PART III: Formation of Verbs

 

A. Verbs derived from nouns [Denominative verbs]

1. First Conjugation

In English we form verbs from nouns simply by using the nouns as verbs, for example:

 

For Latin, the last two examples may serve as paradigms.

The most common method of forming Latin verbs from nouns is to add the first conjugation endings to the base of the Latin noun (or adjective).

Practice exercises:

1. In the following exercise, give the noun or adjective that is the base of the verb and the meaning of that noun or adjective. Then give the meaning of the verb. Give an English derivative of those marked with an asterisk. You may add prefixes and additional suffixes, e.g., #2 curative, #3 exculpate.

Example: bello < bellum war; verb, "to war", "to make war"

2. Form verbs from the following nouns and adjectives; then give the meaning of the verb. Extra: give English derivative[s] of each set of words.

Example: vigil, vigilis, awake, alert > vigilo (1) "be watchful" [derivatives: vigil, vigilant, vigilante, invigilate]

Deponents: the following nouns and adjectives produce deponent verbs of the first conjugation

3. Contexts: translate

1. Tardissime autem Lentulus venit, credo quod in litteris dandis praeter consuetudinem proxima nocte vigilaret (= vigilaverat). Cicero

2. Reddas incolumem (unharmed) precor, et serves animae dimidium (little half) meae. Horace

3. At persaepe etiam privati in hac republica perniciosos cives morte multarunt (= multaverunt). Cicero

4. Latius (more widely) opinione disseminatum est hoc malum; manavit (mano, flow, spread) non solum per Italiam, verum etiam transcendit Alpes et obscure serpens multas iam provincias occupavit.

5. At haec studia (i.e. the liberal arts) adulescentiam alunt senectutem oblectant, secundas res ornant, adversis perfugium ac solacium praebent, delectant domi, non impediunt foris, pernoctant nobiscum, peregrinantur, rusticantur. Cicero

 

2. Verbs from nouns continued: other conjugations

    2nd Conjugation:

    3rd Conjugation:

    4th Conjugation:

 

Practice Exercises:

1. Learn these base words and form a verb from each.   The number in brackets indicates conjugation.

 

2. Find base noun or adjective and give meaning of base and meaning of verb:

Example: mollio from mollis "soft" > "soften, make supple"

 

3. Contexts: translate

1. Nihil a vobis nisi huius temporis totiusque mei consulatus memoriam postulo; quae dum erit in vestris fixa mentibus, tutissimo me muro saeptum esse arbitrabor. Cicero

2. aestuat ut clausis rapidus fornacibus ignis. Vergil

3. facile largiri de alieno. Justinian

4. Alpibus Italiam munierat ante natura. Cicero

5. aequa lege necessitas sortitur insignes et imos...

 

B. Verbs derived from verbs

1. Inchoative (or inceptive) verbs:

The suffix -sco, -scere is added to present bases of verbs (and sometimes -esco, -escere is added to adjective bases) to indicate that the action or state of being is beginning. This suffix is used only in the present system (i.e. present, imperfect, and future).

Examples:

  • frigeo (< frigus) be cold > frigesco "begin to be cold"
  • luceo (< lux, luc-) be light > lucesco "begin to get light"

Sometimes there is no simple verb form in use, as with ulciscor, avenge, but notice the the -sc- suffix is not used in the perfect system (ultus). Some verbs in -sc- have lost the inceptive sense.

 

Practice Exercises:

1. Give meaning of each and principal parts of those marked with an asterisk. Find simple verb, noun, or adjective (i.e. the word from which each of these is derived). 

Example:  cresco: "grow" -- crescere, crevi, cretum < creo "create"

2. Make up inchoatives from these words and give the meaning of your new formation.

 

3. Make up words meaning:

2. Intensives and Frequentatives

These verbs derived from other verbs show repetition or emphasis. They are usually formed by adding the first conjugation endings to the supine stem (i.e. the base of the fourth principal part, the perfect passive participle). A few are formed by adding -ito to the present stem.

Examples:

  • iacere, iactus, throw > iacto, -are "keep throwing" > "buffet"
  • tueri, tutus, see to > tutor, -ari "watch, protect"

Irregular:

  • cogere, coactus, drive together > cogitare "think"

Practice Exercise:

1. Give base verb (with meaning) and meaning of each frequentative or intensive.

Example:  salto < salio, "leap", "dance"

 

2. Fill in perfect passive participial base and form frequentatives from:

 

3. Contexts: translate

1. At nos vicesimum iam diem patimur hebescere aciem horum auctoritatis. Cicero

2. Cum vero mihi proposui regnantem Lentulum...tum lamentationem matrum familias, tum fugam virginum atque puerorum ac vexationem virginum Vestalium perhorresco. Cicero

3. tecta luminibus clarescunt... Tacitus

4. non putavi famam inconstantiae mihi pertimescendam. Cicero

5. Post cibum meridianum, ita ut vestitus calciatusque erat, retectis pedibus paulisper conquiescebat, opposita ad oculos manu. Suetonius

 

 

Verb Formation: Review Paper

 

1. Explain how denominative verbs are usually formed and give two examples with meanings.

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2. What are inchoatives?

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What suffix is used to form them?

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Give two examples with meanings:

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3. Frequentatives are formed by adding _________________________ to the

____________________________ base of verbs.

Give two examples with meanings:

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