Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LATIN DECLENSION OF NOUNS

FORMATION AND USAGE

What is presented. The Latin noun is declined in five declensions, with examples of formation and usage. In addition, to
create greater comprehension and clarity; vocabulary lists are included to aide linguistic achievement

Introduction. The nomen, noun either names or identifies a person, place, or thing : puer. boy; urbs, city; ianua, door. As
for English, Latin nouns are both common, the afore cited or proper : Vergilius, Virgil; Aegyptus, Egypt; Aeneis, Aeneid.
Nouns may be abstract, such as : aviditas, greed or concrete : mensa, table

Latin verbs have inflections or endings, which indicate the verb’s function within the sentence. For nouns, inflection is
referred to as a case. Again, case indicates a noun’s place and role within the sentence

Latin differentiates nouns in five declensions. Each declension is distinguished from each other by the final letter of the
stem, and by the genitive singular ending. Example :

Nota bene : Latin noun cases, example :

THE FIVE NOUN DECLENSIONS
The vocative is like the nominative,
Declension Genitive Ending except in singular nouns ending :
-us. Second declension -e
First a -ae
The dative and ablative plural are
Second o -i alike

Third i and some consonants -is The neuter, the accusative and
nominative are alike : plural -a
Fourth u -us
The 3rd, 4th, and 5th declensions,
Fifth e -ei accusative plural is similar to the
nominative

The model noun, first and second declensions is : magnus, magna, magnum. 1 /2 adjective. great, large, tall, important

MODEL DECLENSION : FIRST AND SECOND DECLENSION

magnus, -a, -um. 1 / 2 adj. great, large, tall, important

Singular Masculine Feminine Neuter

Nominative magnus magna magnum

Genitive magni magnae magni

Dative magno magnae magno

Accusative magnum magnam magnum

Ablative magno magna magno

Vocative magne magna magnum

Plural

Nominative magni magnae magna

Genitive magnorum magnarum magnorum

Dative magnis magnis magnis

Accusative magnos magnas magna

Ablative magnis magnis magnis

Vocative magni magnae magna

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 1

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE FIRST DECLENSION NOUN

The first declension noun, case and usage. First declension nouns regularly end in the nominative singular stem : -a.
These nouns are feminine gender. There is a small group of masculine nouns with the feminine stem : -a

The model first declension noun is : porta, -a. 1f. gate, entrance. The noun’s sense refers to the entry point of a walled
town, a fortified military camp or, the entrance to a farmer’s enclosed field. The noun : ianua, -ae. 1f. door, refers to the
entrance of a domestic residence

Declension of a noun is important, for a noun expresses its own number (singular or plural), and gender (masculine or
feminine; neuter is the absence of gender). Depending on a noun’s role within a sentence, a noun also expresses case
(nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, ablative, or vocative)

C N G - case, number, gender states the noun’s role within a sentence, a paragraph, a story. Focus on the noun’s sense
within CNG. Sense, linked to case, is in a manner of speaking, the coat the noun is wearing. Remember, nouns change
coats. Example :

CASE - NUMBER - GENDER

A NOUN’S CASE AND SENSE FOR UNDERSTANDING AND TRANSLATING
porta, -ae. 1f. gate, entrance

Singular

Case Sense Ending

Nominative porta gate (Case of Subject) -a

Genitive portae of gate (Objective with : of or possessive) -ae

Dative portae to, for gate (Objective with : to or for) -ae

Accusative portam gate (Case of Direct Object) -am

Ablative porta by, from, in, with gate (Objective with : by, from, in, with) -a

Vocative porta o gate (Case of Address) -a

Plural

Nominative portae gates -ae

Genitive portarum of gates -arum

Dative portis to, for gates -is

Accusative portas gates -as

Ablative portis by, from, in, with gates -is

Vocative portae o gates -ae

Nota bene : Latin does not have the article : a, an, the. Translating from Latin to English or the reverse,
either insert or delete the article for the purpose of grammatical and compositional style

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 2

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MASCULINE NOUNS WITH A FIRST DECLENSION ENDING

Masculine nouns of the first declension. Latin has first declension nouns with a masculine association. Most of these
nouns refer to daily life. A number of prominent Roman families, plus mythological figures, have first declension names. A
name with a feminine ending is independent of physical trait

Greek-loanwords are an adopted and Latinized vocabulary, also; first declension masculine. Example :

MASCULINE NOUNS WITH A FIRST DECLENSION ENDING

accola, -ae. 1m or 1f. resident, neighbour

advena, -ae. 1m or 1f. stranger, outsider, foreigner

Aeneas, -ae. 1m. hero of the Aeneid, and Aenides, -ae. 1m. any of the sons of Aeneas

