refuge' [Frequent]
receptio -onis, f., 'a receiving' [Rare]
recepto -are, 'receive back, take in' [UnCommon]
receptor -oris, m. (and receptrix -icis, f.), 'one who receives, takes in (to protect)' [Rare]
receptus -us, m., 'recovering; withdrawing; shelter' [Common]
recessim adv., 'backwards, retreating' [Rare]
recessus -us, m., 'retreat; withdrawing; receding; a recess, remote place, a ÒretreatÓ = shelter' [Frequent]
recharmido -are, 'un-Charmid-ize'(From the Greek proper name in Plato's dialogue, ÒCharmidesÓ; the exact meaning is unclear in this single occurrance.) [Rare]
recidivus -a -um, '(falling back, of seeds =) renewing; reviving, re-occurring' [Rare]
recido -ere -(c)cidi -casus, 'fall back, fall, collapse, relapse'(The -i- is short; the root is cado, ÒfallÓ; see next.) [Frequent]
recido -cidere -cidi -cisum, 'cut back, prune, lop off (agr.); cut short, curtail, shorten, prune (words)'(The -i- is long; the root is caedo, ÒcutÓ; see prev.) [Frequent]
recingo -cingere -cinxi -cinctum, 'un-belt oneself, take off a belt, ungirdle' [Rare]
recino -ere, 'resound, echo; un-charm (of magic)' [UnCommon]
recipio -cipere -cepi -ceptum, 'receive, take in; admit into . . . ; accept, approve; accept as a duty; withdraw (mil.); recover, regain' [VeryFreq.]
reciproco -are, 'shift back and forth; reverse direction; reciprocate' [Common]
reciprocus -a -um, 'going backwards and forwards' [Common]
recitatio -onis, f., 'a reading (aloud), a recitation' [Rare]
recitator -oris, m., 'a reader (aloud)' [Rare]
recito -are, 'read out loud, recite'Note: The Romans always read out loud and were unable to suppress phonating their letters, so this word means more than the ordinary reading out loud. It is specifically 'reciting' for an audience or a poetry reading, a [Common]
entertainment under the Empire. [Common]
reclamatio -onis, f., 'a loud disapprobation' [Rare]
reclamito -are, 'cry out in protest' [Rare]
reclamo -are, 'cry out, shout; shout out in protest' [Common]
reclinis -e, 'leaning backwards' [UnCommon]
reclino -are, 'bend back, lean back' [Common]
recludo -cludere -clusi -clusum, '(un-close) open up, open; reveal, uncover; expose'(Note 're-' is used to mean ÒnotÓ or Òun-,Ó while 'in-' can be either negative OR intensive, a confusing situation indeed. See inflammatus.) [Frequent]
recogito -are, 'think over, reconsider' [Rare]
recognosco -noscere -novi -nitum, '(know again), reconsider, reflect upon; acknowledge, recall' [Common]
recolligo -ere -egi -ectum, 'gather up, reassemble; recollect (mentally); recover (med.)' [Rare]
recolo -colere -colui -cultum, 're-work, re-cultivate; re-establish; resume doing; recall (mentally)' [Frequent]
recommentor -ari (dep.), 'recall to mind' [Rare]
recomminiscor -ari (dep.), see recommentorrecompono -ponere -posui -positum, 'put back in original order' [Rare]
reconciliatio -onis, f., 'reconciliation' [Rare]
reconciliator -oris, m., 'one who reconciles' [Rare]
reconcilio -are, 'bring back together by counsel; reconcile; restore' [Common]
reconcinno -are, 'renovate, repair' [Rare]
reconditus -a -um, 'hidden, put away, concealed; recondite, obscure'(See next) [Common]
recondo -dere -didi -ditum, 'store, put away, Òput upÓ = preserve, put in the larder; hide away'(See prev.) [Frequent]
reconflo -are, 'rekindle'(Since 'flo, flare' is Òblow,Ó this double-compound is used of blowing on embers to rekindle a dying fire.) [Rare]
recoquo -coquere -coxi -coctum, 'reheat (in smelting metals); heat up, warm up, cook up (a story)' [Common]
recordatio -onis, f., 'recollection, remembrance' [UnCommon]
recordor -ari (dep.), 'call to memory, remember, recollect' [Frequent]
recreo -are, 'restore, refresh, revive' [Frequent]
recrepo -are, 'echo, resound' [Rare]
recrudesco -escere, 'become raw (of skin, flesh); break out again (of a disease)' [Rare]
recta adv., 'directly'(Literally, recta via, Òby the direct roadÓ) [Common]
recte adv., 'correctly, rightly; properly, suitably; morally correctly'(Often used as an interjection: Òquite right!Ó, Òexactly!Ó, Òjust so!Ó) [VeryFreq.]
rectio -onis, f., 'ruling' [Rare]
rector -oris, m., 'ruler, governor; teacher; helmsman of a boat'(See gubernator) [Frequent]
rectus -a -um, 'straight, direct; straight forward; erect; upstanding, honest, honorable, correct' [VeryFreq.]
recubo -are, 'lie back, as if at ease' [UnCommon]
recula -ae, f., 'property, one's possessions' [Rare]
recumbo -cumbere -cubui, 'recline, lie back to rest, recline; go to sleep; recline (to eat); settle or sink back (to rest)' [Frequent]
recuperatio -onis, f., 'recovery (not med.)' [Rare]
recuperator (reciperator) -oris, m., 'a recoverer' [Rare]
recupero (recipero) -are, 'regain, recover' [UnCommon]
recuro -are, 'cure, heal (med.)' [Rare]
recurro -currere -curri -cursum, 'run-back; come back, return (physically or in mind); go back to . . . ' [Frequent]
recurso -are, 'keep running back to . . . ; keep recurring (mentally)' [Frequent]
recursus -us, m., 'return, retreat' [Rare]
recurvo -are, 'bend backwards, retro-flex' [Rare]
recurvus -a -um, 'bent or curved backwards' [UnCommon]
recusatio -onis, f., 'refusal; a counter-plea (leg.)' [Rare]
recuso -are, 'refuse, reject; decline to . . . ; oppose . . . ' [Frequent]
recutio -cutere -cussi -cussum, 'strike back' [Rare]
recutitus -a -um, 'chafed (by mule's kicks); cut back = circumcised (of Jews)' [Rare]
reda -ae, f., see raedaredamo -are, 'love in return' [Rare]
redardesco -escere, 'kindle up again, blaze' [Rare]
redarguo -guere -gui, 'prove out, prove (true or false); convict (leg.)' [Common]
redauspico -are, 'take auspices over again' [Rare]
reddo -dere -didi -ditum, 'hand over; give back, return, hand over; restore, return; reflect back; give a return answer; tender money (in fulfilling a contract)' [VeryFreq.]
redemptio -onis, f., 'purchasing (both inside and outside the legal system); ransoming (by payment)' [Common]
redempto -are, 'ransom' [Rare]
redemptor -oris, m., 'contractor' [Rare]
redemptura -ae, f., 'contracting' [Rare]
redeo -ire -ii (-ivi) -itum, 'go back, come back, return; revert (financial, legal); come down to (poverty, etc.)' [VeryFreq.]
redhalo -are, 'breathe out again' [Rare]
redhibeo -ere -ui -itum, 'return, take back (defective merchandise)' [UnCommon]
redigo -ere -egi -actum, 'drive back, bring down; reduce' [Frequent]
redimiculum -i, n., 'a head band worn by women'Note: It binds the Roman woman's Òup-style hairdoÓ and falls down on both sides to the shoulders. Early Victorian coiffure had something of the sort, a classical imitation often accompanied by a flowing dress with a high waistband. See next. [UnCommon]
redimio -ire -ii -itum, 'encircle, bind; bind with a garland'(See next) [Common]
redimo -imere -emi -emptum, 'buy back, buy up; purchase (a contract); pay a ransom; buy off (by monetary payments)' (From 'emo'; see prev.) [VeryFreq.]
redintegro -are, 'restore, renew, refresh' [Common]
redipiscor -i (dep.), 'get back' [Rare]
reditio -onis, f., 'going back, return' [Rare]
reditus -us, m., 're-rendering; return to . . . ; Òthe returnsÓ = profit from business activities' [Frequent]
redivia see reduviaredivivus -a -um, 'second hand, used'Note: Actually called back to life or "re-vivified," an excellent description of the stuff of yard sales and antique shops. One might go so far as to label Seneca's recreations of Greek drama, 'fabulae redivivae,' although some might argue that they are moribund after all. [UnCommon]
redoleo -ere -ui, 'give an odor, smell' [Common]
redono -are, 'give back; forgive' [Rare]
redormio -ire, 'go back to sleep' [Rare]
reduco -ducere -duxi -ductum, 'bring back; retreat (mil.); pull back (a cover); bring back = revive; recall to mind; reduce' [VeryFreq.]
reductio -onis, f., 'bringing back from exile' [Rare]
reductor -oris, m., 'one who brings back, restores' [Rare]
reduncus -a -um, 'bent back, hooked'(See uncus) [Rare]
redundantia -ae, f., 'overflowing; redundancy'(See unda) [Rare]
redundo -are, 'flow back (of water); overflow, be overfilled; redound, return to the doer; be excessive'(From unda) [Common]
reduvia (redivia) -ae, f., 'a hangnail' [Rare]
redux -ducis, 'bringing back (home); returning from war'Note: Dryden's poem, 'Astrea Redux,' on the Restoration of Charles II, was apparently seen by some as a Celestial Return, mainly because, from the poet's point of view, the dreary Puritans were at last to be ousted. [Common]
refectio -onis, f., 'repairing, restoring, recovery'(Compare Engl. refectory) [Common]
refello -fellere -felli, 'refute (a person, a legal charge, etc.)'(From fallo!) [Common]
refercio -fercire -fersi -fertum, 'stuff, fill up with stuffing, cram full' [UnCommon]
referio -ire, 'strike back, strike again' [Rare]
refero referre rettuli relatum, 'bring back, return, carry back; withdraw (mil.); bring back news, report that . . . ; bring up (a matter); record a point in a list or book; refer to . . . ; recall to mind, remember; tell, recall = relate'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
refert referre retulit (impers.), 'it makes a difference; it matters, counts; it is of importance' (The -e- is long, so it must go back to abl. sing. of 'res,' but the origin of this idiom is unclear. See prev.) [Frequent]
refertus -a -um, 'filled with, stuffed with, bursting with' [Frequent]
referveo -ere, 'be heated up, be fervent in . . . ' [Rare]
refervesco -escere, 'boil up, bubble over' [Rare]
reficio -ficere -feci -fectum, 'make over, re-do, restore, repair; restore (to health); recover, recoup (financially)' [Frequent]
refigo -figere -fixi -fixum, 'unfasten, detach'(In this word, the re- is negative.) [UnCommon]
refingo -ere, 'reshape' [Rare]
reflagito -are, 'demand again, ask for . . . back' [Rare]
reflecto -flectere -flexi -flexum, 'bend backwards, turn back; reverse; deflect someone from . . . ' [Frequent]
reflo -are, 'blow back (of wind); blow out (air)' [UnCommon]
refluo -fluere -fluxi -fluxum, 'flow back (of tides)' [UnCommon]
refluus -a -um, 'flowing back (of the ebbing tide)' [Rare]
reformator -oris, m., 'one who reshapes' [Rare]
reformidatio -onis, f., 'dread, terror' [Rare]
reformido -are, 'fear, dread; shrink from (in fear)'Note: This is the hot fear which makes you sweat, as against the kind that chills to the bones. Note 'formus -a -um'; ÒhotÓ is cognate with Gr. thermos. See formido and note. [Frequent]
reformo -are, 'form again, mould' [UnCommon]
refoveo -fovere -fovi -fotum, 'warm up again; revive, renew, reunify; revive' [Frequent]
refractariolus -a -um, 'somewhat contrary, argumentative' [Rare]
refragor -ari (dep.), 'oppose, withstand' [UnCommon]
refreno -are, 'rein back, hold in, restrain, curb'Note: From frenum, "reins of a horse," as in French 'freins,' "brakes on a vehicle." The word is [Common]
in all the Romanic languages. [Common]
refrico -fricare -fricui -fricatum, 'rub, scrub at, make skin raw and sensitive; agitate the emotions, rub feelings raw' [Common]
refrigeratio -onis, f., 'cooling, coolness' [Rare]
refrigerium -i, n., 'coolness, "coolth"; rest, refuge'Note: Christian inscriptions often confuse 'refrigerium' with 'refugerium,' a natural enough shift of meaning in a warm country. Compare A.E. Housman's line: Òthe bed of mould/ where there's neither heat nor cold.Ó [UnCommon]
refrigero -are, 'cool off, cool down; be cool towards someone' [Common]
refrigesco -frigescere -frixi, 'grow cool; grow indifferent' [Common]
refringo -fringere -fregi -fractum, 'break, crack; break open (gates, doors)' [Frequent]
refugio -fugere -fugi, 'run away, flee; flee from . . . , shun, avoid' [Common]
refugium -i, n., 'refuge' [UnCommon]
refugus -a -um, 'fleeing; drawing back from'(Profugus is more commonly used.) [UnCommon]
refulgeo -fulgere -fulsi, 'shine brightly, gleam; reflect; shine (as an example of . . . )' [Frequent]
refundo -fundere -fudi -fusum, 'flow back; overflow; slip back; give back = refund (fin.)' [Common]
refutatio -onis, f., 'refutation' [Rare]
refuto -are, 'drive back, oppose; refute' [Common]
regaliolus -i m., 'the wren'Note: For some odd reason the Romans considered the wren the 'king bird,' or 'king's bird.' Eagle, yes, but the wren . . . ? Check it out: Suetonius, Julius C. 81.3. See next. [Rare]
regalis -e, 'kingly, royal, regal' [Frequent]
regelo -are, 'un-freeze = thaw' (Formed with 're-' as negative. See gelo, gelidus) [Rare]
regemo -ere, 'groan back at . . . ' [Rare]
regens -entis, m., 'regent, ruler'(Ppl. from rego -ere) [Rare]
regero -gerere -gessi -gestum, 'carry back, bring back; throw back at . . . ' [Frequent]
regia -ae, f., 'a royal palace; the royal house = family; heaven' [Frequent]
regificus -a -um, 'princely, splendid' [Rare]
regigno -ere, 'bring forth again' [Rare]
regillus -a -um, 'vertical, upright (of a pattern of cloth)' [Rare]
regimen -inis, n., 'control of a ship; control of a horse; management of a business' [Common]
regina -ae, f., 'a queen; a goddess; a queen of a fine lady; the queen of . . . 'Note: The ÒQueen,Ó for Cicero, is Òthat woman,Ó Cleopatra, rich resident in Rome, member of the international set, and his neighbor for a time! The words regina and rex had bad associations as far back as the ousting of the Etruscan kings in early Roman times. [VeryFreq.]
regio -onis, f., 'direction, area; region, land, country; region (astron.; of the body, of thought)' [VeryFreq.]
regionatim adv., 'according to districts' [Rare]
regius -a -um, 'of a king, royal, regal, magnificent' [Frequent]
reglutino -are, 'un-glue'Note: ÒUnglue my napkins from your sticky fingers. . .Ó says the indignant Catullus to the napkin-thief. [Rare]
regnator -oris, m., 'one who rules, ruler, king' [Common]
regnatrix -tricis, 'ruling (fem.)' [Rare]
regno -are, 'rule like a king; reign; be master over . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
regnum -i, n., 'kingly power; sovereignty; tyranny; a kingdom, realm'(See rex and next.) [VeryFreq.]
rego regere rexi rectum, 'rule like a king; rule over; control, master; manage, direct, guide; command (mil.)' [VeryFreq.]
regredior -gredi -gressus sum (dep.), 'step back, go back; retreat (mil.)' [Frequent]
regressus -us, m., 'going back; retreat (mil.); financial "returns" to a person through the law as compensation' [Frequent]
regula -ae, f., 'a straight wooden rod or stick; a ruler (for drawing straight lines); a rule; basic course of operations' [Frequent]
regulus -i, m., 'king of a minor realm; a king's son, the little king, the "Petit Dauphin"' [UnCommon]
regusto -are, 'taste, have another taste of; taste, sample' [UnCommon]
regyro -are, 'spin around' [Rare]
reiecta -orum, n., 'rejected things, minor matters'Note: A term in Stoic philosophy. For all that can be said against the Stoics, they did have an eye on major matters, philosophically and socially; and this is what probably endeared them to the Roman intelligentsia, for whom Stoicism became virtually a religion. When one reads the (Greek) text of Marcus Aurelius, one has the sense of being in the presence of an intellectual ancestor of William Penn. [Rare]
reiectanea -orum see reiecta(See prev.)reicio -icere -ieci -iectum, 'throw, hurl, shove; discard, reject; vomit up; refuse; reject = put off' [Frequent]
reiectio -onis, f., 'rejection; refusal (leg.)' [UnCommon]
relabor -labi -lapsus sum (dep.), 'slip back, slide back; relapse' [Common]
relanguesco -languescere -langui, 'faint; die down (of winds); slacken' [Common]
relatio -onis, f., 'referral; relating' [Frequent]
relator -oris, m., 'one who makes a motion in the senate' [Rare]
relatus -us, m., 'narration' [Rare]
relaxatio -onis, f., 'relaxing; easing of a situation' [Rare]
relaxo -are, 'loosen, soften up; relax; release, untie; free from; mitigate' [Frequent]
relegatio -onis, f., 'banishment' [UnCommon]
relego -are, 'put away, remove, transfer; banish'(The -e- is long. See next.) [Frequent]
relego -legere -legi -lectum, 'pick up, gather up; read over again, go over'(The -e- is short. See prev.) [Frequent]
relentesco -escere, 'become less interested, ease off' [Rare]
relevo -are, 'lighten, lighten up ; relieve; raise up' [Frequent]
relictio -onis, f., 'abandoning, leaving' [Rare]
relictus -a -um, 'abandoned, deserted' [Rare]
relido -ere, 'rush, crash in' [Rare]
religatio -onis, f., 'tying up (of vines)' [Rare]
religio (relligio) -onis, f., 'a sense of awe in presence of the ÒdivineÓ; awe, conscience; a feeling of reverence; having religious scruples; a religious rite or ritual; sheer superstition'Note: The base is 're- + ligare,' 'tie back, bind,' i.e. 'tie back or fetter (the mind)'; and it is in this sense of Òblind superstititionÓ that Lucretius uses the word, whereas English ÒreligionÓ has conveniently inherited all the good connotations. [Frequent]
religiosus (relligiosus) -a -um, 'having a sense of religious awe; having religious scruples; superstitious' [Frequent]
religo -are, 'tie fast; tie up, tie down' [Frequent]
relino -linere -levi -litum, 'un-seal (a jar)'(Re-used as a negative, hence unseal, not re-seal.) [Rare]
reliqui -orum, m. pl., 'the others (of a group); the rest, remainder; those still alive' [UnCommon]
relinquo -linquere -liqui -lictum, 'leave, leave behind; depart from; quit, desert, abandon; leave behind (relatives, on dying); leave alone' [VeryFreq.]
reliquiae (relliquiae) -arum, f. pl., 'the remainder, what is left; remnants; the remainder of . . . ; relics, remains of the dead'Note: The relics of Christian saints and martyrs are just this, remains of the dead holy ones. [Frequent]
reliquus (relicus) -a -um, 'the rest, the remainder; what is left, that is, alive and not dead; debt = what is "left over"' [VeryFreq.]
reluceo -lucere -luxi, 'shine out brightly' [Rare]
relucesco -lucescere -luxi, 'become bright again' [Rare]
reluctor -ari (dep.), 'struggle against, fight; be reluctant to . . . ' [Common]
remaledico -ere, 'hurl curses back at . . . ' [Rare]
remacresco -escere, 'grow thin again'(See macer) [Rare]
remaneo -manere -mansi -mansum, 'remain behind, stay, continue'(See next) [Frequent]
remano -are, 'flow back'(See prev.) [Rare]
remansio -onis, f., 'staying back, behind' [Rare]
remedium -i, n., 'cure, remedy, medicine'Note: But this medical word can easily be used literarily, as in Ovid's poem, the 'Remedium Amoris,' the somewhat cynical sequel and antidote to the 'Ars Amatoria.' The 'Ars Amatoria' should have immense sociological value for perceptive eyes. [Frequent]
remeligo -inis, f., 'a hitch, delay' [Rare]
remeo -are, 'go back, come back, return; recede' [Frequent]
remetior -metiri -mensus sum (dep.), 'measure out an equal amount; remeasure a road (i.e. go back over it again)' [Common]
remex -migis, m., 'a rower' [Common]
remigatio -onis, f., 'rowing' [Rare]
remigium -i, n., 'rowing; swimming (hand-oaring); a group of oarsmen' [UnCommon]
remigo -are, 'row' [Rare]
remigro -are, 'come back home; come back to the subject' [UnCommon]
reminiscor -i (dep.), 'recall, recollect' [Common]
remisceo -miscere -miscui -mixtum, 'mix, mingle' [Rare]
remissio -onis, f., '(letting go back =) releasing; relieving, letting go of; remitting debts' [Frequent]
remissus -a -um, 'let go, relaxed, loose; easy-going, "laid back"' [Frequent]
remitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'send back, return; push back; release, let go of; relax; waive (debt)' [VeryFreq.]
remolior -iri (dep.), 'push back' [Rare]
remollesco -escere, 'become soft, soften' [Rare]
remollio -ire, 'soften; weaken' [Rare]
remora -ae, f., 'delay, hinderance'(See mora, not remus) [Rare]
remordeo -mordere -mordi -morsum, 'bite back, snap back at . . . ; nip, vex, bother' [Rare]
remoror -ari (dep.), 'delay, wait for . . . ; linger' [Common]
remotio -onis, f., 'removing; changing a charge (legal)' [Rare]
remotus -a -um, 'removed, far distant, remote; unrelated to . . . ; obscure' [Frequent]
removeo -movere -movi -motum, 'move away, remove; banish; move out of the way' [VeryFreq.]
remugio -ire, 'bellow, moo in return (of animals); re-echo' [UnCommon]
remulceo -mulcere -mulsi -mulsum, 'smoothe over, stroke with the hand' [UnCommon]
remulcum -i, n., 'a tow-rope'Note: The tow-rope for the barges which were seen on every Roman canal. We associate canals and barges with early industrial England and the Erie Canal in New York, but barging was a Roman technique long before. Horace's Satire on the trip he took with friends proceeds in a leisurely way by barges, most of the way to Brundisium, which is right across Italy! Canal transport, for all the cost of excavation, locks, and upkeep, is cheap, efficient, and able to carry incredibly heavy tonnage. [Rare]
remuneratio -onis, f., 'repayment, remuneration' [Rare]
remuneror -ari (dep.), 'pay back, remunerate; reward' [Common]
remurmuro -are, 'murmur, grumble' [Rare]
remus -i, m., 'an oar' [Common]
renarro -are, 'relate again' [Rare]
renascor -nasci -natus sum (dep.), 'be born again, grow again' [Frequent]
renavigo -are, 'sail back' [Rare]
renes -um, m. (pl. only, in actual use), 'the kidneys' [Rare]
renideo -ere, 'shine, gleam; smile, ÒbeamÓ back at' [Common]
renidesco -escere, 'gleam, shine' [Rare]
renitor -i (dep.), 'push back against, oppose' [Rare]
reno -nare, 'swim back'(From no, nare) [Rare]
renodo -are, 'bind back, tie up; untie, un-knot; solve (a problem)' [Rare]
renovatio -onis, f., 'renewing, making new again' [Rare]
renovo -are, 'renew, repair; fix up as good as new' [UnCommon]
renumero -are, 'count out again; pay back'(Not remunero!) [UnCommon]
renuntiatio -onis, f., 'a public announcement' [Rare]
renuntio -are, 'report back, report' [Frequent]
renuo -uere, 'nod ÒnoÓ; refuse, reject, deny' [UnCommon]
renuto -are, 'refuse, deny' [Rare]
reor -reri -ratus (dep.), 'think, consider; calculate; have an opinion' [Frequent]
repagula ae, f., 'door bolt' (From pango) [Rare]
repandus -a -um, 'turned backwards' [Rare]
reparo -are, 'do again, repair; restore' [Frequent]
repastinatio -onis, f., 'digging up again; turning over the earth (agr.)'(From the technical, agricultural verb, repastino -are.) [Rare]
repecto -pectere -pexi -pectum, 're-comb' [Rare]
repello -ere, 'drive back, ward off, repel (mil.)' [Frequent]
rependo ere, 'weigh one thing against another; weigh (in the scales); repay, pay back' [Frequent]
repens -ntis, 'sudden' [Frequent]
repente adv., 'suddenly' [Frequent]
repentinus -a -um, 'sudden' [Frequent]
reperco (reparco) -percere -persi, 'be sparing of, not use, abstain from' [UnCommon]
repercutio -ere, 'rebound, reflect' [Rare]
repercussus -us, m., 'rebounding, reflection, repercussion' [Rare]
reperio -perire -peri (or -pperi) -pertum, 'find; find out (by inquiring), discover' [Frequent]
repertor -oris, m., 'inventor, discoverer' [Rare]
repententia -iae, f., 'remembrance, recollecting' [Rare]
repetitio -onis, f., 'repetition (rhetorical)' [Rare]
repeto -ere -ivi -itum, 'demand, demand back, ask for (again); revisit; seek out (a previous place)' [Frequent]
repleo -plere -plevi -pletum, 'fill up, fill again, make replete' [Frequent]
replico -are, 'roll back, reconsider' [Rare]
repo -ere -psi -ptum, 'crawl back, slither back; drag oneself along slowly (= Yidd. ÒschlepÓ)'(Clearly a snakey word; see reptilis.) [Common]
repono -ere -posui -positum, 'put back, put back in place; replace' [Frequent]
reporto -are, 'carry back, bring back; bring back (a report that . . . )' [Frequent]
reposco -scere, 'demand in return, ask back, demand the return of' [Common]
repositorium -i, n., 'a serving tray for food' [Rare]
repostor -oris, m., 'restorer (of public monuments)'(From re-pono) [Rare]
repotia -iorum, n., 'an ensuing drinking party; party following a wedding, a feast'Note: But probably not a wake in the Finnegan tradition, 'Hibernico more.' [Rare]
repraesento -are, '(make ÒpresentÓ), do at once, do at the moment' [UnCommon]
reprehendo -dere -di -sum, 'grasp, grab back, get a hold on; consider Òreprehensible,Ó blameworthy' [Frequent]
repressor -oris, m., 'one who restrains, holds back, prevents' [Rare]
reprimo -primere -pressi -pressum, 'push back, press down, crush down, repress' [Common]
repto -are, 'crawl, creep'(The intensive of repo) [Common]
repudio -are, 'reject, refuse; repudiate' [Common]
repudium -ii, n., 'rejection; legal separation of married persons, divorce'Note: Under the Empire, divorce became so [Common]
that a late law stated: "post X repudia, adulterium est." [Frequent]
repuerasco -ere, 'behave like a child again'Note: The 'second childhood' of senility is apparently not a modern invention. [Rare]
repugno are, 'fight back, fight against; disagree with, argue with' [Frequent]
repulsa -ae, f., 'rejection (of a candidate for office)' [UnCommon]
repungo -ere, 'stick, prick again (in order to a make active), stimulate'(See stimulus) [UnCommon]
repurgo -are, 'clear away, cleanse' [UnCommon]
reputatio -onis, f., 'reconsideration' [Rare]
reputo -are, 'rethink, reconsider, re-evaluate' [Common]
requies -etis, f., 'quiet, rest, repose; silence' [VeryFreq.]
requiesco -quiescere -quievi -quietum, 'rest, Òrest in peaceÓ = R.I.P.; take off from . . . ; be relaxed' [Frequent]
requietus -a -um, 'rested (of persons); unused, rested, fallow (of land)' [UnCommon]
requirito -are, 'keep on demanding' [Rare]
requiro -quirere -quisii (and quisivi) -quisitum, 'seek, seek out, look for; inquire about; need, require' [Frequent]
requisitum -i, n., 'a need' [Rare]
res rei, f., 'a thing; things in general; wealth = property = goods; a good supply; real objects, factual stuff, acts, deeds; business, occupation; a court case; political affairs; the Republic (short for Res Publica, as against the Empire)' (One must watch contexts, since 'res' = 'thing' can mean almost Òany-thing.Ó) [VeryFreq.]
resacro see resecroresaevio -ire, 'flare up again (of anger)' (From saevus) [Rare]
resaluto -are, 'return a greeting, salutation' [UnCommon]
resanesco -sanescere -sanui, 'become sound again' [Rare]
resarcio -sarcire (pf. -sarsi does not seem to occur) -sartum, 'patch up, mend, repair'(See sarcio, and the adj. sartus) [UnCommon]
rescindo -scindere -scidi -scissum, 'cut off, hack away; remove; conceal; (of laws) rescind = repeal' [Frequent]
rescisco -sciscere -scivi (and -scii) -scitum, 'get to know about, become aware of' [Common]
rescribo -scribere -scripsi -scriptum, 'write a letter (in response); re-write; sign over (money, to a creditor's bank account); (of an Emperor) write Òin responseÓ to a question, this having force of law, automatically'(See Pliny, Ep. X. 95-6, as an example of an imperial rescript in literary form and a fascinating account of how the early Christians appeared to educated and not unreasonable Romans.) [Frequent]
rescriptum -i, n., 'an Imperial Òresponse,Ó having force of law'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
reseco -secare -secui -sectum, 'cut back, curtail, shorten; cut back (at the root), remove completely' [Common]
resemino -are, 'regenerate'Ovid uses this word of the Phoenix rising from its own ashes. [Rare]
resequor -sequi -secutus (dep.), 'follow (a speaker), continue' [Rare]
resero -are, 'unbolt (a door); open up, disclose, reveal' [Frequent]
reservo -are, 'reserve; conserve; preserve' [Frequent]
reses -sidis, 'lazy, sluggish, immobile'(From re- + sedeo, 'sitting back, laid back'; see next two items.) [Common]
resideo -sidere -sedi -sessum, 'sit, be seated; stay seated, remain; persist, endure, last'(See prev.) [Frequent]
resido -sidere -sedi -sessum, 'sit down, settle down; fall back, settle back; subside, become quiescent, abate' [Frequent]
residuus -a -um, 'left over (still sitting there!); remaining, left over'(From re + sedeo) [Frequent]
resigno -are, 'unseal, open a document; resign, turn over' [Common]
resilio -silire -silui -sultum, 'leap backward, jump back, bound back; go back (to a smaller size)' [Frequent]
resimus -a -um, 'bent backwards' [Rare]
resina -ae, f., 'resin (solid or liquid)'Note: The word has survived in the name of the delicious Greek resined wine, Retsina. [Rare]
resipio -sipere, 'remember the smell or taste of . . . '(See next) [Rare]
resipisco -sipiscere -sipii (also sipivi), 'regain consciousness; become sane again'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
resisto -sistere -stiti, 'stop, pause, stay still; take a stand, oppose, resist' [VeryFreq.]
resolutio -onis, f., 'un-doing, dissolving' [Rare]
resolutus -a -um, 'limp, soft; effeminate' [Rare]
resolvo -solvere -solvi -solutum, 'loosen, unite, relax; free from; dissolve; soften, make relaxed; dissolve (a debt = pay back money); resolve (anything), finish it up' [VeryFreq.]
resonabilis -e, 'resounding' [Rare]
resono -are, 'make a sound, resound; echo' [Frequent]
resonus -a -um, 'resounding, echoing' [Rare]
resorbeo -ere, 'suck in, absorb; draw in (of a magnet or the sea); ÒswallowÓ (tears or anger)' [Common]
respecto -are, 'look around for, expect, await; focus one's attention on, consider'(But without the honorific aspects of English Òrespect.Ó) [Frequent]
respectus -us, m., 'looking around for, awaiting; considering attentively'(See prev.) [Frequent]
respergo -spergere -spersi -spersum, 'sprinkle, spatter; spot, stain; spatter (with abuse)' [Common]
respersio -onis, f., 'sprinkling' [Rare]
respicio -spicere -spexi -spectum, 'look back, look around for; face towards; think back upon; consider, heed; have a thought for' [VeryFreq.]
respiramen -inis, n., 'windpipe'Note: The Greek word, trachea, has won out in med. terminology. In recent years there has been a tendency to use Greek words for scientific names rather than Latin, for example, the old word 'navicular' or ship-shaped, used for a small bone in the human foot, has been replaced by Gr. scaphoid, from skapha 'small boat.' But a huge amount of anatomical Latin persists, even with Latin endings, e.g. 'm.(usculus) inferior quinti digiti pedis.' [Rare]
respiratio -onis, f., 'breathing; catching one's breath' [UnCommon]
respiratus -us, m., 'breathing' [Rare]
respiro -are, 'breathe, exhale; get one's breath back' [Frequent]
resplendeo -ere, 'gleam, shine, emit bright light' [UnCommon]
respondeo -spondere -spondi -sponsum, 'answer, respond; write back in answer (= correspond); give a response (legal or religious); speak in defense (legal), respond to charges; respond to debts = pay up; correspond to' [VeryFreq.]
responsio -onis, f., 'response; legal response, defense' [Rare]
responsito -are, 'give legal responses to questions put forth' [Rare]
responso -are, 'reply to; re-echo; answer back; make a fair answer to, give justification' [Common]
responsum -i, n., 'response to any question or letter; response (leg. or rel.)' [Frequent]
respublica -ae, f., 'affairs of state; the state; a Republic or State (as such); (specifically) the Roman Republic, as it was before Augustus' [VeryFreq.]
respuo -spuere -spui, 'spit back; spit out; reject strongly; veer off from . . . ' [Frequent]
restagno -are, 'overflow, be swamped'(See stagnum, 'pool') [Rare]
restauro -are, 'restore, rebuild' [Rare]
resticula -ae, f., 'a rope, string'(See restis and funis) [Rare]
restinctio -onis, f., 'the quenching (of thirst)' [Rare]
restinguo -stinguere -stinxi -stinctum, 'extinguish (fire), quench (thirst); suppress . . . ' [Common]
restio -onis, m., 'a rope-merchant'(See restis) [Rare]
restipulatio -onis, f., 'a counter-guarantee' [Rare]
restipulor -ari (dep.), 'ask for a "counter-guarantee," guarantee from the first party (to buy)' [UnCommon]
restis -is, 'rope, string'Note: Also used for the braided ropes of garlic or onions, as still seen in Italian shops! See curiosus and note. [UnCommon]
restito -are, 'hang behind, lag; resist' [Rare]
restituo -uere -ui -utum, 'set up again, renew, restore; fix up; bring back to health; restore (to previous state, office)' [VeryFreq.]
restitutio -onis, f., 'restoration' [Rare]
restitutor -oris, m., 'a restorer'(See respostor) [Rare]
resto -stare -stiti, 'stay there, stay put; stand firm; remain, stay; remain (to be finished, dealt with)' [VeryFreq.]
restrictus -a -um, 'contracted, pulled in; tight, cheap, mean' [UnCommon]
restringo -stringere -strinxi -strictum, 'tie in, bind up, constrict; restrict, draw in; draw back lips (showing teeth); draw back = uncover' [Frequent]
resudo -are, 'cover with sweat' [Rare]
resulto -are, 'jump back, leap up; rebound; re-echo' [Common]
resumo -sumere -sumpsi -sumptum, 'take up again, pick up; resume (health, wealth); pick up (an activity); resume' [Frequent]
resuo -ere, 'un-stitch (of clothing)'(See 'suo,' the standard word for stitching and sewing.) [Rare]
resupino -are, 'lie down (on one's back, with face up); knock down on the ground; turn one's face upwards (in pride)' [Common]
resupinus -a -um, 'lying down on the back, face up; horizontal; leaning backwards' [Frequent]
resurgo -surgere -surrexi -surrectum, 'rise up, rise; revive, become alive again' [Frequent]
resuscito -are, 'revive, resuscitate' [Rare]
retardatio -onis, f., 'delaying' [Rare]
retardo -are, 'hinder, retard; slow down . . . ' [Frequent]
rete -is, n., 'a net; fishnet'(Retia -ae, f., is an un [Common]
variant to this word.) [Common]
retego -tegere -texi -tectum, 'lay bare, uncover; reveal' [Common]
retempto -are, 'feel over again (as if with hands), have another try at . . . ' [Common]
retendo -tendere -tendi -tensum, 'slacken, unbend' [UnCommon]
retentio -onis, f., 'keeping back; withholding' [UnCommon]
retexo -texere -texui -textum, 'un-weave, unravel; undo, destroy; do backwards, do in reverse; tell a story backwards' [Frequent]
retia -iae f., 'net'(An un [Common]
variant to 'rete,' used only once in Plautus.) [Rare]
retiarius -i, m., 'a gladiator using a net'(See rete, retia) [Rare]
reticentia -ae, f., 'keeping silent'(From taceo) [Rare]
reticeo -ere, 'be silent, dumb; not mention' [Common]
reticulatus -a -um, 'like a net; wearing a hair net' [Rare]
reticulum -i, n., 'a little net' [Common]
retinacula -ae, f., 'recollection'(See next) [Rare]
retineo -tinere -tinui -tentum, 'hold back, hold fast; check, restrain; cause to remain, stay; occupy a position (mil.); maintain; retain in mind' [VeryFreq.]
retinnio -ire, 'ring, tinkle; twitter'(of bells and birds) [Rare]
retono -are, 'resound' [Rare]
retorqueo -torquere -torsi -tortum, 'twist back; turn around, turn aside' [Frequent]
retractio -onis, f., 'retraction, withdrawing; reconsideration, rehandling, going over again'(From tracto) [Common]
retracto (retrecto) -are, 'draw back, retract; handle again, go over again'(See tracto) [Common]
retractus -a -um, 'far removed' [Common]
retraho -trahere -traxi -tractum, 'drag back, pull backward; save; bring back, retrieve, win back; withdraw (oneself); retire; retract' [Frequent]
retribuo -tribuere -tribui -tributum, 'pay back (money); reassign' [UnCommon]
retro adv., 'backwards, behind, in the rear of; backwards (as against forwards); backwards in time' [VeryFreq.]
retroago -agere -egi -actum, 'drive backwards, turn backwards; take back' [Common]
retrocedo -cedere -cessi -cessum, 'withdraw, retire' [UnCommon]
retrodo -dare -dedi -datum, 'put back, send back, reverse'(retro + do) [UnCommon]
retrorsum (retrorsus), adv., 'backwards, in reverse; back' [VeryFreq.]
retroversus adv., 'backwards' [Rare]
retrudo -trudere -trusi -trusum, 'push back' [Rare]
retundo retundere retudi (rettudi) retusum (retunsum), 'pound back, hammer back; dull, blunt; weaken, quell, destroy' [Common]
retusus -a -um, 'blunt, dull (of tools or mind)' [Rare]
reus -i, m. (and rea -ae, f.), 'a party in a legal suit; the defendant specifically; the culprit = defendant (presumed guilty); a person who is obligated to another' [VeryFreq.]
revalesco -escere, 'become strong again' [UnCommon]
reveho -vehere -vexi -vectum, 'carry back, bring back (on ship or horseback)' [Frequent]
revello -vellere -velli -vulsum, 'pluck out, tear off, rip out; remove' [Frequent]
revelo -are, 'unveil, lay bare'(See velum) [UnCommon]
revenio -venire -veni -ventum, 'return, come back home' [UnCommon]
revera adv., 'in fact, truly'(re + vera) [Frequent]
reverbero -are, 'lash back, beat back' [Rare]
reverens -entis, 'respectful' [UnCommon]
reverentia -ae, f., 'respect, awe, deference; consideration; shyness'Note: One cannot help thinking of Quintilian's educational advice: 'maxima reverentia debetur puero.' He was certainly thinking of great 'consideration' rather than an automatic 'respect,' given to students, without which there can be no education at all. How many teachers have forgotten the thrust of this message! [Frequent]
reveror -vereri -veritus (dep.), 'feel awe, respect before . . . ; revere, venerate' [Frequent]
reversio (revorsio) -onis, f., 'turning back, reversal' [Common]
reverto (revorto) -vertere -verti -versum (also pass. revertor), 'turn around, go back, return; turn (for help) to . . . ; recur, return again' [VeryFreq.]
revideo -videre -vidi -visum, 'visit again' [Rare]
revincio -vincire -vinxi -vinctum, 'tie back, bind fast'(See next) [Common]
revinco -vincere -vici -victum, 'conquer, overwhelm, overcome; beat = win; refute (in words)'(See prev.) [Frequent]
reviresco -virescere -virui, 'become strong again' [Common]
reviso -ere, 'pay a return visit to; revisit, return to . . .' [Common]
revivisco -viviscere -vixi -victum, 'come to life again; revive, recover' [Frequent]
revocabilis -e, 'able to be called back' [Rare]
revocamen -inis, n., 'an order to return' [Rare]
revocatio -onis, f., 'recall; verbal recall; repetition' [Common]
revoco -are, 'call up to come back; summon to return; recall (for any reason); recall (mil.) an officer; bring back; revoke (leg.); bring back (to life, etc.); refer back, refer to . . . ; refer (to a judge, to a standard or norm)'. [VeryFreq.]
revolo -are, 'fly back' [UnCommon]
revolubilis -e, 'backward-rolling; roll back (a scroll book)' [Rare]
revolvo -volvere -volvi -volutum, 'roll, revolve, roll over; reverse, turn around; turn back, roll back (into a prior state)' [Frequent]
revomo -vomere -vomui, 'vomit up' [UnCommon]
rex regis, m., 'ruler, king, prince' [VeryFreq.]
rheda see raedarhetor -oris, m., 'a teacher of rhetoric, a Rhetorician'Note: Often with disparaging associations, since the word is Greek and foreign; whereas an honorable Roman-style 'orator' is quite another matter, as part of the serious, forensic Roman scene. [Frequent]
rhetorica -ae, f., 'the art of oratory'(Also 'rhetorice -es,' as a direct borrowing with Greek inflection.) [UnCommon]
rhetoricus -a -um, 'rhetorical' [Rare]
rhinoceros -otis, m., 'a rhinoceros; jar carved out of rhinoceros horn (Mart.)'Note: We see with shock the rhinoceros being driven to extinction for its horn, which has an arbitrarily high value in the Asian market; but apparently this goes back at least as far as the Romans. It is odd that no program has been developed to drug the rhino with a dart, cut off its horn, and release it as an animal not worth killing. The rhino's horn does not perform a necessary function like the elephant's tusk, so nothing would be lost. [Rare]
rhododaphne -er, f., 'a laurel-like plant' [Rare]
rhombus (rhombos) -i, m., 'a rhomboid shaped instrument, spun on a cord to emit a musical sound; a rhombus shaped fish' [UnCommon]
rhomphaea -ae, f., see rumpiarhonchus (roncus) -i, m., 'snort; snore; a jeering snort' [Rare]
rhyparographos -i, m., 'A painter in the (unknown) school of Roman Realism'Note: Apparently, there existed in antiquity a class of painting like Dutch 17th-century realism. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 35.112, is our source; he mentions specifically Òbarber-shops, shoemakers' shops and donkeys,Ó which the snobbish Oxford Latin Dictionary calls Òmean and sordid subjects.Ó This would be most interesting social material, and the art-analog to the world of the Satyricon. Seeing how fine the later portrait busts were, we might well wonder what a Roman Rembrandt would be like. [Rare]
rhythmicus -i, m., 'one who teaches rhythm in writing'Note: The Greeks and Romans were deeply interested in the rhythms of prose, they developed a discipline of prose-rhythmics and gave special attention to the closings of sentences, or 'clausulae.' Every serious prose artist, from Plato to Cicero, developed series of acceptable and interesting clausulae and avoided others assiduously. To use the famous closing of an epic dactylic hexameter in prose would be ludicrous to their finely tuned ears. [Rare]
rhythmus (rhythmos) -i, m., 'rhythm, time; harmony' [Rare]
rhytium -i, n., 'a drinking horn' [Rare]
rica -ae, f., 'a head-hood, parka-hood' [Rare]
ricinum -i, n., 'shawl (of women)'(See next) [Rare]
ricinus -i, m., 'tick (the biting insect)'(See prev.) [Rare]
rictus -us, m. (and rictum -i, n.), 'the open, gaping jaw'(See ringor) [Common]
rideo ridere risi risum, 'laugh, smile at; have a good outlook' [VeryFreq.]
