How to use a latin dictionary
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Transcript of How to use a latin dictionary
HOW TO USE A LATIN DICTIONARY
OBJECTIVES I can:
Find a simple word in the assigned Latin dictionary Compare using Whitaker’s Words to Cassell’s Latin Dictionary Find a word using principal parts Determine the part of speech for a word Use the dictionary listing to infer the following
Declension or conjugation Verb tense Gender Special grammatical irregularities Usage by specific authors bases
WHITAKER’S WORDS HTTP://ARCHIVES.ND.EDU/WORDS.HTML Pros
Quick and easy for digital natives
Gives lots of information Part of speech Gender Principal parts Tense and voice Case and number
WHY NOT WHITAKER? Just a few key strokes to an on-line translator and a failing grade and
severely ticked off teacher
Does have errors
Most importantly, you can’t use it on the IB test but you can use Cassell’s Latin Dictionary. The more familiar you are with using that dictionary, the easier it will be for you
to do well on your test Your goal and CMS’ expectation as well is for you to score well not just in class
but on that test
HOW NOT TO USE THE LATIN DICTIONARY Obviously, not every variation ( declined nouns, adjectives, and pronouns
or conjugated verbs) will be listed. Otherwise, this gentleman might only being carrying ten to twenty words worth of the dictionary.
MRS. EAGLE, THIS WORD ISN’T IN THE DICTIONARY!
DICTIONARY FORMATTING Cassell’s Latin Dictionary has a specific format to limit the size and
number of entries per word ( and confused the uninitiated). Nouns are listed as:
Nominative singular, genitive singular gender definitions E.g. Vir, viri m. man From the genitive singular, you can deduce the declension (ae=1, i=2, is=3, us=4, ei=5) Sometimes the listing will say “pl” meaning that word can only exist in the plural form
Adjectives and pronouns are listed as: Masculine nominative singular, feminine nominative singular, neuter nominative singular E.g. Troianus. Troiana, Troianum Trojan From the listing you can determine the declension:
-us, -a, -um or -er, -a, -um first/second declension 2-1-2 -er, -is, -e or -is, -e or something different, -is 3rd
VERBS FORMATTING Verbs are listed usually in four principal parts:
1st person singular present tense (o) Present infinitive (re) 1st person singular perfect tense (i) Perfect passive participle/supine (us/um)
E.g. Scribo, scriber, scripsi, sciptum
If a verb is first conjugations (are), Cassell’s will only give the first two parts and assumes you know that the third will be –avi and the fourth will be -atum
Deponent verbs are listed in three forms, all passive and follow the –r, -i,-us sum pattern
E.g. Sequor, sequi, secutus sum to follow
Verbs that take special cases will usually include phrases such as “with genitive” or “with dative”
E.g. Credo, credere, credidi creditum with dative to belive, to trust
Some adjectives and nouns can also require special cases and will be noted like the verbs
The definition of a verb is given in the infinitive form such as “to sail” ; this does not mean that you translate it as an infinitive unless it is in the infinitive form in the sentence
MISCELLEANOUS Prepositions will usually have “+ acc “ or “+ abl” Conjunctions, adverbs, and interjections normally have only one form. Adverbs
are usually marked with “adv.”
If you look up a word such as “Tulit” and the dictionary says “see fero”, the word does not mean “see”. Look up “fero”.
Frequently, especially with verbs, the word you are looking for does not conform to the first principal part. Please look at the other principal parts before giving up and calling for help.
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION Many words include usage by specific authors. This can help you narrow
down which is the most appropriate definition to use at that time. Verg Vergil Cic Cicero Pl Plautus Liv Livy Cat Catullus Hor Horace Plin Pliny Prop Propertius Ov Ovid
COMMON SPELLING CHANGESTo facilitate pronunciation, sometimes spellings are contracted.
adc becomes acc
adf aff
adg agg
adl all
adp app
adsc asc
adsp asp
conl coll
conm comm
inl ill
inm imm
inp imp
inr irr
subm summ
VERGIL FOR PRACTICE Arma virumque cano, Troiae qui primus ab oris
Italiam, fato profugus, Laviniaque venit
litora, multum ille et terris iactatus et alto
vi superum saevae memorem Iunonis ob iram;
multa quoque et bello passus, dum conderet urbem, 5
inferretque deos Latio, genus unde Latinum,
Albanique patres, atque altae moenia Romae.
VERBS CHALLENGES The word has “av….” or “ at….” ; take that off and add “o”
Appellaverant appello
“u. v. x s “ probably a third principal part. Take of u,v,s,x and add “o” “x” substitute “c” followed by “o” eo io
Duxit duco
CORE VERBS Sum esse fui futurus to be
Fero, ferre, tuli, latum bear carry
Ago, agere, egi, actum do
Tollo, tollere, sustuli, sublatum lift up, raise
Facio, facere, feci, factum do, make compound fic
Capio, capere, cepi, captum capture, take compound cip
Cedo cedere cessi cessum yield go
Eo, ire, ivi/ii, itus go
Mitto, mittere,misi, missum send
Gradior, gradi, gradus sum compound gred
Do, dare, dedi, datum give compound didi
NOUN ISSUES c substitute x
at …. Try …as, atis