Agrippa, -ae. 1m. cognomen Agrippa, in particular Marcis Vipsanius Agrippa, friend of Octavian

agricola, -ae. 1m. farmer; Gnaesus Iulius Agricola, governor of Britain

agripeta, -ae. 1m. squatter, land-grabber

alienigena, -ae. 1m or 1f. foreigner, stranger, alien

alipta, -ae or aliptes, -ae. 1m. master of a wrestling or gymnastic school, ἀλεἰπτης

amnicola, -ae. 1m. any riverside dwelling, someone who lives beside a river

anagnostes, -ae. 1m. reader (a slave trained to read aloud), ἀναγνὀστης

analecta, -ae. 1m. slave (after-meal duty to remove table crumbs), ἀνάλεγω

anguigena, -ae. 1m. someone born of a snake (see : draconigena)

archipirata, -ae. 1m. pirate chief (see : pirata)

artopta, -ae. 1m. baker, bread-pan, ἀρτὀπτης

athleta, -ae. 1m. athlete or wrestler, ἀθλἠτης

auriga, -ae. 1m. charioteer, stable groom; quadrigae, -arum. 1f pl. chariot (pulled by a team of four horses)

Boreas, -ae. 1m. the North Wind, Βὀρεας

brabeuta, -ae. 1m. judge or umpire in public games

bucaeda, -ae. 1m. person beaten with an ox-hide whip

cacula, -ae. 1m. soldier’s servant, orderly; (derogatory) military drudge

Caecias, -ae. 1m. the Northeast Wind, καικἰας

Caligula, -ae. 1m. Little Boot (diminutive for footwear and name); emperor Gaius Iulius Caesar Augustus Germanicus

Caracalla, -ae. 1m. cape with a hood (outer clothing); emperor Marcis Aurelius Severus Antoninus Augustus

Catilina, -ae. 1m. conspirator against the Roman Republic, Lucius Sergius Catilinus

choraules, -ae. 1m. male flute player (accompanies the chorus dance), χοραὐλης

clepta, -ae. 1m. thief, κλἐπτης

cometes, -ae. 1m. comet, shooting star; (metaphor) portent of disaster, κομἠτης

conlega, -ae or college, -ae. 1m. colleague

convenae, -arum. 1m pl. coming together of strangers

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 3

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

conviva, -ae. 1m. guest at table

coprea, -ae. 1m. low-class buffoon

danista, -ae. 1m. moneylender, δανειστἠς

dioecetes, -ae. 1m. revenue official, treasurer, διοικητἠς

draconigena, -ae. 1m. someone born of a dragon (see : anguigena), δρακοντογενἠς

drapeta, -ae. 1m. runaway slave, δραπἐτης

epitome, -es. 1f. an epitome (a person or thing, perfect example of a quality or type), ἐπιτομή

Etesiae, -arum. 1m pl. the northerly Etesian winds (blew intermittently, May to September), ετησἰαι

faeniseca, -ae. 1m. resident of the countryside

fratricida, -ae. 1m. fratricide (one who kills a brother) (see : homicida, parricida)

grammatista, -ae. 1m. grammarian or teacher of grammar, γραμματιστἠς

gumia, -ae. 1m. glutton, gourmand

Galba, -ae. 1m. cognomen Galba, emperor Servius Sulpicius Galba

Hadria, -ae. 1m. Adriatic Sea, also Hadria, -ae. 1f. name of two towns, one of which, birthplace of emperor Hadrian

halophanta, -ae. 1m. scoundrel, ὰλοφἁωτης

hippotoxota, -ae. 1m. mounted archer (Parthian archer, shot three arrows : advancing, on target, retreating), Ὶπποτοξὀτης

homicida, -ae. 1m. murderer (of either gender) (see : fratricida, parricida)

Hermes, -ae or Herma, -ae. 1m. the Greek messenger god (identified with the Roman god Mercury), Ὴρμῆς

ignigena, -ae. 1m. one born of fire (often used to refer to Bacchus)

incola, -ae. 1m. native inhabitant or inhabitant, resident

lanista, -ae. 1m. gladiator school owner and trainer

latebricola, -ae. 1m. someone who lives in hiding

lixa, -ae. 1m. camp-follower, nomad

Leonidas, -ae. 1m. king of Sparta (died in battle, Thermopylae), Λεονίδας

nauta, -ae. 1m. sailor

parricida, -ae. 1m parricide (murderer of a close relative) (see : fratricida, homicida)

perfuga, -ae. 1m. dissenter, deserter, refugee

pirata, -ae. 1m. pirate

poeta, -ae. 1m. poet

scriba, -ae. 1m. writer, scribe, secretary, clerk

tata, -ae. 1m. daddy (address used and said by a child)

umbraticola, -ae. 1m. someone who lounges in the shade

xiphias, -ae. 1m. swordfish (marine animal); a sword-shaped comet (celestial), ξιφἰας