ridicularius -a -um, 'laughable, funny' [UnCommon]
ridiculus -a -um 'funny, laughable, comic; silly'Note: Horace: "Montes parturiunt, gignitur ridiculus mus," which is made more ridiculous by the monosyllable at the end of the line! [Frequent]
rigeo -ere, 'be stiff with cold, frozen; be stiff, have a frozen manner; stand stiffly' [Frequent]
rigesco rigescere rigui, 'grow stiff; (of hair) stand on end' [Common]
rigida -ae, f., 'an erection' (See next) [Rare]
rigidus -a -um, 'rigid, stiff, hard; inflexible; rough-mannered'(See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
rigo -are, 'wet, soak, irrigate, drench with water' [Common]
rigor -oris, m., '(frozen) stiffness, cold; inflexibility of character; roughness of bearing, uncouthness' [Frequent]
riguus -a -um, 'well-watered (lands)' [Common]
rima -ae, f., 'crack, slit; fissure' [Common]
rimor -ari (dep.), 'search out cracks, flaws; examine carefully, scrutinize'(See prev.) [Frequent]
rimosus -a -um, 'full of cracks' [Rare]
ringor -i (dep.), 'show the teeth; snarl (like a dog)'Note: An onomatopoetic word, from the -r- sound of a dog gRRRowling. Ennius has a line about the letter -r-, Òwhich a dog says better than a man.Ó See rictus. [Rare]
ripa -ae, f., 'bank, shore' [Frequent]
ripula -ae, f., 'little bank, shoreline'(See prev.) [Rare]
riscus -i, m., 'trunk, suitcase' [Rare]
risio -onis, f., 'laughter' [Rare]
risor -oris, m., 'a laugher, mocker' [Rare]
risus -us, m., 'laughing, laughter' [Common]
rite adv., 'properly, fitly, rightly' [Rare]
ritus -us, m., 'usage, ceremony; a rite, ritual' [Frequent]
rivalis -is, m., 'a rival in love' [Common]
rivalitas -tatis, f., 'rivalry (in love)' [UnCommon]
rivulus -i, m., 'small brook, rivulet'(See next) [Common]
rivus -i, m., 'stream' [Frequent]
rixa -ae, f., 'quarrel, brawl; lovers' quarrels' [Common]
rixor -ari (dep.), 'quarrel, brawl' [Frequent]
robiginosus -a -um, 'rusty'Note: Robigo was honored as a minor Italic diety responsible for a discoloration or 'rust' on crops. The Romans paid special attention to things they did not fully understand, which is not a bad idea. [Rare]
robigo (rubigo) -inis, f., 'red rust (on iron, steel); Òrust,Ó a blight on wheat; tartar on the teeth'(See prev.) [Frequent]
roboreus -a -um, 'made of oak wood'(See robur) [Rare]
roboro -are, 'strengthen, make firm' [Common]
robur -oris, n., 'oak; trunk of a hardwood species; hardwood timber, lumber; physical strength; force (mil.); strength of mind' [VeryFreq.]
robustus -a -um, 'made of oak, hardwood; strong, powerful; robust; powerful (mil.)' [Frequent]
rodo rodere rosi rosum, 'gnaw, nibble at; eat away, erode; carp at'Note: Hence, Engl. 'rodent,' which has to gnaw, since its teeth grow at a given rate and must be ground down, or it can't open its mouth wide enough to eat. [Common]
rogalis -e, 'of the funeral pile' [Rare]
rogatio -onis, f., 'a question; a request; a proposed law' [UnCommon]
rogatiuncula -ae, f., 'a minor question; a small proposed bill' [Rare]
rogator -oris, m., 'one who asks; the proposer of a bill; a beggar, one who asks in the street' [Common]
rogatus -us, m., 'a request' [Rare]
rogito -are, 'keep on asking, ask incessantly' [Common]
rogo -are, 'ask, ask for, beg for; lead, petition; call on (a deity)' [VeryFreq.]
rogus -i, m., 'funeral pile' [Frequent]
rorarii -orum, m. pl., 'light-armed troops' [Rare]
rorifer -fera -ferum, 'dew-bringing' [Rare]
roro -are, 'drop dew, drip, be moist' [Common]
ros roris, m., 'dew, condensed moisture; moisture; water, tears, blood'Note: But 'ros marinus' is 'rosemary,' an herb in Latin, but it has no connection with dew (ros), and even less with the girls' names, Rose and Mary, as many think. Who knows how it was named? [Frequent]
rosa -ae, f., 'a rose'Note: Always pronounced 'roza,' as a reflection of the Greek word rhodos, which was pronounced as if the -d- were fricativized. [UnCommon]
rosarium -i, n., 'rose-garden' [Rare]
rosarius -a -um, 'of roses' [Rare]
roscidus -a -um, 'be-dewed, dewy; moist, wet' [UnCommon]
rosetum -i, n., 'a garden of roses' [Common]
roseus -a -um, 'of roses; rose colored, rosy' [Common]
rosmarinus see rosrostratus -a -um, 'having a pointed prow (ships)'Note: The 'columna rostrata' was a Roman triumphal monument figured with prows of wrecked Carthaginian ships. The idea of putting war equipment on public display has not disappeared. Civil War cannons went to many New England towns after the war; WWII tanks still decorate many parks; and the sunken Arizona is a public attraction at Pearl Harbor. See rostrum. [Common]
rostrum -i, n., 'muzzle of an animal; prow of a ship; platform for speakers in Forum (with prows of ships from Antium)'Note: The academic speaker's ÒrostrumÓ is the last demilitarized remnant of this dynamic, if savage, ancient tradition. [Frequent]
rota -ae, f., 'a wheel of a wagon; wheel in any machinery; potter's wheel; Ixion's wheel; rotation as a concept' [VeryFreq.]
roto -are, 'rotate, spin, turn around and around; roll, spin' [Frequent]
rotula -ae, f., 'a little wheel' [Rare]
rotundus -a -um, 'round, rotund; circular, spherical, well rounded-off (of stylistics)' [Frequent]
rubefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'redden, make red' [Rare]
rubellus -a -um, 'reddish' [Rare]
rubens -entis, 'reddish' [Rare]
rubeo -ere, 'be red; blush' [Common]
ruber -bra -brum, 'red, reddish' [Frequent]
rubesco -escere -bui, 'become red' [UnCommon]
rubeta -ae, f., 'a (poisonous?) toad'(Are toads really poisonous? See next.) [UnCommon]
rubeta -i, n., 'thicket'(See prev.) [Rare]
rubeus -a -um, 'bramble-like' [Rare]
rubicundulus -a -um, 'rather flushed' [Rare]
rubicundus -a -um, 'red, reddish; flushed (of countenance)' [Common]
rubidus -a -um, 'reddish, flushed'Note: The word is also used in two passages in Plautus in an incomprehensible sense: Òreddish bread,Ó and Òa reddish jar,Ó which the commentary of Paulus ex Festo does not make any the clearer. On the other hand, if this adj. is to be connected with rubus, 'blackberry,' we could be dealing with 'blackberry bread,' which sounds delicious, and a 'blackberry jar,' which would be stained by the color of the preserved fruit. A discovery! See rubus. [Rare]
rubigo see robigorubor -oris, m., 'redness; a blush; modesty; disgrace' [Frequent]
rubrica -ae, f., 'red earth, pigment, ochre; a ÒrubricÓ (or chapter) in a law book, headed with red lettering' [Common]
rubricatus -a -um, 'having "rubrics," like a law book' [Rare]
rubus -i, m., 'a bramble-bush; a blackberry'(See rubidus) [Common]
ructabundus -a -um, 'full of belches' [Rare]
ructatrix -icis, 'belchy 'Note: Used referring to mint! Possibly not our belch. Or not our mint. [Rare]
ructo -are (and ructor -ari, dep.), 'belch' [Common]
ructus -us, m., 'belching' [UnCommon]
rudens -entis, m., 'a rope'Note: Plautus' charming play, the 'Rudens,' is set by the seaside, which is most unusual for an ancient comedy. Plautus uses the name primarily as a connection with the marine setting. If we were translating nautically, we might call the play 'The Sheet,' but then people would get the wrong idea, since the play revolves around two pretty young girls, a young man, and a pimp--well, read it for yourself! See restis, and funis, with 'ropey' meaning. [UnCommon]
rudiarius -a -um, 'of a gladiator 'emeritus' (who receives a wooden sword for his time of service'(See rudis)Note: This is the equivalent of the gold pocket-watch in our grandparents' time, or the plated brass button with the college's motto in Latin honorifically tendered at tense dinners to dour Professors Emeriti. [Rare]
rudimentum -i, n., 'first lessons, study, beginnings of a discipline, "rudiments"' [Frequent]
rudis -e, 'rough, un-worked; crude, raw; rough, uncouth'(See eruditio and next.) [VeryFreq.]
rudis -is, f., 'a small stick; wooden sword (given to gladiators on their discharge)'(See prev. and rudiarius.) [Rare]
rudo rudere rudivi ruditum, 'bellow, roar' [UnCommon]
rudus (rodus) -eris, n., 'broken fragments of stone' [Rare]
rufulus -a -um, 'having reddish hair'Note: If reading Catullus, and wondering who Rufulus is, see next.) [Rare]
rufus -a -um, 'red-haired'Note: Linguistically, the word is Oscan/Sabine, with -f- from IE -dh-, whereas the Latin would be 'rubus,' a word which appears as the berry, 'rubus,' but not an adj. meaning 'red-haired.' No doubt the history of this word reflects Sabine red-headed genetic traits found in the countryside as one moves away from Latium. [Common]
ruga -ae, f., 'a wrinkle' [Common]
rugosus -a -um, 'wrinkled' [Common]
ruina -ae, f., 'falling down, collapse, ruin, destruction' [VeryFreq.]
ruinosus -a -um, 'going to ruin' [Rare]
rumen -inis, n., 'the gullet, the first esophagal stomach (of a ruminant)'Note: See the sexual use of irrumare, irrumatio, and irrumator, from this innocuous root. [Rare]
rumex -icis, f., 'sorrel' [Rare]
rumifero -are, 'carry rumors of . . . ' [Rare]
ruminatio -onis, f., 'chewing the cud; ruminating; reconsidering' [Rare]
rumino -are, 'chew the cud (of cattle); ruminate, re-cogitate' [UnCommon]
rumor -oris, m., 'noise, clamor, tumult; gossip, rumor; reports of . . .; ill-reported repute' [Frequent]
rumpia (Gr. rhomphaea) -ae, f., 'the long spear of the Thracians' [Rare]
rumpo rumpere rupi ruptum, 'break open, burst, crash, smash'Note: Curiously, Sanskrit has the linguistically equivalent word, 'lumpati,' with a typical Indo-Iranian -r/l- alternation, such as is found in many of the Oriental languages. In a number of words, Latin accords with Sanskrit, while Greek has an entirely different word, e.g. Lat. 'ignis,' Skt. 'ignih,' but Gr. 'pur,' which might even be cognate with Korean 'bool,' "fire," from 'pur/l'; but it is clearly related to Germanic, e.g. Engl. "fire" by Verner's Law. [This is a brief protreptic to the study of Indo-European Linguistics, for those who find the above fascinating.] [VeryFreq.]
rumusculus -i, m., 'small gossip'(From rumor) [Rare]
runca -ae, f., 'a dart' [Rare]
runco -are, 'weed, grub up' [Rare]
ruo ruere rui rutum, 'rush, rush headlong, crash' [VeryFreq.]
rupes -is, f., 'rock, cliff'(See next) [Frequent]
rupes -icis, m., 'clod, lump of earth; a clout (used of a person); a farmer, clod-buster'(See prev.) [Rare]
rupico -onis see rupexruptor -oris, m., 'one who violates an agreement or contract' [Rare]
ruricola -ae, m., 'farmer' [Common]
rurigena -ae, m., 'one born in the country' [Rare]
ruro -are (and ruror -ari, dep.), 'live in the country' [Rare]
rursus (and rursum) adv., 'backward, back; on the other hand; again' [VeryFreq.]
rus ruris, n., 'the countryside, country; open land, farms, country holdings; country estate (of a rich man, of a Ògentleman-farmerÓ)'Note: For a finely written and detailed example of what a Roman country-gentleman was like, see Horace, Epodes 2. Actually, it represents a great deal of compressed information, invaluable for social history, but with a great, surprise ending which takes us back to Wall Street, which is, after all, where the action is, right? [VeryFreq.]
russeus -a -um, see russusrussus -a -um, 'reddish, brown-reddish (of hair)' [Rare]
rusticanus -a -um, 'of the country, rustic' [UnCommon]
rusticatio -onis, f., 'living in the country' [Rare]
rusticitas -tatis, f., 'rustic manners' [Frequent]
rusticor -ari (dep.), 'live in the country, be sent to a country work-farm; be a "gentleman-farmer"' [UnCommon]
rusticulus -a -um, 'rather countrified' [Rare]
rusticus -a-um, 'of the country, rural, rustic; plain, simple; awkward, boorish' [Frequent]
ruta -ae, 'the herb rue'Note: In Petronius, the meaning of Òin rutae folium conicereÓ is apparently something like 'give a peck of trouble,' although nobody knows exactly why. The Oxford Latin Dictionary translates even more enigmatically with 'knock into a cocked hat,' which probably means something to someone! [UnCommon]
rutabulum -i, n., 'coal-poker' [Rare]
rutilo -are, 'glow bright yellow; dye the hair' [Rare]
rutilus -a -um, 'red, golden' [Common]
rutrum -i, n., 'shovel' [Rare]
rutula -ae, f., 'a little bit of rue'ssabbata -orum, n. pl. 'the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest'Note: There was a well-developed Jewish community at Rome by the middle of the 1st century B.C.; it is mentioned quite casually by Horace in the Satire on the Boor--I, 8--and turns up in a variety of inscriptions. [Common]
sabulum -i, n., 'sand' [Rare]
saburra -ae, f., 'sand used as ballast in ships' [UnCommon]
saburro -are, 'fill ships with ballast (sand)'(See prev.) [Rare]
sacciperium -i, n., 'purse, money bag' [Rare]
sacco -are, 'strain, filter' [Rare]
sacco -onis, m., 'a rich man, ÒMr. Money-bagsÓ (See next two items) [Rare]
sacculus -i, m., 'a small bag' [Rare]
saccus -i, m., 'a sack, bag; (esp.) a purse' [UnCommon]
sacellum -i, n., 'shrine'(From sacer) [Common]
sacellus -i, m., 'a little money bag'(From saccus, not sacer) [Rare]
sacer -cra -crum, 'holy, sacred, under divine guidance; divine; forfeit to a god = damned, cursed'Note: The ancient divinities were not merely instruments of forgiveness; they knew how to wield the thunderbolt too . . . in the Jehoval tradition. By the perfectly healthy decision to separate Church and State somewhat, we moderns end up with the odd dilemna of the church forgiving, while the state punishes. [VeryFreq.]
sacerdos -dotis, c., 'a priest, priestess' [Common]
sacerdotalis -e, 'priestly' [Rare]
sacerdotium -i, n., 'priesthood' [Rare]
sacramentum -i, n., 'legal money deposited by the parties in a suit; a civil suit; oath of allegiance (mil.)'Note: Religious 'sacrament' is certainly an ancient Christian term, but behind it lies this [Common]
legal term, later turned to religious uses as the church absorbed many of the formal usages of the Empire under which it grew up. [Frequent]
sacrarium -i, n., 'a shrine; place for keeping religious relics, etc.' [Common]
sacratus -a -um, 'sacred, made holy; revered (of deified emperors)' [Frequent]
sacricola -ae, m., 'worshiper' [Rare]
sacrifer -fera -ferum, 'carrying sacred things' [Rare]
sacrificalis -e, 'sacrificial' [Rare]
sacrificatio -onis, f., 'sacrificing' [Rare]
sacrificium -i, n., 'a sacrifice' [UnCommon]
sacrifico -are, 'sacrifice' [Common]
sacrificulus -i, m., 'a sacrificial priest' [Rare]
sacrificus -a -um, 'sacrificial, sacrificing' [UnCommon]
sacrilegium -i, n., 'stealing of sacred things, sacrilege' [Common]
sacrilegus -a -um, 'stealing sacred things, sacrilegious' [Common]
sacro -are, 'sanctify, make sacred; dedicate to a deity; make a holy oath' [Frequent]
sacrosanctus -a -um, 'holy, sacred, inviolable' [Common]
sacrum -i, n., 'holy object; a holy place, temple; a holy ritual, a holiday' [Frequent]
saecularis -e, 'relating to a century; the100-year festival'Note: Horace's poem, the 'Carmen Saeculare,' commemorated this specific holiday. [Common]
saeculum (poet. saeclum) -i, n., 'an age; a century; a generation of people; one lifetime; centuries to come, the future' [VeryFreq.]
saepe adv., 'often, [VeryFreq.]
saepenumero adv., 'repeatedly, again and again' [UnCommon]
saepes (sepes) -is, f., 'hedge, fence' [UnCommon]
saepimentum -i, n., 'a fenced-in area, yard' [Rare]
saepio saepire saepsi saeptum, 'put a hedge or fence around; surround (mil.); encircle'(See saepes) [Frequent]
saepissimus -a -um, 'very [Frequent]
'(From saepe) [Common]
saeta -ae, f., 'bristle, animal hair; uncouthness; a fishing line of braided horsehair'Note: An important detail about ancient angling. Of course, what else could they have used? [Common]
saetiger -gera -gerum, 'having bristles, bristly; (as noun) a boar' [UnCommon]
saetosus -a -um, 'bristly' [Rare]
saevidicus -a -um, 'speaking savagely' [Rare]
saevio -ire -ii -itum, 'act savagely, be furious, rage; roar like an animal, roar at' [Frequent]
saevitia -ae, f., 'violence, savageness' [Common]
saevitudo -inis, f., see saevitiasaevus -a -um, 'savage, wild, raging; furious; fierce, uncontrolled, violent' [VeryFreq.]
saga -ae, f., 'a wise woman, sorceress' [UnCommon]
sagacitas -tatis, f., 'keenness, acuteness, shrewdness' [UnCommon]
sagatus -a -um, 'clothed in a sagum'(See sagum) [Rare]
sagax -acis, 'keen, sharp, acute; discriminating, intellectually keen' [Frequent]
sagina -ae, f., 'food force-fed to geese; (forced) diet of athletes'Note: Apparently, the making of the delicious French ÒpatŽ de foie grasÓ is not particularly French, but an ancient Roman practice! --- Modern Japanese heavyweight wrestlers get their prodigious weight from a mandatory diet. [Common]
sagino -are, 'force feed; stuff full of food'(See next) [Common]
sagino -ire, see praesagio(Back formation to praesagio, which see. Nothing to do with sagino -are, prev.) [Rare]
sagitta -ae, f., 'arrow' [Frequent]
sagittarius -a -um, 'armed with (a bow and) arrows' [Rare]
sagittifer -fera -ferum, 'carrying arrows' [Rare]
sagmen -inis, n., 'a ritual bundle of grass'Note: Used to protect the land from the evil eye. [Rare]
sagulum -i, n., 'a small military cloak' [Rare]
sagulatus -a -um, 'military; a soldier'(See sagum) [Rare]
sagum -i, n., 'a cloak of coarse wool worn by barbarians, servants, and soldiers'(See next) [Common]
sagus -i, m., 'a sorcerer'(See prev.) [Rare]
sal salis, m., 'salt ; salt water, sea water; wit, cleverness; jokes and jests'Note: Salt in the ancient world was an expensive commodity, needed for health and for spice in the daily diet. Such phrases as the Biblical ÒYou are the salt of the earth . . . but if the salt lose its savor . . . Ó point to the cultural importance of salt, a point which the cheap price of a pound of salt on modern market shelves belies. For the fate of what happens if the salt loses its savor (garbage), see the note under orbita. [VeryFreq.]
salaco -onis, m., 'pretentious person, Òbig shotÓ' [Rare]
salaputium -i, n., 'little fellow'(Pejoratively used as Òshrimp, squirtÓ in Catullus 53.) [Rare]
salarium -i, n., '(salt money =) salary paid to a military or civil appointee'(English salary!) [Rare]
salarius -a -um, 'of salt' [UnCommon]
salax -acis, 'salacious, over-sexed; ÒhotÓ; aphrodisiac' [Common]
salebra -ae, f., 'a rough patch of road; (of style) roughness' [UnCommon]
salebrosus -a -um, 'rough (of roads); rough (of style)' [Rare]
salictum -i, n., 'a plantation of willows'(See salix) [Rare]
saliens -entis, 'gushing, spouting (of water)' [Rare]
salignus -a -um, 'of willow-wood'(See salix) [Rare]
salillum -i, n., 'a small salt cellar' [Rare]
salinae -arum, f. pl., 'salt-flats' [Rare]
salinum -i, n., 'a salt cellar'Note: The antique, silver salt cellar was a prized family treasure in the ranks of the old Roman nobility, which demonstrates the importance and cost of salt as a culinary commodity. See sal. [Rare]
salio salire salui saltum, 'jump up, leap up; jerk; gush (fluids); jump on, mount sexually (of animals)' [Frequent]
saliunca -ae, f., 'wild nard (a drug)' [Rare]
saliva -ae, f., 'spit, saliva; (other body liquids, tears, etc.); the taste of wine on the tongue' [Common]
salix -icis, f., 'a willow'Note: The ancients boiled down willow bark to produce the pain killing drug we now call aspirin (= Salicylic Acid). Our aspirin came from a similar plant source in Central America, until it was synthecized early in the 20th century. Dioscorides' Greek pharmacopoiea (1st century A.D.) lists this in his catalog of ancient herbal drugs, some of which are still used today. [UnCommon]
salmacidus -a -um, 'bitter salty (water)' [Rare]
salpa -ae, f., 'a kind of fish' [Rare]
salsamentum -i, n., 'salted or pickled fish' [Rare]
salsipotens -entis, 'ruling over the brine' (Used as a noun, this could mean none other than Neptune.) [Rare]
salsura -ae, f., 'the process of salting food to preserve it'Note: Ancient foodstuffs were preserved by drying, salting, pickling in vinegar, and immersing in oil or honey. Canning became known only around l850, although Lord Bacon died in l622 from pneumonia contracted while experimenting with the idea of freezing a chicken. The ancient methods are still in use in many parts of the world. [Rare]
salsus -a -um, 'salted, salty; sharp, witty, funny' [Frequent]
saltatio -onis, f., 'a dancing, dance' [Rare]
saltator -oris, m., 'a dancer' [Rare]
saltatorius -a -um, 'of dancing' [Rare]
saltatrix -icis, f., 'a dancing girl' [Rare]
saltatus -us, m., 'dancing, a dance' [Rare]
saltem adv., 'at least, at all events' [VeryFreq.]
salto -are, 'dance' [UnCommon]
saltuarius -i, m., 'estate keeper, watchman'Note: The guardian over the 'saltus' of a country gentleman's estate. In l8th-century England, this man was called the gamekeeper, as in Fielding's "Tom Jones.") [Rare]
saltuosus -a -um, 'wooded' [Rare]
saltus -us, m., 'a spring, leap, bound'(See next) [Common]
saltus -us, m., 'a forest or mountain pasture; a pass, ravine, glade'(See prev.) [Frequent]
salubris (and saluber) -bris -bre, 'healthful, healthy, salubrious, salutory' [Frequent]
salubritas -tatis, f., 'health' [Common]
salum -i, n., 'the open sea' [Common]
salus -utis, f., 'health, healthfulness; security; safety; salvation; ÒsalutationsÓ (in letters) = greetings' [VeryFreq.]
salutaris -e, 'healthful' [Common]
salutatio -onis, f., 'greeting, salutation; morning "call" on a patron, or the Emperor, by a "client"'Note: During WWII, the letter from the government to a draftee sported as a cheery first word: ÒGREETINGS . . . from the President of the United States,Ó apparently on a Classical model. [UnCommon]
salutator -oris, m., 'a visitor, client' [Rare]
salutatrix -icis, f., 'greeting, paying a call (of clients)' [Rare]
salutifer -fera -ferum, 'health bringing, medicinal' [Rare]
salutigerus -a -um, 'carrying salutations' [Rare]
saluto -are, 'greet, hail, give salutations to; call (as client) on a patron' [Frequent]
salve adv., '(as a greeting) Hi!, How are you?; (also) farewell, goodbye, "take care"' Note: A very efficient word, which says hello and goodbye almost simultaneously. See next. [VeryFreq.]
salve adv., 'safely, well' (But also sg. imperative of verb, salve, 'hello'; see prev.) [Rare]
salvus -a -um, 'safe, all right; O.K.; healthy, surviving' [VeryFreq.]
sambuca -ae, f., 'a small harp-like instrument' (Aramaic word; see next) [Rare]
sambucistria -ae, f., 'a player on the sambuca' [Rare]
samsa (sampsa) -ae, f., 'a crushed olive berry'Note: One cannot help wondering if the name of Kafka's character, Gergor Samsa, was not borrowed from this Latin word. A crushed olive is reminiscent of an impaired testicle; in fact, crushing testicles was a process the Greeks used to eunuchize males, as in the Greek noun 'thlibias.' Samsa as a protagonist is clearly a sexually non-functioning male. See thlibias. [Rare]
sanabilis -e, 'curable' [UnCommon]
sanatio -onis, f., 'healing, curing' [Rare]
sancio sancire sanxi sanctum (sancitum), 'sanctify; confirm, ratify, approve; approve a law, ordain; sanction' [Frequent]
sanctimonia -ae, f., 'sanctity, sacredness' [UnCommon]
sanctitas -tatis, f., 'inviolability, sanctity' [Common]
sanctitudo -inis, f., 'sanctity' [Rare]
sanctor -oris, m., 'one who performs an act with high sanctity' [Rare]
sanctus -a -um, 'blessed, holy, sanctified; religiously approved, sacred; honest, pure'Note: The Christian saints, or 'Sancti,' filled a similar role between man and God as the ancient Greek heroes, possibly on the model of Greek mythology, which was forbidden Christian reading, but nevertheless widely read. [VeryFreq.]
sandalarius -a -um, 'of the sandle makers'Note: There was a localized section of the sandalmakers in Rome, and 'Apollo of the Sandal Makers' was formalized by Augustus as a minor deity, according to Suetonius. [Rare]
sandalium -i, n., 'a slipper sandal'(Not open at the toes like our sandals.) [Rare]
sandapila -ae, f., 'a bier used for poor people' [Rare]
sandyx -dycis, f., 'a red dye' [Rare]
sane adv., 'sanely, soberly; very much, definitely; really'(This last use as 'really' is [Common]
, and slightly colloquial.) [VeryFreq.]
sangunculus -i, m., 'blood sausage'(The emended reading for saucunculus, a word of questionable meaning, Petronius 66. 3; there is also a variant form sanguinculus.) [Rare]
sanguineus -a -um, 'of blood, bloody' [Common]
sanguino -are, 'bleed; be bloodthirsty' [Rare]
sanguinolentus -a -um, 'red, stained with blood, bloody' [Common]
sanguis -inis, m. (and sanguen, n.), 'blood, bloodshed; blood as life-force; family bloodlines; blood = offspring' [VeryFreq.]
sanies -iei, f., 'pus exuding from wounds or dead bodies; any dripping fluid (slobber, snake venom, fish juice for cooking, tree sap)' [Common]
sanitas -tatis, f., 'health, soundness' [Common]
sanna -ae, f., 'a sneer' [Rare]
sannio -onis, m., 'sneering-faced idiot; clown, fool'(See prev.) [Rare]
sano -are, 'heal, cure; restore to health, sanity' [Frequent]
sanus -a -um, 'healthy, sound, sound of mind or body; in good condition, undamaged (of things)'Note: It was Juvenal who wrote the line repeated by college coaches annually just as budgets come up, and perennially as a matter of faith: Òmens sana in corpore sano . . .Ó [VeryFreq.]
sapa -ae, f., 'wine boiled down to a concentrate for cooking'(See garum) [UnCommon]
saparda -ae, f., ' [Common]
, cheap fish (sprat? smelt?)' [Rare]
sapiens -entis, 'wise, intelligent, understanding; rational; (as noun) a wise man, philosopher' [Frequent]
sapientia -ae, f., 'wisdom, intelligence, reason' [Frequent]
sapio sapere sapivi (or sapii), 'be intelligent, smart, understanding, tasteful; have a taste of, taste like . . . ; smack of . . . (in taste, smell)' [VeryFreq.]
sapo -onis, f., 'hair dye'(See next) [Rare]
sapor -oris, m., 'taste, flavor; sense of taste; smell; style, "whiff" of a person'(See sapiens and prev.) [Frequent]
saprophago -ere, 'eat rotten food'Note: We use this in biology as a variant, 'saprophytic,' for non-chlorophyllic plants, like fungi, which feed on rotting plant material. Saprophagic goes one step further! [Rare]
sarcina -ae, f., 'pack, load; load for a mule; one's belongings' [Common]
sarcinarius -a -um, 'of pack animals' [Rare]
sarcinator -oris, m., 'clothes-patcher' [Rare]
sarcinatus -a -um, 'loaded with a pack' [Rare]
sarcinosus -a -um, 'loaded; over-loaded' [Rare]
sarcinula -ae, f., 'bundle, baggage, belongings' [Rare]
sarcio sarcire sarsi sartum, 'repair clothes, fix up, mend; make amends for, make good on . . . ' [Common]
sarcophagus -i, m., '(in Greek Òflesh eaterÓ) a stone coffin, sarcophagus'Note: The word is also used technically for 'quick lime,' spread on corpses for sanitary reasons, and also a Òflesh eater.Ó --- Why an Egyptian sarcophagus should be called a Òflesh-eaterÓ is unclear, especially since professionally embalmed bodies, which could not be eaten by hungry bacteria for millennia, were put into them. Have we missed something? [Rare]
sarculum -i, n., 'a hoe' [Common]
sardonyx -nychis, m. or f., 'a precious stone, sardonyx' [UnCommon]
sargus -i, m., 'a salt water fish' [Rare]
sario -ire -ui -itum, 'hoe, weed' [UnCommon]
sarisa -ae, f., 'the long Macedonian lance' [Rare]
sarisophorus -i, m., 'a soldier bearing a sarissa (lance)'(See prev.) [Rare]
sarmentum -i, n., 'twigs, branches; brush' [UnCommon]
sarrapis(This word occurs only in a list of pickled items in Plautus, the meaning is unclear.) [Rare]
sartago -inis, f., 'a frying pan; a "hash," a mixture of odds and ends' [Rare]
sartor -oris, m., 'one who hoes, a hoer' (From sario.) [Rare]
sartus -a -um, 'repaired, fixed-up fine, tight (of roofs, etc.)'Note: Compare the title of Carlyle's book ÒSartor Resartus,Ó the Latinity of which eludes this lexicographer. Didn't someone say it was ÒThe Tailor Re-tailoredÓ? But it should be ÒThe Hoer Repaired.Ó See sartor and compare Engl. 'sartorial.' [UnCommon]
satagius -a -um, 'bustling, rushing about' [Rare]
satago -agere -egi -actum, 'scurry about, rush' [Rare]
satelles -itis, c., 'bodyguard; supporter, backup person'(The word is of Persian origin, by way of Greek, finally ending up in orbit as a 'satellite.') [UnCommon]
satias apparently a short form of satietas; found twice in Lucretius in oblique cases, elsewhere nom. sg. [Rare]
satietas -tatis, f., 'abundance, over-abundance; repleteness, overindulgence' [Frequent]
satine (satin) = satis + ne(See satis)satio -are, 'satisfy, sate; disgust'(See next) [Frequent]
satio -onis, f., 'a sowing, planting'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
satira see saturasatis (sat), adv. 'enough, sufficient; sufficiently'(There are many uses and idioms, all conveying the idea of rendering or receiving satisfication, often in a financial sense.) [VeryFreq.]
satisdo -dare, 'give security (financial)' [Rare]
satisdatio -onis, f., 'giving bail or security' [UnCommon]
satisfacio -ere, 'render satisfactory payment' [UnCommon]
satisfactio -onis, f., 'amends, reparation, apology' [Rare]
satius compar. of satissator -oris, m., 'planter (agr.); founder of a city, race; founder, inventor' [Rare]
satrapes -is (pl. satrapae -arum), m., 'the governor of a Persian province'(See satelles) [Rare]
satur -ura -urum, 'full, filled, replete with.; saturated; rich' [Common]
satura (satira) -ae, f., 'a dish of mixed antipasto; a mixed musical offering; a mixed prose and verse miscellany; a (Latin) Satire'Note: Satire in Latin refers specifically to the Roman poetic style, as developed by Lucilus, Horace, Persius, and Juvenal. It differs in many respects from what we call ÒsatireÓ in English, since it refers basically to the form, not to the mood, wit, or acerbity of the writing. In Roman terms, Johnson's pleasant "Vanity of Human Wishe"s would qualify as Satire, but Thackeray's biting "Vanity Fair" would not. [Frequent]
satureia -ae, f., 'the herb savory' Note: Used as an aphrodisiac. The name probably comes from the Greek Satyrs, who were known for their lustfulness. [Rare]
saturitas -tatis, f., 'plenitude, saturation, fullness' [UnCommon]
saturo -are, 'fill, sate, saturate' [Common]
satus -a -um (ppl. from sero, ÒsowÓ), 'sprung from, born from; native to'(See next) [Common]
satus -us, m., 'sowing, planting; begetting'(See prev.) [Rare]
satyrus -i, m., 'a satyr; the Òsatyr-playÓ in Greek drama' [UnCommon]
saucaptis -idis, 'a spice (unknown)' [Rare]
sauciatio -onis, f., 'wounding' [Rare]
saucius -a -um, 'wounded, gashed; stricken, hurt; ÒsmashedÓ = drunk' [Common]
saucunculus (sangunculus?) Note: From Petronius 66.3, the meaning is unclear, but possibly refers to some sort of blood-sausage. [Rare]
saviolum -i, m., 'a little kiss' [Rare]
savior -ari (dep.), 'kiss' [Common]
savium (suavium) -i, n., 'a kiss'Note: The spelling suavium is probably influenced by a supposed similarity to the adj. suavis, presuming that kisses are sweet as sugar. Don't forget that we have the traditional chocolate 'kisses,' little cones of chocolate wrapped in foil. [Common]
saxetum -i, n., 'a quarry'(From saxum) [Rare]
saxeus -a -um, 'made of rock, stony' [Rare]
saxificus -a -um, 'petrifying (actually, not emotionally)' [Rare]
saxosus -a -um, 'full of rocks, rocky' [UnCommon]
saxulum -i, n., 'a little rock' [Rare]
saxum -i, n., 'a rock, stone; stone as building material; tombstone; milestone' [VeryFreq.]
scabellum (scabillum) -i, n., 'footstool; a foot-tapper for beating the dancer's tempo' [Rare]
scaber -bra -brum, 'scabby; rough'(See next) [Rare]
scabies -ei, f., 'itch; scab, roughness on the skin'Note: A Roman game of 'tag,' in which Òscab gets the last oneÓ (Hor.), whereas with us, Òthe last one is a rotten egg,Ó which is not much more sensible. It comes down to a choice of psoriasis or hydrogen-sulfide! [Frequent]
scabitudo -inis, f., 'scruffy appearance' [Rare]
scabo scabere scabi, 'scratch, itch'(See scabies) [UnCommon]
scaena (scena) -ae, f., 'stage, scene, theater' [Frequent]
scaenalis -e, 'theatrical' [Rare]
scaenicus -a -um, 'of the stage, theatrical' [Common]
scaevus -a -um, 'on the left side; left-handed; unlucky, perverse' (See dexter, sinister, and laevus for notes on 'handedness.') [Common]
scafium see scaphiumscalae -arum, f. pl., 'ladders; ladders for ÒscalingÓ walls (mil.); a flight of stairs'Note: Our musical ÒscalesÓ were seen as a ladder-like progression in the Renaissance, whence the term's adoption for music. [Frequent]
scalmus -i, m., 'oar pivot-pin' [Rare]
scalpellum -i, n., 'scalpel, surgeon's knife'(See next) [Rare]
scalpo scalpere scalpsi scalptum, 'scratch, scrape; incise; carve (stone)' [Frequent]
scalprum -i, n., 'a scalpel (larger than a scalpellum)' [Rare]
scalptor -oris, m., 'a gem engraver' [Rare]
scalptorium -i, n., 'a back-scratcher (‡ la Chinoise)' [UnCommon]
scalptura -ae, f., 'the art of gem engraving' [Rare]
scalpurrio -ire, 'scratch around (in the earth)' [Rare]
scammonea (scammonia) -ae, f., 'an herb used as a laxative, a cathartic plant extract' [Rare]
scamnum -i, n., 'a bench, stool' [Rare]
scando scandere scandi scansum, 'climb (a hill); climb aboard (a ship); climb into bed; grow upwards; slope upwards (as if climbing)' [Frequent]
scapha -ae, f., 'a small boat, skiff'Note: Med. scaphoid bone = older med. navicular bone! Big deal. [Rare]
scaphium -i, n., 'bowl, pot; piss-pot' [UnCommon]
scapulae -arum, f. pl., 'the shoulder blades; the shoulders' [UnCommon]
scapus -i, m., 'stem (of a plant); a post (in architecture, machinery)' [Rare]
scarus -i, m., 'a salt-water fish' [UnCommon]
scatebra -ae, f., 'an artesian well'(A squirter; see next) [Rare]
scateo -ere (and scato -ere), 'gush, squirt; swarm, be full of . . . ' [Common]
scaturrigo -inis, f., 'an artesian spring'(See scateo) [UnCommon]
scaturrio -ire, 'gush, bubble over'(See scateo) [Rare]
scaurus -a -um, 'with swollen ankles' [Rare]
scazon -ontis, m., 'an iambic trimeter with a spondee or trochee in the last foot'Note: This verse has an intensely satiric force, deriving from the paced petulance of the long-short sequence throughout the line, but capped by three decisive longs at the end. [Rare]
sceleratus -a -um, 'wicked, evil; impious' [Frequent]
scelero -are, 'defile, criminalize' [Rare]
scelestus -a -um, 'guilty, wicked' [Frequent]
scelus -eris, n., 'crime, evil, criminal act' [VeryFreq.]
sceptrifer -fera -ferum, 'sceptre-bearing' [Rare]
sceptrum -i, n., 'a sceptre; kingdom' [Common]
sceptruchus -i, m., 'a second-level governor or princeling'(Greek skeptron + echo 'scepter-receiver') [Rare]
scheda (schida) -ae, f., 'a strip of papyrus (to be glued into writing paper sheets); a small piece of paper' [UnCommon]
schema -ae, f. (and schema -atis, n.), 'shape, figure, form; literary style' [Common]
schoenobates -ae, m., 'tightrope-walker' [Rare]
schola -ae, f., 'school, place of learning, study; a philosophical ÒschoolÓ; an advanced school for ideas or study; a conference place'Note: Few traces of the original sense of Greek 'schole' or Òleisure,Ó in a place designed for thought and meditation, remain in American academe, which is geared to the needs of a fastmoving society interested in Òpractical factsÓ and not overly concerned with Òcontemplation.Ó See curriculum and note. [Frequent]
scholasticus -a -um, 'of a school' [UnCommon]
scida see schidasciens -entis, 'knowing; knowledgeable about . . . , learned in . . . , intelligent' [Frequent]
scientia -ae, f., 'knowing, knowledge, acquaintance, understanding'Note: The English word, Òscience,Ó comes from the Latin, but is strangely split into two directions: (a) science as practical industrial engineering, and (b) ÒpureÓ science in the realm of physical phenomena, generally couched in a mathematical matrix and expected to feed back into (a) at some point. We seem to have lost much of the universality of the ancient term Òscientia,Ó which is concerned with all aspects of knowing. [VeryFreq.]
scilicet adv., 'evidently, certainly, of course; no doubt'(This word is often used with a heavy tone of irony; from scire + licet; sometimes used as a verb, or parenthetically as a particle.) [VeryFreq.]
scilla -ae, f., 'a sea-leek, sea-onion' [Rare]
scin see scis-ne(From scio)scindo scindere scidi scissum, 'split, cut in half, split open; break in two, tear to pieces' [VeryFreq.]
sciniphes -um, m.pl., 'bedbugs'Note: In the sole reading, Petronius graphically pictures someone hiding by hanging onto the underside of a mattress . . . like a bedbug. [Rare]
scintilla -ae, f., 'spark (from fires); a speck' [Frequent]
scintillo -ae, 'spark, glint, glitter' [Common]
scio scire scivi (or scii) scitum, 'know; be aware of; be aware that . . . ; have knowledge of' [VeryFreq.]
scipio -onis, m., 'a staff, rod'Note: A great name etymologically for the hero, Scipio Africanus, destined to thrash the Carthaginians, a detail no Roman would have failed to note. [UnCommon]
scirpeus (sirpeus) -a -um, 'made of basketwork, wicker' [Rare]
scirpiculus -i, m., 'a wicker basket' [Common]
scirpus -i, m., 'rushes, wicker material' [Rare]
sciscitatio -onis, f., 'investigation' [Rare]
sciscitator -oris, m., 'investigator'sciscitor -ari (dep.) (and sciscito -are), 'try to find out by asking; try to know; get to know; examine carefully' [Frequent]
scisco sciscere scivi scitum, 'find out, ascertain; determine, ordain, vote that . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
scitamina -orum, n. pl., 'nicities; tid-bits'('Clever little things,' from scitus.) [Rare]
scitum (in the fixed phrase: plebis scitum), 'decree of the senate'(Engl. plebiscite) [Common]
scitus -a -um, 'knowledgeable, knowing; smart, fine' [Frequent]
scitor -ari (dep.), 'seek to know, inquire, ask' [Rare]
sciurus -i, m., 'a squirrel' [Rare]
scius -a -um, 'knowledgeable, aware of . . . ' [Rare]
sclingo -ere, 'squawk (of geese)' [Rare]
scloppus -i, m., 'the ÒplopÓ of somebody smacking air-filled cheeks' [Rare]
scobes -is, f., 'filings, chips, shavings, sawdust' [Common]
scomber -bri, m., 'a mackerel' [Rare]
scopae -arum, f. pl., 'broom plant; a broom' [Rare]
scopulosus -a -um, 'rocky, craggy' [Rare]
scopulus -i, m., 'rock, cliff; overhanging rock ledge' [Frequent]
scordaliae -arum, f. pl., 'anger; tantrums' [Rare]
scorpio -onis, m., 'a scorpion; a cannon which fired arrows' Note: The Romans used cannons driven by twisted rope springs, which were fairly accurate and quite deadly. Gunpowder did not appear until the 13th century. The earliest cannon shot huge rocks to break down walls, and only later did small bore guns appear. [Frequent]
scorpius -i, m., 'scorpion; the Zodiac sign, Scorpio' [UnCommon]
scorteus -a -um, 'made of leather' [UnCommon]
scortillum -i, n., 'little harlot (derogatory)'(See scortum) [Rare]
scortor -ari (dep.), 'act like a prostitute' (See scortum) [Common]
scortum -i, n., 'a skin, leather hide; a prostitute, hooker; a male prostitute'Note: IE root for 'a hide,' seems involved, but exactly how the Latin developed this meaning is questionable. Is it: a) a piece of skin? b) an old leather "bag" (a hag)? c) prostitutes originally doing tricks on a sheep-fleece? [Common]
scratta (scrapta, scratia) -ae, f., = scortum? [Rare]
screator -oris, m., 'one who hacks up phlegm'(See screo) [Rare]
screo -are, 'clear the throat, hack up phlegm' [Rare]
scriba -ae, m., 'a clerk, secretary, notary' [UnCommon]
scriblita -ae, f., 'cheese-tart' [Rare]
scribo scribere scripsi scriptum, 'write, write letters, messages; draw or scribe lines; put into writing, write down; 'conscribe' = draft (mil.); write (in books, books); write literature' [VeryFreq.]
scrinium -i, n., 'a case for (vertically) filing papyrus rolls' [UnCommon]
scriptio -onis, f., 'the act of writing' [Frequent]
scriptor -oris, m., 'one who writes, a scribe, clerk, author' [Frequent]
scriptulum -i, n., 'line on a game board' [Rare]
scriptum -i, n., 'message; marked board, inspection; script, text; any written work'(The plural 'scripta' can mean documents or books.) [Frequent]
scriptura -ae, f., 'writing; a manuscript, a text; the art of writing; a tax on animals on community-owned fields' [Frequent]
scripulum (scrupulum, scriptulum) -i, m., '1/288 ounce; 1/288 acre' Note: '2 4 8 16 32 64 128 256 etc.' is a sequence familiar to us by doubling sums; it is the one we often see in computers. But this number, 1/228th, is actually (12 x 12 ) x 2, or a double gross, which is understandable only for people counting by twelves. But why in the world split the unit by this circuitous route to a fraction like 1/ 2 x 12 squared? Odd people, these Romans! [Rare]
scrobis -is, c. 'a hole, hole for trees; the grave' [Common]
scrofa -ae, f., 'a breeding sow' [Rare]
scrupeus (and scruposus) -a -um, 'rocky, sharp' [Rare]
scrupulosus -a -um, 'rough, rocky; full of scruples' [UnCommon]
scrupulum see scripulum [Frequent]
scrupulus -i, m., '1/288 of anything (2 x 12 squared); a small thing to bother you, a worry, a (moral) scruple'Note: Scruples are really the little stumbling blocks which render impossible an easy conscience. For the Romans this was expressible by an uneasy fraction, small but bothersome. [Common]
scrupus -i, m., 'a projecting stone; a worry, a scruple'(Note our phrase, Òbetween a rock and a hard placeÓ which like the Latin, denotes a worry.) [UnCommon]
scruta -orum, n. pl., 'trash, junk' [Rare]
scrutillus -i, m., 'a sausage'Note: Perhaps derived from the previous word, scruta -orum, n. pl., 'trash, junk'? After all, who knows what goes into a sausage casing? See prev. [Rare]
scrutor -ari (dep.), 'search, investigate, examine' [UnCommon]
sculpo sculpere sculpsi sculptum, 'carve, cut, engrave' [UnCommon]
sculponeae -arum, f. pl., 'wooden shoes, clogs'Note: So called because they were carved out of blocks of wood, like the Dutch countryside shoes. See sculpto. [Rare]
sculptilis -e, 'carved' [Rare]
scurra -ae, m., 'a nifty, dandy; a city wit; (in later period) a 'fancy Dan,' a joker' [Common]
scurrilis -e, 'like a scurra'(See prev.) [Rare]
scurrilitas -tatis, f., 'offensive wit (but not = English scurrility)'(From scurra) [Rare]
scurror -ari (dep.), 'act like a scurra'(See scurra) [Rare]
scutale -is, n., 'the thong of a sling' [Rare]
scutatus -a -um, 'armed with a shield' [Rare]
scutella -ae, f., 'a flat dish, saucer' [Rare]
scutica -ae, f., 'a whip' [Rare]
scutigerulus -i, m., 'attendant carrying another's shield' [Rare]
scutra -ae, f., 'pan, dish' [Rare]
scutula -ae, f., 'a roller, cylinder'(See next) [Rare]
scutula -ae, f., 'a little square-shaped dish; a parallelogram'(Geometricall,y this and the prev. cannot be related, since the one is cylindrical and the other square, but the words are identical. Perhaps, the Roman was thinking merely of geometrical form and not of distinctions of shape. See prev.) [Rare]
scutulata -orum, n. pl., 'checked clothes, cloth decorated with square or diamond-shaped pattern' [Rare]
scutulum -i, n., 'a little shield' [Rare]
scutum -i, n., 'a large shield' [Frequent]
scymnus -i, m., 'cub of a wild animal' [Rare]
scyphus -i, m., 'a drinking goblet (with two handles)' [UnCommon]
se (or sese) (acc. and abl.), sui (gen.), sibi (dat.), 'himself, herself, itself, themselves'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
se- (as a joined prefix), 'apart form, without'(securus, segrego, etc.; see prev.) [Frequent]
sebum -i, n., 'lard, suet' [UnCommon]
secedo -cedere -cessi -cessum, 'draw apart, secede, withdraw' [Frequent]
secespita -ae, f., 'a sacrifical knife' [Rare]
secerno -cernere -crevi -cretum, 'remove, separate out; set aside; separate from . . . ' [Frequent]
secessio -onis, f., 'a going apart, withdrawal' [Frequent]
secessus -us, m., 'withdrawal; a far removed spot, place' [Frequent]
secludo -cludere -clusi -clusum, 'cut off, separate, close off; confine' [Frequent]
seco secare secui sectum, 'cut, slice up; carve; cut off, incise; slice through = pass quickly through' [VeryFreq.]
secretus -a -um, 'set apart, removed, separated out; secret, confidential; obscure, recondite' [VeryFreq.]
secta -ae, f., 'a (cut) line; a line of thought; a philosophical sect (e.g. Epicureanism); a political party' [Frequent]
sectator -oris, m., 'a follower' [Common]
sectilis -e, 'sliced; slice-able' [Rare]
sectio -onis, f., 'cutting up; harvesting; division of goods, a public auction, selling at auction' [Common]
sectivus -a -um, 'cuttable'(Used with porrum Òa leek,Ó of which leaves only were cut off, leaving the bulb growing.) [Rare]
sector -oris, m., 'a cutter; (transf.) a buyer of state property'(See next) [UnCommon]
sector -ari (dep.), 'follow; pursue, hunt for'(See prev.) [Frequent]
sectura -ae, f., 'cutting, slicing; a quarry for cutting stone' [Rare]
secubitus -us, m., 'a sleeping apart (from one's lover)' [Rare]
secubo -are -ui, 'sleep apart (from one's lover)' [Rare]
secum see 'cum se'secundani -orum, m. pl., 'soldiers of the second legion' [Rare]
secundarius -a -um, 'second-size; second-rate' [UnCommon]
secundo -are, 'favor, assist' [UnCommon]
secundum adv. and prep., '(adv.) after, behind; (acc. obj.) following, after' [VeryFreq.]
secundus -a -um, 'following; moving along with, (wind) blowing with, helping; favoring, favorable; anything which naturally follows after . . . '(From sequor) [VeryFreq.]
securicula -ae, f., 'little hatchet, axe'(See securis) [Rare]
securifer -fera -ferum (and securiger -gera -gerum), 'carrying an axe'(See securis) [Rare]
securis -is, f., 'axe, hatchet'(See prev.) [Frequent]
securitas -tatis, f., 'freedom from worry ; security, sense of security' (se- + cura; see se-) [Frequent]
securus -a -um, 'without worry, untroubled, calm; secure'(se + cura; see se-) [VeryFreq.]
secus n. (only nom. and acc. sg. used), 'a given sex'(See next) [Common]
secus adv., 'in another manner; otherwise; differently'(haud secus = not otherwise = just so; see prev.) [VeryFreq.]
secutor -oris, m., 'a gladiator armed with sword and shield'(ÒThe PursuerÓ) [Rare]
sed conj., 'but; however'(Many uses, all with a mildly adversative sense.) [VeryFreq.]
sedatio -onis, f., 'a soothing'(Medical ÒsedationÓ takes the soothing one step further.) [Rare]
sedecim 'sixteen' [VeryFreq.]
sedecula -ae, f., 'a little chair' [Rare]
sedeo sedere sedi sessum, 'sit, settle; sit (of an army); stay, sit idly; be settled (in a given habit)' [VeryFreq.]
sedes -is, f., 'seat; a seat, chair; locale, place; seat (of the dead = the grave); position; base' [VeryFreq.]
sedile -is, n., 'seat; bench; chair'(See sella) [Common]
seditio -onis, f., 'insurrection, turmoil' [Common]
seditiosus -a -um, 'rebellious, tumultuous' [Rare]
sedo -are, 'calm down, allay; soothe' [Common]
seduco -ducere -duxi -ductum, 'draw aside, apart; separate; divide'(But never sexually Òseduce.Ó) [Common]
seductio -ionis, f., 'leading aside (of witnesses)' [Rare]
sedulitas -tatis, f., 'paying attention to . . . ; assiduity' [Rare]
sedulus -a -um, 'careful, attentive; sedulous' [Common]
seges -etis, f., 'a field of wheat; plowed fields' [Common]
segmentatus -a -um, 'adorned with patches (segmenta)' [Rare]
segmentum -i, n., 'a decorative patch sewn on garments' [Rare]
segnipes -pedis, 'slow-footed' [Rare]
segnis -e, 'slow, sluggish, lethargic' [Frequent]
segnitia -ae, (and segnities -ei) f., 'sluggishness, slowness' [Rare]
segrego -are, 'segregate, separate out' [Common]
seiugis -is, m., 'a chariot drawn by six horses' [Rare]
seiunctim adv., 'separately' [Rare]
seiunctio -onis, f., 'separation, splitting' [Rare]
seiungo -iungere -iunxi -iunctum, 'separate; separate mentally' [Common]
selibra -ae, f., 'half pound'(semi + libra) [Rare]
seligo -ligere -legi -lectum, 'select out, choose' [Common]
sella -ae, f., 'seat, chair; sedan-chair; toilet; seat for . . . ' [Frequent]
sellariolus -i, m., 'chair-dineries'(These are cheap-style restaurants--ancient, fast-food diners--without couches!) [Rare]
sellarium -i, n., 'toilet'Note: The 'seat,' like Engl. 'stool' = toilet, W.C., Men's/Ladies' Room, Lavatory, Little Boys'/Girls' Room, Abort, Gabinetta. . . .a simple convenience for which there seems to be a multiplicity of assorted names. See next. [Rare]
sellarius -i, m., 'a male prostitute' Note: Commonly found in public toilets, then as now. See prev., sella. [Rare]
sellula -ae, f., 'a sedan-chair' [Rare]
sellularius -i, m., 'a worker who works in a seated position; ÒsedentaryÓ' [Rare]
semel adv., 'once, a single time; the first time; all together'(The Romans sometimes conflated semel with simul, as in this last use.) [VeryFreq.]
semen -inis, n., 'seed (of plants); sperm; progeny, descendants; seeds = elements; germ of . . . ; origin of . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
sementis -is, f., 'seed sowing; a harvest, crop; harvest time' [UnCommon]
sementivus -a -um, 'of seed-time' [Rare]
semestris (semenstris) -e, 'of six months, lasting six months' [UnCommon]
semesus -a -um, 'half-eaten'(Semi + esus, from edo.) [UnCommon]
semiadapertus -a -um, 'half-open' [Rare]
semiambustus -a -um, 'charred, half burned' [Rare]
semianimis -e (and semianimus -a -um), 'half-alive' [UnCommon]
semiapertus -a -um, 'half-open' [Rare]
semibarbarus -a -um, 'half-civilized' [Rare]
semibos -bovis, m., 'half-ox'(Used of the minotaur) [Rare]
semicaper -pri, m., 'half goat'(Used of the minor diety Faunus) [Rare]
semicrematus (semicremus) -a -um, 'half burnt; half-alive' [UnCommon]
semicremus see semicrematus [Rare]
semicubitalis -e, 'a half-yard long' [Rare]
semideus -a -um, 'half divine; (as noun) a demigod' [UnCommon]
semidoctus -a -um, 'half-educated' [Rare]
semiermis (semermis) -e, 'half-armed, half equipped'(See in-ermis.) [UnCommon]
semiesus see semesussemifactus -a -um, 'half-finished' [Rare]
semifer -fera -ferum, 'half-wild; uncivilized' [Common]
semifultus -a -um, 'half-propped-up' [Rare]
semigermanus -a -um, 'half-German' [Rare]
semigravis -e, 'half-drunk' [Rare]
semigro -are, 'go away, depart'(se + migro) [Rare]
semihians -antis, 'half-open' [Rare]
semihomo -inis, m., 'half-human' [Rare]
semihora -ae, f., 'half an hour' [Rare]
semiliber -bera -berum, 'half-free' [Rare]
semilixa -ae, m., 'a half-qualified military supplier (used derogatorily)'(See lixa) [Rare]
semimarinus -a -um, 'half-marine' [Rare]
semimas -maris, m., 'half-male; castrated' [Rare]
seminarium -i, n., 'a plantation of trees' Note: A Seminary as an academy for the training of priests. . .? Planting Doctrine to grow well in properly prepared soil. . .? [UnCommon]
seminator -oris, m., 'a begetter' [Rare]
seminex -necis, 'half-dead'(From nex) [UnCommon]
seminium -i, n., 'begetting; family, progeny' [UnCommon]
semino -are, 'sow, plant' [UnCommon]
seminudus -a -um, 'half-naked' [UnCommon]
semiplenus -a -um, 'half full' [UnCommon]
semipletus -a -um, 'half-filled' [Rare]
semiputatus -a -um, 'half-pruned' [Rare]
semirasus -a -um, 'half-shaved' [Rare]
semireductus -a -um, 'half-bent back' [Rare]
semirefectus -a -um, 'half-repaired' [Rare]
semirutus -a -um, 'half-ruined' [Rare]
semis -issis, m., 'half (adj.); a half-penny (as); (of interest) 1/2% monthly; half of a . . . ' [Common]
semisepultus -a -um, 'half-buried' [Rare]
semisomnus -a -um (and semisomnis -e), 'half asleep, drowsy' [Rare]
semisupinus -a- um, 'half on one's back' [Rare]
semita -ae, f., 'path, track; side-street; sidewalk' [Frequent]
semitalis -e, 'associated with narrow by-ways' [Rare]
semitarius -a-um, 'of alley ways (for lechers)'(See semita) [Rare]
semito -are, 'square off with paths, patch off' [Rare]
semiustulatus see semiustussemiustus (semustus) -a -um, 'half-burnt'(See semicremus, semicrematus) [Rare]
semivir -viri, m., 'half man (and beast); a (castrated) half-man' [UnCommon]
semivivus -a -um, 'half-alive (hence, half-dead)' [UnCommon]
semodius -i, m., 'half a modius (bushel)'(Semi + modius, contracted by haplology.) [Rare]
semotus -a -um, 'remote' [UnCommon]
semoveo -movere -movi -motum, 'remove, draw away' [UnCommon]
semper adv., 'always; forever' [VeryFreq.]
sempiternus -a -um, 'everlasting, perpetual' [UnCommon]
semuncia -ae, f., 'half an uncia (ounce), 1/24th of . . . ' [Rare]
semunciarius -a -um, 'of the fraction 1/24; (of interest) 1/2% monthly' [UnCommon]
senaculum -i, n., 'senate meeting place'Note: For non-senate business, a senatorial outer-chamber. [UnCommon]
senariolus -i, m., 'a trifling senarius (verse)'(See next) [Rare]
senarius -a -um, 'composed of six; (in verse) a senarius, a six foot line of iambic verse)' [Rare]
senator -oris, m., 'a member of the senate, a senator' [Frequent]
senatorius -a -um, 'of a senator, senatorial' [Frequent]
senatus -us , m., 'the senate'(The gen. sg. in -i- is used in authors up to Sallust. See senex.) [VeryFreq.]
senatusconsultum -i, n., (as one or two words), 'a decree of the senate'(This is actually a phrase of two words, since the senatus is in the gen. sg.) [Common]
senecta -ae, f., 'old age, agedness' [Common]
senectus -a -um, 'old aged'(See next) [Rare]
senectus -tutis, f., 'old age'(See prev.) [Frequent]
seneo -ere, 'be old' [Rare]
senesco senescere senui, 'grow old, grow weak; languish, die' [Frequent]
senex senis, m., 'an old man; elder (pol.); a paterfamilias (legal or social); head of the family' [VeryFreq.]
seni -ae -a, 'six each' [Common]
senilis -e, 'old, aged; senescent, senile' [UnCommon]
senio -onis, m., 'the number six on dice' [Rare]
senior compar. of senex [Frequent]
senium -i, n., 'old age, decrepitude; gloom' [Frequent]
senius -i, m., 'an old man'(= senex) [Rare]
sensa -orum, neut. pl., 'opinions, thoughts' [Rare]
sensilis -e, 'sentient' [Rare]
sensim adv., 'just perceptibly, bit by bit, gradually' [Common]
sensus -us, m., 'sensation; perception; consciousness; feeling; thought' [VeryFreq.]
sententia -ae, f., 'a thought; an idea; an opinion; a sentiment; the opinion of a group = vote; sense' [VeryFreq.]
sententiola -ae, f., 'some little Òthought,Ó a clever idea' [Rare]
sententiosus -a -um, 'full of thought, weighty' [Rare]
senticetum -i, n., 'a briar-patch' [Rare]
sentina -ae, f., 'water in the hold of a ship, bilge; the scum (of society)' [Frequent]
sentio sentire sensi sensum, 'perceive, feel, sense; have a feeling about' [VeryFreq.]
sentis -is, m. 'briar' [Rare]
sentisco -ere, 'begin to perceive' [Rare]
sentus -a -um, 'thorny; rough' [Rare]
seorsum (sorsum, sorsus), adv., 'apart, separately' [Frequent]
separatim adv., 'apart, separately' [Common]
separatio -onis, f., 'separation' [Rare]
separatus -a -um, 'separate, distinct' [Common]
separo -are, 'separate, isolate' [Frequent]
sepelio -pelire -pelivi (and -pelii) -pultum, 'bury, inter; overcome (by sleep, drink, etc.); bury, hide away, make disappear' [VeryFreq.]
sepia -ae, f., 'squid'Note: The Romans used the liquid from its dye sac for a very fine and permanent kind for ink. In fact, sepia is the normal word for ink. [Rare]
sepiola -ae, f., 'a little squid' [Rare]
sepono -ponere -posui -positum, 'put aside, remove; set aside' [Frequent]
sepositus -a -um, 'distant, remote; choice, select' [Common]
septem 'seven' [Common]
septemdecim 'seventeen' [Rare]
septemfluus -a -um, 'with seven mouths'(Used of the Nile's estuary.) [Rare]
septemgeminus -a -um, 'sevenfold'(Used of the Nile) [Rare]
septemplex -plicis, 'sevenfold' [Rare]
septemtrionalis -e, 'northern' [UnCommon]
septemvir -viri, m., 'one of the septemviri, a board of seven persons' [UnCommon]
septenarii -orum, m., 'verses containing seven feet'(See senarius for a six foot line.) [Rare]
septenarius -a -um, 'containing seven'(See prev.) [Rare]
septeni -ae -a, 'seven each' [UnCommon]
septentriones -um, m. pl., 'the Seven Stars of Ursa Major, i.e. north direction; the North; northern aspect, winds, etc.' [Frequent]
septies (septiens), 'seven times' [UnCommon]
septimanus -a -um, 'of the seventh; soldiers of the seventh legion' [Rare]
septimontialis -is -e, 'referring to the celebration of the Septimontium at Rome'Note: The actual Septimontium is the area bounded by the three spurs of the Esquiline, the three of the Palatine, and presumably the Mons Caelius --- rather than the area of the seven famous hills of Rome. But the word Septimontium refers to a formal holiday on the 11th of December, commemorating this area. [Rare]
septimus (septumus) -a -um, 'seventh' [UnCommon]
septimus decimus -a -um, 'seventeenth' [Common]
septizonium -i, n., 'a building at Rome'Note: It may have been a seven-story building, an architectural example of Imperial Roman Òhigh-riseÓ style, or a building with symbolic representation of the seven days of the week in their astrological role. See astrologus and note. [Rare]
septingentesimus (septengentesimus) -a -um, 'seven hundredth' [Rare]
septingenti -ae -a, 'seven hundred' [Rare]
septuagesimus (septuagensimus) -a -um, 'seventieth' [Rare]
septuaginta 'seventy' [Rare]
septuennis -e, 'seven years old' [Rare]
septum see saeptumsepulcralis -e, 'of a tomb, sepulchral' [Rare]
sepulcretum -i, n., 'a burial-place' [Rare]
sepulcrum -i, n., 'grave, tomb'Note: The Romans regularly cremated, then buried the ashes, so their 'sepulcra' have no bones, and a different set of associations from those of Engl. 'grave.' [Common]
sepultura -ae, f., 'burial' [UnCommon]
sepultus -a -um, 'buried' [Rare]
sequax -acis, 'following; tractable, bendable' [UnCommon]
sequens -ntis, 'following, coming next; consequent(ly)' [Common]
sequester -tra (or -tris) -tre , 'a (legally) responsible party, to whom a trust is remanded; an agent, a trustee' [UnCommon]
sequius (secius) adv., 'otherwise, differently; differently from what is expected, badly'(This is actually the comparative of secus. See secus.) [Common]
sequor sequi secutus sum (dep.), 'follow (in place, time, or effect)' [VeryFreq.]
sera -ae, f., 'a bar or bolt on a door' [UnCommon]
serenitas -tatis, f., 'good weather; good times, good cheer' [Common]
sereno -are, 'make clear, make bright' [Rare]
serenum -i, n., 'good weather; a clear sky' [Rare]
serenus -a -um, 'serene, calm, with good weather' [Common]
seresco -escere, 'become dry' [Rare]
seria -ae, f., 'a large jar' [Rare]
series -ei , f., 'a series' [Common]
serius -a -um, 'serious, sober, earnest' [Common]
sermo -onis, m., 'speech, talk; conversation, gossip; style of speech, dialect'Note: The Christian ÒsermonÓ started out as a conversation of the priest with the group, but soon escalated to a formal religious lecture. On the Roman side, Horace's ÒSatiresÓ are called 'sermones,' which suits well their informal, chatty style. Horace kids, comments, satirizes slyly and lightly, but he never preaches. [Common]
sermocinor -ari (dep.), 'chat, gab' [Rare]
sermunculus -i, m., 'gossip, chit-chat' [Common]
sero serere sevi satum, 'plant seeds, sow; beget (of humans); sow the seeds of . . . ' (See next) [VeryFreq.]
sero serere serui sertum, 'join, tie together; join (words, hostilities)'(See prev.) [Frequent]
sero adv., 'late, at a late date; too late'(See two prev. items) [Frequent]
serpens -entis, c., 'a snake, serpent' [Common]
serpentigena -ae, m., 'sprung from a serpent' [Rare]
serpentipes -pedis, 'snake-footed'Note: An odd notion, since snakes have no feet. Ovid quite clearly speaks of the ÒHarpies and the snake-footed Giants,Ó but we really don't know what he had in mind! [Rare]
serperastra -orum, n., 'splints to strengthen crooked legs, braces; corrective measures' [Rare]
serpo serpere serpsi serptum, 'creep like a snake; snake one's way; creep unnoticed, slowly'(See repo for similar developments) [Frequent]
serra -ae, f., 'a saw' [Rare]
serracum (sarracum) -i, n., 'a kind of wagon' [Rare]
serratus -a -um, 'toothed like a saw, serrated' [Rare]
serrula -ae, f., 'a little saw' [Rare]
serta -ae, f., 'a garland'(See next) [Rare]
serta -orum, n. pl. 'garlands'(See prev.) [Common]
serum -i, n., 'any whitish fluid; the whey from milk; semen from a man'(Engl. med. serum) [Rare]
serus -a -um, 'late, too late, tardy; slow'(See sero, adv.) [VeryFreq.]
servabilis -e, 'able to be saved' [Rare]
servator -oris, m., 'saver, the Savior (= Jupiter Soter)'(See soter) [Common]
servatrix -icis, f., 'female savior' [Rare]
servilis -e, 'of slaves; servile, slavish' [Common]
servio -ire, 'serve, be a slave to; be subservient, be subject; be in the employ of' [Frequent]
servitium -i, n., 'slavery; slaves as a group' [Common]
servitus -tutis, f., 'slavery, servitude' [Frequent]
servo -are, 'watch over, observe' [VeryFreq.]
servulus (servolus) -i, m. (servula or servola -ae, f.), 'a young slave' (The word can be pejorative at times.) [Common]
servus -i, m., 'a slave'(See next)Note: Vermont may have been the first place in the world to specifically outlaw slavery, which it did in its published constitution in 1791 when it joined the Union. England followed in l832, and the U.S. only during the Civil War. See puer. [VeryFreq.]
servus -a -um, 'waiting upon, attending, serving'(See prev) [VeryFreq.]
sesama -ae, f., 'sesame seed or oil' [Rare]
sesamum -i, n., 'sesame seed' [Rare]
sescenaris -e, '. . . . . '(An unclear term used of a sacrificial ox by Livy. Some have thought it was originally sesqui-ennis 'a year and a half old,' but this is conjectural. See next) [Rare]
sescenarius -a -um, 'consisting of six hundred' [Rare]
sesceni -ae -a, 'six hundred at a time' [Rare]
sescentesimus -a -um, 'six hundredth' [Rare]
sescenti -ae -a, 'six hundred; countless'(Often used as a typical round number in writing and may not be a precise figure.) [UnCommon]
sescenties (sescentiens), 'six hundred times' [Rare]
seselis -is, f., '(a plant) hartwort' [Rare]
sesqui adv., 'one and a half times'(Also used as a prefix, 'sesqui-,' to make coumpounds, like Engl. sesquicentennial, etc.) [Frequent]
sesquialter -altera -alterum, 'one and a half times as much' [Rare]
sesquihora -ae, f., 'an hour and a half' [Rare]
sesquimodius -i, m., 'a bushel (modius) and a half' [Rare]
sesquioctavus -a -um, 'one and one eighth' [Rare]
sesquiopus -eris, n., 'a job-and-a-half' [Rare]
sesquipedalis -e, 'a foot and a half long' [UnCommon]
sesquipes -pedis, m., 'a foot and a half long' [UnCommon]
sesquiplaga -ae, f., 'a slash and a half'Note: If two slices did not quite sever the head, we should call it a Òslash-and-a-halfÓ killing, according to Tacitus. See plaga. [Rare]
sesquiplex -plicis, '1 1/2 times as much' [Rare]
sesquitertius -a -um, '1 1/3 as big' [Rare]
sessorium -i, n., 'sitting room, parlor, living room' [Rare]
sesteriarius -a -um, 'worth one cent (used of a person)' [Rare]
sestertiolum -i, n., 'half-penny' [Rare]
sestertium -i, n., '100,000 sesterces'Note: In financial dealings, the multiple, 'x 1000' is omitted as a matter of [Common]
sense in the face of vast inflation! [UnCommon]
sestertius -a -um, '(literally, 2 1/2 : 1, or) a coin worth 2 1/2 times an 'as' (penny); in money-counting, x 1000 = value intended' [Frequent]
set see sedsetius adv., 'later, slower, less, none the less'(Not to be confused with secius, the comparative of secus.) [Common]
seu see siveseveritas -tatis, f., 'severity, puritanical sternness; strict morality; seriousness' [Frequent]
severus -a -um, 'severe, stern, strict' [VeryFreq.]
severitudo -inis, f., 'sternness' [Rare]
sevir -i, m., 'one of the religious council of six men (commemorating Emperors)'(The Seviri Augustales) [Rare]
seviratus -us, m., 'the Council of Six'(See sevir) [Rare]
sevoco -are, 'call aside; withdraw, separate' [UnCommon]
sex 'six' [VeryFreq.]
sexagenarius -a -um, 'containing sixty; sixty years old' [UnCommon]
sexageni -ae -a, 'sixty at a time, sixty each' [Rare]
sexagesimus (sexagensimus) -a -um, 'sixtieth' [UnCommon]
sexagies (sexagiens), 'sixty times' [UnCommon]
sexaginta 'sixty' [Common]
sexangulus -a -um, 'hexagonal'Note: This word is used to describe the formation of certain crystals, but also of cells in a beehive, which seem round, but, as D'Arcy Thompson pointed out in l9l9, are actually hexagonal for maximum packing efficiency. [UnCommon]
sexcenti see sescentisexennis -e, 'six years old, at six years' [Rare]
sexennium -i, n., 'a period of six years' [Rare]
sexies (sexiens), 'six times' [Rare]
sexprimi -orum, m. pl., 'a board of six clerks' [Rare]
sextadecimani -orum, m. pl., 'soldiers of the sixteenth legion' [Rare]
sextans -antis, m., 'one sixth (of any measure)' [Rare]
sextarius -i, m., 'one sixth (of a congius, about a pint)' [Rare]
sextula -ae, f., 'one sixth of an ounce (uncia), = 1/72 penny (as)' [Rare]
sextus -a -um, 'sixth' [Rare]
sextusdecimus -a -um, 'sixteenth' [UnCommon]
sexus -us, m., 'sex, gender'(See the rarer word secus, with much of the same meaning.) [Frequent]
si conj., 'if' [VeryFreq.]
sibi dat. sg. of reflexive pron., 'se' [Frequent]
sibilo -are, 'hiss; hiss at' [UnCommon]
sibilus -i, m., 'hiss (as of snakes); hiss of disapproval' [Frequent]
sic conj., 'thus, so, in this manner' [VeryFreq.]
sica -ae, f., 'dagger; tusk of a boar' [UnCommon]
sicarius -i, m., 'dagger-man, assassin, "hit-man"' [Common]
sicce adv., 'in a dry manner (used of writing)'(See siccus) [Rare]
siccitas -tatis, f., 'dryness, drought; dryness of written style' [Common]
sicco -are, 'dry out, make dry; dry up' [Frequent]
siccus -a -um, 'dry; dessicated; sober, "teetotalling"' [VeryFreq.]
sicubi adv., 'if anywhere' [UnCommon]
sicunde adv., 'if from anywhere' [Rare]
sicut (sicuti), adv., 'just as'(Often used in epic poetry to introduce a simile. See velut) [VeryFreq.]
sidereus -a -um, 'of the stars, sidereal'Note: It is strange that the Greek word for iron is 'sideros,' perhaps because iron was first found in bits of meteoric material which were heated to redness by friction with the air, which then combined to burn out any carbon in the mass. This would be pure iron, of celestial origin. The Latin and Greek words must be connected, but the Greek has to be a borrowed word, since initial sigma followed by a vowel turns to the rough breathing. But borrowed from where? [Common]
sido sidere sidi, 'sit, sit down; subside, sink down' [Common]
sidus -eris, n., 'a star; planet; constellation; comet; the heavens = the sky'(See sidereus) [VeryFreq.]
sigillaria -ium, n. pl. 'stamped terracotta figurines; the marketplace for these; a festival at Rome using these as gifts' [UnCommon]
sigillatus -a -um, 'adorned with small figures' [UnCommon]
sigillum -i, n., 'statuette; woven or stamped figure; incised figure on a ÒsignetÓ ring' [Common]
sigma -atis, n., 'the Greek letter sigma; a semicircular dining-couch' Note: In ancient times, the Greek capital letter sigma was semicircular, or Òlunate,'' that is, it looked like a 'C,' not like our Greek letter in Porson typeface, which is more like an M on its side! [Rare]
signator -oris, m., 'signer, witness (to a legal document)' [UnCommon]
signatus -a -um, 'stamped with a seal' [UnCommon]
signifer -fera -ferum, 'bearing a sign (of a constellation); (as noun) standard bearer of a legion (mil.)' [Common]
significans -antis, 'distinct, clear' [Rare]
significatio -onis, f., 'meaning, signification; information' [Frequent]
significo -are, 'signify, indicate; demonstrate' [Frequent]
signipotens -ntis, 'ruling the stars' [Rare]
signo -are, 'cut a mark, sign; sign (a paper); signify, show; put a seal on (a document)' [VeryFreq.]
signum -i, n., 'a mark, sign, seal; a sign, portent; gesture; sculpture, figure; a (celestial) sign, star' [VeryFreq.]
silanus -i, m., 'a water-faucet'Note: The faucet was designed in Greek times as a head of the god Silenus spurting out water. But Latin uses the Doric dialect form, 'silanus,' so the borrowing must have come from the inventive Magna-Graecians, rather than directly from Athens! See mechanicus and note. [Rare]
silentium -i, n., 'silence' [VeryFreq.]
sileo -ere -ui, 'be silent, quiet; shut up = not speak; refrain from saying' [VeryFreq.]
siler -eris, n., 'an unidentified shrub' [Rare]
silesco -escere, 'become silent, grow still' [UnCommon]
silex -icis, m., 'stone, rock; piece of stone' [Frequent]
silicernium -i, n., 'a wake, a funeral party' [Rare]
siligineus -a -um, 'made from wheat-flour' [Rare]
siligo -inis, f., 'wheat; wheaten flour' [UnCommon]
siliqua -ae, f., 'a seed pod; beans (in a pod); rough fare to eat' [UnCommon]
sillybus (or sittybus) -i, m., 'label tag on a roll-book' [Rare]
silus -a -um, 'snub-nosed' [UnCommon]
silva -ae, f., 'a wood, forest; a plantation, grove' [VeryFreq.]
silvaticus -a -um, 'of the woodlands' [Rare]
silvesco -escere, '(of plants) turn woody, go to wood' [Rare]
silvestris -e, 'of woods; wooded; rural' [Frequent]
silvicola -ae, m. and f. (and silvicultrix -icis, f.), 'one dwelling in the woods' [UnCommon]
silvifragus -a -um, 'forest-cracking (of winds)' [Rare]
silvosus -a -um, 'wooded' [Rare]
simia -ae, f., 'monkey; one who copies, ÒapesÓ; a ÒmonkeyÓ of a man' (See pithecus) [UnCommon]
simius -i, m., 'ape'(= simia) [Rare]
similis -e, 'like, similar to, appearing like'(Similis with dat. is easily understood by English speakers; but similis with genitive--similis eius, Òlike himÓ--is strange, but means the same. Both cases are in [Common]
use.) [VeryFreq.]
similitudo -inis, f., 'likeness, resemblance' [Frequent]
similo see simulosimiolus -i, m., 'little ape' [Rare]
simitu adv. 'together' (An archaic word.) [Rare]
simplex -icis, 'single, simple; basic, undecorated; straight in character, direct'Note: Directness was always considered a basic Roman virtue, although Roman politics were as indirect and Byzantine as any. Americans tend to have the same illusion about the American Political Personality. [VeryFreq.]
simplicitas -tatis, f., 'simplicity; straightforwardness, honesty' [Common]
simplum -i, m., 'the simple sum' [Rare]
simpulum -i, n., 'a pot, small cup' [Rare]
simpuvium -i, n., 'a sacrificial bowl'(Probably connected with simpulum.) [Rare]
simul adv., 'all together, as one; at the same time (as)' [VeryFreq.]
simulacrum -i, n., 'a likeness, resemblance; a ÒlikenessÓ or picture, drawing, painting, statue; an image, phantom or ghost'(See imago) [Frequent]
simulamen -inis, n., 'an imitation' [Rare]
simulatio -onis, f., 'an imitation; pretence' [Frequent]
simulator -oris, n., 'an imitator; a pretender' [UnCommon]
simulo -are, 'pretend, simulate, imitate; resemble, look like' [Frequent]
simultas -tatis, f., 'a clash, rivalry' [UnCommon]
simulus -a -um, 'snub-nosed'(Like a simius.) [UnCommon]
sin conj., 'but if (si + ne)' [VeryFreq.]
sinapi -is, n. (and sinapis -is, f.), 'mustard' [Common]
sincere adv., 'genuinely; really, truly' [UnCommon]
sincerus -a -um, 'sound, whole, integral; pure, unadulterated' [Frequent]
sincipamentum -i, n., 'pig's cooked half-head'(Semi + caput) [Rare]
sinciput -pitis, n., 'half of a head of pork, as a dish; the brain'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
sindon -onis, f., 'fine cotton cloth, muslin' [Rare]
sine prep. with abl., 'without' [VeryFreq.]
singillatim adv., 'singly, one by one' [UnCommon]
singularis -e, 'single; specific; personal; singular (gram.); singular = strange; private soldier (mil.)' [Frequent]
singultim adv., 'with sobs'(See next) [Rare]
singulto -are, 'gasp; sob' [UnCommon]
singultus -us, m., 'sobbing; losing one's breath' [Common]
singuli -ae -a, 'single, separate; one at a time' [VeryFreq.]
singulus -a -um, 'single, separate, one at a time' [VeryFreq.]
sinister -tra -trum, 'on the left hand; wrong, perverse; unfavorable' (See dexter, laevus, and scaevus for comparison. See next.) [VeryFreq.]
sinistra (manus) -ae, f., 'the left (unlucky) hand' [Common]
sinistrorsus (sinistrorsum), adv., 'to the left' [Rare]
sino sinere sivi situm, 'leave alone, let alone; permit, allow; give leave that . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
sinum -i, n., 'a punch bowl' [Rare]
sinuo -are, 'bend, curve' [Frequent]
sinuosus -a -um, 'winding, sinuous' [Common]
sinus -us, m., 'a curve, bend, curving line; gulf, shoreline of a bay; a (geog.) hollow; bend of the body (lap/bosom)'Note: When used of people, the sinus is lower than the bosom and includes the lap, but is upwards directed. In English translation, ÒlapÓ is often too low, ÒbosomÓ too high, while Òcurve of the bodyÓ is unfamiliar and unconvincing. [Frequent]
siparium -i, n., 'a curtain; a drop-scene at a theater' [Common]
sipho (sifo) -onis, m., 'a siphon' [UnCommon]
siphunculus -i, m., 'water-jet, nozzle' [Rare]
siquando adv., 'if ever' [Frequent]
siquidem adv., 'if indeed; if, in fact; even supposing that . . . ' [Frequent]
siremps (sirempse) adv., '. . . . .'(A legal phrase of great antiquity, used to introduce the positive section of an ancient law. What elements, other than ipse, this antique word is made up of, is unclear.) [Rare]
sirpe -is, n., 'a plant'(Silphium?) [Rare]
sis (subj. of sum, 2nd person singular)(But also = si + vis, Òif you wish,Ó colloquial and in comedy.) [Frequent]
sisto sistere stiti (steti) statum, 'place, make stand; plant firmly, locate, fix; stop still, make (to) stop' [VeryFreq.]
sistratus -a -um, 'equipped with a rattle or sistrum'(See next) [Rare]
sistrum -i, n., 'a sort of rattle used in the worship of Isis' [Common]
sisymbrium -i, n., 'an herb, perhaps mint' [Rare]
sitella -ae, f., 'an urn for drawing lots' [Rare]
siticulosus -a -um, 'dry; thirsty' [Rare]
sitiens -entis, 'thirsty, dry' [Frequent]
sitio -ire, 'be thirsty' [Frequent]
sitis -is, f., 'thirst; drought' [Frequent]
sititor -oris, m., 'one who is thirsty' [Rare]
situla -ae, f., 'a water-jug, jar'(This is a 'thirst bottle,' from sitis.) [UnCommon]
situs -a -um, 'set, placed; founded (of cities); located (geog.)'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
situs -us, m., 'place, cite; location'(We still use the term in legal terminology, for 'place of residence.' See prev.) [Common]
sive (seu), 'or, or if; whether . . . or . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
smaragdus -i, m., f., 'an emerald' [Rare]
smaris -is, f., 'mackerel' [Rare]
smilax -acis, f., 'a climbing vine' [Rare]
smyrna -ae, f., 'myrrh'(The fragrant perfume-herb) [Rare]
soboles see subolessobrinus -i, m. (and sobrina -ae, f.), 'a cousin on the mother's side' [UnCommon]
sobrius -a -um, 'sober, not drunk; sober in manner, conservative, staid' [Frequent]
socculus -i, m., 'a little slipper' [Rare]
soccus -i, m., 'a shoe or slipper, as worn by comic actors' [UnCommon]
socer -eri, m., 'father in law' [Common]
sociennus -i, m., 'a partner' [Rare]
societas -tatis, f., 'association, fellowship'Note: This word can also mean a business or partnership, a term retained in the French ÒSocietŽ AnonymeÓ (S.A.) or American '(business), Inc.' [Common]
sociofraudus -i, m., 'one who cheats his partner'Note: Fraud still seems to be the most [Common]
civil offense, and it was certainly so in Roman times, from the legal accounts we have. In the remarkable palimpsest of Gaius there is abundant information about contract law and the resolution of problems arising from its breach. [Rare]
sociabilis -e, 'intimate' [Rare]
socialis -e, 'of allies; of partners in business, a club' [Common]
societas -atis, f., 'partnership, association, alliance'Note: French retains this term in the business name, 'Societe Anonyme,' = English ÒCompany, Ltd.Ó The Romans in addition had well developed corporations, for which see universitas and note. [Frequent]
socio -are, 'combine, associate' [Frequent]
socius -a -um, 'allied, of a partner or partnership' [VeryFreq.]
socius -i, m., 'ally, partner' [VeryFreq.]
socordia (secordia) -ae, f., 'lack of energy, sloth; stupidity' [Common]
socors -cordis, 'stupid; negligent, slothful' [Common]
socrus -us, f., 'mother in law' (See socer) [Common]
sodalicium -i, n., 'company, partnership; electioneering group (pejorative); a gang' [UnCommon]
sodalis -is, m., 'close friend, associate; member of a specific club, priesthood' [Common]
sodalitas -tatis, f., 'a club group; association' [UnCommon]
sodes '(= si audes, from audeo, Òif you dareÓ, but meaning is:) if you please; please'(Colloquial, used regularly in Comedy.) [Common]
sol solis, m., 'the sun' [VeryFreq.]