Nota bene : See : Latinized Greek-Loanwords

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 4

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FIRST DECLENSION NOUN PECULIARITIES

Peculiarities. The first declension noun is noted for its regularity in declining. Nevertheless, there are several anomalies.
The common and frequent peculiarities are discussed below

familia and the genitive singular, the -as case ending. The noun : familia, -ae. 1f. family, from the Roman perspective, did
not mean : father, mother, and children. familia had a technical and legal meaning, for the noun referred to the master’s
slave staff. If the Romans spoke of kin, the operative noun may have been : domus, -i. irregular 4f / 2m decl. house, home
and by extension, the inclusive sense of household

Classical Latin preserves the antique genitive singular case ending : -as. The -as ending appears in : pater familias, father
of a family, includes : mater familias, filius familias, and filia familias. Usage of the regular genitive singular ending : -ae is
accepted : pater familiae

Select female nouns with plural case endings that change. magnus, -a, -um is the model first and second declension
nouns. However, several nouns change their feminine plural dative and ablative case endings from : -is to : -abus. The
spelling change distinguishes and aides comprehension. Example :

COMPARISON OF CASE ENDINGS OF ASSOCIATED MASCULINE AND FEMININE NOUNS

deus. -i dea, -ae equus, -i equa, -ae filius, -i filia, -ae libertus, -i liberta, -ae
2m. god 1f. goddess 2m. horse 1f. mare 2m. son 1f. daughter 2m. freedman 1f. freedwoman

Sg
N deus dea equus equa filius filia libertus liberta
G dei deae equi equae filii filiae liberti libertae
D deo deae equo equae filio filiae liberto libertae
Ac deum deam equum equam filium filiam libertum libertam
Ab deo dea equo equa filio filia liberto liberta
V deus / deo dea eque equa filii filia liberte liberta

Pl
N di / dei deae equi equae filii filiae liberti libertae
G deorum dearum equorum equarum filiorum filiarum libertorum libertarum
D dis deabus equis equabus filiis filiabus libertis libertabus
Ac deos deas equos equas filios filias libertos libertas
Ab dis deabus equis rquabus filiis filiabus libertis libertabus
V di deae equi equae filii filiae liberti libertae

amicus, -i amica, -ae servus, -i serva, -ae Nota bene : dea, equa, filia, liberta each has dative and
2m. friend 1f. friend 2m. slave 1f. slave ablative plural distinctive ending : -abus
compare masculine / feminine equivalent
Sg
N amicus amica servus serva amica, serva each has the regular dative
G amici amicae servi servae ablative plural ending : -is, compare with the
D amico amicae servo servae masculine / feminine equivalent
Ac amicum amicam servum servam
Ab amico amica servo serva amica, serva distinguished from masculine
V amice amica serve serva by narrative context

Pl fili vocative singular is distinctive without

N amici amicae servi servae the second declension : -e, the plural : filii
G amicorum amicarum servorum servarum
D amicis amicis servis servis
Ac amicos amicas servos servas
Ab amicis amicis servis servis lux tua vita mihi
V amici amicae servi servae

LATINIZED GREEK-LOANWORDS
Latinized Greek loan-words. Rome’s relationship with Greece was ambiguous. Hellenic society and culture was both
admired and despised. Accordingly, more truth is wrapped in this phrase than the Romans are prepared to admit : servus
Graecus Roma tenebatur captivus, The Greek slave held Rome captive

Latin borrowed and adapted a wide and diverse Hellenic vocabulary. Most Greek nouns ending : -e, when adopted became
regular first declension nouns : grammatica, grammar; musica, music; rhetorica; rhetoric

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 5

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Model declension of Latinized Greek-loanwords is cited below. Example :

DECLENSION OF LATINIZED GREEK-LOANWORDS

athleta, -ae. 1m. athlete choraules, -ae. 1m. flute player
Greek : ἀθλἠτης Greek : χοραὐλης

N athleta athletae choraules choraulae

G athletae athletarum choraulae choraularum
D athletae athletis choraulae choraulis
Ac athletam athletas choraulen choraulas
Ab athleta athletis choraule choraulis
V athleta athletae choraule choraulae

epitome, -es. 1f. epitome xiphias, -ae. 1m. swordfish

Greek : ἐπιτομή Greek : ξιφἰας

N epitome epitomae xiphias xiphiae

G epitomes epitomarum xiphiae xiphiarum
D epitomae epitomis xiphiae xiphiis
Ac epitomen epitomas xiphian xiphias
Ab epitome epitomis xiphia xiphiis
V epitome epitomae xiphia xiphiae