solaciolum -i, n., 'a small consolation' [Rare]
solacium -i, n., 'consolation, comfort' [Common]
solamen -inis, n., 'consolation, comfort' [Common]
solarium -i, n., 'a sundial; the sunny side of the house; sun-porch' [Rare]
soldurii -orum, m. pl., 'retainers'(The retainers in Aquitania, according to Caesar's observations.) [Rare]
soldus see solidussolea -ae, f., 'sandal; horseshoe; leg-iron' [Common]
soleatus -a -um, 'wearing sandals' [Rare]
solennis see sollemnissoleo solere solitus sum (semi-dep.), 'be accustomed to . . . ; be used to . . . ; habitually used to . . . ; be one's habit, practice' [VeryFreq.]
solers see sollerssolide adv., 'surely, for sure' [Rare]
solido -ere, 'make firm' [Rare]
solidus (also soldus) -a -um, 'entire, whole; solid; firm; unyielding; (as noun) a late Empire gold coin' [Frequent]
soliferreum -i, n., 'an all-iron spear; heavy duty javelin' [Rare]
solistimus (solistumus) -a -um, 'complicated omen-ritual of observing favorable noise from feeding the holy chickens'Note: We have never taken augury seriously as a part of the science of observing the social behavior of animals. Animal behavior before Lorentz would have been called blind superstition too! See tripudium. [Rare]
solitarius -a -um, 'lone, alone; lonely' [Common]
solitudo -inis, f., 'solitude, loneliness' [Common]
solitus -a -um, 'accustomed, customary; usual, normal'(See soleo) [Common]
solium -i, n., 'chair; throne; bath-tub; sarcophagus' [Frequent]
solivagus -a -um, 'wandering alone; solitary' [UnCommon]
solemnis -e, 'annually celebrated; solemn, ritualistic, ceremonial'(Solus, in the sense of 'all,' + -emnis, from annus, 'year.') [Frequent]
sollers -ertis, 'smart, clever' [Frequent]
sollicitatio -onis, f., 'troublemaking; inciting to trouble, solicitation' [Common]
sollicito -are, 'disturb, harass; bother; excite, influence' [Frequent]
sollicitudo -inis, f., 'uneasiness, disquiet, anxiety' [Common]
sollicitus -a -um, 'worried, anxious, agitated' [Frequent]
solo -are, 'make solitary' [Rare]
soloecismus -i, m., 'solecism, error, verbal mistake'(Respelled as solecism in English, with the same meaning as in Latin, or actually the Greek original.) [Rare]
solor -ari, (dep.), 'comfort, solace' [Rare]
solstitialis -e, 'of the summer solstice' [UnCommon]
solstitium -i, n., 'a solstice (summer or fall)' [Rare]
solum adv., 'only, just, not more than . . . '(See next) [Frequent]
solum -i, n., 'the base, bottom; basement of a building; the sole of a foot; the soil, the earth (as base for everything)' (See prev. and next) [VeryFreq.]
solus -a -um, 'sole, only; alone; lonely' (See two prev. and sol, 'sun') [VeryFreq.]
solutio -onis, f., 'loosening up; paying out money' [Common]
solutus -a -um, 'free, freed up; released; loose-living; facile, easy talking' [VeryFreq.]
solvo solvere solvi solutum, 'set loose, release; disconnect; loosen up; pay out (funds); cancel, discharge (a debt, vow, contract)' [VeryFreq.]
somniculosus -a -um, 'sleepy, drowsy' [Rare]
somnifer -fera -ferum, 'inducing sleep'(Used of poison, drugs, or even pleasant sounds.) [Rare]
somnio -are, 'dream; dream of; be (idly) dreaming' [Frequent]
somnium -i, n., 'a dream'(See next) [Common]
somnus -i, m., 'sleep'(See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
sonabilis -e, 'resounding' [Rare]
sonipes -pedis, 'sounding with the feet; (as noun) a horse, "trample-footer"'(This word has poetical use only.) [Rare]
sonitus -us, m., 'sound; echo; noise' [Common]
sonivius -a -um, 'making an (omen bearing) sound, rattling (with the tripudium)'Note: Referring to the sound of grain dropping to feed the holy chickens, this adj. is used only with the 'tripudium' dance. See solistimus, tripudium, and notes. [Rare]
sono sonare sonui sonitum, 'sound, resound, make a noise' [Frequent]
sonorus -a -um, 'sounding, resonant, loud' [UnCommon]
sons sontis, 'guilty'(See insons) [Rare]
sonticus -a -um, 'important, serious (reason or illness)'(From prev.?) [Rare]
sonus -i, m., 'sound, musical note; sound of speech, a call of a bird, etc.' [Frequent]
sophia -ae, f., 'wisdom; Wisdom (the personified deity of wisdom)'(The Greek deity and philosophical concept, 'sophia.') [Rare]
sophistes -ae, f., 'a sophist' [Rare]
sophos (sophus) -i, m., 'a wise man'Note: Also used as a street-wise colloquial phrase: ÒThat's OK!Ó, ÒRight on!Ó, ÒClever!Ó [Rare]
sopio -ire, 'put to sleep, make sleepy, be 'soporific'; Òknock outÓ by a whack or a drink'(See next) [Frequent]
sopio -onis, m., 'penis'(See prev. and prosapia, Skt. 'sapah') [Rare]
sopitus -a -um 'fallen asleep' [UnCommon]
sopor -oris, m., 'deep sleep; laziness' [Common]
soporifer -fera -ferum, 'bringing sleep, sleep-inducing' [Rare]
soporo -are, see sopio -aresoporus -a -um, 'sleep-bringing; sleepy' [UnCommon]
soracum -i, n., 'box, container' [Rare]
sorbeo -ere -ui -itum, 'drink, drink up, suck up; imbibe; inhale; suck in (or any such action)' [Frequent]
sorbilis -e, adj. 'drinkable'Note: Used of sucking out raw eggs, apparently a Roman, preferred practice, according to Petronius, but nutritionally poor since the body cannot absorb uncooked albumen. [Rare]
sorbillo -are, 'sip' [Rare]
sorbilo adv., 'by sipping'(See prev.) [Rare]
sorbitio -onis, f., 'a soup-like dish' [Rare]
sorbum -i, n., 'kind of berry '(Possibly medicinal?) [Rare]
sordeo -ere, 'be dirty, filthy; be coarse, cheap, unrefined' [Frequent]
sordes -is, f., 'dirt, filth; poverty; turpitude, bad-character; (also) black clothes worn at funerals' [Frequent]
sordesco sordescere sordui, 'become dirty' [Rare]
sordidatus -a -um, 'wearing dirty clothes; wearing black funeral garb' [UnCommon]
sordidulus -a -um, 'somewhat dirty' [Rare]
sordidus -a -um, 'dirty; shabby; coarse, uncouth; cheap, mean; (also) wearing black funeral garb' [Frequent]
sorditudo -inis, f., 'dirt, squalor' [Rare]
sorex -icis, m., 'a shrew' Note: The small, hyperactive mammal, size of a mouse, but no rodent! The temper of the beast is recorded in the title of Shakespeare's play. [Rare]
soricinus -a -um, 'related to a shrew-mouse (sorex)' [Rare]
soror -oris, f., 'a sister; (pl.) "The Sisters"' (The second meaning covers any of the many consororities of Greek mythology, the Fates or Parcae, the Nereids, and others.) [VeryFreq.]
sororcula -ae, f., 'a little sister' [Rare]
sororicida -ae, m., 'one who murders a sister' [Rare]
sororio -are, 'swell up (of breasts)'Note: There must be some connection with soror, 'sister.' It may possibly reflect social surprise at the moment when a pre-pubescent girl, one's little sister, begins to develop breasts. [Rare]
sororius -a -um, 'of a sister, sisterly' [Rare]
sors sortis, f., 'lot, drawing lots; one's ÒlotÓ; capital (financial); destiny, fate'Note: From sortio, 'draw lots,' of a lot leaping from the jar. The Romans shook up marked, wooden tabs in a jar and observed which exited, not unlike the Chinese marked reeds in a jar, which escalate up by friction when the jar is shaken. The Western lot-drawing is quite different in spirit, since the person 'chooses' his fate by drawing, rather than letting the fate come to him by chance (Gr. tyche). [VeryFreq.]
sorticula -ae, f., 'a token or tab used in ballots and lotteries' [Rare]
sortilegus -a -um, 'prophesizing (by lots)' [Rare]
sortior -iri (dep.) (and sortio -ire), 'draw lots; get by lot; receive (as if by fate)'(See sors) [VeryFreq.]
sortitio -onis, f., 'casting lots, deciding by lots' [UnCommon]
sortitus -us, m., 'casting lots' [Rare]
sospes -itis, 'safe, safe and sound' [Frequent]
sospitalis -is, 'of a sanctuary, safe' [Rare]
sospito -are, 'save, preserve' [UnCommon]
soter -eris (acc. -era), m., 'Savior'Note: A title regularly used of kings in Greek-speaking areas, in Latin it was reserved for Jupiter. This was Jesus' Òpseudo-titleÓ = the Òsavior,Ó originally sarcastic, later serious. The word is Greek, from the verb 'so-o' Òsave.Ó [Rare]
soteria -orum, n. pl., 'presents given on recovery from sickness'(See prev.) [Rare]
spadix -icis, 'chestnut-colored (of horses)' [Rare]
spado -onis, m., 'a castrated male; eunuch; any impotent male (pejorative)' [Common]
spargo spargere sparsi sparsum, 'sprinkle, scatter; spatter, splatter; disseminate, distribute' [Frequent]
sparsio -onis, f., 'a sprinkling' [Rare]
sparsus -a -um (ppl. of spargeo), 'sparse' [UnCommon]
spartum -i, n., 'raffia, a type of grass'Note: Raffia was used to make cord and baskets, the same material is still widely used in Mediterranean craftware. [Rare]
sparulus -i, m., 'a fish' [Rare]
sparus -i, m., 'a spear' [Rare]
spatalocinaedus -i, m., 'easy-living homosexual' Note: The first part of this rare compound is from the Greek verb, spatalao, 'live luxuriously, wantonly.' Homosexuals in the Greco-Roman world had little social disapproval, and many developed a lifestyle of their own. See cinaedus. [Rare]
spatha -ae, f., 'a flat sword; cooking spatula' [Rare]
spatior -ari (dep.), 'walk about, take a walk' [Frequent]
spatiosus -a -um, 'spacious, broad; widely extended' [Common]
spatium -i, n., 'space; any area, field, open space; space of time; Time' [VeryFreq.]
specialis -e, 'specific, particular; not general' [Rare]
species -ei, f., 'sight, seeing; a view, appearance; the way a thing looks; a biological species; an Òappearance,Ó dream, prophetic vision' [VeryFreq.]
specillum -i, n., 'a surgeon's probe' [Rare]
specimen -inis, n., 'a visible mark, example, model' [Frequent]
specio (spicio) specere spexi spectum, 'look at, see' [Common]
speciosus -a -um, '"good-looking," handsome; splendid; good-seeming = specious' [Frequent]
spectabilis -e, 'visible; worth seeing' [UnCommon]
spectaculum -i, n., 'sight, show, spectacle' [Common]
spectamen -inis, n., 'sight; visible mark of . . .' [Rare]
spectatio -onis, f., 'viewing; examining' [Rare]
spectator -oris, m. (and spectatrix -tricis, f.), 'one who watches, a spectator' [Rare]
spectatus -a -um, 'well known; manifest, evident; distinguished; watched by the world' [Frequent]
spectio -onis, f., 'the right to observe omens' [Rare]
specto -are, 'look at, watch; inspect, observe; look towards, face toward' [VeryFreq.]
spectrum -i, n., 'a technical term in Epicurean philosophy'(It was intended to translate Gr. 'eidolon' from the verb 'eidon,' hence spectrum and specto. This is a term used by Lucretius.) [Rare]
specula -ae, f., 'watch-tower'(From specto. See next) [Rare]
specula -ae, f., 'a little hope, ray of hope'(From spes, 'hope.' See prev.) [Rare]
speculabundus -a -um, 'watchful' [Rare]
specularia -orum, n. pl., 'window panes' [UnCommon]
specularis -e, 'like a mirror; transparent'Note: Almost like Engl. glass, but the Romans made panes of natural transparent stone or mica, rather than fused silica. Why the Romans used this natural material for windows, when they had a well developed glass industry, is a mystery. Perhaps they objected to the 'bull's eye' or bubble in the middle of a pane when it is drawn out on the punty from the molten mass, possibly they even thought of this bubble as an Òeye,Ó even the evil eye, and were unwilling to have it looking in on their lives through every window pane. [UnCommon]
speculator -oris, m., 'scout; Òforward observerÓ (mil.)' [Rare]
speculatorius -a -um, 'of a scout' [Rare]
speculoclarus -a -um, 'clear as a mirror' Note: See note on speculum. [Rare]
speculor -ari (dep.), 'spy on, watch' [Frequent]
speculum -i, n., 'a mirror'Note: Roman mirrors were made of highly polished brass, hence reflected poorly, as Paul, I Cor. 13, remarks: Òin a glass darkly,Ó meaning literally, Òin a mirror poorly.Ó The interpretation of the Corinthian passage must be based on a realistic estimate of how much Greek mirrors reflected and what they did not reflect. Silvered, reflective mirrors on a glass base appeared only in the late16th century. [Common]
specus -us, m. (f., n.), 'hole in the ground; cave; grotto (poetic)' [Rare]
spelaeum -i, n., see specus [Rare]
spelunca -ae, f., 'a cave'Note: Engl. spelunkers, an odd species (of people) often found in caves. [Common]
sperabilis -e, 'able to be hoped for' [Rare]
speratrix -icis, f., 'that eternal diety ÒHopeÓ' [Rare]
speratus -a -um, 'hoped-for' [UnCommon]
sperno spernere sprevi spretum, 'remove, reject; spurn; disdain' [VeryFreq.]
spero -are, 'hope for, hope; wish, desire' [VeryFreq.]
spes -ei, f., 'hope, desire for, wish for . . . ; Hope as a deity' [VeryFreq.]
sphaera -ae, f., 'ball, sphere; globe, globe of the world (geog.)' [Common]
sphaeristerium -i, n., 'a place for playing ball, a ball park' [Rare]
spica -ae, f., 'the ÒspikeÓ or top of a plant (wheat, etc.); the constellation ÒVirgoÓ' [Common]
spiceus -a -um, 'of ears of wheat' [Rare]
spicifer -fera -ferum, 'carrying ears of wheat' [Rare]
spiculum -i, n., 'sharp point; arrow, spear' [Common]
spina -ae, f., 'thistle, thorn, prickle; the ÒspineÓ or backbone' [Frequent]
spinetum -i, n., 'thicket of briars' [Rare]
spineus -a -um, 'thorny' [Rare]
spinosus -a -um, 'prickly, thorny' (This is also used of styles of writing and of human personalities.) [UnCommon]
spinter -eris, n., 'a bracelet' Note: From the Greek 'sphincter' Òencircler, constrictor,Ó much as we use the term ÒchokerÓ for a neck ornament. This is the med. term for the muscle constricting the anus, the Òanal sphincter.Ó (See next) The Egyptian 'sphinx' also comes from this Greek word, but it is not clear exactly why. Perhaps diphtheria, which cuts off the passage of air in the trachea, is indirectly indicated, since it is as foreign as the Egyptian sphinx and also a choking killer. [Rare]
spintria -ae, m., 'a homosexual male prostitute' Note: From Gr. sphincter, the anal constrictor muscle. See prev. [Rare]
spinus -i, m., 'thorn patch' [Rare]
spira -ae, f., 'a coil, twist' [UnCommon]
spirabilis -e, 'breathable (of air)' [Rare]
spiraculum -i, n., 'an air-hole, a passage for breathing' [Rare]
spiramen -inis, n., 'breathing, in- or ex-halation' [Rare]
spiramentum -i, n., 'trachea, respiratory passage; breathing; a breath, a pause' [UnCommon]
spiritus -us, m., 'breathing, breath, breath of life; spirit; breath of air, wind; spirit, nature, immanent quality' [VeryFreq.]
spiro -are, 'breathe, be breathing; blow (of winds); be alive' [Frequent]
spisse adv., 'with difficulty; slowly' [Common]
spissesco -ere, 'thicken' [Rare]
spisso -are, 'make thick' [Rare]
spissus -a -um, 'dense, compacted; packed in; not moving, sluggish' [Frequent]
splen -nis, m., 'the spleen; temper, anger' (This comes from the Hippocratic doctrine of the humors. See melancholicus.) [Rare]
splendesco -ere, 'shine, gleam' [Common]
splendidus -a -um, 'shining, gleaming, glinting; bright, wonderful, splendid' [Frequent]
splendor -oris, m., 'brightness, gleam; splendor, glory' [Frequent]
spleniatus -a -um, ' covered by a 'plaster,' medicated dressing'(See next) [Rare]
splenium -i, n., 'a medicinal 'plaster' or adhesive bandage'Note: These are the medicated ÒBand-AidsÓ of the ancient world. [Rare]
spoliatio -onis, f., 'plundering' [Rare]
spoliator -oris, m. (and spoliatrix -icis, f.), 'plunderer' [Rare]
spolio -are, 'strip, despoil, plunder, rob' [Frequent]
spolium -i, n., 'a (stripped) fur, hide; anything Òripped off,Ó plundered, stolen; loot, booty' [Frequent]
sponda -ae, f., 'a bedstead'(Connection with spondeo? The bedstead as the man's dower? See next) [Rare]
spondeo spondere spopondi sponsum, 'give a (legal or financial) pledge, guarantee; pledge, promise; engage to marry (of a man)'Note: But nubeo is used of marriage for a woman, since the Romans do not favor equal contractual arrangements between the sexes. [VeryFreq.]
spondeus -i, m., 'a spondee (the poetic metrical foot of two long syllables)'Note: From Greek 'spondai,' Òlibations.Ó The meter suggests infinite sacral ceremony and seriousness, the priestly gait. [UnCommon]
spondylus -i, m., 'part of upper back; mussel or oyster flesh' [Rare]
spongia (also spongea) -ae, f., 'a sponge'Note: Sponge-diving was and still is an important Mediterranean industry, many people prefer the natural sponges to the foamed plastic kind for their feel, as well as their ability to soak up and retain fluids. [UnCommon]
spons see sponte(The nom. sing. does not occur, only abl. sponte.)sponsa -ae, f., 'fiancee, engaged woman'(From spondeo. But when actually married, she becomes a 'nupta.') [Common]
sponsalia -um (or -orum), n. pl., 'marriage party, feast' [UnCommon]
sponsio -onis, f., 'a financial arrangement, guaranteed contract; promise; a bet' [Common]
sponsus -i, m., 'an engaged man, fiancŽ' (See next) [Common]
sponsus -us, m., 'promise, guarantee'(See prev.) [Rare]
sponte adv., 'of one's own free will, spontaneously' (Often used in the phrase, sua sponte, 'voluntarily'. See spons.) [VeryFreq.]
sporta -ae, f., 'a basket, hamper' [Rare]
sportella -ae, f., 'a little basket'Note: A token little basket, left on the doorstep of the wealthy, and used for distribution of food to the poor. One might consider this a spontaneous and fortuitous welfare system based on private incentive. [UnCommon]
sportula -ae, f., 'a little basket (of food for the poor); food allowance in cash, Òfood stampsÓ under the Empire'(See prev.) [Common]
spretor -oris, m., 'one who despises' [Rare]
spuma -ae, f., 'foam, froth, scum' [Common]
spumesco -escere, 'begin to foam' [Rare]
spumeus -a -um, 'foaming, frothy' [UnCommon]
spumifer -fera -ferum, 'foaming' [Rare]
spumo -are, 'to foam, froth (of saliva, sweat, bile, blood, etc.)' [Frequent]
spumosus -a -um, 'foamy, foaming' [Rare]
spuo spuere spui sputum, 'spit, spit at; spit out' [UnCommon]
spurcatus -a -um, 'contaminated' [Rare]
spurcidicus -a -um, 'dirty-talking' [Rare]
spurco -are, 'make dirty, defile' [UnCommon]
spurcus -a -um, 'dirty, foul, filthy (physically or mentally)' [Frequent]
spurcificus -a -um, 'dirt-mongering, rotten' [Rare]
sputo -are, 'spit at' [Rare]
sputum -i, n., 'spit' [Rare]
squaleo -ere, 'be dirty, caked with dirt; squalid' [Frequent]
squalidus -a -um, 'dirty, caked; squalid' [Rare]
squalor -oris, m., 'scaliness, crustiness; caked-on dirt; filth' [Frequent]
squama -ae, f., 'a fish-scale; any scaly surface' [Common]
squameus -a -um, 'scaly (of fish and snakes)' [Rare]
squamiger -gera -gerum, 'scale-bearing, scaly' [Rare]
squamosus -a -um, 'covered with scales, scaly, fishy; filthy, encrusted' [UnCommon]
st! interj., 'hush, quiet; shh-t; shut up!' [Common]
stabilimentum -i, n., 'support, mainstays' [Rare]
stabilio -ire, 'make firm; establish' [Rare]
stabilis -e, 'firm, steady, stable; regular' [Frequent]
stabilitas -tatis, f., 'firmness, stability' [Frequent]
stabulo -are, '(to) stable cattle or house chickens, etc.' [Common]
stabulum -i, n., '(standing place =) stable for animals; (of people) Òfit for the stableÓ; whorehouse' [Frequent]
stacta -ae (and stacte -es), f., 'myrrh' [Rare]
stadium -i, n., 'a running course, track; as measurement, 1/8 mile' [Common]
stagno -are, 'be covered with stagnant water' [Common]
stagnum -i, n., 'swamp; pool; river, bay' [Frequent]
stamen -inis, n., '(vertical) warp on the weaver's loom; threads; fate; spun threads of life' [Common]
staminatus -a -um, '(of drinks) "straight"; "straight up"' Note: Since this adj. comes from stamen 'the vertical warp thread on a loom,' which has to be Òstraight up,Ó it is an odd coincidence that the Engl. idiom Òstraight upÓ of drinks matches the Latin so perfectly. See prev. [Rare]
stamineus -a -um, 'threaded, having a thread'Note: The 'rota staminea,' literally the wheel on a string, mentioned by Propertius is clearly an ancient form of Òyoyo.Ó [Rare]
statarius -a -um, 'steady, stable, stationary; of soldiers fighting from a station; of ÒstaticÓ actors (i.e. not gesturing heavily)' [UnCommon]
statera -ae, f., 'a steelyard, a balance for weighing' [Rare]
statim adv., 'steadfastly; on the spot, at once'(The second meaning is far more [Common]
.) [VeryFreq.]
statio -onis, f., 'a standing still; a place of abode; post, station (mil.)' [Frequent]
stativus -a -um, 'standing still, fixed; a permanent camp (mil.)' [UnCommon]
stator -oris, m., 'a magistrate's assistant'(See next) [UnCommon]
Stator -oris, m., ' Zeus ÒThe UpholderÓ = Jupiter' (See Soter, the Greek term for Savior, for which this word is the Latin replacement. See prev.) [UnCommon]
statua -ae, f., 'a statue' [Common]
statuarius -a -um, 'of statues' [Rare]
statumen -inis, n., 'stay, support' [UnCommon]
statuo -ere -i -tum, 'set down, place, locate; stand still, sit still; establish, fix, decide on; rule on (leg.)' [VeryFreq.]
statura -ae, f., 'stature, height' [Common]
status -a -um (ppl. from sisto), 'fixed, established; regular' (See next) [Frequent]
status -us, m., 'standing; stature; location; a given ÒsettingÓ; situation, station, rank'(See prev.) [Frequent]
stega -ae, f., 'the deck (naval)' [Rare]
stella -ae, f., 'a star; planet; constellation; a comet'Note: But not really the right word for a comet, since the comet is called in Gr. kometes, Lat. comans, 'having hair, long tresses,' from observers' visual impressions of the tail of a comet. See cometes. [Frequent]
stellatus -a -um, 'starry, bright' [UnCommon]
stellifer -fera -ferum (and stelliger -gera -gerum), 'starry' [Rare]
stellio (stelio) -onis, m., 'lizard; viper; (of a person) ÒviperÓ' [Rare]
stemma -atis, n., 'family tree, descent, pedigree' [UnCommon]
sterculinum -i, n., 'manure pile' [Rare]
stercus -oris, n., 'manure, dung, feces, excrement' [UnCommon]
sterilis -e, 'sterile, not-producing; bare, barren (of animals, humans, land, trees, and unprofitable business ventures)' [Frequent]
sterilitas -tatis, f., 'sterility (of plants, animals, land)' [Common]
sternax -acis, 'throwing'(Used of a horse given to dump its rider, from 'sterno.') [Rare]
sterno sternere stravi stratum, 'lay out on the ground; spread a blanket; lay pavement; lay out an enemy; raze buildings' [VeryFreq.]
sternumentum -i, n., 'a sneeze'(From sternuo) [Rare]
sternuo -ere -i, 'sneeze'(Ovid uses this once, of snuffing out an oil-lamp.) [Rare]
sternuto -are, 'sneeze again and again' [Rare]
sterquilinium -i, n., see sterculinumsterto -ere, 'snore' [Common]
stibadium -i, n., 'a round sofa' [Rare]
stigma -atis, n., 'a brand or tattoo marked on runaway slaves or criminals' [UnCommon]
stigmatias -ae, m., 'a branded slave' [Rare]
stilla -ae, f., 'a drop of a liquid' [Common]
stillicidium -i, n., 'dripping water; rainwater' [Common]
stillo -are, 'drip, drip-drop' [Common]
stilus -i, m., 'a stick of wood, stake; stylus for writing on wax tablets; the stylus or Òthe penÓ = literary output' [Common]
stimulatio -onis, f., 'spurring on, stimulating' [Rare]
stimulo -are, 'goad, drive (animals) with a pointed stick ; push, encourage, stimulate (to . . .)' [Frequent]
stimulus -i, m., 'a pointed stick or goad; spur; encouragement and drive' [Frequent]
stinguo -ere (stinxi stinctum), 'extinguish' (Only pres. system used.) [Common]
stipatio -onis, f., 'a crowd, retinue' [Rare]
stipator -oris, m., 'an attendant, follower' [Rare]
stipendiarius -a -um, 'the stipend or ÒpayÓ of mercenary soldiers; paying tribute, cash payment to ruling army' (See next) [Common]
stipendium -i, n., 'a soldier's pay (annual); military service; cash paid by conquered peoples as war indemnification' [Frequent]
stipes -itis, m., 'trunk of a tree, log, stick; Òblock headÓ' [Frequent]
stipo -are, 'press closely, compress; to crowd'(Engl. constipation) [Common]
stips stipis, f., 'a small coin, gift, ÒtipÓ' [Common]
stipula -ae, f., 'stalk of a plant; left over stubble in a field; a musical ÒpipeÓ' [Common]
stipulatio -onis, f., 'agreement (financial), stipulation' [Rare]
stipulor -ari (dep.), 'make demands, bargain, stipulate' [UnCommon]
stiria -ae, f., 'icicle' [Rare]
stirpitus adv., 'from the stem up; completely' [Rare]
stirps (stirpes) stirpis, f., 'stalk, stem of a plant; progeny, family, descendants' [Frequent]
stiva -ae, f., 'hand grip of a plough' [Rare]
stlatarius -a -um, 'imported (by a barge); of a barge, barge-like'(See next) [Rare]
stlatta -ae, f., 'barge, cargo-ship'(Gr. stlata, 'barge') [Rare]
stlis (archaic) see lissto stare steti statum, 'stand, stand up, get up; stand still; take a stand (mil. and pol.); be sited (arch.); stay, remain; stand firm' [VeryFreq.]
Stoicus -a -um, 'Stoic'Note: Used in reference to the Stoic school of Hellenic philosophy, as popularly practiced at Rome, but not the same as Engl. 'stoic(al).'Vergil was personally an Epicurean, and Aeneas was not really a Stoic, although modern scholars have tried to see him as cast in a ÒstoicalÓ role, as against the ÒEpicureanÓ Dido. [Common]
stola -ae, f., 'a long, outer garment worn by Roman women' [Common]
stolatus -a -um, 'wearing a stola'(See prev.) [Rare]
stolidus -a -um, 'stupid, dull, obtuse' [Frequent]
stomachor -ari (dep.), 'be angry, enraged' [UnCommon]
stomachosus -i, m., 'irritable, cross' [UnCommon]
stomachus -i, m., 'the esophagus; stomach; temper, anger; one's ÒstomachÓ (as taste, liking for)' [Frequent]
storea (storia), -ae, f., 'a rush or reed mat'. [Rare]
strabo -onis, m., 'one who squints'. (Cf. paetus, lippus. Probably the majority of Roman squinters had conjunctivitis.) See collyrium and note [UnCommon]
strages -is, f., 'destruction, ruin; slaughter (mil.)'. [Frequent]
stragula -ae, f., 'funerary cloth'. [Rare]
stragulus -a -um, 'blanket, covering; funeral-cloth'. [Common]
stramen -inis, n., 'straw bedding'. [Rare]
stramentum -i, n., 'straw; bedding; a blanket; horse-cloth'. [Common]
stramineus -a -um, 'made of straw'. [Rare]
strangulo -are, 'choke; strangle; stifle'. [Frequent]
stranguria -ae, f., 'strangury (a bladder ailment)'. [Rare]
strategema -atis, n., 'a piece of generalship, a strategem'. [Rare]
strategus -i, m., 'a general'(A Greek word, not naturalized into the regular Latin Imperator). [Rare]
stratioticus -a -um, 'of a soldier'. See prev. [Rare]
stratum -i, n., '(something laid out flat), blanket; saddlecloth; a paved avenue'Note: (From this comes English street, (OE 'str¾t'), one of the few Roman relics in Britain after the troops pulled out in the later Empire). See note on curvus, Engl. ÒcurbÓ.) [UnCommon]
stratura -ae, f., 'road-paving'. [Rare]
strena -ae, f., 'a favorable omen; a New Year's gift'. [UnCommon]
strenuitas -tatis, f., 'briskness, activeness'. [Rare]
strenuus -a -um, 'brisk, active; (in bad sense) turbulent, restless'. [Frequent]
strepito -are, 'rattle, clatter, clang'. [Rare]
strepitus -us, m., 'any harsh noise, from clatter to crackle, usually thin and dense' (There is no English word to cover all these discrepant uses.) See crepito, crepitus for a similar set of strange sounds. [Frequent]
strepo -ere -ui -itum, 'make a rattling noise'See prev. [Frequent]
strictim adv., ' guardedly, Òclose to the vestÓ; superficially, once over lightly'. [UnCommon]
strictura -ae, f., 'a mass of iron'. See next [Rare]
strictus -a -um, (ppl. from stringo), 'compact, dense; terse; strict (legal)', [UnCommon]
strideo (strido) stridere stridi , 'make a harsh, strident noise; squeak; crackle'. Note: (One thinks of the squeak of the professor's chalk on the blackboard . . . irritating!). [Frequent]
stridor -oris, m., 'a creaking, grating noise'. [Common]
stridulus -a -um, 'creaking, grating'. [Common]
strigilis -is, f., 'a scraper used at the baths '. Note: (Used to scrape off the bath oil. The Romans did not have soap, and used oil as a solvent for body dirt, wiping the scraped skin dry with loose wool fluff. This may sound clumsy, but the chemical technology for making soap out of animal fat with wood ashes for the potassium, is not at all simple.) [UnCommon]
strigo -are, 'stop, halt'. [Rare]
stringo -ere -xi -xtum 'draw tight, draw; debark, skin off; graze over, graze (as a thrown weapon). [Frequent]
stabilis -e, 'firm, steady, stable; regular'. [Frequent]
stabilitas -tatis, f., 'firmness, stability'. [Frequent]
stabulo -are, 'stable cattle, house chickens, etc.'. [Common]
stabulum -i, n., '(standing place =) stable for animals; Òfit for the stableÓ'; whorehouse (as a stable) [Frequent]
stacta -ae (stacte -es), f., 'myrrh'. [Rare]
stadium -i, n., 'a running course, track; as measurement, 1/8 mile'. [Common]
stagno -are, 'be covered with stagnant water'. [Common]
stagnum -i, n., 'swamp; pool; river, bay'. [Frequent]
stamen -inis, n., 'warp (vertical) on a weavers loom; threads; fate-spun threads of life'. [Common]
staminatus -a -um, '(of drinks) Òstraight, straight-upÓ [Rare]
stamineus -a -um, 'threaded; Rota staminea in Prop. must be a ÒyoyoÓ'. [Rare]
statarius -a -um, 'steady, stable, stationary; of soldiers fighting from a station; of ÒstaticÓ actors, i.e. not gesturing heavily'. [UnCommon]
statera -ae, f., 'a steelyard, a balance for weighing'. [Rare]
statim 'steadfastly; on the spot, at once'. [VeryFreq.]
statio -onis, f., 'a standing still; a place of abode; post, station (mil.)'. [Frequent]
stativus -a -um, 'standing still, fixed; a permanent camp (mil.)'. [UnCommon]
stator -oris, m., 'a magistrate's assistant'. [UnCommon]
Stator -oris, m., 'Ó upholderÓ, = Jupiter'. See soter, soon to be used for Christ [UnCommon]
statua -ae, f., 'a statue'. [Common]
statuarius -a -um, 'of statues'. [Rare]
statumen -inis, n., 'stay, support'. [UnCommon]
statuo -uere -ui -utum, 'set down, place, locate; stand still, sit still; establish, fix, decide on; rule on (legal)'. [VeryFreq.]
statura -ae, f., 'stature, height'. [Common]
status -a -um, 'fixed, established; regular', (pppl. from sisto). [Frequent]
status -us, m., 'standing; stature; location; a given ÒsettingÓ; situation, station, rank'. [Frequent]
stega -ae, f., 'deck (naval)'. [Rare]
stella -ae, f., 'a star; planet; constellation; comen (comans)'. [Frequent]
stellatus -a -um, 'starry, bright'. [UnCommon]
stellifer -fera -ferum and stelliger -gera -gerum, 'starry'. [Rare]
stellio (stelio) -onis, m., 'lizard; viper; ÒviperÓ of a person'. [Rare]
stemma -atis, n., 'family ÒtreeÓ, descent, pedigree'. [UnCommon]
sterculinum -i, n., 'manure pile'. [Rare]
stercus -oris, n., 'manure, dung'. [UnCommon]
sterilis -e, 'sterile, not-producing; bare, barren (of animals, humans, land, trees, and unprofitable business ventures!)'. [Frequent]
sterilitas -atis, f., 'sterility (of plants, animals, land)'. [Common]
sternax -acis, (of a horse given to dump its rider). [Rare]
sterno sternere stravi stratum, 'lay out on the ground; spread a blanket; lay pavement; lay out an enemy; raze buildings'. [VeryFreq.]
sternumentum -i, n., 'a sneeze'. [Rare]
sternuo -uere -ui, 'sneeze; (Ovid uses this once of snuffing out an oil-lamp)'. [Rare]
sternuto -are, 'sneeze again and again'. [Rare]
sterquilinium -i, n., = sterculinum.sterto -ere, 'snore'. [Common]
stibadium -i, n., 'a round sofa'. [Rare]
stigma -atis, n., 'a brand, tattoo marked on runaway slaves, criminals'. [UnCommon]
stigmatias -ae, m., 'a branded slave'. [Rare]
stilla -ae, f., 'a drop'. [Common]
stillicidium -i, n., 'dripping water; rainwater'. [Common]
stillo -are, 'drip, dribble'. [Common]
stilus 'a stick of wood, stake; stylus for writing on wax tablets; stylus = ÒpenÓ = literary output'. [Common]
stimulatio -onis, f., 'spurring on, stimulating'. [Rare]
stimulo -are, 'goad, drive with a pointed stick (of animals); push, encourage, stimulate to . . . '. [Frequent]
stimulus -i, m., 'a pointed stick = goad; spur; encouragement and drive'. [Frequent]
stinguo -ere, 'extinguish'. [Common]
stipatio -onis, f., 'a crowd, retinue'. [Rare]
stipator -oris, m., 'an attendant, follower'. [Rare]
stipendarius -i, n., 'a soldier's pay (annual); military service; cash paid by conquered peoples as war indemnification'. [Frequent]
stipes -itis, m., 'trunk of a tree; log; stick; Òblock headÓ'. [Frequent]
stipo -are, 'press closely, compress; to crowd'. [Common]
stips stipis, f., 'a small coin, gift, ÒtipÓ'. [Common]
stipula -ae, f., 'stalk of a plant; left over stubble in a field; a musical ÒpipeÓ'. [Common]
stipulatio -onis, f., 'agreement (financial), stipulation'. [Rare]
stipulor -ari, (dep.) 'make demands, bargain, stipulate'. [UnCommon]
stiria -ae, f., 'icicle'. [Rare]
stirpitus adv. 'from the stem up = completely'. [Rare]
stirps (stirpes, stirpis), stirpis, f., 'stalk, stem; a plant; progeny, family, descendants'. [Frequent]
stiva -ae, f., 'hand grip of a plough'. [Rare]
stlatarius -a -um, 'imported (by a stlatta?); of a barge, bargish'. see next [Rare]
stlatta -ae, f., 'barge, cargo-ship'. [Rare]
stlis archaic = lis.sto stare steti statum, 'stand, stand up, get up; stand still; take a stand (mil. and pol.); be sited (architec.); stay, remain; stand firm'. [VeryFreq.]
Stoicus -a -um, 'Stoic'. [Common]
stola -ae, f., 'a long outer garment worn by Roman women'. [Common]
stolatus -a -um, 'wearing a stola (which see above)'. [Rare]
stolidus -a -um, 'stupid, dull, obtuse'. [Frequent]
stomachor -ari, (dep.) 'be angry, enraged'. [UnCommon]
stomachosus -i, m., 'irritable, cross'. [UnCommon]
stomachus -i, m., 'esophagus; stomach; temper, anger; one's ÒstomachÓ = taste, a liking for' [Frequent]
storea (storia) -ae, f., 'a rush mat' [Rare]
strabo -onis, m., 'one who squints' [UnCommon]
strages -is, f., 'destruction, ruin; slaughter (mil.)' [Frequent]
stragula -ae, f., 'funerary cloth' [Rare]
stragulus -a -um, 'blanket, covering; funeral-cloth' [Common]
stramen -inis, n., 'straw bedding' [Rare]
stramentum -i, n., 'straw; bedding; a blanket; horse-cloth' [Common]
stramineus -a -um, 'made of straw' [Rare]
strangulo -are, 'choke; strangle; stifle' [Frequent]
stranguria -ae, f., 'strangury (a bladder ailment)' [Rare]
strategema -atis, n., 'a piece of general-ship, a strategem' [Rare]
strategus -i, m., 'a general' (Greek word) [Rare]
stratioticus -a -um, 'of a soldier' [Rare]
stratum -i, n., 'blanket; saddlecloth; a paved avenue' (From which comes English street (OEng, straet), one of the few Roman relics in Britain after the troops pulled out in the later Empire.) [UnCommon]
stratura -ae, f., 'road-paving' [Rare]
strena -ae, f., 'a favorable omen; a new year's gift' [UnCommon]
strenuitas -atis, f., 'briskness, activeness' [Rare]
strenuus -a -um, 'brisk, active; (in bad sense) turbulent, restless' [Frequent]
strepito -are, 'rattle, clatter, clang' [Rare]
strepitus -us, m., 'any harsh noise, from clatter to crackle, usually thin and dense' (There is no English word to cover all uses.) [Frequent]
strepo -ere -ui -otum, 'make a rattling noise' (See strepitus) [Frequent]
strictim '"to the vest"; once over lightly' [UnCommon]
strictura -ae, f., 'a mass of iron' [Rare]
strictus -a -um (ppl. from stringo), 'compact, dense; terse; strict (legal)' [UnCommon]
strideo (and strido) stridere stridi, 'make a harsh noise; squeak; squawk' [Frequent]
stridor -oris, m., 'a creaking, grating noise' [Common]
stridulus -a -um, 'creaking, grating' [Common]
strigilis -is, f., 'a scraper used at the baths (for oil, not soap)' [UnCommon]
strigo -are, 'stop, halt' [Rare]
strigosus -a -um, 'scraggy, shrivelled (of animals)' [Frequent]
stringo stringere strinxi strictum, 'tie up, bind; strip off (leaves, fruit); graze, touch, skim' [Frequent]
stringor -oris, m., 'the reaction of putting your hand into cold water' [Rare]
strix strigis, f., 'a screech owl'(Known by the Romans for giving a bad-omened hoot.) [UnCommon]
strophia -ae, f., 'a trick, device; a wrestling throw' [Rare]
strophiarius -i, m., 'a brassiere-maker' [Rare]
strophium -i, n., 'a brassiere; headband; rope' [Rare]
structilis -e, 'used in building' [Rare]
structor -oris, m., 'carpenter, mason; carver; server at the table' [Rare]
structura -ae, f., 'building as a craft; a building, structure' [Frequent]
strues -is, f., 'pile, heap; a bunch of sacrificial cakes' [UnCommon]
struix -icis, f., 'pile, heap' [Rare]
struma -ae, f., 'a growth, tumor; wart'Note: Catullus uses this uncomplimentary word of a disagreeable person, whom he dubs Òthe Wart,Ó sitting there in the curule chair! [Rare]
strumosus -a -um, 'having tumors, visible lumpy growths' [Rare]
struo struere struxi structum, 'strew, lay out; put together, arrange; write (books); arrange battle lines; lay out a plan (mil.)' [VeryFreq.]
strutheum -i, n., 'quince (the fruit)' [Rare]
struthocamelus -i, n., 'ostrich'Note: From Gr. strouthos 'a bird,' combined with the camel as an example of a running animal. This is exactly what the ostrich appears to be: a Òrunaway bird who goes like a camelÓ over the sand. [Rare]
studeo -ere -ui, 'be eager, take pains, strive after' [VeryFreq.]
studiosus -a -um, 'eager, zealous' [Frequent]
studium -i, n., 'zeal, eagerness, application, enthusiasm' [VeryFreq.]
stultiloquus -a -um, 'silly-talking' [Rare]
stultitia -ae, f., 'foolishness, stupidity' [Common]
stultiuidus -a -um, 'having foolish eyes' [Rare]
stultus -a -um, 'dumb, foolish, stupid' [Frequent]
stupefacio -facere -feci -factum, (pass. stupefio -fieri), 'stupify, shock, stun' [Common]
stupeo -ere -ui, 'be stunned, astounded' [Frequent]
stupesco stupescere stupui, 'become amazed, astounded' [Common]
stupiditas -tatis, f., 'stupidity' [UnCommon]
stupidus -a -um, 'stupid, dull, dumb'(See stupeo) [Common]
stupor -oris, m., 'dullness, stupidity'(See prev.) [Common]
stuppa -ae, f., 'flax-cord, rope; a lamp wick' [Rare]
stuppeus -a -um, 'flaxen' [Rare]
stupro -are, 'defile, pollute (sexually)' [UnCommon]
stuprum -i, n., 'dirty and illegal (sexual) conduct; any bad conduct, fornication' [Frequent]
sturnus -i, m., 'a starling' [Rare]
stylus see stilussuadela -ae, f., 'persuasiveness' [Rare]
suadeo suadere suasi suasum, 'persuade, advise; strongly suggest' [VeryFreq.]
suadus -a -um, 'persuasive' [Rare]
suasio -onis, f., 'advice, recommendation; an exhortatory oration' [UnCommon]
suasor -oris, m., 'an adviser, recommender; one who advocates a law' [Rare]
suasoria -ae, f., 'a legal quasi-case development, done as an exercise in pre-law'Note: We have some hundreds of these from Quintilian and the elder Seneca, dull quasi-legal themes, but interesting in the history of legal training and education among the Romans. See controversia. [Rare]
suasorius -a -um, 'persuasive' [Common]
suasum -i, n., 'of dirty-gray color' (See next) [Rare]
suasus -us, m., 'persuasion'(See prev.) [Rare]
suavolens -entis, 'sweet smelling' [Rare]
suavidicus -a -um, 'sweetly speaking' [Rare]
suaviloquens -entis, 'sweetly speaking' [Rare]
suaviloquentia -ae, f., 'sweetness of speech' [Rare]
suaviolum -i, n., 'a little kiss'(See suavior and savium) [Common]
suavis -e, 'sweet-tasting; sweet, agreeable, nice, lovely; pleasant' [VeryFreq.]
suavisaviatio -onis, f., 'sweet-kissing'Note: With a pun on suavis ÒsweetÓ coupled with savior Òkiss.Ó Note the modern chocolate candies called ÒkissesÓ.) [Rare]
suavitas -tatis, f., 'sweetness, pleasantness' [Common]
suavium see saviumsub prep., '(with abl. obj.) under, beneath, below; behind; (with acc. obj.) to a place under, beneath; after (in time); under (a ruler); under (a subject-heading)' [VeryFreq.]
subabsurdus -a -um, 'rather absurd' [Rare]
subaccuso -are, 'make a slight accusation' [Rare]
subactio -onis, f., 'preparation of earth, turning over; preparation (for writing)' [Rare]
subaeratus -a -um, 'having brass-underneath; gilt' [Rare]
subagrestis -e, 'somewhat rustic or boorish' [Rare]
subaquilus -a -um, 'darkish (of skin hue)' [Rare]
subalapo -onis, m., 'boaster' [Rare]
subalaris -e, 'under the arm'(Used of a concealed weapon.) [Rare]
subamarus -a -um, 'rather bitter' [Rare]
subauratus -a -um, 'gilt, gilded' [Rare]
subausculto -are, 'listen in on, eavesdrop' [UnCommon]
subblandior -iri, 'fawn on, make up to' [Rare]
subc-FOR WORDS BEGINNING IN SUBC-, POSSIBLY SEE SUCC-
subcavus -a -um, 'hollowed out underneath' [Rare]
subceno -are, ' dine-under, dine downstairs?'Note: But also used of a leftover fish dinner, served the next day, with a quote by Quintilian 'festinemus, alii subcenant,' apparently cited as a witty remark.) [Rare]
subcrispus -a -um, 'somewhat curly (of hair)' [Rare]
subcustos -odis, 'watch-assistant' [Rare]
subdebilis -e, 'rather weakened' [Rare]
subdifficilis -e, 'somewhat difficult' [Rare]
subditicius (subditivus) -a -um, 'substituted, counterfeit' [Rare]
subdo -dere -didi -ditum, 'place underneath; subject; bring forth (fraudulently), produce illegally, substitute' [Frequent]
subdoceo -ere, 'help in teaching' [Rare]
subdolus -a -um, 'sly, tricky, deceitful' [UnCommon]
subdomo -are, 'subdue' [Rare]
subdubito -are, 'doubt or hesitate a little' [Rare]
subduco -ducere -duxi -ductum, 'pull up, slide up; beach a ship; withdraw (troops, persons), remove; total up (financial)' [VeryFreq.]
subductio -onis, f., 'the drawing up of a ship on dry land; adding up a reckoning, computing' [Rare]
subedo -esse -edi, 'eat away from under, wear away' [Rare]
subeo -ire -ii (or -ivi) -itum, 'go under, pass under; undergo; come up to or under (a hill), approach; come up to' [Frequent]
suber -eris, n., 'cork-tree; cork' [Rare]
suberigo -ere, 'raise halfway up (of spears) [Rare]
subflavus -a -um, '(under-blond =) light tan (of hair)' [Rare]
subfuscus -a -um, 'darkish (of emeralds)' [Rare]
subgrandis -e, 'fairly large (of a room)' [Rare]
subhorridus -a -um, 'somewhat rough' [Rare]
subicio -icere -ieci -iectum, 'shoot up, hurl up; put down below, subject (to scrutinize with the eyes); subject someone to; add on = subjoin; add on (fraudulently), cheat' [Frequent]
subiectio -onis, f., 'laying down; subjecting; inserting; adding; rendering (fraudulently)' [Frequent]
subiecto -are, 'put under' [Rare]
subiector -oris, m., 'presenter of fraudulent papers' [Rare]
subiectus -a -um, 'subjected to; subject; of subject status' [Frequent]
subigatio -onis, f., 'sexual arousal'(See next two items) [Rare]
subigitatrix -icis, f., 'female sexual teaser'(See next) [Rare]
subigito -are, 'arouse sexually'(Originally from subo -are, 'be hot, be in heat (of animals).') [Rare]
subigo -igere -egi -actum, 'drive upwards, raise, lift up; drive down (sub = under), tame, subject, rule, dominate; to ÒworkÓ (wool, flour, clay, earth/land)'(The prefix 'sub-' can refer to the direction from which the action comes (up) or to the final position (down).) [Frequent]
subimpudens -entis, 'somewhat impudent' [Rare]
subinanis -e, 'somewhat foolish' [Rare]
subinde adv., 'then, right afterwards; again, on and on' [Frequent]
subinsulsus -a -um, 'somewhat insipid' [Rare]
subinvideo -ere, 'have a little envy of' [Rare]
subinvisus -a -um, 'not generally liked' [Rare]
subinvito -are, 'suggest in an offhand manner' [Rare]
subirascor -irasci -iratus (dep.), 'get a little angry' [UnCommon]
subiratus -a -um, 'somewhat annoyed' [Rare]
subitarius -a -um, 'dealing with an emergency; hastily arranged'(See subito, next) [UnCommon]
subito adv., 'suddenly, quickly' [VeryFreq.]
subitus -a -um, 'sudden, hasty, quick; impetuous'(Apparently a ppl. of 'subio,' but the connection is unclear, and this must stand as an adj. on its own.) [Frequent]
subiungo -iungere -iunxi -iunctum, 'put a yoke on (animals); subjugate, dominate, control; add on, sub-join'Note: The term ÒsubjunctiveÓ of the Latin grammars dates back to Roman times. It was written out underneath the indicative forms, hence called Òsub-junctivus,Ó 'joined-on underneath.' From this offhand notation, the formidable SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD of Latin comes, oaks from acorns indeed. Actually, it should be called Conditional. [Frequent]
sublabor -labi -lapsus sum (dep.), 'sneak up on . . . ; slip under, glide beneath; collapse' [Rare]
sublatio -onis, f., 'raising up, removal' [Rare]
sublatus -a -um, 'raised up = full of confidence' [Rare]
sublego -legere -legi -lectum, 'lift up, pick up; pick up = "rip off," steal, "lift"'Note: Engl. "to lift" and "a shop-lifter" is an entirely different word, from Old Engl. 'hliftan' = Gr. 'kleptein,' "steal," IE '-klep(t-),' with no connection to 'lifting up' as in this Latin verb. [Common]
sublevatio -onis, f., 'a relieving, lightening' [Rare]
sublevo -are, 'raise, lift, support; encourage' [Common]
sublica -ae, f., 'a pile, prop' [Rare]
sublicius -a -um, 'resting upon piles' [Rare]
subligaculum -i (and subligar -aris), n., 'underwear, underpants' Note: A sort of diaper worn by Roman men under the toga, functioning as both BVD's and athletic supporter. From 'ligo -are.' [Rare]
subligo -are, 'bind up (garments); tie on (a weapon)'(See prev.) [Rare]
sublime adv., 'on high, aloft' [UnCommon]
sublimis -e, 'aloft, high, lofty; tall; sublime' [Frequent]
sublimitas -tatis, f., 'height, elevation; loftiness of manner' [UnCommon]
sublimo -are, 'raise up, elevate' [UnCommon]
sublingulo -onis, m., 'a slave who surreptitously licks the food he serves (ugh!)'Note: The word first appears in Plautus; three centuries later Juvenal still recognizes this unhygienic practice, which may persist even today for all we know! [Rare]
sublino -linere -levi -letum, 'smear, smudge over'Note: Smudging with carbon black the face of one who is asleep is considered a very funny Roman practical joke! [Rare]
subluceo -ere, 'gleam faintly, glimmer' [Rare]
subluo -luere -lutum, 'wash below (of rivers); flow beneath' [UnCommon]
sublustris -e, 'faintly lighted' [Rare]
submano (summano) -are, 'be wet, drip underneath'Note: Plautus puns on soaking wet underclothes giving the adj., summanus, whereas the title of Jove the Thunderer is ÒSummanus,Ó Lord of High Places. The pun is better than it seems, since Jove is also the god of storms and rain! As the Greeks said: 'ek dios hapanta.') [Rare]
submemmium -i, n., 'a Roman street known for hookers'Note: During WWII, the Place Pigale in Paris, Commonly known as Pig Alley, had about the same associations as the above word. Was this street named after the Memmius, lauded by Lucretius? [Rare]
submemmianus -a -um(See prev., of which this is adj. form.) [Rare]
submergo -mergere -mersi -mersum, 'sink, submerge' [Rare]
submerus -a -um, 'almost straight (of drink)'(Romans always mixed wine with water. See merus, merum, vinum, bibulus.) [Rare]
subministro -are, 'provide, furnish, supply' [Rare]
submissus -a -um, 'with lowered (eyes); let down (of long hair); low (voiced); grovelling (men)' [Frequent]
submitto -ere, 'let grow, permit; send up (shoots); hold up hands (in prayer); kneel down (in submission); subordinate' [VeryFreq.]
submolestus -a -um, 'somewhat annoying' [Rare]
submoneo -ere, 'advise quietly; prompt' [Rare]
submorosus -a -um, 'rather ill-mannered' [Rare]
submoveo -ere, 'move out of the way, get rid of; drive away, repulse; banish, kick out' [VeryFreq.]
submugio -ire, 'bellow, roar'(Lucretius 4. 545 perhaps, or just plain mugio?) [Rare]
subnascor -nasci -natus (dep.), 'grow up; arise' [UnCommon]
subnecto -nectere -nexui -nexum, 'tie up, buckle up; add on' [UnCommon]
subnego -are, 'partly refuse something, half refuse' [Rare]
subniger -gra -grum, 'somewhat dark' [Rare]
subnixus -a -um, 'propped up, supported' [Rare]
subnoto -are, 'mark beneath, write underneath' [Rare]
subnuba -ae, f., 'a rival ladyfriend; a marriage-broker' [Rare]
subnubilus -a -um, 'somewhat cloudy' [Rare]
subo -are, 'be in heat (of an animal); be hot like an animal'(See subigito and subigitatio) [Rare]
subobscenus -a -um, 'somewhat obscene' [Rare]
subobscurus -a -um, 'somewhat obscure' [Rare]
subodiosus -a -um, 'rather unpleasant' [Rare]
suboffendo -ere, 'give some offense' [Rare]
suboleo -ere, 'emit a smell'(Used only in 3rd person, like English 'it stinks!') [Rare]
suboles -is, f., 'a sprout, shoot, offspring, progeny' [Frequent]
subolesco -escere, 'grow up' [Rare]
suborior -iri (dep.), 'spring up, rise up; come into being (as a philosophical term)' [UnCommon]
suborno -are, 'furnish, equip, provide' [Common]
subortus -us, m., 'an arising' [Rare]
subpalpor -ari (dep.), 'Òfeel over,Ó insinuate oneself upon'(From palpor 'feel' or 'feel over,' but not in a sexual sense.) [Rare]
subpaenitet (impersonal), 'feel a twinge of regret for'(A mollified version of paenitet.) [Rare]
subpar -paris, 'almost the same, identical' [Rare]
subparasitor -ari (dep.), 'ÒspongeÓ off, be a parasite on' [Rare]
subrancidus -a -um, 'somewhat putrid' [Rare]
subraucus -a -um, 'somewhat hoarse' [Rare]
subremigo (surremigo) -are, 'row on underneath' [Rare]
subrepo (surrepo) -repere -repsi, 'creep or crawl up' [Common]
subrepticius -a -um, 'stolen'(From sub-ripio ÒstealÓ) [Rare]
subrideo (surrideo) -ridere -risi -risum, 'smile'Note: A 'sub-laugh' is for the Romans the only way of saying 'smile.' This seems odd, since the smile is one of the few human gestures which carries the same meaning everywhere, according to anthropologists. Compare the French 'sourire' as against 'rire.' [Rare]
subridicule adv., 'somewhat laughably' [Rare]
subrigo (surrigo) -rigere -rexi -rectum, 'raise, lift up; stand up' [Common]
subringor -i (dep.), 'snarl' (as of a dog)(See ringor) [Rare]
subripio -ere, 'steal, Òrip-offÓ; remove' [Frequent]
subrogo (surrogo) -are, 'substitute, replace (in office)' [Common]
subrubeo -ere, 'blush slightly, be rather red-faced' [Rare]
subruo -ruere -rui -rutum, 'undermine, overthrow, destroy' [Common]
subrusticus -a -um, 'rustic, yokelish' [Rare]
subrutilus -a -um, 'rather red-haired' [Rare]
subscribo -scribere -scripsi -scriptum, 'write underneath, sign, affirm that' [VeryFreq.]
subscriptio -onis, f., 'a postscript; signature; endorsement, affidavit; a criminal charge, prosecution' [Frequent]
subscriptor -oris, m., 'assisting prosecutor (leg.)' [Rare]
subscus -udis, f., 'peg'Note: The standard pinning peg in post-and-beam construction, an American Òre-discovery,Ó which was really ancient and specifically Roman. This kind of construction, along with hand-hewed beams, probably continued uninterrupted as a building technique through the Middle Ages. Note that the Roman claw hammer, chisel, and iron plane are almost identical to modern models. See denarius. [Rare]
subsecivus see subsicivussubseco -secare -secui -sectum, 'cut away, pare off' [UnCommon]
subsellium -i, n., 'bench, auditorium chair; the ÒbenchÓ in court; court' [Frequent]
subsentator -oris, m., 'flatterer' [Rare]
subsentio -sentire -sensi -sensum, 'notice' [Rare]
subsessor -oris, m., 'one who lies in wait (as a hunter)' [Rare]
subsequor -sequi -secutus sum (dep.), 'follow after, follow up on; follow along, follow the lead of' [VeryFreq.]
subservio -ire, 'be a slave to, wait on; serve; Òaid and abetÓ '. [UnCommon]
subsicivus (subsecivus) -a -um, 'left over; extra, superfluous' [UnCommon]
subsidiarius -a -um, 'in reserve (mil.)' [UnCommon]
subsidium -i, n., 'aid, help, protection; reserve troops; reinforcements (mil.)' [Frequent]
subsido -sidere -sedi -sessum, 'crouch down, hide, lie in wait for; settle down, stay put; sink down, subside' [Frequent]
subsignanus -a -um, 'serving beneath the standard; (of soldiers) the reserves' [UnCommon]
subsigno -are, 'underwrite, endorse; register' [Common]
subsilio -silire -silui, 'leap up, spring up' [UnCommon]
subsisto -sistere -stiti, 'stand firm, remain; stop, halt, wait; remain in a given place' [Frequent]
subsortior -iri (dep.), 'choose by lot as a substitute' [Rare]
substantia -ae, f., 'existence, being; basic nature; ÒsubstanceÓ or basic material; one's substance = wealth' [VeryFreq.]
substerno -sternere -stravi -stratum, 'spread out, lay out (bedding); lie down, give up' [Frequent]
substitutio -onis, f., 'substitution' [Rare]
substituo -uere -ui -utum, 'put next; put in place of another, to substitute' [Frequent]
substo -stare, 'stand firm' [Rare]
substrictus -a -um, 'constricted, pulled together' [Rare]
substringo -stringere -strinxi -strictum, 'draw in, compress; repress' [UnCommon]
substructio -onis, f., 'a base, foundation (arch.)' [Rare]
substruo -struere -struxi -structum, 'build beneath, lay a foundation' [UnCommon]
subsultim adv., 'with great leaps' [Rare]
subsulto -are, 'spring up, leap up' [Rare]
subsum -esse -fui, 'be near, be close at hand; to be under' [Frequent]
subsutus -a -um, '(of a garment), stitched underneath, stitched at the hem'(See suo) [Rare]
subtego -tegere -texi -tectum, 'cover over from below; cover over' [UnCommon]
subtemen -inis, n., 'the weft or woof in weaving' [Rare]
subter (supter) adv. and prep. (with acc., rarely abl.), 'beneath, below, underneath' [Frequent]
subterduco -ducere -duxi -ductum, 'remove surreptitiously, steal' [Rare]
subterfugio -fugere -fugi, 'slip away, escape; evade, get out of a fix' [Rare]
subterlabor -labi -lapsus sum (dep.), 'glide under, flow under (rivers); slip away, escape' [UnCommon]
subtero -terere -trivi -tritum, 'wear away (the hooves of horses or other ungulates)' [Rare]
subterraneus -a -um, 'underground, subterranean' [UnCommon]
subtexo -ere -ui -tum, 'weave into = embroider; weave around, embroider on; attach as a postscript' [Frequent]
subtilis -e, 'finely textured; having fine detail, craftsmanship; having fine senses, perspicuous, esthetic; precise, exact'Note: English ÒsubtleÓ is more mental and less closely associated with the weaving and carpentry skills, which are the original realm of this word. [Frequent]
subtilitas -tatis, f., 'exactness of perception; fine taste; detailed and fine exactness' [Frequent]
subtimeo -ere, 'be a little afraid' [Rare]
subtraho -trahere -traxi -tractum, 'pull out from underneath, drag out; withdraw; remove, withhold; rescue' [VeryFreq.]
subturpiculus -a -um, 'rather on the disgraceful side' [Rare]
subturpis -e, 'somewhat disgraceful' [Rare]
subtus adv., 'beneath, below' [Common]
subtusus -a -um, 'somewhat bruised' (See tundo) [Common]
subtristis -e, 'somewhat sad' [Rare]
subucula -ae, f., 'undershirt'(Not unlike our T-shirt, it was also worn by both sexes. See tunica.) [Rare]
subula -ae, f., 'a shoemaker's awl' [Rare]
subulcus -i, m., 'a swineherd, pig-farmer' (See sus) [Rare]
Subura -ae, f., 'a part of Rome northeast of the Forum'Note: Especially well-known as the center of entertainment of all sorts. From 'sub-urbs' originally, although in the U.S. the 'suburbs' are the most domestic and least entertaining parts of our cities. [Rare]
suburbanitas -tatis, f., 'suburban-ness' [Rare]
suburbanus -a -um, 'living in the suburbs of Rome'(The term is unlike our ÒsuburbanÓ and more like the meaning of our Òinner city.Ó See subura.) [Common]
suburbium -i, n., 'a suburb of Rome' [Rare]
suburgueo -ere, 'jam in close (in docking a ship)' [Rare]
subvectio -onis, f., 'transportation of supplies' [Rare]
subvecto -are, 'transport uphill (supplies)' [Common]
subvectus -a -um, 'carrying, shipping upstream' [Rare]
subveho -vehere -vexi -vectum, 'transport supplies (uphill, upstream)' [Common]
subvenio -venire -veni -ventum, 'come to the aid of, support, aid' [Frequent]
subvento -are, 'come to the aid of' [Rare]
subverbustus -a -um, 'rather well loaded with lashings' (The word is used humorously, a compound of verbera and onustus.) [Rare]
subvereor -eri (dep.), 'be somewhat afraid' [Rare]
subversor -oris, m., 'overthrower (of a law)' [Rare]
subverto (subvorto) -vertere -verti -versum, 'overturn, destroy, subvert' [Frequent]
subvexus -a -um, 'sloping upwards' [Rare]
subvolo -are, 'fly upwards' [Rare]
subvolturius -a -um, 'somewhat vulture-ish'Note: This a pun on sub-aquilis, Òrather dark skinned,Ó which proceeds as follows: If (sub)aquilus were from aquila ÒeagleÓ (which is isn't), then why not go on to make up the word sub-vultur-ius, replacing the eagle with a vulture, thus producing Òsomewhat-vulturishÓ? Who but a Plautus or a Shakespeare would try something like this? See aquilus. [Rare]
subvolvo -vere -vi, -utum, 'roll up' [UnCommon]
succedo -cedere -cessi -cessum, 'move down under; come up to; advance up to; succede to; succeed, win' [Frequent]
succendo -cendere -cendi -censum, 'kindle, set afire; inflame (the passions); light up with a glowing flame' [Common]
succenseo see suscenseosuccenturio -are, 'put in the place of another, (mil.) substitute' [Rare]
succerno -ere, 'sieve out, sift' [Rare]
successio -onis, f., 'succeeding, succession' [Common]
successor -oris, m., 'a successor, follower, heir' [Common]
successus -us, m., 'coming up underneath (of mil. movements); success' [Common]
succidia -ae, f., 'a joint of pork; salt pork; bacon'(From sus and caedo, with a long -i-. See next) [Rare]
succido -ere -i, 'collapse, fall down'(The stem -i- here is short, from sub- and cado. See prev. and next) [Common]
succido -cidere -cidi -cisum, 'undercut, cut away at the base of (trees); cut tendons in knee joints (a way of crippling)' (The stem -i- here is long, from sub- and caedo. See two prev. items.) [Common]
succiduus -a -um, 'collapsing'(From succido with the short -i-, which is from cado.) [UnCommon]
succingo -cingere -cinxi -cinctum, 'circle; encircle, hem in (mil.); pull up clothes with a belt' [Common]
succinctus -a -um, 'concise, verbally "succinct"' [UnCommon]
succingulum -i, n., 'a girdle'(It was worn by men and women alike.) [Rare]
succino -cinere -cecini, 'sing in accompaniment, Òchime inÓ; whine away' [UnCommon]
succlamatio -onis, f., 'a loud shout (which can be either pro or con)' [UnCommon]
succlamo -are, 'shout out, ÒhollerÓ; cry out (pro or con)' [UnCommon]
succontumeliose adv., 'somewhat arrogantly' [Rare]
succresco -crescere -crevi -cretum, 'grow, increase; become larger' [UnCommon]
succuba -ae f., 'a woman who takes over another woman's bed; someone who replaces another, an usurper'Note: This word has none of the medieval and modern connotations of Òsuccuba,Ó a female ghostly apparition who sexually seduces a man. See incubus. [Common]
succumbo -cumbere -cubi -cubitum, 'fall down, give way; succumb; surrender; yield (sexually, of a woman)' [Frequent]
succurro -currere -curri -cursum, 'come running up under; come to the aid of, aid; help, succour; come running into one's mind' [Frequent]
succutio -cutere -cussi -cussum, 'shake up violently; stir up' [UnCommon]
sucidus -a -um, 'juicy, full of juice (of ripe fruits); natural (of un-degreased wool); rich (of soil) (From sucus) [UnCommon]
sucinus -a -um, 'made of amber' [UnCommon]
sucerdae -arum, f., 'pig excrement'(From sus. See muscerdae.) [Rare]
sucula -ae, f., 'a winch'Note: Plautus, Rudens ll70, involving a complex pun with porculus 'ring, hoop.' There is no connection between sus 'pig' and sucus 'juice' just as there is no connection of sucula 'winch' with 'juice.' Humor and wit are two of the most variable social variables. [Rare]
sucus -i, m., 'juice, grease, oil, sap' [UnCommon]
sudarium -i, n., 'a handkerchief'(But used only for wiping away sweat rather than wiping the nose. See sudor.) [Rare]
sudatorius -a -um 'sweating; sweaty'( Used of the sauna; of clothing.) [Rare]
sudatrix see sudatoriussudis -is, f., 'a stake, spike; spear' [Rare]
sudo -are, 'sweat, perspire; work hard at' [Common]
sudor -oris, m., 'sweat, perspiration' [Common]
sudus -a -um, 'dry, bright'(This adjective is used only of weather or the appearance of the day.) [Rare]
suesco -escere -evi -etum, 'become accustomed to, used to' [Common]
sufes -etis, m., 'a chief man in Phoenician states' [Rare]
suffarcino -are, 'stuff up, cram; pad out (of clothing)' [Rare]
suffero -ferre sustuli sublatum, 'endure, suffer; bring forth (a legal case); submit a brief' [Common]
sufficio -ficere -feci -fectum, 'supply, furnish; have force, power wealth, resources; be sufficient, self-sufficient; suffice' [VeryFreq.]
suffigo -figere -fixi -fixum, 'fix underneath; support, prop up, raise up; affix; crucify' [Frequent]
suffimen -inis (suffimentum, -i), n., 'fumigating fumes' [Rare]
suffio -ire, 'fumigate; be reeking of' [Rare]
sufflamen -inis, n., 'the brake on wheeled vehicles' [Rare]
sufflo -flare, 'blow up, inflate (a balloon)' [Rare]
suffoco -are, 'suffocate; strangle; drown' [UnCommon]
suffodio -fodire -fodi -fossum, 'dig under, undermine; undermine earthworks (mil.)' [UnCommon]
suffragatio -onis, f., 'canvassing for votes, electioneering' [Rare]
suffragator -oris, m., 'a political supporter' [Rare]
suffragium -i, n., 'the vote; voting for; suffrage; a vote for, a recommendation for' [Frequent]
suffragor -ari, 'vote for' [Common]
suffringo -fringere -fregi -fractum, '(break underneath:) break the legs of someone'Note: The Mafia, well known for its leg-breaking punishments, has a heritage dating from the close-knit discipline of the Roman army in the Imperial period, so this detail of social treatment may date from that period. [Rare]
suffugio -ere -i, 'escape, flee' [UnCommon]
suffugium -i, n., 'refuge, escape, shelter' [Common]
suffulcio -fulcere -fulsi -fultum, 'support, prop up' [UnCommon]
suffundo -fundere -fusi -fusum, 'pour a liquid on, suffuse, soak; fill completely, fill to the brim' [Frequent]
suggero -gerere -gessi -gestum, 'pile up, heap up; supply, offer; bring forth, bring up (a subject); offer (a suggestion)' [VeryFreq.]
suggestum -i, n. see suggestussuggestus -us, m., 'a raised height, a plateau (geog.); a raised platform for a speaker; a throne' [Common]
suggredior -gredi -gressus sum (dep.), 'go up to, come up under; attack (mil.) [Rare]
sugo -gere -xi -ctum, 'suck, suck up; suckle' [Rare]
suillus -a -um, 'of swine, pigs; made of pork-meat'(See sus) [UnCommon]
sulcator -oris, m., 'ploughman'(See sulcus) [Rare]
sulco -are, 'make a furrow; plow' [Rare]
sulcus -i, m., 'furrow, plow-groove; rut, ditch; wake of a boat; wrinkle (on the brow)' (See vomer) [Frequent]
sulfur -uris n., 'sulphur; the smell in the air after lightning'Note: The odor in air after lightning is actually ozone, not sulfur! [Rare]
sulfuratus -a -um, 'sulphured'Note: The Romans used sulphured wood as 'Easy-Start' logs for the fireplace! [Rare]
sultis = 'si vultis' (see 'si' and 'volo')sum esse fui (futurus), 'be'Note: But note that 'futurus' is future ACTIVE participle, meaning 'about to be,' and it is not the perfect passive participle which normally occupies this place as a 'Fourth Principal Part.' This is a form which has no exact analog in English and is always clumsy to translate. [VeryFreq.]
sumen -inis, n., 'pig's udder'Note: Among the Romans, this was a favorite dish. Apicius gives various recipes for cooking this delicacy. Diet is almost as variable a human social characteristic as humor. [Common]
summa -ae, f., 'sum, total, the whole, sum-total' [VeryFreq.]
summanus -a -um, '"Great Rainmaking (One)"'A Plautine hapax, used as an epithet of Jove/Jupiter, cleverly punning on "Juppiter summus" and "Jove the Rainmaker," based on 'sub-mano -are,' "drop down." [Rare]
summas -atis, m., 'an upper-class person; aristocrat'Note: Riesman coined the now common]terms 'upper-class' and 'middle-class' in the l940's, but the Romans had words for it long before. See 'optimas, -atis.' [Rare]
summatim adv., 'in summary; in short' [UnCommon]
summatus -us m., 'supremacy, chief authority' [Rare]
summergo -mergere -mersi -mersum, 'submerge, push down under the water; bury' [Common]
summissio -onis, f., 'lowering, letting down' [Rare]
summitto see submittosummolestus see submolestussummoneo see submoneosummorosus see submorosussummoveo see submoveosummuto see submutosummus -a -um, 'highest, most lofty; highest pitched (of sounds); most important, perfect; supreme' [VeryFreq.]
sumo sumere sumpsi sumptum, 'take up, pick up; take up (food, drink); put on, assume (clothes, honors, rank); receive; undertake (a task)' [VeryFreq.]
sumptio -onis, f., 'taking hold of something; a premise of logic, an assumption' [UnCommon]
sumptuarius -a -um, 'concerning the ÒsumptuaryÓ or expense-limiting laws of the late Republican period'(See next) [Common]
sumptuosus -a -um, 'lavish, expensive'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
sumptus -us, m., 'lavish expense, cost; conspicuous consumption' [Rare]
suo suere sui sutum, 'sew, sew up; sew together, stitch up' [Rare]
suovetaurilia -um, n. 'sacrifice of a pig, a sheep and a bull'(The names of the animals sacrificed are included in this portmanteau word: sus, ovis, taurus.) [UnCommon]
supellex -icis, f., 'furnishings, household furniture; equipment for a specific trade, tools; literary or philosophical ÒequipmentÓ; resources' [Common]
super -a -um see superus(See next) [Frequent]
super adv.; prep., '(takes acc. obj.) above, on top of; beyond; in addition to; more than' [VeryFreq.]
superabilis -e, 'surmountable; conquerable' [UnCommon]
superaddo -dere- didi -ditum, 'add on to, add on top of' [Rare]
superator -oris, m., 'conqueror' [Rare]
superbia -ae, f., 'pride, haughtiness, disdain' [Frequent]
superbio -ire, 'be haughty, prideful, disdainful' [UnCommon]
superbus -a -um, 'proud, haughty, prideful; ÒsnottyÓ' [Frequent]
supercilium -i, n., 'the eyebrow'Note: With a widely assorted set of associations, from pride, haughtiness and disdain, to disapprobation, frowning, and a show of Puritanical severity. The English word, 'supercilious,' has a much narrower range. [VeryFreq.]
superemineo -ere, 'stand out, stand out above' [Rare]
superficies -ei, f., 'outside surface (of a building); outside of any surface' [Rare]
superfixus -a -um, 'fixed on top' [Rare]
superfundo -fundere -fusi -fusum, 'overflow; be over-abundant' [Common]
supergredior -gredi -gressus sum, 'pass over, beyond; transgress, exceed' [Common]
superiaceo -iacere -ieci -iectum, 'scatter on top of; shoot over (mil.); pass over (geog.)' [Frequent]
superimmineo -ere, 'hang right over (menacingly); threaten' [Rare]
superimpendo -ere, 'hang right over, above' [UnCommon]
superinicio -ere, 'hurl on top of' [UnCommon]
superimpono -ponere -posui -positum, 'put on top of' [Rare]
superincubo -are, 'lie on top of' [Rare]
superinsterno -ere, 'spread out on top of' [Rare]
superior -oris, 'higher, superior'(The comparative of superus.) [VeryFreq.]
superinduo -uere, 'put on (coat or robe) over one's regular clothes' [Rare]
supernato -are, 'swim over' [Rare]
superne adv., 'up above' [Common]
superlatio -onis, f., 'exaggeration, hyperbole' [Rare]
supernus -a -um, 'higher, superior; celestial, transcendental' [Frequent]
supero -are, 'climb on up above, conquer, dominate; be left over' [Frequent]
superobruo -ere -i, 'overrun; overwhelm' [Rare]
superoccupo -are, 'grab from up above' [Rare]
superpendeo -ere, 'hang over, above' [Rare]
superquam adv., 'in addition to' [Rare]
superpono -ponere -posui -positum, 'place over, place on top of; put in charge of (mil. and pol.)' [Frequent]
superscando -scandere -scensi -scensum, 'climb up over . . . ' [Rare]
superscribo -bere -psi -ptum, 'write above; superscribe; add as a note, additional comment' [Common]
supersedeo -sedere -sedi -sessum, 'sit on top of, ride on; be removed from, abstain from, sit aloft from; refrain from' [Frequent]
supersterno -ere, 'spread out over' [Rare]
superstes -stitis, 'standing over, standing by; surviving, living longer than' [Frequent]
superstitio -onis, f., 'an old and ÒsurvivingÓ belief; superstition; a foreign belief or religion; religious ÒaweÓ'(From 'super-stes.' See 'religio') [Frequent]
superstitiosus -a -um, 'superstitious' [Common]
supersto -are, 'stand over, upon; lean over' [Rare]
superstruo -uere -uxi -uctum, 'build on top of' [UnCommon]
supersum -esse -fui -futurus, 'be over, on top of; be superior to; remain, survive; be present, be available'(See 'sum' for details of this irregular verb.) [VeryFreq.]
superurgeo -ere, 'press down from above, compress' [Rare]
superus -a -um, 'above, higher, aloft; heavenly, celestial; (as pl. noun) the Gods'(Comparative is 'superior.' Superlative is 'summus.') [VeryFreq.]
supervacaneus -a -um, 'superfluous, unnecessary; extraneous' [Rare]
supervado -ere, 'get on top of, mount; suppress' [UnCommon]
supervehor -vehi (pass. from -veho), 'ride past, be carried past (on horse, boat)' [Rare]
supervenio -venire -veni -ventum, 'arrive (down) on; arrive at; supervene (of things in a natural series)' [Frequent]
superventus -us, m., 'arrival' [Rare]
supervivo -ere, 'survive, live longer than' [UnCommon]
supervolito -are, 'fly above, fly overhead' [Rare]
supino -are, 'throw someone on his back; lean backwards; tilt upwards' (See supinus 'face up, on the back') [Rare]
supinus -a -um, 'lying flat on one's back, face upwards; upturned; flat = flat out, inert, inactive; flat (of terrain)'. [VeryFreq.]
suppeditatio -onis, f., 'availability'. [Rare]
suppedito -are, 'supply, make available' [UnCommon]
suppedo -ere, 'pass gas surreptitiously' Note: If the frequency and multiplicity of words have any social meaning, the Romans must have had a gassy diet. In fact, the national Roman diet, heavy on farinaceous materials with plenty of fiber from unprocessed grains, coupled with many vegetables especially the legumes, and very light on meat, corresponds remarkably well with the diet which the USDA proposed in l991 as a suggestion for national health in this country. See pedo, vissio, trit and notes there. [Rare]
suppetiae -arum, f. pl., 'aid, support, help' [UnCommon]
suppetior -ari, 'bring aid, relief; help' [Rare]
suppeto -ere -ivi -itum, 'aid, help, give succour to; be available with aid to' [Frequent]
suppilo -are, 'rob, steal furtively' [Rare]
suppingo -ere, 'stick in below; jam in; spur (a horse)'(From pango, not pingo.) [Rare]
supplementum -i, n., 'a supplement, the coefficient to complete the whole; military reserves, reinforcement' [Frequent]
suppleo -ere, 'fill up, fill out; complete; reinforce (mil.)' [Frequent]
supplex -icis, 'on bended knee, entreating, suppliant' [VeryFreq.]
supplicatio -onis, f., 'public prayer in thanks; public celebration of a victory' [Frequent]
supplicium -i, n., 'public thanksgiving; propitiation of the gods; propitiation by penalty, penalty; paying the penalty, torture, death' (See supplex) [VeryFreq.]
supplico -are, 'propitiate, beg goodwill from; worship, adore a diety' [Frequent]
supplodo -ere, 'clap the hands (also stamp the feet); demonstrate loudly in public' [UnCommon]
supplosio -onis f., 'public demonstration of feeling by applauding, stamping, etc.' [Rare]
suppono -ponere -posui -positum, 'put down, lay down, place; add, subjoin; set forth, introduce' [VeryFreq.]
supporto -are, 'bring up supplies (mil.)' [Rare]
suppositicius -a -um, 'substituted, not-genuine'. [Rare]
suppositio -onis, f., 'false introduction of a child (as if genetically related)' [Rare]
suppressio -onis, f., 'oppressiveness; embezzlement of funds' [Rare]
suppressus -a -um, 'suppressed; quiet (of the voice)' [Rare]
supprimo -ere, 'press (up) from below, press (down on); oppress; suffocate; repress, check; hold back, retain' [VeryFreq.]
suppudet (impersonal verb), 'it is somewhat shameful' [Rare]
suppus -a -um, 'lying on the back; upside down'(See supinus) [Rare]
supputo -are, 'reckon up a sub-total' [Rare]
supra adv., 'above, on top; higher; more, more elevated; over'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
supra prep. with acc., 'above, on top of'(See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
supralatio (superlatio) -onis, f., 'exaggeration, hyperbole' [Rare]
supralatus -a -um, 'exaggerated' [Rare]
suprascando -ere, 'climb up on top of (a hill, etc.) [Rare]
suprascriptus -a -um, 'superscript; corrected with a note above' [Rare]
supremum adv., 'for the very last time' [Rare]
supremus -a -um, 'highest, most elevated; most exalted; final, ultimate; final (as a funeral); (of Jovis) "Exalted"' [VeryFreq.]
sura -ae, f., 'the calf of the leg' [UnCommon]
surculus -i, m., 'a twig, branch; branch used for grafting; rod, whip' [Common]
surdaster -tra -trum, 'slightly deaf, deaf-ish' [Rare]
surditas -tatis, f., 'deafness' [Rare]
surdus -a -um, 'deaf, unable to hear; deaf = inattentive, not listening, not responsive; unable to speak= mute'Note: Deafness and muteness often occur together; we separate the words, whereas the Romans did not. [VeryFreq.]
surgo surgere surrexi surrectum, 'rise up, get up; get out of bed; rouse oneself, prepare for an action; rise (of constellations, vapors, steam etc.); spring up, be high up; grow up (of animals, children)' [VeryFreq.]
surrideo -ridere -risi -risum, 'smile at, laugh at'(See subrideo) [UnCommon]
surrigo -rigere -rexi -rectum, 'raise up, lift up' [UnCommon]
surruo -ere -i -utum, 'dig under, undermine (of Òsappers,Ó mil.)' [UnCommon]
sursum adv., 'upwards, above, aloft' (The opposite direction is deorsum.) [Frequent]
sus suis, m., 'pig, sow, boar (tame or wild)' [Frequent]
suscenseo -ere -ui, 'be angry at, enraged at' [UnCommon]
susceptio -onis, f., 'undertaking a job' [Rare]
susceptum -i, n., 'an undertaking' [Rare]
suscerda -ae, f., 'pig excrement'(See muscerda)suscipio -cipere -cepi -ceptum, 'take up, undertake, take in hand, grasp; Òget it,Ó understand, assume; take upon oneself, be concerned; accept responsibility for; assume liability for' [VeryFreq.]
suscito -are, 'raise up, make to get up; raise, build; rouse into action, awaken' [Frequent]
suspecto -are, 'look upward at, gaze up at; gaze ÒsuspiciouslyÓ at' [UnCommon]
suspectus -a -um, 'suspicious; suspect, suspected' [Common]
suspendium -i, n., 'suicide by hanging' [UnCommon]
suspendo -ere -pendi -pensus, 'hang up, hang; make Òde-pendentÓ on ; suspend, hang, kill by hanging; put high up, place in an overhanging position' [VeryFreq.]
suspensus -a -um, 'hanging (of light winds); hanging = unsure, hesitating, uncertain; unsettled, unsure' [Common]
suspicax -acis, 'suspicious, mistrustful' [Rare]
suspicio -icere -exi -ectum, 'look up at, regard with esteem; (rarely) look with distrust at, suspect' [Common]
suspicio -onis, f., 'careful regard; looking with caution at; mistrust, suspicion' [Common]
suspiciosus -a -um, 'suspicious (of persons, attitudes); suspicious; suspect, suspected' [Common]
suspicor -are (dep.), 'have an idea of, have an inkling of, divine; suspect (as guilty)' [Frequent]
suspiritus -us, m., 'sighing, a sigh; any heavy breathing, puffing' [UnCommon]
suspirium -i, n., 'sighing; heavy breathing' [Common]
suspiro -are, 'sigh' [UnCommon]
susque adv., 'up'(When used paired, as 'susque . . . deque,' meaning is 'up and down.') [Rare]
sustentatio -onis, f., 'holding up, supporting, caring for; holding up (= delaying)' [UnCommon]
sustento - are, 'hold up, support; give support (the necessities of life) to; hold on, bear up, maintain oneself; hold back, check oneself' [Frequent]
sustineo -tinere -tinui, -tentum, 'hold up, support, sustain; hold on, hold firm; endure, bear up against; hold oneself back, check oneself' [Frequent]
sustollo -ere, 'raise up to a high position; pick up = kidnap'(The perfect system does not seem to occur.) [UnCommon]
susurrator -oris, m., 'a whisperer' [Rare]
susurro -are, 'to whisper, make a soft, whispering sound' [Rare]
susurrus -us, m., 'a whisper; a soft, whispering sound; a rustle' [Common]
susurrus -a -um, 'whispering' [Rare]
sutela -ae, f., 'a Ònice piece of sewingÓ; a clever trick'(From suo, ÒsewÓ) [Rare]
sutilis -e, 'sewed up, stitched together' (See suo) [Rare]
sutor -oris, m., 'cobbler, shoemaker' [Rare]
sutorius -a -um, 'connected with cobblers' [Rare]
sutrinus -a -um, 'connected with cobblers (of their shops, etc.)' [Rare]
sutura -ae, f., 'sewing, stitchwork' Note: Compare the medical 'suture' in surgery, or of the interlocked cranial bones in later life. [Rare]
suus -a -um, 'his, her, its, their(s)' (The so-called 'reflexive adjective') [VeryFreq.]
sycophantus -i, m., 'trickster, embezzler, cheat'(But not really the same as the English 'sycophant.') [Rare]
sycophantor -ari, 'cheat, trick' [Rare]
syllaba -ae, f., 'a syllable' (Greek word) [UnCommon]
syllogismus -i, m., 'syllogism (in logic)' [Rare]
symbola -ae, f., 'money paid for a [Common]
dinner; share for dining' (This word is different from English Òsymbol,Ó although both are from the Greek, but by different cultural paths. See next.) [Rare]
symbolus -i, m., 'marks of identity; symbol'(See prev.)Note: The figure is taken from impressions of a signet ring in wax, as used in contracts. [Rare]
symmetria -ae, f., 'symmetry, proper proportion (arch.)' [Rare]
sympathia -ae, f., 'a similar feeling'(Not quite the same meaning as English Òsympathy,Ó which adds a degree of empathy and heart.) [Rare]
symphonia -ae, f., 'acoustic harmony; a consort of players, a small orchestra, group of musicians' [UnCommon]
symphoniacus -i, m., 'a musician, a player on an instrument' [Rare]
symplegma -atos, n., 'wrestler's hold; interlocking of lovers in sex'(Greek word) [Rare]
symposium -i, n., 'a drinking party' (Greek word, as in Plato's "Symposium") [Rare]
syngrapha -ae, f., 'a written contract signed by both parties' [Rare]
syngraphus -i, m., 'a written contract; a written pass (mil.)' [Rare]
synhedrus -i, m., 'a delegation (in a Greek city-state)' [Rare]
synthesis -is, f., 'a set (of plates, etc.); a set of informal clothes, lounging wear used when dining'Note: Imagine doing analysis and synthesis, after taking away the dinner plates, in a lounging robe! [Rare]
syrma -atos, n., 'a trailing robe worn by tragic actors; tragic acting' [Rare]
syrtis -is, f., 'proper name for the sandy shoals near Carthage'(The woe of many a Roman ship) [Rare]
tabella -ae, f., 'a small, flat board; a game board; writing ÒtabletÓ; a document, record, historical record'Note: Wax-coated boards were used for taking notes, the writing was done with a stylus. We usually think of the waxed tablets as a convenience for quick note-taking, but wax is a material which is virtually imperishable except by heat. Wax tablets properly stored will withstand aging, rot, mildew and water damage, in one sense they are ideal for storage of important information, especially in a cool and damp climate. Soft clay tablets, such as the Assyrians used, are the exact opposite, extremely perishable under wet conditions, but turning to permanent hardness when burned. [Frequent]
tabeo -ere -ui, 'drip away; waste away, pine away' [Rare]
tabellarius -i, m., 'a tablet carrier, a messenger'(The'lex tabellaria' is a law providing secret balloting.) [Rare]
taberna -ae, f., 'a small cottage; a shop; a hostel on the extensive Roman road system' [UnCommon]
tabernaculum -i, n., 'a tent' [Rare]
tabernarius -i, m., 'a shopkeeper' [Rare]
tabes -is, f., 'wasting away; disease; rot' [Common]
tabesco -escere -ui, 'drip away; waste away in sickness; rot, decay' [Common]
tabidulus -a -um, 'somewhat sick; wasting away' [Rare]
tabidus see tabidulustabificus -a -um, 'causing disease, wasting away' [Rare]
tabula -ae, f., 'a board; game board; waxed writing board; a document; account (financial)' (See tabella) [Frequent]
tabularium -i, n., 'archives; records' [UnCommon]
tabularis -e, 'board-like' [Rare]
tabulatio -onis, f., 'flooring, planking' [Rare]
tabulatum -i, n., 'a floor, story of a building' [Rare]
tabum -i, n., 'pus; corruption; rot' [UnCommon]
taceo -ere -ui -itum, 'be silent, be quiet; omit saying . . . ' [VeryFreq.]
taciturnitas -tatis, f., 'silence, taciturnity' [UnCommon]
taciturnus -a -um, 'quiet, silent; taciturn' [UnCommon]
tacitus -a -um, 'silent; not speaking' [Frequent]
tactilis -e, 'touchable' [Rare]
tactus -us, m., 'the sense of touch, touch' [Rare]
taeda -ae, f., 'the pine tree; pine torch; the wedding torch'Note: Perhaps the source of our expression Òcarrying a torch for somebody.Ó [Frequent]
taedet -dere -duit -sum est (impersonal) 'it is annoying, boring; it pains me to = I really hate' [Frequent]
taedifer -fera -ferum, 'torch-bearing' (From taeda) [Rare]
taedium -i, n., 'annoyance; boredom, tedium' (English ÒtediumÓ singles out the purely boring aspects of this word.) [Frequent]
taenia -ae, f., 'string; headband, ribbon' [Rare]
taeter -tra -trum, 'disgusting, filthy; offensive' [Frequent]
tagax -acis, 'kleptomaniac; shoplifting, thievish' [Rare]
talaris -e, 'stretching to the ankles (of togas)'(Also, the winged sandals of Mercury, the 'talaria.' See 'talus' = ankle.)Un [Common]
talarius -a -um, '(with ludus) describes a popular form of dancing, ankle-dancing' Note: Could this be like our tap-dancing, which uses ankle movements so extensively? [Rare]
talassio -onis, f., 'a cry used at weddings; a nuptial "hurrah"' [UnCommon]
talea -ae, f., 'a strip of wood or metal; a slip used in grafting plants' [Rare]
talentum -i, n., 'a weight of about 65 lbs.; a Greek denomination of money'Note: The English ÒtalentÓ is from this word, but the meaning has shifted from coin value to intellectual value. [UnCommon]
talio -onis, f., 'legal compensation' Note: The 'lex talionis' in earlier Roman law gave 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,' a classic example of an ancient kind of legal vindictive compensation. [Rare]
talis -e , 'of such a kind, of such a nature, like, similar to' [VeryFreq.]
talpa -ae, f., 'a mole (the burrowing animal)' [Rare]
talus -i, m., 'ankle, knuckle; Òknuckle bonesÓ = dice used in a gambling game' [UnCommon]
tam adv., 'so, so much, so far' (Often used colloquially with an adjective, e.g. 'tam bonus' = such a good man.) [VeryFreq.]
tamarix -icis, f., 'the tamarisk, a fruit-bearing plant' [Rare]
tamdiu adv., 'so long, for such a long time'(tam + diu) [Frequent]
tamen adv., 'however, yet, still (on the other hand), nevertheless' [VeryFreq.]
tametsi adv., 'nevertheless, and yet, however' [VeryFreq.]
tamquam adv., 'just as, as if, like' Note: Petronius says of a man 'fortis tamquam Orcus' or "brave as Hell," a curious survival in English. [VeryFreq.]
tandem adv., 'at last, at long last, finally' (Sometimes used rather petulantly.) [Frequent]
tango -gere tetigi tactum, 'touch; touch on = border on; reach to, reach as far as; affect' [VeryFreq.]
tantillus -a -um, 'so very little, so very small' [Rare]
tantisper adv., 'just so long' [Rare]
tanti (a rare genitive of price used as adv.), adv. 'at such a price, of so much (cost or value)'(See quanti) [Frequent]
tanto adv., 'just as . . . so; by so much (difference) . . . by just as much (difference)'(Often used with quanto in a paired construction, 'tanto . . . quanto . . .') [VeryFreq.]
tantopere adv., so much, so very much' [VeryFreq.]
tantulus -a -um, 'so very little, so small' [Common]
tantum adv., 'so much; just so much; so much and no more; only'(This last use, meaning Òonly,Ó is very common in prose.) [VeryFreq.]
tantummodo adv., 'just, only just' [UnCommon]
tantus -a um, 'of such a (great) size; so great; so large' [VeryFreq.]
tantusdem -adem -undem, 'just so large'(The first part of this compound is inflected like tantus.) [Common]
tapeta -ae, f., 'an embroidered rug, drapery; tapestry' [UnCommon]
tardesco -escere -ui, 'become slow, slothful, tardy' [Rare]
tardipes -edis, 'slow-footed = limping' [Rare]
tarditas -tatis, f., 'slowness; dullness (of hearing or mind)' [Rare]
tardo -are, 'slow down, halt; restrain' [Common]
tardus -a -um, 'slow; lazy; drawn out, long-winded (of speech)' [Frequent]
tarmes -etis, m., 'termite' [Rare]
tarpezita -ae, m., 'money-changer' (A colloquial metathesis from Greek 'trapeza' = table.) [Rare]
taratalla -ae, f., '(a name joke in Martial)'Note: In Martial I.50.2, a name-joke; see Iliad I.465 if curious. Actually, it is very funny in a dry philological way! [Rare]
tartarus -i, m., 'Hell, the Underworld' [Frequent]
tat 'sound of a door-knock' [Rare]
tata 'vernacular for "Daddy"'Note: Curiously a word preserved in some of the Slavic languages, e.g. Bulgarian 'tat-ko' = ÒDad,Ó whereas the Germanic tongue retains Latin "papa." [Rare]
taureus -a -um, 'of a bull; of a bull whip' [Rare]
tauriformis -e, 'shaped like a bull, bullish' [Rare]
taurinus -a -um, 'like a bull' [UnCommon]
taurus -i, m., 'bull' [Frequent]
taxatio -onis, f., 'evaluation, assessment of worth' [Rare]
taxillus -i, m., 'a small cube; a die (sg. of dice)' [Rare]
taxus -i, f., 'the yew tree' [Rare]
te (acc.sg. of tu), 'you'(See next)te (enclitic suffix added to certain words) tute = 'you yourself'(See prev.)techna (techina) -ae, f., 'clever device, an invention'(From Greek 'techne') [Rare]
tector -oris, m., 'a plasterer (in building trades)' [Rare]
tectoriolum -i, n., 'plaster-work, stucco' [Rare]
tectorium -i, n., 'plaster-work' [Rare]
tectum -i, n., 'a cover, covering; the roof of a house; shelter' [VeryFreq.]
tectus -a -um, (ppl. tego), 'covered; covered up, hidden' [Common]
teges -etis, f., 'a mattress' [Rare]
tegmen -minis, n., 'covering' [Rare]
tegimentum -i, n., see tegmentego -gere -xi -ctum, 'cover, cover up; roof over; hide, conceal; protect' [VeryFreq.]
tegula -ae, f., 'a roof tile'(From tego) [Common]
tela -ae, f., 'a spider's web; web (in weaving), the warp; a loom; design' [Rare]
tellus -uris, f., 'the earth; the land, soil' [Frequent]
telum -i, n., 'weapon; sword, knife; arrow, javelin' [Frequent]
temerarius -a -um, 'accidental, rash, reckless' [Common]
temere adv., 'rashly, blindly (as if in the dark)'(Compare Sanskrit 'tamas' = darkness, and Latin 'tenebra.') [VeryFreq.]
temeritas -tatis, f., 'rashness, pure chance, accident' [Common]
temero -are, 'violate, dishonor' [Common]
temetum -i, n., 'intoxicating drink' [Rare]
temno -nere -psi -ptum, 'despise, disdain' [Rare]
temo -onis, m., 'pole; draw-pole of a wagon; constellation, "the Wagon"' [UnCommon]
temperamentum -i, n., 'moderation, the correct proportion' [Rare]
temperantia -iae, f., 'moderation; self control, temperance' [UnCommon]
temperator -oris, m., 'one who ÒtempersÓ or softens metal; softener of arguments, reconciler' [UnCommon]
temperi adv., 'at the right time, in the nick of time' [Common]
temperies -ei, f., 'a good mixture, proper mixture; temperance' [Rare]
tempero -are, 'moderate; be moderate, control oneself' [UnCommon]
tempestas -tatis, f., 'time, season; the bad season, storm time; storms; political disorder, civic madness' [Frequent]
temperatus -a -um, 'temperate, well-ordered' [Common]
tempestativus -a -um, 'at the proper time, season; ready at the right time, in season; seasonable' [Frequent]
templum -i, n., 'a temple, holy area; an area marked out by an augur; the temple (= the building); a region (of the earth)'(Used by Lucretius for a roof-rafter at 2.28) [VeryFreq.]
temporalis -e, 'temporary, lasting only for a time' [Rare]
temporarius -a -um, 'temporary' [UnCommon]
tempore see temperitemptabundus -a -um, 'trying every possible way' [Rare]
temptamen -minis, n., 'an attempt; attack, assault (mil.)' [Rare]
temptatio see temptamentempator -oris, m., 'one who attacks (mil.)' [Rare]
tempto -are, 'test; try out, feel; make an attempt, attempt to' [VeryFreq.]
tempus -oris, n., 'time, time of the year (season); a given time or moment of time; (pl.) "the times"'Note: But this word can also mean Òthe temple(s)" (of the head). We are probably dealing with the conflation of two identical words. [VeryFreq.]
temulentus -a -um, 'drunk, besotted' [UnCommon]
tenacitas -tatis, f., 'tenacity' [UnCommon]
tenax -acis, 'holding onto; grasping; persistent; tenacious' [Frequent]
tendicula -ae, f., 'the cord which springs a trap' [Rare]
tendo tendere tetendi tentum (or tensum), 'stretch, pull, stretch out; aim at (in archery); aim to, attempt to [VeryFreq.]
tenebrae -arum, f. pl., 'shadows; darkness, shade; obscurity; blindness (to)' [VeryFreq.]
tenebricosus -a -um, 'full of shadows' (A humorously exaggerated adjective used by Catullus on the death of his lady's pet sparrow.) [Rare]
tenebrosus -a -um, 'dark, shadowy; gloomy' [UnCommon]
tenellus -a -um, 'tender' [Rare]
tenellulus -a -um, 'very, very tender!' [Rare]
tenerasco -ere, 'become tender, soft, weak' [Rare]
teneo -ere -ui -tum, 'hold; grasp, grip; get a hold on = catch; hold a military position; hold a course; maintain, preserve; grasp mentally, understand' [VeryFreq.]
tener -era -erum, 'tender, soft, weak; young, youthful' [Frequent]
teneritas -atis, f., 'tenderness, delicacy; youth' [Rare]
teneritudo -inis, f., 'tenderness, softness; the weakness (of old age)' [Rare]
tenor -oris, f., 'a tenor, a mode of movement; course of action; tone of the voice; tone of a document' [Common]
tensa -ae, f., 'a ritual carriage for carrying images of the gods' [Rare]
tensus -a -um, 'tense, tight, stiff; "uptight"' [Rare]
tento see temptotentigo -inis, f., 'sexual excitement, an erection; lecherousness' [Rare]
tentorium -i, n., 'a tent' [Rare]
tentus see tensustenuiculus -a -um, 'very slight, thin; scanty = cheap' [Rare]
tenuis -e, 'thin, slender, slight; narrow; finely divided; weak, faint; poor (in money); fine (in understanding); plain (of writing style)' [VeryFreq.]
tenuitas -tatis, f., 'thinness; refinement, subtlety' [UnCommon]
tenuo -ere -ui, 'make thin, weaken' [UnCommon]
tenus prep., '(acc. obj.) up to, as far as' [Common]
tepefacio -facere -feci, -factum 'make warm, heat up' [UnCommon]
tepeo -ere -ui, 'be warm (physically or emotionally)' [Common]
tepesco -escere, 'become warmish; be only slightly warm to' [Rare]
tepidus -a -um, 'warm; tepid = lukewarm, noncommittal' [Common]
tepor -oris, m., 'warmth; lukewarmness' [Rare]
ter adv., 'three times; thrice' [VeryFreq.]
terdecies adv., 'thirteen times' [Common]
terebinthus -i, m., 'terebinth tree; the wood of terebinth' [Rare]
terebro -are, 'pierce, perforate; drill a hole through' [Frequent]
teredo -inis, f., 'termite' (From terebro, Òdrill holes,Ó which it does in wood. See prev. Compare 'tarmes.') [Rare]
teres -itis, 'smooth, rounded, polished; polished (in sound, or literary style)' [Common]
tergeminus (trigeminus ) -a -um, 'triple' [UnCommon]
tergeo tergere tersui tersum, 'wipe, wipe off; rub clean, clean up; rub against' [Frequent]
tergiversatio -onis, f., 'hesitation; (lit.) turning one's back' [UnCommon]
tergiversor -ari, 'hesitate; evade; mark time'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
tergo see tergeotergum -i, n., 'the back; the hide, skin from the back of an animal' [VeryFreq.]
tergus -oris, n., 'back, outside, surface; skin, covering' [UnCommon]
termes -etis, m., 'a branch, esp. of olive as sign of peace'(But English 'termite' is from Latin 'tarmes,' not this.) [Rare]
Terminalia -ium, n. pl., 'the Festival of the Boundaries' [UnCommon]
terminatio -onis, f., 'termination, ending' [Rare]
termino -are, 'set limits to, make boundaries; limit' [Common]
terminus -i, m., 'boundary mark; limit; end' [Frequent]
terni -ae -a, 'three at a time, threefold' [Common]
tero terere trivi tritum, 'rub, wear down; grind at, wear out; wear away (with time, effort)' [Frequent]
terra -ae, f., 'the land, the earth; the ground; Earth (the planet); the world = orbis terrarum' [VeryFreq.]
terrenus -a -um, 'of the earth (as against the sea); terrestrial; of this world, worldly' [Frequent]
terreo -ere -ui, 'frighten, scare, terrify' [VeryFreq.]
terrestris -e, 'of the earth, terrestrial' [UnCommon]
terreus -a -um, 'made of the earth' [Rare]
terribilis -e, 'terrible, awful' [Rare]
terricula -ae, f., 'an awful apparition; esp. Òthe bogey man,Ó an apparition mentioned to scare children'Note: Children love to be scared, possibly as a device to consolidate being frightened into one safe, play-situation. The history of child literature is replete with scary stories, which over the ages have been found to do no harm. [Rare]
terrifico -are, 'frighten, terrify' [Rare]
terrificus -a -um, 'terrible, frightening' [Rare]
terrigena -ae, m., 'an earth-born person' [Rare]
terriloquus -a -um, 'speaking terrible things' [Rare]
territo -are, 'frighten, intimidate, scare' [Rare]
territorium -i, n., 'land belonging to a given district' [UnCommon]
terror -oris, m., 'fear, terror' [VeryFreq.]
tersus -a -um (ppl. from tergeo), 'cleaned up, neat, dapper; clean, tasteful (in literary style, or judgment in general)' [UnCommon]
tertiadecimani -orum, m. pl., 'soldiers of the l3th legion' [Rare]
tertianus -a -um, 'of the third day (fever); of the third day; of the third legion' [Rare]
tertiarius -i, m., 'the ÒThird Man,Ó a gladiator called up to finish a fight after #2 is killed' [Rare]
tertius -a -um, 'third' [VeryFreq.]
tertiusdecimus -a -um, 'thirteenth' [UnCommon]
teruncius -a -um, 'one fourth (of an ounce)' [Rare]
tesqua (tesca) -ae, f., 'an augurial term, possibly = templum; open, uninhabited wastelands' [Rare]
tessella -ae, f., 'a cut piece of stone, as used in mosaics; a die (dice) for gambling, made of stone' [Rare]
tessera -ae, f., 'a cut piece of stone; dice; identity card; food stamp or ticket; voucher or password-paper'(See next) [Common]
tesserarius -i, m., 'a military officer in charge of the watchword; pass-officer on duty'(See prev.) [Rare]
testa -ae, f., 'an earthenware crock or pot; broken potsherd; shell of a snail, clam, even of a lobster' Note: Also used for a person's head, the Òpot on one's shoulders.Ó Compare French 'tete' and Italian 'testa.' [Common]
testimentarius -a -um, 'relating to wills' [Rare]
testamentum -i, n., 'last will and testament' [Common]
testatio -onis, f., 'witnessing, calling forth to witness' [UnCommon]
testificatio -onis, f., 'witnessing; evidence' [Rare]
testificor -ari, 'bear witness; give evidence' [Rare]
testimonium -i, n., 'testimony; evidence' [Rare]
testis -is, c., 'a witness, one who gives evidence'(See next) [Common]
testis -is, m., 'testicle'(Usually in plural, for obvious reasons; see prev.) [Common]
testor -ari, 'witness; bear witness that . . . , make a legal will (with witnesses); seriously aver that . . . ' [Frequent]
testudineus -a -um, 'like a tortoise shell' [UnCommon]
testudo -inis, f., 'shell of a turtle; shell (as used in ornaments); a military ÒshellÓ or overhead mass-shield for soldiers; a domelike vaulted roofline (arch.)' [Frequent]
testula -ae, f., 'potsherd' [Rare]
testum -i, n., 'an earthen pot' [Rare]
teter see taetertetrarchia -ae, f., 'political rule by a ÒGang of FourÓ; tetrarchy' [Rare]
tetrarches -ae, m., 'member of a "Gang of Four"; tetrarch'(See prev.)tetricus -a -um, 'frowning; having a gloomy and threatening countenance' [UnCommon]
texo -ere texi textum, 'weave; intertwine; construct by interweaving (lit.)' [Frequent]
textilis -e, 'woven, textile' [Rare]
textor -oris, m., 'weaver' [Rare]
textrinum -i, n., 'a weaving factory; shipyard (for sailmaking)' [Rare]
textum -i, n., 'fabric, cloth; the atomic ÒwebÓ of the universe in Epicurean philosophy (Lucretius); the interlocking framework of a ship' [Common]
textura -ae, f., 'web, weaving' [Rare]
textus -us, m., 'pattern, structure; configuration' [UnCommon]
thalamus -i, m., 'inner room of a Roman house; esp. marriage chamber or conjugal bedroom; (often in poetry =) marriage' [Frequent]
thalassinus -a -um, 'sea-colored; the color of the Mediterranean sea (a light blue and quite iridescent)'(From Greek 'thalassa' = Latin 'mare') [Rare]
theatrum -i, n., 'theater' [Frequent]
theca -ae, f., 'box, case; storage box' [Rare]
thema -atis, n., 'a set subject (for an essay); a debate or legal set case for students; astrological setting for one's chart' (See controversia and suasoria) [Common]
theologus -i, m., 'a (pagan) theologian; an astrologer' [Rare]
thermae -arum, f. pl., 'the public hot baths of Rome' [UnCommon]
thesaurus -i, m., 'treasury; treasurehouse; hidden treasure'Note: Inscriptions sometimes have 'thensaurus,' which is merely a reflection of the long open -e- of the Greek word, which occurred in Latin only after the disappearance of -n- in the syllable -ns-, thus making a long, open -Ž- comparable to the pronunctiation of the Greek 'eta'! But to have pronounced the word as spelled would have been laughable. [UnCommon]
thesis -is, f., 'a proposition (in rhetoric)' [Rare]
thiasus -i, m., 'a band of Bacchic revellers' [Rare]
tholus -i, m., 'a rotunda (arch.)' [Rare]
thunnus -i, m., 'tunny-fish or tuna' [Rare]
thus see tusthymbra -ae, f., 'savory (the cooking herb)' [Rare]
thymum -i, n., 'the herb thyme (for cooking)' [UnCommon]
thynnus see thunnusthyrsus -i, m., 'the central stalk of any plant, topped by a cluster of buds or a briar'Note: The 'thyrsus' used in Dionysic rituals was a wand with a pine cone at the tip, used in flagellation rites by intoxicated Bacchants. [Frequent]
tiara -ae, f. (tiarus -i, m.), 'a form of Near Eastern headgear, perhaps like a turban; crown of a queen'(Not the same as an English tiara, a gemmed metal diadem, which in Latin is 'apex -icis.') [UnCommon]
tibia -ae, f., 'shin bone, tibia; a flute (orig. made from a hollow bone)' [Common]
tibicen -inis, m., 'flute-player; a prop or temporary support in construction of buildings (arch.)' Note: Vergil's architectural use of this word as 'props,' supporting unfinished sections of his work (cited in the 'Vita'), may come from the fact that the leg bone supports or props the human body. See prev. [UnCommon]
tibicina -ae, f., 'female flute player' [Rare]
tibicinium -i, n., 'flute playing' [Rare]
tigillum -i, n., 'a plank, board of wood'Note: The 'tigillum sororium' is associated with the purifying rite of Juno, perhaps a Roman forerunner of the Christian cross. [Rare]
tignarius -i, m., 'a carpenter' [Rare]
tignum -i, n., 'a beam, plant; wood' [Rare]
tigris -is, c., 'a tiger' [Rare]
tilia -ae, f., 'lime tree' [Rare]
timefactus -a -um, 'frightened, scared' [UnCommon]
timeo -ere -ui, 'fear, be afraid; be scared badly; be afraid that'(Verbs of fearing use the construction: 'ne' with the subjunctive.) [VeryFreq.]
timiditas -tatis, f., 'fearfulness, timidity' [Rare]
timidus -a -um, 'fearful, timid' [Common]
timor -oris, m., 'fear, dread' [Frequent]
tinctilis -e, 'dying (of a bath of colorant for dip-dying)' [Rare]
tinea -ae, f., 'moth larva (which eats paper, clothes, etc.)' [Rare]
tingo -gere -xi -ctum, 'wet; dip into, soak; dye, color; tinge' [Frequent]
tinnio -ire, 'ring, clank; tingle' [UnCommon]
tinnitus -us, m., 'tinkling; ringing of a bell'Note: The medical term, 'tinn’tus,' or ringing of the ears, as a result of damage to some of the nerve endings in the cochlea, comes from this; but it is pronounced with the accent shifted back to the first syllable, which is technically wrong, since the second -i- is long. But use, of course, rules! [Common]
tinnulus -a -um, 'ringing, tinkling' [UnCommon]
tintinnabulum -i, n., 'a bell' (Poe went one step further with 'tintinnabulation.') [UnCommon]
tintinno -are, 'ring, tinkle' [Rare]
tinus -i, m., 'a shrub, plant' [Rare]
tiro -onis, m., 'a learner, a novice; a newly recruited soldier'Note: The name of Cicero's favorite secretary, M. Tullius Tiro, comes from this. [Common]
tirocinium -i, n., 'state of being a learner, novice'(See prev.) [Common]
tirunculus -i, m., 'a young novice' [Rare]
tisana -ae, f., 'a barley-tea drink'(Compare English 'tisane') [Rare]
titillatio -onis, f., 'tickling'(English 'titillation' is transferred from the body to the mind.) [Rare]
titillo -are, 'tickle' [Rare]
tittibilicium - i, n., 'some little thing of no value' [Rare]
titubatio -onis, f., 'staggering' [Rare]
titubo -are, 'stagger; weave and waver (physically, also mentally); vacillate; slip up on' [Common]
titulus -i, m., 'label, notice; a title; an inscription' [Frequent]
tocullio -onis, m., 'an usurer'(From Greek 'tokos' = interest.) [Rare]
tofus -i, m., 'tufa'Note: Tufa is a soft volcanic stone, extensively used by the Romans in building. It will not take high compression but is useful in the less stressed parts of a building as filler. [Common]
toga -ae, f., 'toga' Note: A long woolen cloth, wrapped according to a very special set of instructions, which became the Roman national dress, the sign of a Roman citizen, and for Romans the symbol of civilization itself. [VeryFreq.]
togatus -a -um, 'wearing the toga; a Roman citizen' [Frequent]
togata -ae, f., '(fabula) a Roman national drama, based on events in Roman life and history'Note: Most of these plays were lost, and we have little idea of what literary value they may have had. Too bad, because the idea is interesting, as later developed in the Elizabethan play, "Arden of Feversham" and in Shakespeare's historical plays. [UnCommon]
togula -ae, f., 'a little toga (in contempt)' [Rare]
tolerabilis -e, 'bearable, endurable, tolerable; tolerant' [Frequent]
tolerantia -ae, f., 'being able to endure, stand firm' [Rare]
toleratio see tolerantiatolero -are, 'endure, keep firm; support, sustain; keep up' [Frequent]
tollo tollere sustuli sublatum, 'lift up, pick up; hold up, hold aloft; raise up, erect (arch.); take away, remove, eliminate; take away the possibility of . . . ' (Starts with 'fero ferre tuli latum,' but an additional oddity is the use of the prefix, 'sub-,' throughout the perfect system.) [VeryFreq.]
tomaculum -i, n., 'a sausage' [Rare]
tomentum -i, n., 'stuffing of a pillow, mattress' [Rare]
tomus -i, m., 'a cutting ; a slice, scrap of paper or papyrus' (From Greek 'tomos' = cut; compare atomos.) [Rare]
tonans -antis, 'thundering; a regular epithet of Jupiter, "Jupiter the Thunderer"'Note: This may be a key to further understanding Mozart's Jupiter Symphony, in which one seems to hear thunder in the first movement. The epithet, "Juppiter Tonans," was well known to the18th century; Mozart knew Latin; and the rest is guesswork.) [Frequent]
tondeo tondere totondi tonsum, 'cut the hair, slip, shave; shear (of sheep); prune or trim (trees); cheat a person' Note: Compare English expressions for cheating: Òtake someone to the barber'sÓ or Òshave him close.Ó [VeryFreq.]
tonitrus -us, m., 'thunder' [Common]
tono -are, 'thunder; make any loud noise' [Frequent]
tonsito -are, 'clip close = cheat, fleece'(See tondeo) [Rare]
tonsa -ae, f., 'oar' [Rare]
tonsilis -e, 'clipped, shorn'(See next) [Rare]
tonsillae -arum, f. pl., 'the tonsils'Note: From tondeo Òshear, clip.Ó Removing the tonsils was a pediatric operation which has only disappeared in the last fifty years. This was a rough operation, the main anesthetic being doses of post-operative ice cream, but wIth the availability of antibiotics, tonsillectomy is no longer necessary. [Rare]
tonsor -oris, m., 'barber' [Rare]
tonsorius -a -um, 'pertaining to barbers' Note: Some older cities still sport pretentious signs for a ÒTonsorial Parlor.Ó [Rare]
tonstricula -ae, f., 'a "little lady barber"' (In the sense of shaving close, cheating?) [Rare]
tonstrina -ae, f., 'barber shop'Note: Remember that barbers were responsible not only for hair cutting but also for a variety of surgical operations. They, not the medici, knew how to sharpen knives to the razor edge needed for cutting flesh cleanly. [Common]
tonstrix -icis, f., 'a lady barber' [Rare]
tonsura -ae, f., 'hair cutting; shaving' (The Christian ÒtonsureÓ of monks retains the word.) [Rare]
topanta n. pl. only, 'Darling; my "all"'(One single use by Petronius of Trimalchio's wife Fortunata. Possibly from Greek, 'ta panta,' = the all, the everything.) [Rare]
topiarius -i, m., 'an ornamental gardener' (From Greek 'topion' = a little place.) [Rare]
toral -alis, n., 'a bedspread'(See torus) [Rare]
toreuma -atis, n., 'carved woodwork' [Rare]
tormentum -i, n., 'a rope; twisted rope operating the military catapult; twisted rope used in torture; torture' [Frequent]
tormina -um, n. pl., 'colic; intestinal cramps' [Rare]
torminosus -a -um, 'suffering from colic' [Rare]
tornus -i, m., 'a lathe'Note: A Swiss company uses the name Tornos, with the authentic Greek spelling, for its automatic lathe. [UnCommon]
torosus -a -um, 'lumpy; muscular; strong' [UnCommon]
torpedo -inis, f., 'the electrically charged ray (fish); paralysis, lethargy, torpor'Note: The submarine's 'torpedo' is electrically operated and driven, hence cleverly named, if diabolically contrived. [Rare]
torpeo -ere -ui, 'be sluggish, idle, inactive' [Common]
torpesco -escere -ui, 'become sluggish, idle, inactive'(See next) [UnCommon]
torpidus -a -um, 'sluggish, torpid'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
torpor -oris, m., 'sluggishness, inactivity' [UnCommon]
torquatus -a -um, 'wearing a necklace of twisted design' [Rare]
torqueo torquere torsi tortum, 'twist, entwine; twist= torture; twist, dis-tort, pervert; spin around, send spinning' [VeryFreq.]
torquis (torques) -is, m., 'necklace or collar of twisted design' [Common]
torrens -ntis, 'burning up, parched'(Pres. ppl. from 'torreo -ere.' See next.) [UnCommon]
torrens -ntis, m., 'a torrent of water'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
torreo -ere -ui tostum, 'heat up, burn; dry up, parch, singe' [Frequent]
torresco -escere, 'become parched' [Rare]
torridus -a -um, 'burned up, parched; shrivelled up' [UnCommon]
torris -is, m. (torrus -i, m.), 'a burning stick, brand'(See torreo) [Rare]
tortilis -e, 'twisted, coiled up'(See torqueo) [Rare]
torto -are, 'twist, twist in every direction; torture' [Rare]
tortor -oris, m., 'twister; torturer' [UnCommon]
tortuosus -a -um, 'twisted; contorted, tortuous, intricate' [UnCommon]
tortus -a -um, 'twisted, curved, bent' [Rare]
torus -i, m., 'a lump, round bump; muscle; sofa; marriage bed'('Torus' in math and engineeering looks like this.) [Frequent]
torvitas -tatis, f., 'fierceness, savage aspect, wildness' [UnCommon]
torvus -a -um, 'wild, savage, fierce' (This word is often based on facial expression, unlike 'ferus.') [UnCommon]
tot adv., 'so many' [VeryFreq.]
totidem adv., 'just so many, just as many' [Frequent]
toties (totiens) adv., 'so many times, so often' [Frequent]
totus -a -um, 'all, entire, whole; complete'(The forms follow the pronouns: gen. sg. 'totius,' dat. sg. 'toti,' etc.) [VeryFreq.]
toxicum -i, n., 'poison' (Originally used on poisoned arrows, from the Greek 'toxa' = arrows.) [Common]
trabalis -e, 'beam-like (arch.)' [Rare]
trabea -ae, f., 'a formal Roman dress-garment'Note: Of white wool with purple border used by the aristocracy. [Common]
trabeatus -a -um 'wearing the (toga) trabea'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
trabs -is, f., 'trunk of a tree; beam, plank; timber of a boat; a boat; roof; table'Note: With the meaning, 'penis,' used once by Catullus. [Frequent]
tractabilis -e, 'manageable, handleable, domesticatable' [Rare]
tractatio -onis, f., 'handling, management; treating of a subject (literary)' [UnCommon]
tractator -oris, m., 'masseur'(See tracto) [Rare]
tractatrix -icis, f., 'masseuse' [Rare]
tractatus -us, m., 'handling, management; a treatise' [Rare]
tractim adv., 'boringly' (Handing over and over . . . and over . . . ; see tracto.) [Rare]
tracto -are, 'drag, pull, haul; deal with; handle (in literary sense); handle financially; discuss' [VeryFreq.]
tractus -a -um, 'drawn out, long-winded'(See next) [Rare]
tractus -us, m., 'a dragging, pulling action; a track; tract of land; drawing out (in time)'(See prev.) [Common]
traditio -onis, f., 'handing over; handing down (knowledge); handing over = surrender (mil.)' [Common]
traditor -oris, m., 'one who betrays, a traitor' [UnCommon]
trado tradere tradidi traditum, 'hand over, give over; bequeath to an heir; turn over; relate, tell; betray (mil.)' [VeryFreq.]
traduco -ducere -duxi -ductum, 'lead over, convert; change; display, off; transfer'. [Frequent]
traductio -onis, f., 'transfering' [Rare]
traductor -oris, m., 'one who transfers' [Rare]
tradux -ucis, m., 'a vine branch trained to "cross over"' Note: The Romans were expert at the art of 'espalier.' They trained trees and vines to adhere to sunny walls and did far more than make decorative displays of their skill. Where space is scarce, 'espalier' makes real sense. See traduco. [Rare]
tragicomoedia -iae, f., 'melodrama (such as the plays of Plautus)'Note: In Plautus' time, melodrama meant literally 'drama with music or melos,' a tradition which was later developed in the 17th and 18th century 'opera buffa.' The English l8th century novelist Fielding uses the term, 'tragicomedy,' to describe his new developments (c. l750) in "Tom Jones," but would we call his book 'melodrama' today, in the face of the American 'soaps'? In any case, the melody has been lost! See cantica and note. [Rare]
tragicus -a -um, 'tragical, in the manner of tragedy' [UnCommon]
tragoedia -ae, f., 'a play (tragedy); tragedy ‡ la Grecque (overplayed Roman tragedy, given to histrionics)' [Common]
tragoedus -i, m., 'a tragic actor' [Rare]
tragula -ae, f., 'a spear with a hurling thong' [Rare]
trahea -ae, f., 'a harrow'(The toothed agricultural implement dragged to smooth newly plowed fields. See occa, which means much the same, and traho, next.) [Rare]
traho trahere traxi tractum, 'drag, haul, pull; bring along; bring to; draw forth, attract, bring over (politically); draw (a conclusion)' [VeryFreq.]
traicio -ere -ieci -iectum, 'throw, hurl; pierce; carry over, transport; cross (land, a river)' [Common]
traiectio -onis, f., 'crossing over; transferring' [UnCommon]
traiectus see traiectiotrama -ae, f., 'the warp or cross thread in loom weaving' [Rare]
trameo see trans-meotrames -itis, m., 'footpath, trail' (See calles and semita) [Rare]
tranato -are, 'swim across' [Rare]
trano -nare, 'swim across'(Shortened from trans + no.) [UnCommon]
tranquillitas -tatis, f., 'tranquillity, calmness (of mind, seas, and politics)' [UnCommon]
tranquillo -are, 'calm down, make calm' [Rare]
tranquillus -a -um, 'calm, quiet' [Common]
trans prep., '(acc. obj.) across, over' [VeryFreq.]
transabeo -ire -ii (-ivi) -itum, 'pass through; pierce (of weapons passing through the body)' [Common]
transactor -oris, m., 'businessman; negotiator'(See negotiator, the more usual word.) [Rare]
transadigo -ere, 'pierce, pass through; jam right through' [Rare]
transcendo -scendere -scendi -scensum, 'climb over; cross over (hills); proceed in a storyline; pass over (minor matters)' [Frequent]
transcribo -ere, 'copy over, transcribe' [UnCommon]
transcurro -currere -cucurri -cursum, 'run over; rush past' [Frequent]
transcursus -us, m., 'rushing past, passing beyond' [UnCommon]
transdo see tradotransenna -ae, f., 'screening used in a bird-trap; a literary trap for the unwary' [Rare]
transeo -ire -ivi (or ii) -itum, 'pass over, go beyond; transgress; pass over = ignore' [Frequent]
transfero -ferre -tuli -latum, 'transfer, carry over; convey across; change, alter' [Frequent]
transfigo -figere -fixi -fixum, 'pierce through, transfix' [Rare]
transfodio -fodere -fodi -fossum, 'transfix; pierce' [UnCommon]
transformis -e, 'transformed; changed' [Rare]
transfuga -ae, m., 'military deserter' [Rare]
transfugio -ere -i, 'escape; desert to the other side (mil.)' [UnCommon]
transfugium -i, n., 'desertion' [Rare]
transfundo -fundere -fudi -fusum, 'pour out; pour over; pour from one container to another; pour forth (emotions)' [Common]
transfusio -onis, f., 'a pouring forth'(Cicero uses once for Òinter-marriage.Ó) [Rare]
transgredior -gredi -gressus sum (dep.), 'cross, go over; change, change over; transgress; surpass' [Frequent]
transgressus -us, m., 'a going over' [Rare]
transigo -igere -egi -actum, 'go through; stab, stick through; live through, survive; act out; agree by a compromise' [Frequent]
transilio -ire -ui, 'jump over, leap over; change course, alter one's plans; overstep, transgress' [Frequent]
transito -are, 'pass over'(Questionable reading at Cicero, Att. 5.21.3)transitio -ionis, f., 'going over, crossing over (suddenly)' [Common]
transitus -us, m., 'crossing over' [UnCommon]
translaticius -a -um, 'handed down, traditional; usual; transferred' [UnCommon]
translatio -onis, f., 'transferring; shifting of a case (leg.); transfer of a meaning (of words); language translation' [Common]
translativus -a -um, 'transferrable' [UnCommon]
translator -oris, m., 'one who transfers' [Rare]
transluceo -ere, 'shine through; spread light across' [UnCommon]
transmarinus -a -um, 'imported; foreign' [UnCommon]
transmeo -are, 'go over, pass over' [Rare]
transmigro -are, 'migrate' [Rare]
transmissio -onis, f., 'crossing of the sea' [Rare]
transmissus -us, m., see transmissiotransmitto -mittere -misi -missum, 'send across; travel across (the water); cross over, pass over; hand over, transmit; pass through (of a weapon)' [Frequent]
transmontani -orum, m., 'people living over the mountains'Note: Presumably the Rhaeto-Romanics, Helvetii, et al. But there were Latin speakers in the Swiss valleys, as the survival of Ladin and Romansh as Romanic languages of great antiquity proves. [UnCommon]
transmoveo -ere, 'move over, transfer' [Rare]
transmuto -are, 'change, alter; transmute' [Rare]
transnavigo -are, 'sail across, row across' [Rare]
transnato -are, 'swim across' [Rare]
transnomino -are, 're-name' [Rare]
transpadanus -a -um, 'living across the Po River' (Padanus is Roman name for the Po river.) [Rare]
transpectus -us, m., 'looking right through' [Rare]
transpicio -ere, 'look through; peer through' [Rare]
transpono -ponere -posui -positum, 'remove, transpose' [Rare]
transporto -are, 'transport, carry across (the sea)' [Rare]
transrhenanus -a -um, 'living across the Rhine River'Note: Rhenus is the Rhine River. It was the Germani who lived across the Rhine, described in great detail by the invaluable treatise, "Germania," by Tacitus. It is curious that the Rhine has maintained an almost inviolate social and linguistic barrier, or isogloss line over the millennia, with a Germanic language on the one side and a Romanic on the other. Wars pass, kingdoms come and go, but the line remains. [Rare]
transtiberinus -a -um, 'living across the Tiber River' [Rare]
transtrum -i, n., 'a beam, plank; rower's seat on a galley' [Rare]
transulto -are, 'leap across' [Rare]
transuo -suere, 'sew through (push the needle through); pierce' [Rare]
transvectio -onis, f., 'transferring; carrying across' [UnCommon]
transveho -vehere -vexi -vectum 'carry across, transfer' (In passive, this verb has the meaning 'ride over, ride past; ride past in a parade.') [Common]
transverbero -are, 'beat; hammer through; pierce' [Rare]
transversarius -a -um, 'transverse' [Rare]
transversus -a -um, 'crosswise, transverse; at 90 degrees; sideways, obliquely' [Frequent]
transvolito -are, 'flit across' [Rare]
transvolo -are, 'fly across; flit past' [Rare]
trapetus -i, m., 'a press for extracting olive oil'(See prelum) [Rare]
treceni -orum, m. pl., '300 each; 300 at a time' [UnCommon]
trecenti -ae -a, '300' [Common]
trecenties adv., 'three hundred times'Note: The Romans tend to use 300 and 600 as round numbers, as we use hundreds and thousands. Religions favor the numbers one and three, rarely favoring the dyad. Crows also count by multiples of three and are shot by hunters who juggle the numbers, thus confusing their counting system.trechedipnum -i, n., 'a dinner slipper (?)'(Used once in Juvenal) [Rare]
tredecim adv., 'thirteen' [Frequent]
tremebundus -a -um, 'full of trembling, fearful; shivering' [UnCommon]
tremefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'make to tremble; scare' [Rare]
tremesco -escere, 'tremble; vibrate' [Rare]
tremo -ere -ui, 'tremble, quiver; shake, quake' [Frequent]
tremor -oris, m., 'trembling; shaking' [UnCommon]
tremulus -a -um, 'trembling, shaking; causing trembling' [Frequent]
trepidatio -onis, f., 'fear, alarm' [UnCommon]
trepido -are, 'be agitated, fearful; tremble, quake; be busy with, fuss with' [Frequent]
trepidus -a -um, 'fearful, agitated' [Frequent]
tres 'three' [VeryFreq.]
tresviri (triumviri), m. pl., 'members of the Board of Three' [Common]
triangulus -a -um, 'triangular; (as noun) a triangle' [UnCommon]
triarii -orum, m. pl., 'soldiers of the third line'Note: These were the experienced ones, held back to be used in a critical moment in a battle. (By the way, Creasy's old book on famous battles in the ancient world is still interesting reading.) [UnCommon]
tribas -ados, f., 'a lesbian, a woman sexually aggressive in male style'(From Greek 'tribo' = rub; the word is a Greek borrowing.) [Rare]
tribuarius -a -um, 'tribal (at Rome)' [Rare]
tribulus -is, m., 'man of the same tribe' [Rare]
tribulum -i, n., 'threshing machine' (From 'tribo' = rub) [Rare]
tribunal -alis, n., 'tribunal; platform for the tribunes' [Common]
tribunatus -us, m., 'tribuneship' [Rare]
tribunicius -a -um, 'pertaining to a tribune' [Rare]
tribunus -i, m., 'tribune (the Roman official)'(There are many kinds of tribunes, some attached to the mint, some to the army, and some to other parts of the government.) [Frequent]
tribuo -ere -ui, 'share; allot, grant; give out by assignment; value, estimate value of' [Frequent]
tribus -i, f., 'a tribe'Note: Specifically, a legal division of the Roman populace. We often think of 'tribe' as a word used for primitive peoples and aborigines, quite incorrectly since it is a Roman term. [Frequent]
tributarius -a -um, 'concerning the ÒtributeÓ; paid in cash' [UnCommon]
tributim adv., 'tribe by tribe' [UnCommon]
tributio -onis, f., 'distribution' [Rare]
tributum -i, n., 'tax; tribute payment' [UnCommon]
tributus -a -um, 'tribal, tribe-wise' [Rare]
tricae -arum, f. pl., 'complications; little nothings, nonsense' [Rare]
triceni -ae -a, 'thirty at a time, thirty each' [Common]
triceps -itis, 'having three heads' (Cerberus! ) [UnCommon]
tricesimus -a -um, 'thirtieth' [Common]
trichila -ae, f., 'gazebo; summerhouse' [Rare]
tricies (triciens), 'thirty times' [Common]
triclinium -ii, n., 'the Roman dining room'Note: The typical Roman banquet arrangement of couches on 'three sides' of a central smorgasbord-like table. See biclinium.) [Frequent]
tricor -ari, 'be evasive, shifty; be tricky' [UnCommon]
tricorpor -oris, 'having three bodies' [Rare]
tricuspis -idis, 'having three points, prongs'(Used of a ship's prow, a fishing spear, or Neptune's trident) [Common]
tridens -ntis, m., 'trident; three-pronged spear (for fishing); Neptune's trident'(Also used an adj.) [Frequent]
tridentifer see tridentigertridentiger -a -um, 'trident bearing' [Rare]
triduum -i, n., 'a three-day period' [Frequent]
triennia -ium, n. pl., 'festivals held on a three-year cycle' [UnCommon]
triennium -i, n., 'a three-year period' [Rare]
triens -ntis, m., 'one third' [UnCommon]
trientabulum -i, n., 'a land-security posted as one third of the value of a loan' [Rare]
trierarchus -i, m., 'captain of a rowed trireme' [Rare]
trietericus -a -um, 'three-yearly' (From Greek 'etos' = year; more [Common]
Latin is 'annus.' See triennis.) [Rare]
trieteris -idis, f., 'period of three years; a three years festival' [Rare]
trifariam adv., 'in three ways' [UnCommon]
trifaux -cis, 'having three throats' (Only Cerberus!) [Rare]
trifidus -a -um, 'split in three parts'(From findo) [Rare]
trifilis -e, 'having three hairs (virtually bald)' [Rare]
trifur -furis, 'triply thievish'(See fur) [Rare]
trifurcifer -i, m., 'triple-felon' [Rare]
triginta 'thirty' [Frequent]
trigonum -i, n., 'triangle'(This is from the Greek word for triangle; the more [Common]
Latin word was 'triangulus.') [UnCommon]
triformis -e, 'having three forms' (Usually of the underworld goddess Hecate) [Frequent]
trigeminus -a -um, 'triple; three parted; of a human triplet' [Common]
triginta 'thirty' [Frequent]
trigon -onis, m., 'a three-person ballgame of catch' [Rare]
trilibris -e, 'weighing three pounds' [Rare]
trilinguis -e, 'having three tongues' Note: Generally used of Cerberus, but Apuleius uses it of a person who knows three languages. The poet Ennius said that he had 'tria corda,' which probably meant three languages: Greek, Latin and Oscan, his native tongue. [UnCommon]
trilix -icis, m., 'a triple-twisted thread; a three-cord thread'Note: Models for the DNA triple helix have been around, unnoticed, for millennia, just as the ellipse had been known for fifteen hundred years before Kepler grasped its applicability to planetary motion. Having to invent something for which there is no known pattern is much more difficult, the kind of thing mathematicians have to face. [Rare]
trinoctialis -e, 'of a three-night (party)' [Rare]
trinoctium -i, n., 'a three-night party; a "bash"' Note: But the 'ius trinoctii' is an ancient exclusion of a woman from her husband's financial control, if she spends three nights (trinoctium) out of his house. [UnCommon]
trimetros -a -um, 'of a trimeter in poetry, a verse having three feet' [UnCommon]
trimus -a -um, 'three years old' (Compare 'bimus' = two years old.) [UnCommon]
trini -ae -a, 'three at a time; three together' [UnCommon]
trinodis -e, 'having three knots' [Rare]
triones -um, m.pl., 'the ÒTeam,Ó as a constellation'(Compare 'Septemtriones' as the standard word meaning North.) [Common]
tripectorus -a -um, 'having three chests' (Of Geryon) [UnCommon]
tripedalis -e, 'three feet long' [Rare]
tripertito adv., 'in three parts' [Common]
tripertitus -a -um, 'triple, threefold; divided into three parts' [Common]
tripes -pedis, 'having three feet (a tripod, stool)' Note: But in Greek, the 'three-footed-one' is an old man, i.e. two feet and a cane, supposedly the riddle proposed by the Sphinx. See sphinx and note. [Rare]
triplex -icis, 'threefold, triple' [Rare]
triplus see triplextripudio -are, 'dance the three-step (tri-pudium) in taking augurial readings (the ÒdanceÓ of the grain thrown to the sacred chickens)' (No connection with pudet, but with ped- 'foot.' See solistimius) [UnCommon]
tripudium -i, n., 'a sacred dance; dance of the augurs'(See tripudio) [Common]
tripus -odis, m., 'three legged stool; tripod; stool of the Delphic oracle'(A Greek borrowing from tri-pous, 'three foot'; compare 'tripes.') [Common]
triquetrus -a -um, 'three-cornered' [UnCommon]
triremis -e, 'having three rows or oarsmen; a trireme (ship)' [UnCommon]
triscurrium -i, n., 'triple-scaliwag-manship'Note: 'Scurra' is originally a Òwit,Ó then an affected witty type, and finally a 'scam-man' under the Empire, in which sense Juvenal uses the word. See scurra. [Rare]
tristiculus -a -um, 'rather sad' [UnCommon]
tristis -e, 'sad, sorrowful; sorrowing; dejected, depressed; stern, gloomy; unpleasant and even downright nasty' [VeryFreq.]
tristitia -ae, f., 'sadness, dejectedness; severity of manner' Note: The medieval proverb 'post coitum tristitia' refers to a general physical depression after hyperactivity, not to real sadness or, least of all, sexual guilt. [Frequent]
trisculcus -a -um, 'having three prongs (of a trident or plow)' [Rare]
triticeus -a -um, 'made of wheat' [Rare]
trit 'the sound of a person passing gas'Note: Onomatopoetic, apparently; this tells us something about the way the Roman pronounced his -r-, which was probably rolled at the tip of the tongue, like the ubiquitous modern mouth 'farts.' See prox, vissio and pedo. [Rare]
triticum -i, n., 'wheat'(Still used as the scientific name in taxonomy.) [Common]
tritura -ae, f., 'polishing grain (to remove husk); threshing' [Rare]
tritus -a -um, 'worn down, polished smooth; familiar; experienced; [Common]
, usual' (English ÒtriteÓ has picked up an exclusively literary and verbal meaning.) [Common]
triumphalis -e, 'pertaining to Roman Triumphs' [UnCommon]
triumpho -are, 'have a Roman military triumphal parade; triumph over, conquer' [Common]
triumphus -i, m., 'a Roman triumphal procession or parade' [Frequent]
triumvir -i, m., 'one of a supervisory Board of Three' [Common]
triumviralis -e, 'pertaining to a man on the Board of Three' [Rare]
triumviratus -us, m., 'the office of a triumvir' [UnCommon]
trivialis -e, 'of the crossroads; common, vulgar'(From 'tri' + 'viae') [Common]
trivium -i, n., 'the meeting of three roads; a place for low life; vulgar manners; the cross roads as sacred to Hecate'(See quadrivium)Note: It is odd that the trivium and quadrivium should have become medieval terms for the classifications of human knowledge. This shows that in later times people had thoroughly lost the connections with the [Common]
places of Roman daily life, while retaining the formal vocabulary of Latin. [Frequent]
trochaeus -a -um, 'a trochee (metrical foot), a 'long' and a 'short' (poet.)'(Apparently from the pace of a running gait; Greek 'trecho'= run)trochlea -ae, f., 'rope blocks used for hoisting' [Rare]
trochus -i, m., 'the hoop as a child's toy for rolling with a stick'(From Greek 'trecho' = run) [Rare]
tropaeum -i, n., 'the turning point of a battle at which the ÒtrophyÓ was placed; trophy; victory'(From Greek 'trepo' = turn) [Frequent]
trossulus -i, m., 'name for an ancient Roman horseman, warrior; a ÒsportÓ of a smart social set in lst century A.D.'Note: This could also be taken by Latin speakers as Òthe little Trojan,Ó or Òdescendant of Troy,Ó and may well account at least in part for the origin of the improbable story line of the Aeneid. [Rare]
trucidatio -onis, f., 'massacre' [Rare]
trucido -are, 'slaughter, massacre; destroy utterly' [Common]
truculentia -ae, f., 'ferociousness' [Rare]
truculentus -a -um, 'rough; wild, ferocious' [Common]
trudis -is, f., 'a pole; push-pole for barges'(From trudo) [Rare]
trudo trudere trudi trusum, 'push; shove; compel, force' [Frequent]
trulla -ae, f., 'ladle for serving soup' [Rare]
trunco -are, 'cut off, prune; lop off; maim' [Common]
truncus -a -um, 'maimed, mutilated; crippled'(See next two items) [Common]
truncus -i, m., 'trunk of a tree; body, torso' (See prev. and next) [UnCommon]
truncus -i, m., 'ÒblockheadÓ; ÒcrippleÓ (used pejoratively)' (This seems to represent a telescoped conflation of the two prev. words.) [Rare]
trutina -ae, f., 'pair of scales, a weighing balance' [UnCommon]
trutino -are, 'weight carefully; consider' [Rare]
truso -are, 'push violently; assault sexually'Note: One of the many violent and hostile words the Romans used for sex, a verbal tradition that is not unknown in English. See battuo, depso, futuo for notes. [Rare]
trux -cis, 'wild, ferocious; savage' [Frequent]
tu 'you (sg.)' (See the plural vos, from another root.) [VeryFreq.]
tuba -ae, f., 'a straight trumpet ; military trumpet; a trumpet used at funerals' Note: This is musically the same as the keyless Natural Trumpet of the baroque period with its basic overtone series. The Romans models were straight, rather than curled, and about four feet long. The modern ÒtubaÓ is different in size and sound--a l9th century invention, despite its ancient name. [VeryFreq.]
tœber -eris, n., 'any swelling, lump; the fungus ÒtruffleÓ'(English tuber as name for certain root species is from this root, but specialized in use. This -u- is long. See next.) [UnCommon]
tuber -eris, m., 'a kind of tree; fruit of that tree' (Separate from 'tuber' with the long -u-, which is neuter. This -u- is short, and the noun is masculine. See prev.) [Rare]
tubicen -inis, m., 'a trumpeter; bugler' [UnCommon]
tubilustrium -i, n., 'a fanfare or festival of trumpets' [Rare]
tuccetum -i, n., 'a spiced beef dish' [Rare]
tudito -are, 'hammer on, beat on; drive . . .' [UnCommon]
tueor tueri tutus (dep.), 'look at, behold; watch over; guard; protect' [VeryFreq.]
tugurium -i, n., 'shack' [Rare]
tum adv., 'then, at that time' ('Cum. . . tum . . .' used as a correlate pair, = 'not only. . .but also. . .') [VeryFreq.]
tumefacio -facere -feci -factum, 'make to swell up; puff up' [Common]
tumeo -ere -ui, 'well up, be swollen; be puffed up with pride; have a swollen literary style' [Common]
tumesco -escere -ui, 'be swollen up; have a swollen head (with pride); be swollen (with fury)' [Common]
tumidus -a -um, 'swollen up, puffy; swollen (of rivers); swelling with pride; angry; having a ÒswollenÓ literary style' [Common]
tumor -oris, m., 'a swelling; the swell of the sea; a tumor (med.); conceit, pride; a ÒbigÓ literary style' [Frequent]
tumulo -are, 'bury'Note: Specifically, burial in a 'tumulus' or piled-rock grave. Since the Romans always cremated, this was seen as either an ancient or a foreign custom. [Rare]
tumulosus -a -um, 'full of mounds, hillocks' [Rare]
tumultuarius -a -um, 'emergency (of troops, measures); unprepared (of military measures)'(From tumultus) [Common]
tumultuatio -onis, f., 'commotion' [Rare]
tumultuor -ari, 'be in a tumult, commotion' [Common]
tumultuosus -a -um, 'tumultuous; noisy, wild, uncontrolled' [Common]
tumultus -us, m., 'commotion, turbulance, an uproar; outbreak of violence (pol.), general alarm; a mental disturbance' [Frequent]
tumulus -i, m., 'a mound, hillock; a burial mound' [Common]
tunc adv., 'then, at that time; . . . and then . . . ; next' [VeryFreq.]
tundo tundere tusi tunsum (tusum), 'beat, pound; crush; hammer away at' [Frequent]
tunica -ae, f., 'tunic'Note: A T-shaped garment, not unlike our T-shirt, but going down to the knees and worn as underwear. When pulled up with a belt, it was Commonly used as a man's work clothes. [Frequent]
tunicatus -a -um, 'wearing a tunic' [Rare]
turba -ae, f., 'mob, crowd; public commotion' [Frequent]
turbamentum -i, n., 'something which causes a disturbance' [Rare]
turbatio -onis, f., 'a disturbance' [Rare]
turbator -oris, m., 'a trouble maker' [UnCommon]
turben see turboturbidus -a -um, 'confused; wild, uncontrolled' [UnCommon]
turbineus -a -um, 'shaped like a child's ÒtopÓ'(See turbo, -binis) [Rare]
turbo -are, 'disturb, disrupt; upset, throw into disorder'(See next) [Frequent]
turbo -inis, f., 'a whirlpool; cyclone; eddy, waterspout; any disturbance; a child's toy ÒtopÓ'(See prev.)Note: The gyroscopic effect was long used as a toy, without understanding the principle. But this is true of many of the discoveries of the Greek sciencists, who had a full understanding of steam at hand, but never built anything more than steam-operated demonstrations for church use. The contribution of the Industrial Revolution lies in its ability to find ways through scientific principles to extend the physical or mental reach of Man. [Frequent]
turbulentus -a -um, 'stormy (of the sea); restless, disturbed; troubled, full of commotion' [Common]
turdus -i, m., 'the thrush'Note: A bird whose tongue was much favored by the Romans as a delicacy suitable for the rich. Exotic and very expensive, it was treated much like our caviar. [Common]
tureus -a -um, '’ncensed (i.e. perfumed)' (See tus) [Rare]
turgeo turgere tursi tursum, 'swell up; be swollen (of pride, anger or misguided literary stylistics)' [UnCommon]
turgidulus -a -um, 'swollen; turgid in style' [UnCommon]
turibulum -i, n., 'an incense burner' [Rare]
turicremus -a -um, 'incense-burning' [Rare]
turifer -fera -ferum, 'incense-bearing' [Rare]
turilegus -a -um, 'incense-gathering' [Rare]
turma -ae, f., 'a group of persons, a throng; a squad of horsemen; a military platoon' [Frequent]
turmalis -e, 'of a squad or platoon' [Rare]
turmatim adv., 'troop by troop'turpiculus -a -um, 'rather ugly (Catullus); indecent (Cicero)' [Rare]
turpificatus -a -um, 'defiled' [UnCommon]
turpis -e, 'ugly, foul; shameful, indecent; immoral; corrupt' [VeryFreq.]
turpitudo -inis, f., 'indecency; Òmoral turpitudeÓ'Note: Note the expression ÒMoral Turpitude,Ó a loose phrase which each can interpret in his own way, formerly automatic cause for dismissal from the majority of American colleges, but at the present time replaced by the more legally cogent charge of Òsexual harrassment.Ó In this there is a shift from what the accused thought, to what he or she actually said or did. [Frequent]
turpo -are, 'defile; disgrace' [UnCommon]
turriger -gera -gerum, 'having towers (arch. and mil.)' [UnCommon]
turris -is, f., 'tower of a citidel; fortified military tower; a bower' [Frequent]
turritus -a -um, 'fortified with towers' (This adj. is especially used of Cybele, whose headdress was described as turban-towered.) [Rare]
turtur -uris, m., 'pigeon (eaten by Romans as a delicacy)'Note: The English Òturtle-(dove)Ó comes from this word for dove and has nothing at all to do with tortoises. [Common]
tus turis, n., 'incense' [Frequent]
tussio -ire, 'cough' (See next) [Rare]
tussis -is, f., 'a cough' (See prev.)Note: The name of the famous German over-the-counter medicine, ÒPer-tussin,Ó closely followed by the American ÒRobitussin,Ó comes from this reputable Classical source. tutamen see tutamentumtutamentum -i, n., 'protection' [Rare]
tute adv., 'safely' (From tutus. See next) [Common]
tute (tu + enclitic particle, -te), 'you yourself'Note: As in the alliterating archaic line from the 3rd century B.C.: ÒO Tite tute Tati tibi tanta tyranna tulisti.Ó [VeryFreq.]
tutela -ae, f., 'legal guardianship over a ward or minor; protection in general; safety; support' [Frequent]
tutor -oris, m., 'guardian, protector'(See next)tutor -ari (dep.), 'watch; watch over, care for, protect'(See prev.) [Common]
tutus -a -um (ppl. from tueor), 'watched over = safe; protected' [Frequent]
tuus -a -um, 'your, yours ('you' pl.)' [VeryFreq.]
tympanum -i, n., 'a small handheld drum; tambourine; the drum of a winch'(Compare the medical term, tympanum, for the ear-'drum.') [Frequent]
tuxtax (also tux pax), 'the sounds of blows in a fight'(Only in Plautus) [Rare]
tympanotriba -ae, f., 'ÒThe little drummer girlÓ'Note: Sometimes used of men, but casting them in a girlish mode, since the tympanum was used by women. [Rare]
typus -i, m., 'bas relief on a wall' [UnCommon]
tyrannocida -ae, m., 'killer of a tyrant' [Rare]
tyrannis -idis, f., 'tyranny' [Rare]
tyrannoctonus -i, m., 'the killer of a tyrant'(As a Greek word; tyrannocida in hybrid Latin.) [Rare]
tyrannus -i, m., 'tyrant; ruler of a Greek 'tyrannis'; absolute ruler or despot in the NearEastern manner' Note: The Tyranny, a brief political inter-stage which came between oligocracy and democracy in 6th century B.C. Greece. [Frequent]
tyrotarichos -i, m., 'a (Greek) cooked dish of cheese and salt-fish' Note: It sounds like a pizza with mozzarella and anchovy toppings, clearly plebeian food according to the ancient contexts. [Rare]
uber -eris, n., 'udder (of a mammal); richness; fertility of the earth, land'(See next) [Frequent]
uber -a -um, 'rich, fruitful; productive of milk, fruit, crops; plentiful; rich and costly; having a rich literary style' (See prev.) [Frequent]
ubertas -tatis, f., 'richness (of soil, milk, land); richness of verbal style' [Common]
ubertim adv., 'copiously; with flowing tears' [Frequent]
ubi adv., 'when' [VeryFreq.]
ubicumque adv., 'whenever; wherever' [VeryFreq.]
ubiquaque adv., 'in every direction' [Rare]
ubique adv., 'everywhere' Note: Compare English Òubiquitous,Ó a word which suddenly is turning up everywhere! [UnCommon]
ubivis (ubi+vis) adv., 'whenever you wish, 'any-when,' anytime' [Frequent]
udo -onis, f., 'a slipper' [Rare]
udus -a -um, 'wet, moist, soaked; soaking drunk, ÒsoppedÓ' [VeryFreq.]
ulcero -are, 'make raw, sore; ulcerate (med.)' [UnCommon]
ulcerosus -a -um, 'sore, rubbed sore; ulcerated' [UnCommon]
ulciscor ulcisci ultus (dep.), 'avenge; wreak vengeance on; punish' [Frequent]
ulcus -i, m., 'an ulcer, sore' [UnCommon]
uligo -inis, f., 'marsh, damp place' [Rare]
ullus -a -um, 'any'(Forms follow the pronoun: gen. sg. 'ullius,' dat. sg. 'ulli,' etc.) [VeryFreq.]
ulmeus -a -um, 'made of elm wood' [Rare]
ulmitriba -ae, m., 'one who wears out the elms'Note: By being punished with 'arm-hanging,' a non-lethal crucifixion used as punishment for slaves. A cross beam was tied to both hands and hooked over a cutoff branch of a tree, here an elm. [Rare]
ulmus -i, f., 'an elm tree' [UnCommon]
ulna -ae, f., 'the forearm; a ÒcubitÓ of length' [UnCommon]
ulterior -oris, 'more distant, further removed; next; farthest' [VeryFreq.]
ultio -onis, f., 'avenging, vengeance' [Common]
ultor -oris, m., 'one who avenges' [UnCommon]
ultra adv. and prep., 'beyond (prep. takes acc. obj.)' [VeryFreq.]
ultrix -icis, f., 'one who avenges (female or male)' [Rare]
ultro adv., 'further, on the farther side; furthermore' [VeryFreq.]
ululatus -us, m., 'howling, wailing (of animals)' (See ululo and ulula) [UnCommon]
ulula -ae, f., 'an owl' (From the sound it makes "ul . . . ul . . .") [UnCommon]
ululo -are, 'hoot; howl'(An onomatopoetic word, used for the hooting of owls and the howling of dogs. See bubo and ulula--next.) [UnCommon]
ulva -ae, f, 'sedge, weeds growing along a riverbank' [Rare]
umbella -ae, f., 'a sun-umbrella' Note: From umbra, possibly a colloquial word, on the evidence of the -r- which was lost along the way by dissimilation of liquids, like the [Common]
English pronunciation of Feb(r)uary. [Rare]
umbilicus -i, m., 'the middle, center of anything; umbilical cord'Note: Also used of the handle at the end of the wooden rod on which a scroll book is rolled up. [Common]
umbo -onis, m., 'boss at the center of a shield' [Common]
umbra -ae, f., 'shade, shadow'(See umbella) [Frequent]
umbraculum -i, n., 'a shady resting place, a bower' [Rare]
umbraticus -a -um, 'prefering the shade; of a loafer; (as noun) an academic, a professor'Note: Used of one who stays in the shade rather than going out to work in the hot Mediterranean sun. The transfer of meaning to an academician, or a professor needs no comment! [Rare]
umbratilis -e, 'enjoying the shade; retired, thoughtful' [Rare]
umbrifer -fera -ferum, 'shaded, shadowy' [UnCommon]
umbro -are, 'shade, throw shadow' [Common]
umbrosus -a -um, 'shady' [Frequent]
umecto -are, 'moisten, wet down' [Common]
umens -entis, 'wet, moist, dewy' [Frequent]
umerus (humerus) -i, m., 'shoulder' [Frequent]
umidus -a -um, 'wet, moist, damp' [Frequent]
umquam adv., 'ever; at any time' [VeryFreq.]
unanimus -a -um, 'having one mind; unanimous, sympathetic' [Frequent]
unctio -onis, f., 'annointing of dead bodies; surface enbalming'(See amomum) [UnCommon]
uncus -a -um, 'hooked' [Frequent]
unda -ae, f., 'a wave; water; the sea' [VeryFreq.]
unde adv., 'from where, whence'(See next) [VeryFreq.]
unde- (prefix), at the start of a number, it means Òsubtract one from,Ó since it is a contraction of 'unum' + 'de.' However, in the case of undecim, we add 'unum' to 'decem' to give "eleven."(See next) [VeryFreq.]
undecim 'eleven' [Frequent]
undecimus -a -um, 'eleventh' [UnCommon]
undeviginti 'nineteen'undique adv., 'from all sides; on all sides, everywhere' [VeryFreq.]
undisonus -a -um, 'resounding as if with waves' (From unda) [Rare]
undo -are, 'flood, wave; surge' [UnCommon]
undosus -a -um, 'wavy, billowing' [UnCommon]
ungo (also unguo) -ere -unxi - unctum, 'greased; annointed with unguent; be rich, get rich' [Frequent]
unguen -inis, n., 'unguent; rich fat used to annoint' [Frequent]
unguentarius -i, m., 'a dealer in unguents; perfumer' [UnCommon]
unguentatus -a -um, 'annointed' [Rare]
unguentum, -i, n., 'unguent for annointing; medical unguent; salve, medicine' [Frequent]
unguiculus -i, m., 'the nail of a finger or toe' [Rare]
unguis -is, m., 'nail of the finger or toe' Note: The phrase 'ad unguem' refers to a cabinetmaker's ability to make joints in tabletops smooth enough for nails to pass over, hence a sign of perfect craftmanship. The word is transferred to other areas, especially the literary craft. [Frequent]
ungula -ae, f., 'nail; hoof, claw' [Frequent]
unguo see ungounicolor -oris, 'of one color' [UnCommon]
unicus -a -um, 'unique; sole, only' [VeryFreq.]
uniformis -e, 'of one single form' [Rare]
unigena -ae, 'a person of the same genetic background or race; a sibling' [Rare]
unimanus -a -um, 'having only one hand' [Rare]
unio -onis, f., 'an onion; a large pearl (from the shape)' [Common]
unitas -tatis, f., 'unity' [Rare]
universalis -e, 'universal' [Rare]
universitas -tatis, f., 'the whole, the sum-total; the whole world, universe; (in law) a collective, a corporately administered property; a corporation'Note: The academic ÒUniversityÓ takes its name from the definition of a corporation, not, as many professors would like to believe, from its portentous role at the center of the intellectual universe. In the U.S., colleges are in fact corporations, with trustees legally owning the enterprise and hiring a roster of specialized employees to supervise, take care of the grounds, do repairs, and teach. In organization, the American college, like the hospital, is strictly patterned after the l9th century business enterprise. For a parallel, see 'societas.' [UnCommon]
universus -a -um, 'all together; universal' [Common]
unus -a -um, 'one'(Forms follow the pronoun: gen. sg. = 'unius,' dat. sg. = 'uni,' etc.) [VeryFreq.]
upilio -onis, m., 'a shepherd' [Rare]
upupa -ae, f., 'a crowbar' Note: It takes its name from the shape of bill of the hoopoe (upupa), just as English 'crowbar' is named from the pointed bill of a crow. [Rare]
urbanitas -tatis, f., 'city-living; life in Rome (as THE city par excellence); urbaneness, refinement'Note: This is something like the New Yorker magazine's sophisticated style and wittiness, an unmistakable earmark of the big city phenomenon. [Frequent]
urbanus -a -um, 'of a city, citified; ÒRomanÓ = refined, urbane' [Frequent]
urbs -bis, f., 'a city; Òthe cityÓ = Rome'Note: The grammarians inform us that it was pronounced: 'urps'! [VeryFreq.]
urceolus -i, m., 'a little pitcher' [Rare]
urceus -ei, m., 'a pitcher; jug' [UnCommon]
uredo -inis, f., 'frostbite on plants'(From uro 'burn') [Rare]
urgeo urgere ursi, 'press, urge; urge on; shove and push; press on hard (mil.); crowd around; attack, assault' [VeryFreq.]
urna ae, f., 'a bowl, container for liquid; an urn' [Frequent]
urina -ae, f., 'urine' [Common]
urinator -oris, m., 'one who goes down in the water, a diver for fish' (See prev. with specialized meaning.) [Rare]
urino -are (also urinor -ari, dep.), 'dive'(The Latin for urinate is 'mingo -ere.') [Rare]
uro urere ussi ustum, 'burn,scorch; roast; parch; dry up, desiccate; inflame with love or hate; burn (of fever)' [VeryFreq.]
uruca -ae, f., 'a garden beetle' [Rare]
ursa -ae, f., 'a mother bear' [Common]
ursus -i, m., 'a bear' [Common]
urtica -ae, f., 'a briar, nettle; sting; sexual lust' [Rare]
usitatus -a -um, 'customary, usual' [Common]
uspiam adv., 'anywhere' [Common]
usquam adv., 'anywhere' [VeryFreq.]
usque prep., '(acc.) up to, towards; so far as'(Often 'usque ad' = Òup to the point of. . .; up to this timeÓ) [Common]
usquequaque adv., 'in every direction, all around' (usque + quaque; see quaque) [UnCommon]
ustor -oris, m., 'cremator; body-burnerNote: The Romans always cremated, hence we are faced by a real lack of bones for anthropological study. A rare find of mud-buried bones along the wharfs at Pompeii provides our main information about the size and work deformation of the Roman skeleton. [UnCommon]
ustulo -are, 'burn, singe' (Also used of frostburn on plants. See 'uredo') [Rare]
usucapio -ere, 'take possession of by long and continued use (leg.)' [UnCommon]
usucapio -onis, f., 'possession by continual use (leg.)' [Rare]
usura -ae, f., 'use, making use of; employment; use of money on loan at interest; the interest payable on loans' Note: This word doesn't have the bad associations of English Òusury,Ó which was condemned by the medieval Catholic church as a sin and then curiously turned over to Jews and Lombards. The Romans had a regular banking system, loans were [Common]
, and there were no objections to profit. [Frequent]
usurpatio -onis, f., 'use; making use of, employing' [Frequent]
usurpo -are, 'seize, get possession of; use, employ; usurp' [Frequent]
usus -us, m., 'use; possession and use; usage' (An important legal word with many highly specialized meanings.) [VeryFreq.]
ut conj. 'as; that; so that; how, how as that . . . ' (There are many complicated uses, from ÒasÓ to Òso thatÓ to Óin order to,Ó involving several syntactical niceties.) [VeryFreq.]
utcumque adv., 'whatever' [UnCommon]
utensilia -ium, n. pl., 'useful things, utensils' [Rare]
uter -tris, f., 'a bag made of skin; a balloon; a life-preserver' [Frequent]
uter utra utrum, 'either; either one (of two); which, whichever'(The word always implies one of a set of two, but in the plural usage inclines toward the meaning of Òboth.Ó Forms follow the pronoun--gen. sg. is 'utrius,' dat. sg. 'utri.' See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
utercumque utracumque utrumcumque, 'which one of the two' [Common]
uterlibet utra- utrum-, 'whichever (you please) of the two' [Common]
uterque utraque utrumque, 'either one (of a set of two)'(See uter) [Frequent]
uterus -i, m. (also uterum -i, n..), 'bulge; protuberance; belly; uterus = womb'utervis utravis utrumvis, 'whichever (you wish)'(uter + vis 'you wish') [Common]
uti see ututilis -e, 'useful; servicable; profitable, fruitful; effective' [Common]
utilitas -tatis, f., 'usefulness' [UnCommon]
utinam adv., conj., 'O . . . if only! Would that . . . !' (This word is used almost like an interjection in phrases marked by the subjunctive, indicating something like Òwish, prayer or desire.Ó) [VeryFreq.]
utique adv., 'to be sure!' [Common]
utor uti usus (dep.), 'use, make use of (with abl. obj.); employ; possess, enjoy the use of' (Utor fungor fruor vescor and potior, which can sometimes take a gen. obj., take abl. objects.) [VeryFreq.]
utpote adv., 'in as much as' [UnCommon]
utrarius -i, m., 'a water carrier'(From 'uter'; compare 'udder, waterbag.') [Rare]
utrimque adv., 'on either (= both) sides; all around' [Frequent]
utro adv., 'on which side, in which direction?' [Common]
utroque adv., 'in both directions, on both sides' [Frequent]
utrum adv., 'whether' (With 'an' in the next phrase, 'utrum' is used in the paired construction: 'utrum . . . an . . . ' = 'whether . . . or . . . ') [VeryFreq.]
utut adv., 'howsoever' [Rare]
uva -ae, f., 'a grape; a bunch of grapes; a grape-vine' [Frequent]
uvesco -escere, 'become moist, wet' [UnCommon]
uvidulus -a -um, 'rather damp, wet' [UnCommon]
uvidus -a -um, 'wet, moist; soaked = drunk' [UnCommon]
uxor -oris, f., 'wife; any married woman' [Frequent]
uxorius -a -um, 'belonging to a wife (property); (when used of a man) overly subservient to his wife'(Compare English 'uxorious.') [Common]
vacatio -onis, f., 'freedom, immunity (leg.); exemption from military service' [Common]
vacca -ae, f., 'cow' Note: From this comes our word Òvaccination,Ó following the pioneering 18th-century work of Jenner and others who noticed the automatic immunity of dairy workers to cowpox and daringly experimented with smallpox vaccination on their hunch. [Frequent]
vaccinium -ii, n., 'an unidentified plant, perhaps hyacinth'Note: It produces a strong purple dye, possibly raspberry. This may be the origin of the famous distich about the purple cow. See 'vacca' (cow). [Rare]
vacefio -ere, 'become empty, void' [Rare]
vacillatio -onis, f., 'reeling, tottering, falling over' [Common]
vacillo -are, 'reel, stagger' [Common]
vacivus (vocivus) -a -um, 'empty'(Used only in early Latin.) [UnCommon]
vaco -are, 'be empty, vacant (of land without an owner), abandoned; be destitute of, be in need of'(See vacuus) [Frequent]
vacuefacio -ere, 'make empty; clear out' [Rare]
vacuitas -tatis, f., 'freedom; freedom from . . . ; an exemption (leg. and mil.); vacancy in a magistracy' [Common]
vacuo -are, 'make empty' [Rare]
vacuus -a -um, 'empty, unoccupied, unused, vacant, devoid of; destitute, needy; open, cleared away (of land); unfortified (mil.); idle; leisurely, unoccupied, relaxed, at ease' [VeryFreq.]
vadimonium -i, n., 'bail; security money, security deposit (legal)' [Common]
vado -ere, 'go forward, advance; proceed' (It has many of the same meanings as 'pergo.') [Frequent]
vador -ari (dep.), 'give bail; guarantee court appearance' [UnCommon]
vadosus -a -um, 'having shoals (used of a maritime coastline)' (See next) [UnCommon]
vadum -i, n., 'a ford on a river; shallows, shoals; the ocean floor; (in poetry) water, the Sea, seas' [VeryFreq.]
vae interj., '(as expression of pain) Ow!; (of sorrow) Woe!; (poetical and histrionic) woe to . . . !' [Frequent]
vafer -fra -frum, 'smart, clever; crafty, sly' [Frequent]
vagina -ae, f., 'a case, box; scabbard for a sword; an ear of grain (encasing the seed)'(Apparently not used for the female 'vagina.') [Frequent]
vagio -ire, 'cry, whine (of children, goats, etc.)' [UnCommon]
vagitus -us, m., 'crying (of children); whining, whimpering' [Rare]
vagor -oris, m., '= vagitus'(See next also)vagor -ari (dep.), 'wander, roam about'(See prev.) [Frequent]
vagus -a -um, 'wandering, roving aimlessly; vacillating; shifting direction; rambling, vague; haphazard, random' [VeryFreq.]
valde adv., '(strongly=) certainly; really' (Orig. 'valide,' as an adv. from 'validus.') [Frequent]
valedico -ere, 'say farewell (Vale!)'(Note English Òvaledictorian.Ó) [UnCommon]
valeo -ere -ui, 'be healthy, strong; prevail, win out; have the strength to' (Imperative 'vale' and pl. 'valete' takes on the regular colloquial meaning of ÒGoodbye.Ó) [VeryFreq.]
valesco -escere, 'become strong, grow strong' [Common]
valetudo -inis, f., 'the state of one's health' (It can be good or bad, healthy or ailing.) [Frequent]
valgiter adv., 'in a knock-kneed manner'(Refers to a pursing of the lips, which are seen as coming together as if knock-kneed. See 'valgus,' next.) [Rare]
valgus -a -um, 'knock-kneed' [UnCommon]
validus -a -um, 'strong, powerful, well; healthy' [VeryFreq.]
vallaris -e, 'pertaining to the corona vallaris (mil.)'(This refers to the crown given to the first soldier to cross the palisade or 'vallum.') [Rare]
valles -is, f., 'valley, vale, a hollow' [Common]
vallo -are, 'protect with a palisade (mil.)' [Common]
vallum -i, n., 'a palisade (of wooden poles); fortification (mil.)' [Frequent]
vallus -i, m., 'post, stake' [UnCommon]
valvae -arum, f., 'double folding doors ' Note: Roman houses Commonly used double-opening doors, in order to provide wide entrances without the hung weight of one huge and massive door. Not a bad idea for a large door, especially in warmer climates where doors can be left open part of the year. [Common]
vanesco -escere, 'disappear' [UnCommon]
vaniloquentia -iae, f., 'small talk; empty chatter' [Rare]
vaniloquus -a -um, 'empty talking; boasting' [Rare]
vanitas -tatis, f., 'emptiness; foolishness' Note: Not like the sin of Òvanity,Ó which has its roots in Christian thought and is a concept foreign to Roman thinking. [Frequent]
vannus -i, m., 'winnowing fan'Note: A large scoop-shaped implement used to separate the grain from the chaff, by tossing grain up in the air in a light breeze, for which selection of a windy site was all-important. This is the winnowing-fan that John the Baptist spoke of, wielded by Jesus to separate the false from the true, a convincing metaphor in an agricultural setting. [Rare]
vanus -a -um, 'empty, void; silly, foolish; meaningless; illusory, dreaming' [VeryFreq.]
vapidus -a -um, 'flat, vapid' (Specifically used of wine which has gone flat) [Common]
vapor -oris, m., 'mist, steam; vapor; heat' [Common]
vaporarium -i, n., 'the boiler room to supply steam for the baths, for the sauna' [Rare]
vaporo -are, 'fill with steam; heat up' [UnCommon]
vappa -ae, m., 'flat wine; a flat, worthless person, a bum' (See vapidus) [Common]
vapulo -are, 'be beaten, receive a good beating' [UnCommon]
variantia see variatiovariatio -onis, f., 'variety' [Rare]
varietas -tatis, f., 'diversity, variety' [Common]
varico -are, 'stand with the feet apart, astraddle'(See varicus.) [Rare]
varicosus -a -um, 'having varicose (ÒstraddleÓ) veins (med.)' [Rare]
varicus -a -um, 'straddling, standing with the feet apart'(The opposite is valgus.) [UnCommon]
varietas -tatis, f., 'variety' [UnCommon]
vario -are, 'change, shift, alter; change one's plan' [Frequent]
varius -a -um, 'varied; varied in nature, number or style; having varied coloration; varying in personality'(Often used of multi-coloredness, like Greek 'poikilos.') [VeryFreq.]
varix -icis, m., 'a varicose vein' [Rare]
varus -a -um, 'bow-legged'(Compare valgus, the exact opposite.) [Common]
vare adv., 'in two directions' [Rare]
vas vadis, m., 'bail, surety deposit (legal)'(See next) [Common]
vas vasis, n., 'a vessel, pot, jar; equipment (mil.)' (See prev.)Note: The male 'vas deferens' and surgical 'vasectomy' come from this, but there the 'vas' is a connecting tube rather than a container. [Frequent]
vasarium -i, n., 'a (mil.) allowance for equipment' Note: Actually a pot-allowance! Cf. 'salarium', a military allowance for a soldier's salt, giving us Òsalary.Ó) See 'vas,' prev. [Rare]
vascularius -a -um, 'of a maker of containers, canmaker' [Rare]
vastatio -onis, f., 'ravaging, laying waste an area' [Common]
vastator -oris, m., 'devastator' [Rare]
vastificus -a -um, 'laying waste' [Rare]
vastitas -tatis, f., 'a waste, wasteland' [Rare]
vasto -are, 'lay waste, ravage, devastate' [Frequent]
vastus -a -um, 'laid waste, devastated; empty, desolate'Note: The English word ÒvastÓ focuses on the sheer size of an area, not its immanent emptiness. [VeryFreq.]
vates -is, m., 'a seer, prophet; a bard; a poet' Note: The use of this word stresses the loftiness of a poet's vision rather than his technical ability as a versifier. See 'ars' and note. [VeryFreq.]
vaticinatio -onis, f., 'the gift of prophecy; soothsaying' [Common]
vaticinator -oris, m., 'a prophet; reader of the future; soothsayer' [UnCommon]
vaticinor -ari (dep.), 'make prophecies; rave, rant on madly' [Common]
vaticinus -a -um, 'making prophecies' [Rare]
vatillum -i, n., 'an ash shovel; coal scuttle' [Rare]
ve (-ve, enclitic), 'or'(When used as Òve. . . ve. . . ,Ó the meaning is Òeither . . . or . . . Ó; see next.) [Frequent]
ve- (prefix) 'without' (See prev.; see following words for examples.) [UnCommon]
vecordia -iae, f., 'madness, insanity' [Frequent]
vecors -dis, 'insane' [Common]
vectigal -alis, n., 'a tax, taxes; private income, interest on investments' [Frequent]
vectigalis -e, 'taxable' [UnCommon]
vectio -onis, f., 'a carrying' [Rare]
vectis -is, m., 'a lever; crow bar, ripping bar, prybar' [Common]
vecto -are, 'carry, transport; (in pass.) be transported by ship or on horseback' [Common]
vector -oris, m., 'carrier' [Rare]
vectorius -a -um, 'carrying, transporting' [UnCommon]
vectura -ae, f., 'transportation; fare for passage' [UnCommon]
vegeo -ere -ui, 'be healthy, strong, vigorous' [Frequent]
vegetus -a -um, 'strong, vigorous' [UnCommon]
vegrandis -e, 'Òoutsize,Ó i.e. very small or very large' [Common]
vehemens -ntis, 'furious, vehement' [Frequent]
vehiculum -i, n., 'waggon, cart; vehicle; transport' [Common]
veho vehere vexi vectum, 'carry, transport (on a cart, boat); (in pass.) ride on a horse, a ship' [VeryFreq.]
vel adv., 'or'When used in tandem as Òvel . . . vel . . .Ó = Òeither . . . or. . .Ó) See the enclitic '-ve' with similar uses. [VeryFreq.]
velamen -inis, n., 'garment, covering, cloth' [Rare]
velamentum -i, n., 'covering, garment' [Common]
velarium -i, n., 'the curtain in the theater'(See velum) [Rare]
velati -orum, m. pl., 'the reserves (mil.)' [UnCommon]
veles -itis, m., 'soldier of the light infantry; a type of lightly armed gladiator' [Rare]
velifer -era -erum, 'carrying sails (of ships)' [UnCommon]
velificatio -onis, f., 'putting up the sails' [UnCommon]
velifico -are, 'set sail; work for a given end' [UnCommon]
velitaris -e, 'pertaining to light armed troops (veles)' [Rare]
velivolans -ntis, 'with flying sails' [Rare]
velivolus -a -um, 'waving sails, sail-flying' [Common]
vellico -are, 'peck at, nip; carp at, peck at = criticize'(See vello, next) [Common]
vello vellere velli (and vulsi) vulsum, 'peck at; pull out hair, pluck, pull up trees; pull at (the sleeve, to get attention)' [Frequent]
vellus -eris, n., 'woolen fleece, a sheepskin; a hide' [Frequent]
velo -are, 'cloak over, cover; veil' [UnCommon]
velocitas -tatis, f., 'speed, velocity' [Common]
velox -ocis, 'fast, speedy, quick' Note: Cf. French 'velo' = bicycle, an incredibly fast contraption in l860. [VeryFreq.]
velum -i, n., 'cloth, covering; curtain in the theater; sailcloth, sail for ships' [VeryFreq.]
velut adv., conj. 'just as, as if, just as if'(Often used to introduce a simile.) [VeryFreq.]
vena -ae, f., 'a bloodcarrying vein; a vein for sap in a plant; vein of metal, coal in rock; vein of water = aquifer' [VeryFreq.]
venabulum n., 'a hunting spear' [Frequent]
venalicius i, m., 'a slave dealer' (Used as adj. also) [UnCommon]
venalis -e, 'on sale, up for sale' (English 'venal' as distinct from 'venial,' for which see venia.) [Frequent]
venaticus -a -um, 'used for hunting' [UnCommon]
venatio -onis, f., 'hunting'. [Common]
venator -oris, m., 'hunter; sportsman' [Common]
venatorius -a -um, 'used in hunting' [Rare]
venatrix -icis, f., 'the huntress' (Generally refers to Diana/Artemis) [Rare]
venatus -us, m., 'hunting, the sport of hunting; game' [UnCommon]
vendibilis -e, 'on sale, saleable; popular on the market' [UnCommon]
venditatio -onis, f., 'pushing up the market value of something' [Rare]
venditator -oris, m., 'a value-touter' (See venditatio) [Rare]
venditio -onis, f., 'sale, selling' [Rare]
vendito -are, 'put up for sale, advertise for sale' [Rare]
venditor -oris, m., 'seller; one who takes bribes' [UnCommon]
vendo vendere vendidi venditum, 'sell; be up for sale, hireable; sell out = take bribes' [VeryFreq.]
veneficium -i, n., 'poisoning; witchcraft' Note: Poisoning was a favorite ancient method of dispatching an enemy, a practice which Italy retained until recently, while Haiti employs it today. Note that Greek pharmakon is 'poison,' as well as 'medicine,' while the Romans do make a verbal distinction. In the light of the American predilection for murder by beating and gunshot, poisoning has had to take a back seat. [Frequent]
veneficus -a -um, 'poisonous; magical' [UnCommon]
venenarius -i, m., 'a poisoner' [Rare]
venenifer -era -erum, 'poison-bearing (of plants)' [Rare]
venenatus -a -um, 'poisoned' [Rare]
veneno -are, 'poison, drug; bewitch' [Frequent]
venenum -i, n., 'poison; a drug (but not medicine); death; an aphrodisiac love-potion; any fake coloring, cosmetic'Note: Prostitutes' cosmetics were sometimes quite poisonous, such as the Commonly used white lead-oxide makeup, which made the lady very white and 'fair,' but rendered kissing quite unsafe. [VeryFreq.]
veneo -ire -ii -itum, 'be on sale, be sold; be (dishonestly) up for sale' [Common]
venerabilis -e, 'respected, respectable' [UnCommon]
venerabundus -a -um, 'full of respect, reverence' [Common]
veneratio -onis, f., 'respect' [Rare]
venerator -oris, m., 'one who pays respect' [Rare]
venerius -a -um, 'pertaining to Goddess of Love, Venus; pertaining to love or lovemaking, sexual'Note: Roman medicine makes little mention of what we call venereal disease, which may explain in part their freer attitudes toward promiscuous sex. It may be that our diseases are new, and those people nearer to the last glacial period inherited a less disease-prone environment. [Common]
veneror -ari, 'worship, adore; hold in reverence, respect, awe' [Common]
venia -ae, f., 'favor, indulgence; pardon, forgiveness' [VeryFreq.]
venio -ire vŽni ventum, 'come; go'(There are too many sub-meanings to list.) [VeryFreq.]
venor -ari, 'hunt' [Rare]
venter -tris, m., 'the belly, abdomen; stomach; womb; paunch; appetite, hunger' [VeryFreq.]
ventilo -are, 'swing around in the breeze (ventus); Òventilate,Ó wave about, brandish (a weapon in the air)' [Frequent]
ventito are, 'come repeatedly, again and again' [UnCommon]
ventosus -a -um, 'wind-blown, windy; airy, unreal; swift as the wind; changeable as the wind; full of wind = boastful, vain' [Frequent]
ventriculus -i, m., 'the belly; ventricle of the heart' [UnCommon]
ventriosus -a -um, 'big-bellied; having a paunch' [Rare]
ventulus -i, m., 'a little breeze' [Rare]
ventus -i, m., 'sailing wind; breeze; the changeable wind; ÒwindÓ or flatulence' [VeryFreq.]
venum (indecl. word used with 'do, dare'), 'put on sale, sell' (See next) [Common]
venumdo 'sell'(See prev.) [UnCommon]
venus -eris, f., 'Venus; love; lovemaking; charm, attractiveness; sexuality and sex'(In Roman theology, Venus is taken as the mother of Amor Cupido.) [VeryFreq.]
venustas -tatis, f., 'loveliness; charm' [Frequent]
venustulus -a -um, 'rather charming' [Rare]
venustus -a -um, 'lovely, charming; friendly, amiable' [Frequent]
vepallidus -a -um, 'very pale, ashen white' [Common]
veprecula -ae, f., 'a thorn bush, briar' [Rare]
vepres -is, m., 'briar' [Rare]
ver veris, n., 'spring; springtime; youth' [VeryFreq.]
veratrum -um, n., 'hellebore, veratrum (a drug)'Note: A drug widely used in the ancient world as toxic shock treatment for schizophrenia. The Greek name is 'hellebore.' There is a full description of its uses in Dioscorides' manual on 'pharmacopoiea.' Any reference to either of these words in Latin marks a situation characterized by dementia of some sort or degree. [Frequent]
verax -acis, 'truthful; veracious' [UnCommon]
verbena -ae, f., 'verbena'(A plant-drug used in religious rites, perhaps also for medical uses.) [UnCommon]
verber -eris, n., 'a whip, lash; whipping' [Common]
verbero -are, 'whip, lash, beat; punish'(See next) [Frequent]
verbero -onis, m., 'a rascal, one worthy of whipping'(See prev.) [Rare]
verbosus -a -um, 'wordy, diffuse, vague' [Frequent]
verbum -i, n., 'a word' (There are many idiomatic uses.) [VeryFreq.]
verecundia -ae, f., 'modesty' [Common]
verecundus -a -um, 'modest, bashful; restrained' [Frequent]
veredus -i, m., 'a racehorse' [Rare]
vereor -eri -itus (dep.), 'be afraid, fear; be respectful to, respect'(In Latin, ÒI fear that . . .Ó is 'vereor ne' + subjunctive.) [VeryFreq.]
vergo -ere versi versum, 'incline, slide down; sink toward; slip down; incline toward (an idea or person)' [Frequent]
veridicus -a -um, 'speaking the truth' [Rare]
veriloquium -i, n., 'etymology'Note: This is Cicero's translation of the Greek term 'etymologia,' something neither Cicero nor any other ancient were good at. Until the 19th century when Linguistics was put on a firm and scholarly footing, etymologies were based on unbridled imagination. All the ancients were just awful etymologists, Plato included, and good etymologies cannot be found until the mid-19th century. Etymology flourished as soon as biological evolution appeared, since it is nothing more than the evolution of words, as if they were genetically sprung from earlier forms. [Rare]
veriverbium -i, n., 'speaking of the truth' [Rare]
verisimilis -e, 'similar to the truth; having ÒverisimilitudeÓ' [Rare]
verisimilitudo -inis, f., 'verisimilitude; probability, likeliness' [Common]
veritas -tatis, f., 'truth; the truth, truthfulness; sincerity; truthfulness to (a code or standard); rectitude'(Motto of Harvard University) [Frequent]
vermino -are, 'infect with intestinal worms' [Rare]
vermiculus -i, m., 'a little worm (vermis); insect larvae' [Rare]
vermis -is, m., 'worm' Note: The Italian pasta called 'vermicelli' takes its name from the thin and elongated shape only. [Common]
vermina -um, n. pl., 'body pains, aches' [Rare]
verna -ae, m., 'a household slave'Note: As opposed to the rough field hands. The house slave was part of the Òfamilia,Ó the social unit which ran and lived in a big house or villa and is different from the English genetic term, 'family.' [Frequent]
vernaculus -a -um, 'pertaining to household slaves; (as noun) = verna' [Common]
vernilis -e, 'slave-like; servile' [UnCommon]
verno -are, 'sprout again in spring; grow green'(From ver) [UnCommon]
vernula (dim.) see vernavernus -a -um, 'springlike, vernal' [Rare]
verres -is, m., 'a wild boar' Note: A deeply sarcastic meaning is attached to this word, as Cicero puns in his prosecution of C. Verres, the corrupt governor of Sicily in 70 B.C. [Common]
verrinus -a -um, 'of a wild boar' [UnCommon]
verro -ere -i versum, 'brush up, sweep up; clean out' [Frequent]
verrunca -ae, f., 'any lump; a wart' [UnCommon]
verrunco -are, 'turn out, ÒeveneÓ in a specified way' [Rare]
versabundus -a -um, 'rotating, whirling' [UnCommon]
versatilis -e, 'rotating; versatile' [Rare]
versicolor -oris, 'changing colors with the light' [Rare]
versiculus -i, m., 'a line of poetry; a little poem' [Rare]
versificatio -onis, f., 'verse writing, versification' [Rare]
versificator -oris, m., 'versifier'Note: Never confused with vates. [Rare]
versifico -are, 'write verses, versify' [Rare]
verso -are, 'turn around, spin about; turn (over the earth); move, drive; cause to veer' [Frequent]
versoria ae, f., 'rope used to turn the sail towards the wind' [Rare]
versura -ae, f., 'turning around; Òturning overÓ loans, re-financing old loans under new terms' [Rare]
versus adv., 'towards'(See next two items.) [Frequent]
versus -us, m. 'a plowed, straight line; a line; a line of writing; (esp.) a line of poetry'(Used as a 'line' of Latin poetry, but not the same as English 'verse,' meaning 'stanza.' See prev. and next.)versus -a -um, 'turned, turned around'(See two prev. items) [UnCommon]
versutia -iae, f., 'craftiness, trickery' [Common]
versutus -a -um, 'clever, sly, crafty, tricky'Note: This is the 3rd century B.C. Latin translation of the Greek adj. 'poly-tropos,' used of Odysseus by Homer. It may not be an accurate translation of the Greek, but it shows a clear understanding of the tricky mind of the Greek hero. [Common]
vertex -icis, m., 'whirlpool; whirlwind; the whirl of hair on the top of the head; the head; crest of a mountain; the top' [VeryFreq.]
verticosus -a -um, 'whirling around' [UnCommon]
vertigo -inis, f., 'whirling around; dizziness' [Common]
verto -ere versi versum, 'revolve, rotate; turn, whirl, spin, churn, change, alter, disturb; turn towards; divert attention to' [VeryFreq.]
veru -us, n., 'a spit (as for cooking shish-kebab); spike' [Rare]
verum adv., 'it's true; indeed, to be sure; "yes, yes" '(Many sub-meanings, some of them quite subtle. See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
verus -a -um, 'true; truthful; real, substantial (as against imaginary); factual, correct; decent' (Note the adverbial uses: vero and verum. See prev.) [VeryFreq.]
verutum -i, n., 'a short thrown spear'(See veru) [Rare]
verutus -a -um, 'armed with a verutum'(From veru) [Rare]
vervex -icis, m., 'a castrated ram (sheep); a blockhead, fool' [Common]
vervina -ae, f., 'a spit, a sharp point'(See veru) [Rare]
vesania -ae, f., 'insanity' [Frequent]
vesaniens -ntis, 'crazy, insane' [Common]
vesanus -a -um, 'crazy, crazed; insane' [Frequent]
vescor -i (dep.), 'feed on, graze on; make use of (takes abl. obj.)'Note: Utor, fungor, fruor, vescor, and potior (which can sometimes take a gen. obj.) take ablative objects. [Common]
vescus -a -um, 'thin, skinny' [UnCommon]
vesica -ae, f., 'the bladder; any bladder-like bag; the female pudenda'Note: Occasionally used like "cunnus" with the slang meaning, "cunt," (Juvenal). [Common]
vesicula -ae, f., 'a little bladder, bag' [Rare]
vespa -ae, f., 'a wasp' [UnCommon]
vesper -eris (or -eri ), m., 'the evening; the evening star; the West' [Frequent]
vespera -ae, f., 'evening' (See vesper)vesperascit (impers. verb) 'it becomes evening'Note: Compare Joyce's Òit darkles.Ó [UnCommon]
vespertilio -onis, m., 'a bat' Note: Certainly so named because of the nocturnal habits of the insectivorous bats. See vespera, 'evening.' [Rare]
vespertinus -a -um, 'of evening, eveningtime' [Rare]
vesperugo -inis, f., 'the evening star' [Rare]
vespillo see vispillovester -tra -trum, 'yours, belonging to you (pl.)' [VeryFreq.]
vestibulum -i, n., 'entrance yard; courtyard of a Roman house' [Common]
vestigium -i, n., 'footprint; track; trace, vestige; mark, imprint' [Frequent]
vestigo -are, 'track, track down; study, investigate' [Common]
vestimentum -i, n., 'clothing; a blanket' [Common]
vestio -ire, 'clothe, dress, cover' [Common]
vestis -is, f., 'clothes, clothing' [Frequent]
vestispica -ae, f., 'a clothes maid' [Rare]
vestitus -us, m., 'clothing' [UnCommon]
veteranus -a -um, 'mature; old, experienced (of soldiers)'Note: Not like English Òveteran,Ó a military dischargee or 'emeritus.' See 'emeritus' which was originally military, and 'rudiarius' with notes. [Common]
veterasco -ere, 'become established by use' [UnCommon]
veterator -oris, m., 'an experienced slave; a self-styled ÒexpertÓ (often noted with a sneer)' [Rare]
veteratorius -a -um, 'experienced; sly, crafty' [UnCommon]
veternosus -a -um, 'tired, worn-out' [UnCommon]
veternus -us, m., 'tiredness, inactivity; old age' [Rare]
veto -are vetui vetitum, 'forbid; prohibit, prohibit from; veto' [VeryFreq.]
vetulus -a -um, 'old, aged; poor little old . . . ' [Rare]
vetus -eris, 'old, aged, experienced; ancient'('Veteres' are 'those of olden times.') [VeryFreq.]
vetustas -tatis, f., 'age; antiquity, olden times; times long past' [Frequent]
vetustus -a -um, 'of old times; of long standing; antique; old-fashioned' [Frequent]
vexamen -inis, n., 'shaking, a geological disturbance'Note: The whole Mediterranean basin is prone to earthquakes, which were a familiar part of daily life. Much ancient mythology refers to sub-plate disturbances, from the Homeric story of Polyphemus to the smiths in Italian volcanoes forging Zeus' weapons. And then there was Vesuvius in 79 A.D.! [Rare]
vexatio -onis, f., 'harrassing, troubling, annoyance' [Frequent]
vexator -oris, m., 'agitator, disturber' [Rare]
vexillarius -a -um, 'of a standard bearer' [Frequent]
vexillum -i, n., 'the banner as standard of a company (mil.); a company' [Frequent]
vexo -are, 'shake, shake up; annoy, vex' [Frequent]
via -ae, f., 'road, roadway; highway; path; a way = the means to' [VeryFreq.]
vialis -e, 'of the ways (used of Dieties of the Roads and Roadways)' [Rare]
viaticatus -a -um, 'having provisions for a journey' [Rare]
viaticum -i, n., 'travel-money; food allowance for a trip; (education=) intellectual provisions for a journey' [Frequent]
viaticus -a -um, 'on a journey, trip' [UnCommon]
viator -oris, m., 'a traveller' [Common]
vibro -are, 'wave, shake, brandish; hurl a weapon' [Frequent]
viburnum -i, n., 'a shrub (unidentified)' [Rare]
vibex -icis, f., 'welt, stripe from a lashing' [Rare]
vicanus -a -um, 'dwelling in a village or villages'(See vicus) [Rare]
vicarius -a -um, 'substitute; deputy; (hence, the Church official) a vicar' [UnCommon]
vicatim adv., 'from district to district' [Rare]
vice (abl. sg. of non-occurring vicis) see vicis [Frequent]
viceni -ae -a, 'twenty each' [UnCommon]
vicesimani -orum, m., 'soldiers of the twentieth legion' [Rare]
vicesimus -a -um, 'twentieth' [Common]
vicia -ae, f., 'vetch, a plant used for animal food' [Rare]
vicies 'twenty times' [UnCommon]
vicinalis -e, 'neighboring, in the vicinity' [UnCommon]
vicinia -ae, f., 'the neighborhood, vicinity; similarity' [UnCommon]
vicinus -a -um, 'of the village, neighboring' [Frequent]
vicis (only these forms found: vice, vicem, vices) 'turn, change; change of direction; situation'(Used often in the phrase 'vice versa' = 'with the situation reversed') [VeryFreq.]
vicissim adv., 'in turn, by turns' Note: Harvard's Joshua Whatmough used to tell a story, as an example of both reformed pronunciation (-w- as against -v-) and a certain turn of British humor, of an English school where the girls repeated by rote: Òvicissim . . . by turns.Ó [Rare]
vicissitudo -inis, f., 'change, alteration of a situation' [Common]
victima -ae, f., 'a sacrificial animal' [Frequent]
victimarius -i, m., 'an assistant at animal sacrifices' [Rare]
victor -oris, m., 'conqueror' (The fem. 'victrix' is used also.) [Frequent]
victoria -ae, f., 'victory; conquest' [Common]
victoriatus -a -um, 'a coin stamped with deity Victory' [Rare]
victoriola -ae, f., 'a little state of Victory' [Rare]
victrix see victorvictito -are, 'subsist on, live on' [UnCommon]
victus -us, m., 'food, nourishment for life' Note: From this word comes the English 'victuals,' giving Western American English Òvittles,Ó which then becomes a new word on its own. From vivo. [Frequent]
viculus -i, m., 'a little village' [Rare]
vicus -i, m., 'a village; section, district of a town'Note: From this word comes English ÒvicarÓ (a township's deputy church official) as well as the [Common]
ending of many English town names in -wick, a slim reminder of four centuries of Roman civilization in Britain. See stratum and curvus and notes. [Frequent]
videlicet adv., conj., '(it is permitted to see =) ÒapparentlyÓ' (It is made up from videre + licet.) [VeryFreq.]
video -ere v’di visum 'see, look; perceive; survey, understand; consider; note that' (The -i- in the stem becomes long in the perfect system.) [VeryFreq.]
viduitas -tatis, f., 'widowhood' [UnCommon]
viduata fem. adj., 'widowed'viduo -are, 'deprive of, bereave ' [Common]
viduus -a -um, 'widowed; bereft of; deprived of' [Frequent]
vigeo -ere -ui, 'be strong, be vigorous, flourish' [Frequent]
vigesco -escere, 'become strong, become flourishing' [Common]
vigil -ilis, 'wakeful, awake; watchful, careful, cautious; (as noun) a watchman, guard' [Frequent]
vigilantia -ae, f., 'watchfulness' [Common]
vigilax -acis, 'watchful, awake' [Rare]
vigilia -iae, f., 'being awake, insomnia; a ÒwatchÓ (mil.); vigilance, carefulness' [VeryFreq.]
vigilo -are, 'be awake, stay awake; watch through the night; be on watch (mil.)' [Frequent]
viginti 'twenty' [Frequent]
vigintiviri -orum, m. pl., 'men on the Board of Twenty' [Rare]
vigor -oris, m., 'vigor; force, forcefulness' [Common]
vilico -are, 'manage or oversee a farm (lit., be a vilicus)'(See next) [Rare]
vilicus -i, m., 'a farm foreman, overseer' [Common]
vilicatio -onis, f., 'job of being a farm manager' [Rare]
vilis -e, 'cheap, of little value; worthless' Note: Never morally ÒvileÓ as in English. [Frequent]
vilitas -tatis, f., 'cheapness; (of persons) low character' [UnCommon]
villa -ae, f., 'villa'Note: Originally a countryside farm, taken over by the rich as a 'gentleman's farmstead' in the wake of foreclosures following the Punic Wars. Under the Empire, the villa became a sumptuous mansion for the wealthy. [Frequent]
villosus -a -um, 'hairy, shaggy' [Common]
villula -ae, f., 'a little country place' [Common]
villum -i, n., 'a small glass of wine'(See next) [Rare]
villus -i, m., 'shaggy mane, hair' (See prev.) [Rare]
vimen -inis, n., 'a flexible branch; material suitable for basketry; basketwork' [Rare]
vimentum -i, n., 'a military fortification made with wood interlocked as if in basketry (vimen)'. [Rare]
Viminalis (collis), 'The Viminal,one of the seven hills of Rome'Note: Indirectly from vimen, probably an ancient area for basketry work. [Rare]
vimineus -a -um, 'made of basketry' [Rare]
vin = vis (2nd pers. sg. pres. of volo) + ne, 'do you wish?' [Rare]
vinaceus -a -um, 'pertaining to vines' [Rare]
vinalia -ium, n., 'the Wine Festivals' [UnCommon]
vinarius -i, m., 'a winemaker, vintner' [Common]
vincibilis -e, 'conquerable; convincible' [Rare]
vincio -ire vinxi vinctum, 'bind, tie up; encompass'(See next) [Frequent]
vinco -ere v’ci victum, 'conquer, win over; subdue'Note: Caesar's famous dictum ÒVeni Vidi ViciÓ is not understood aright without reference to Democritus, who said in Greek: Òelthon eidon apelthon,Ó ÒI came, I saw, I went away.Ó In place of the Greek thinker's cool aplomb, the Roman general injects a dose of ÒRoman thinking,Ó documenting the shift from Greek philosophy to Roman action. What Caesar was really interested in conquering was the Greek lackadaisical mentality (as he saw it); what he missed was the importance of thinking about what you are doing. [VeryFreq.]
vinculum -i, n., 'a rope, chain, bond; restriction; jail' [VeryFreq.]
vindemia -ae, f., 'the grape harvest' [Common]
vindemiator -oris, m., 'a grape harvester' [Common]
vindemiola -ae, f., 'a small harvest of grapes; a pre-harvest' [Rare]
vindex -icis, m., 'an avenger; protector; punisher of injustice; (leg.) an intervening party in a financial seizure' [Frequent]
vindicatio -onis, f., 'legal action to correct a wrong; legal suit to reclaim property wrongfully taken away' [Common]
vindiciae -arum, f. pl., 'claims as to property' [Common]
vindico -are, 'make a legal claim; appropriate legally' [Common]
vindicta -ae, f., 'the legal process of asserting the freedom of a slave; legal retaliation for a wrong committed' [Frequent]
vinea -ae, f., 'vineyard, vine-shed; protective mobile shed for soldiers attacking a fortification' [Frequent]
vinetum -i, n., 'a vineyard' [Common]
vinolentus -a -um, 'winey, drunk, ÒblottoÓ ' [Common]
vinosus -a -um, 'winey; alcoholic' [Common]
vinum -i, n., 'wine' Note: Roman wine was ll% alcohol, usually mixed in a proportion of 1:2 or more generally l:3 with water. Water was always poor and wine left to stand a while would slightly disinfect bacterial water. Only heavy drinkers drank wine Òstraight upÓ (merum), or perhaps on occasions of rejoicing, as in Horace's poem on Cleopatra: Ònunc est bibendum . . .Ó (But why the Michelin tire company's logo-cartoon should be called BIBENDUM remains unclear to this day.) [VeryFreq.]
viola -ae, f., 'the violet; color of violets'Note: Nothing to do with the violin or viola, which come, along with fiddle, from Latin fides. [UnCommon]
violabilis -e, 'injurable, violable' [Rare]
violarium -i, n., 'a garden or bed of violets' [Rare]
violatio -onis, f., 'profaning of the sacred; desecration' [UnCommon]
violator -oris, m., 'profaner' [Rare]
violens -ntis, 'violent (of persons, winds, seas)' [Frequent]
violentia -ae, f., 'violence' [Common]
violentus -a -um, 'violent, raging' [Frequent]
violo -are, 'violate; profane' [Common]
vipera -ae, f., 'viper, any poisonous snake; a treacherous person' [Frequent]
vipereus -ea -eum, 'viperish' [UnCommon]
viperinus see vipereusvir -i, m., 'a (grown) man, adult male; Man as a human being, a man as a husband; a military man; a lover; male (as opposed to female); masculine (as opposed to eunuch or effeminate)'. [VeryFreq.]
virago -inis, f., 'a manlike woman, female warrior; ÒamazonÓ' [Common]
viretum i, n., 'a green meadow' [Rare]
vireo -ere, 'be green, fresh; be healthy, strong' [Frequent]
vires see visviresco -escere, 'become green (of growing plants)' [Common]
virga -ae, f., 'a shoot, branch; wand, stick, rod; a line, stripe' [Frequent]
virgatus -a -um, 'twiggy; striped' [Rare]
virgetum -i, n., 'a brambly, overgrown place' [Rare]
virgeus -ea -eum, 'twiggy' [Rare]
virginalis -e, 'maidenly; modest' [Frequent]
virgineus -a -um, 'girlish, maidenly' [Common]
virginitas -tatis, f., 'a girl's age (unmarried); virginity; religious celibacy' [Frequent]
virgo -inis, f., 'a maiden, unmarried girl; any young woman; a virgin' (Also used for Virgo, the sign of the Zodiac and the aquaduct 'Aqua Virgo.') [VeryFreq.]
virgula -ae, f., 'a small rod, staff' [UnCommon]
virgultum -i, n., 'a thicket' [UnCommon]
virguncula -ae, f., 'a kiddish little girl' [Rare]
viridans -ntis, 'green, growing; strong, young' [UnCommon]
viridarium -i, n., 'a decorative garden' [Rare]
viridis see viridans [VeryFreq.]
viriditas -tatis, f., 'greeness, freshness' [UnCommon]
virido -are, 'grow green, put out fresh, green leaves' [Frequent]
virilis -e, 'male; manly; suitable for a man; sexually virile' [VeryFreq.]
virilitas -tatis, f., 'manliness; virility' [Frequent]
viritim adv., 'man by man' [UnCommon]
v’rosus -a -um, 'smelly, putrid, stinking'(See virus) [Rare]
virtus -tutis, f., 'manliness, courage, manly strength; virtue'Note: The central figure comes from 'vir' and always has some form of masculinity in mind. In English, on the other hand, 'virtue' tends to be a female attribute. [VeryFreq.]
virus -i, n., 'snake venom; any slimy, stinking liquid' Note: The English biological use of the word, virus, has moved down from venom, past bacteria and into that bio-chemical world of virology. [Common]
vis (acc. vim; abl. vi., pl. vires -ium) f., 'force, strength; power, violence; a ÒforceÓ of soldiers; a pack of dogs; military force, strength, resources' [VeryFreq.]
viscatus -a -um see viscum visceratio -onis, f., 'distribution of sacrificial meat at a public feast' (See viscus -eris) [UnCommon]
visco -are, 'get stuck in bird-gum'(See viscum) [Rare]
viscum -i, n., 'a plant (viscum album), mistletoe'Note: This plant is parasitic on trees. Its white berries contain a glutinous substance which, when boiled down, serves as a gum which can be smeared on branches to catch birds! This must be shocking to ÒbirdersÓ and Audubonites. It also explains the use of mistletoe at Christmas, under which a kiss implies Ògetting stuckÓ in a longterm relationship! [UnCommon]
viscus -eris, n. (usually pl., viscera), 'guts, entrails, intestines; the innermost parts (as seat of feelings); entrails used in haruspicial rites' [Frequent]
visio -onis, f., 'sight, vision' [Rare]
visito -are, 'go to see; visit' [UnCommon]
viso visere visi visum, 'go see; take a look at; go to visit' [Common]
visum -i, n., 'a sight, vision, portent' [Common]
visus -us, m., 'sight' [UnCommon]
vispillo -onis, m., 'a public undertaker (used only for funerals of the poor)' [Common]
vissio -ire, 'quietly "pass gas"' Note: Cicero Fam 9.22.3 etymologizes this rare word as being connected with 'di-vis-io,' "division." [Rare]
vita -ae, f., 'life; living; Òmy lifeÓ (used of a lover)' [VeryFreq.]
vitabilis -e, 'avoidable' [Rare]
vitabundus -a -um, 'avoiding, trying to avoid' [Rare]
vitalis -e, 'lifelike; lively' [UnCommon]
vitatio -onis, f., 'avoidance' [Rare]
vitellus -i, m., 'yolk of an egg'(See next) [Rare]
vitellus -i, m., 'a calf' (See prev.) [Rare]
viteus -a -um, 'pertaining to a vine' [Rare]
viticula -ae, f., 'a little vine plant' [Rare]
vitifer -fera -ferum, 'vine bearing' [Rare]
vitigenus -a -um, 'coming from the vine' [Rare]
vitio -are, 'hurt, damage' (See vitium) [UnCommon]
vitiositas -tatis, f., 'being deficient, defective; being faulty' [UnCommon]
vitiosus -a -um, 'bad, faulty; corrupt' [Frequent]
vitis -is, f., 'a vine; the staff of a military centurion' [Common]
vitisator -oris, m., 'vine planter' [Rare]
vitium -i, n., 'a fault, flaw, defect; any bad moral trait; Vice' [VeryFreq.]
vito -are, 'avoid, shun' [Frequent]
vitreus -a -um, 'made of glass; glassy in appearance; translucent' [Common]
vitricus -i, m., 'stepfather' [Rare]
vitrum -i, n., 'glass' (See next) [Frequent]
vitrum -i, n., 'the plant 'Woad,' from which the early Britons extracted a blue pigment for smearing their bodies' (See prev.) [Rare]
vitta -ae, f., 'a linen headband'Note: It was worn by Roman women, married and unmarried, and is also the headband of priests. [Frequent]
vittatus -a -um, 'wearing a vitta' (See prev.) [UnCommon]
vitula -ae, f., 'calf, heifer' (See vitulus) [Common]
vitulinus -a -um, 'of a calf; veal (as meat)' [Rare]
vitulus -i, m., 'calf, young of any animal' Note: It has been suggested that the name Italia came from this root as a land suited to stock breeding, but the loss of an initial consonantal 'u' is hard to explain. [Common]
vituperabilis -e, 'blameable' [UnCommon]
vituperatio -onis, f., 'blame, accusations' [Frequent]
vituperator -oris, m., 'one who makes accusations; a scold, scold-er' [Common]
vitupero -are, 'blame, accuse; scold' [Common]
vivarium -i, n., 'game preserve; fishpond' [UnCommon]
vivatus -a -um, 'made quick and lively' [Rare]
vivax -icis, 'living, lively; long lived' [Common]
vivesco -escere, 'become lively' [Rare]
vividus -a -um, 'lifelike, lively; energetic, active; vivid' [Frequent]
vivo vivere vixi victum, 'live; be living, be alive; live on = survive; live (in a given style or company)' [VeryFreq.]
vivus -a -um, 'living, alive, well and healthy; lifelike (of art and literature); full of life, vitality' Note: Nom sg. in older authors may be written 'vivos' or 'uiuos,' but changed to vivus by the Augustan period. [VeryFreq.]
vix adv., 'hardly, barely, scarcely' [VeryFreq.]
vixdum adv., 'scarcely, hardly' [UnCommon]
vocabulum -i, n., 'word, a name; a term' [Common]
vocalis -e, 'speaking, able to speak; resounding (of an echo)' [Common]
vocamen -inis, n., 'a name' [Rare]
vocatio -onis, f., 'invitation (to dinner, etc.)' [Common]
vocator -oris, m., 'one who gives an invitation' [Rare]
vocatus -us, m., 'summons; the act of calling up (legal)' [Rare]
vociferatio -onis, f., 'shouting, hollering out loud' [UnCommon]
vociferor -ari (dep.), 'shout, holler' [UnCommon]
vocito -are, 'call out loud by name; page (someone)' [UnCommon]
voco -are, 'call, summon up; call upon by name; name' [VeryFreq.]
vocula -ae, f., 'a low voice; a small voice' [Rare]
volaticus -a -um, 'flying; winged, swift, sudden; fickle' [Frequent]
volatilis -e, 'flying, swiftly moving' [UnCommon]
volatus -us, m., 'flight' [UnCommon]
volgus see vulgusvolito -are, 'fly about, flutter; flit' [Common]
volnus see vulnusvolo velle volui, 'wish; want, desire; desire that; require' (See next) [VeryFreq.]
volo -are, 'fly; flutter, flit' (See next and prev.) [Frequent]
volo -onis, m., (esp. nom. pl. volones) 'slaves freed after the battle of Cannae to serve at public cost in the army against Carthage'Note: This is slightly reminiscent of the European immigrants brought at private expense to this country to fight in the Northern army during the Civil War. This importation freed a Northerner wealthy enough to bear the expense, so it is different in spirit from the above. See two prev. items. [Rare]
volsella -ae, f., 'tweezers' Note: From vello 'pluck out,' with an altered ablaut grade. [Rare]
voltus see vultusvolubilis -e, 'rolling, spinning around; flowing (of waters, of facile public speakers)' [Frequent]
volubilitas -tatis, f., 'a flowing quality; volubility' [UnCommon]
volucer -cris -cre, 'flying, winged; (noun) bird' [Frequent]
volumen -inis, n. 'a roll, a papyrus scroll-book'Note: Books are strangely still called 'volumes,' although they have been in the block or 'codex' book form since the third century A.D. The only real volumes are the Torah in Jewish synagogues, which can trace its book-form directly back to the Hellenistic period. [Frequent]
voluntarius -a -um, 'willing, voluntary; (noun) a volunteer (mil.)' [UnCommon]
voluntas -tatis, f., 'voice, personal choice; will, wish, desire; intention; preference' [VeryFreq.]
volup adv., 'with pleasure; pleasantly' (Only in archaic Latin) [Rare]
voluptarius -a -um, 'pleasant; agreeable' [Common]
voluptas -tatis, f., 'joy, pleasure' [VeryFreq.]
voluptuosus -a -um, 'pleasurable' [UnCommon]
volutabrum -i, n., 'pig-sty, pigpen, pig yard' (See next for derivation) [UnCommon]
volutabundus -a -um, 'wallowing' (See prev. and next) [Rare]
volutatio -onis, f., 'rolling around; wallowing'Note: The idea of rolling around in the dirt (like pigs) gives the clue to this and the two prev. items. [Rare]
voluto -are, 'roll around, tumble, tumble around; consider; be busy with' [Frequent]
volva (vulva) -ae, f., 'the womb; the female pudenda; sow's womb (a Roman food delicacy)'Note: Also used in the same way as English "cunt" (from 'cunnus'). [Common]
volvo -vere -ui -utum, 'turn around, rotate, revolve; twist up' [Frequent]
vomer -eris, n., 'plowshare; blade of a plow; the penis' Note: Much sexual imagery centers around this word, with which 'sulcus' (furrow) is usually joined, as a periphrasis for sexual intercourse. Any use of the verb 'aro -are' (plough) can call up sexual associations. See sulcus. [Common]
vomica -ae, f., 'a sore, ulceration; plague, disease' [Rare]
vomitio -onis, f., 'vomiting' [Rare]
vomo -ere -ui -itum, 'throw up, vomit; belch forth, cast forth' [Frequent]
vorago -inis, f., 'pit, abyss'(From voro -are, 'swallow up,' like a black hole) [Frequent]
vorax -acis, 'hungry; gluttonous, voracious' [Common]
voro -are, 'swallow up, devour' [Frequent]
vortex see vertexvos (pl.) 'you' (See tu) [VeryFreq.]
votivus -a -um, 'pertaining to a prayer; pertaining to a vow' [UnCommon]
votum -i, n., 'a wish, a prayer; a vow' [VeryFreq.]
voveo -ere -i votum, 'pray, promise to a diety; vow to' [Frequent]
vox -cis, f., 'voice; sound of a voice; a word; an utterance, phrase; an opinion; a noun (gram.)' [VeryFreq.]
vulgaris -e, ' Common, of the people; colloquial'Note: Vulgar Latin is not to be taken as vulgar, although it may include vulgarities. It is known from some literary sources like Plautus and Petronius, mainly from some millions of inscriptions, and from late authors like Silvia, whose 'Perigrinatio ad Loca Sancta' is written in Vulgar Latin. But in part we can reconstruct Vulgar Latin from the performance of the various Romanic languages, in which case we are dealing with a hypothetical construct, not a real language. [Frequent]
vulgivagus -a -um, 'vagrant' [UnCommon]
vulgo -are, 'make [Common]
, make well known; publish (reports, etc.)' [Frequent]
vulgus -i, n., 'the [Common]
people; the public; a crowd; the rabble' [VeryFreq.]
vulneratio -onis, f., 'a wound; the act of wounding, a trauma' [Common]
vulnero -are, 'wound' [Frequent]
vulnificus -a -um, 'wound-inflicting' [UnCommon]
vulnus (volnus) -eris, n., 'a wound' [VeryFreq.]
vulpecula -ae, f., 'a little she-fox' (See next) [Rare]
vulpes -is, m., 'fox' (See prev.) [Common]
vulticulus -i, m., 'a little look, glance; stare' [Rare]
vultuosus -a -um, 'wearing an ÒexpressionÓ ' [Rare]
vultur -uris, m., 'vulture' (See next two) [Frequent]
vulturinus -a -um, 'like a vulture' (See next) [Rare]
vulturius -i, m., 'a vulture; a vulturish person' Note: See note on sullurio. [UnCommon]
vultus -us, m., 'expression; face; features' [Frequent]
vulva see volva W [Does not exist in Latin.]xX (= decem) 'ten' Note: This 'X' is really not the letter, but a sign used for a number, possibly the two thumbs crossed to show that two handfuls of five have been counted. So 'V' may well be the sign of one handful added up (equal to 5). [VeryFreq.]
xenium -i, n., 'a gift of the host to his guest'(From Greek: xenos, xenios) [Rare]
xerophagia -ae, f., 'salad eaten raw'Note: In many societies where human excrement is used in gardens, salad materials must be cooked to avoid disease, something which may have escaped the Greco-Romans, or perhaps human excrement was not used in their gardens! The Chinese still cook salad materials briefly in a hot oil for this reason. [Rare]
xerampelinus -a -um, 'having the purplish color of dead vine leaves' [Rare]
xylospongium -i, n., 'a sponge-stick'Note: This is an implement used like the traditional Japanese stick for wiping the anus after defecation. At least the sponge is soft and washable. Everything considered, the invention of toilet paper may be one of the finest achievements of modern times. To us living in the wake of the l9th century, the "bathroom" with flush toilet, disposible toilet paper, disposable diapers, disposible "feminine pads," the "Dispose-All" in the kitchen sink, it is hard to picture the ancient world at all. Recall the New Testament words: "If the salt lose its savor, what shall be done with it? Throw it out into the street where it will be trod by the feet of men." THAT is where the garbage went as a matter of course. Take a look at Pliny Epist. X 97,98 about a sewer line which smelled, and the emperor's terse reponse. --- Change comes slowly, but it does come. [Rare]
xysticus -i, m., 'an athlete'(See next) [Rare]
xystus -i, m., 'an uncovered walkway; an open area for athletic exercise' (See prev.) [Rare]
Y [Does not exist in Latin.] ?
zamia -ae, f., 'damage'(From Greek, 'zemia') [Rare]
zelotypus -a -um, 'emulating; jealous' Note: Engl. 'jealous' comes from this borrowing from the Greek, via the Vulgar Latin, while Engl. 'zeal', which comes up with an entirely different set of associations, traveled the same linguistic route. [Common]
zelus -i, m., 'emulation; jealousy'(See prev.) [Rare]
Zephyrus -i, m., 'the west wind' [Frequent]
zinzio -are, 'make the sound of the blackbird' [Rare]
zodiacus -a -um, 'zodiacal; of the circulus zodiacus'Note: Astrology was in many ways the real religion of the ancient world, it gave us the seven day week with its planetary names, and persists today as an amazingly widespread superstition in a world nominally devoted to fact, enlightenment, and science. [Common]
zona -ae, f., 'girdle worn by unmarried girls (as sign of virginity); girdle worn by any woman; a wide belt (including money pouch) worn by men to gather up the tunic; a geog. zone' (For use of the zona, see cingulum and tunica.) [Frequent]
zonarius -i, m., 'a girdle maker; Òcutpurse,Ó pickpocket (when used with sector)' (This last use points to use of the girdle as a money-belt! See prev.) [UnCommon]
zonula -ae, f., 'a little girdle' [Rare]
zopyris (?)(A word of unknown meaning, cited by Quintilian merely as an example of a word starting with this letter.) [Rare]
zythum -i, n., 'alcoholic beer'
Note: As the last word in this first electronic Latin Dictionary begun away back in l984, a project involving assiduous labor burning the midnight oil over a period of years, the previous word 'zythum' suggests an excellent way for the editor to conclude this project. Prosit et valeas!
This is a dictionary of 16,000 words with compact definitions for use with the search FIND of your browser (CMD-f and CMD- g for find-again). The compact definitions are newly written and cover the wide span of uses of each work in Latin literature. The terms which follow each definition give an approximation of the frequency in Latin overall; the frequency range is from "1" as very common, through "5" as quite rare if not a hapax legomenon.
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This version contains the "obscene" words which you find in a wide variety of Latin authors, from the elegant Catullus through the frank epigrams of Martial. These are words which are not found in the smaller paper dictionaries and badly fudged in the massive Oxford OLD. Adult readers these days resent this kind of verbal Puritanism; if they want to read Latin authors they have a right to see everything.
William Harris
Prof. Em. Middlebury College
www.middlebury.edu/~harris
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