Nota bene : Greek-loanwords with endings, nominative singular : -a, -es, -e, -as

Latin declines Greek-loanwords as first declension, masculine

nouns with feminine case endings

In the singular, note the endings, in the plural observe the

regularity of declension

THE SECOND DECLENSION NOUN

The second declension noun, case and usage. Nouns of the second declension end : -us, -er, -ir are masculine. The
ending : -um is neuter. Example :

SECOND DECLENSION CASE ENDINGS

Singular Plural
Masculine Neuter Masculine Neuter

N -us -um -i -a
G -i -i -orum -orum
D -o -o -is -is
Ac -um -um -os -a
Ab -o -o -is -is
V -e -um -i -a

Second declension nouns ending : -us, -er, -ir and -um. The second declension case endings are regular. What may be
difficult is recognizing the noun’s stem to affix the ending. Cited below are model declensions for nouns ending : -us, -er,
-ir, and -um. Example :

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 6

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SECOND DECLENSION NOUNS ENDING : -US, -ER, -IR AND -UM

numerus, -i puer, -i ager, -i vir, -i donum, -i consilium, -i
2m. number 2m. boy 2m. field, farm 2m. man, hero 2n. gift, present 2n. plan, counsel

Sg
N numerus puer ager vir donum consilium
G numeri pueri agri viri doni consilii
D numero puero agro viro dono consilio
Ac numerum puerum agrum virum donum consilium
Ab numero puero agro viro dono consilio
V numere puer ager vir donum consilium

Pl
N numeri pueri agri viri dona consilia
G numerorum puerorum agrorum virorum donorum consiliorum
D numeris pueris agris viris donis consiliis
Ac numeros pueros agros viros dona consilia
Ab numeris pueris agris viris donis consiliis
V numeri pueri agri viri dona consilia

Nota bene : Nouns are cited quoting the nominative and genitive singular, second declension : -us, -i. The -us ending in
the nominative singular is shared with the fourth declension : -us, with own genitive singular : -us

puer and vir, due to a phonetic shift, in the nominative and vocative singular do not take a case ending

puer is the model for all second declension nouns ending : -er. See : Second Declension Nouns Ending : -er

ager too underwent a phonetic shift. Due to the -e before the -r, the stem is further shortened. ager else-
where in the singular and in the plural the noun mirrors numerus

donum, -i. 2n. declines regularly

consilium, -i. 2n. be aware, since the noun’s stem ends in : -i, of the double -ii- effect. See : genitive
singular : consilii, and dative and ablative plural : consiliis
.

SECOND DECLENSION NOUNS ENDING : -ER

NOUNS
adulter, -i 2m. adulterer armiger, -i 2m. weapon-bearer
(Roman army, soldier who
cancer, -i 2m. crab (marine animal); carried armour or shield as
(zodiac symbol) Crab bearer)

gener, -i 2m. son-in-law ADJECTIVES

liber, -i 2m. book adulter, -a, -um 1 / 2 adj (nom sg masc in :
-er). adulterous, unchaste,
socer, -i 2m. father-in-law (by extension) false

vesper, -i 2m / 3m. evening, vespers; aliger, -a, -um 1 / 2 adj (nom sg masc in :
(evening meal) dinner -er). (poetic) bearing wings,
winged
COMPOUND NOUNS ENDING : -FER AND -GER
liber, -a, -um 1 / 2 adj (nom sg masc in :
signifer, -i 2m. standard-bearer -er). free, independent, open
(Roman army, soldier who
carried Legion’s standard)

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 7

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SECOND DECLENSION NOUN PECULIARITIES

Feminine and neuter second declension noun variants. There are a small number of feminine and neuter nouns in the
second declension. The feminine nouns are : atomus, alvus, carbasus, colus, diphthongus, and humus. The neuter nouns
are : vulgus, and virus. Example :

FEMININE AND NEUTER SECOND DECLENSION NOUN VARIANTS

atomus, -i alvus, -i carbasus, -i colus, -i diphthongus, -i
2f. atom 2f. belly, paunch 2f. linen garment, linen 2f. distaff (spinning) 2f. diphthong

Sg
N atomus alvus carbasus colus diphthongus
G atomi alvi carbasi coli diphthongi
D atomo alvo carbaso colo diphthongo
Ac atomum alvum carbasum colum diphthongum
Ab atomo alvo carbaso colo diphthongo
V atome alve carbase cole diphthonge

Pl
N atomi alvi carbasi coli diphthongi
G atomorum alvorum carbasorum colorum diphthongorum
D atomis alvis carbasis colis diphthongis
Ac atomos alvos carbasos colos diphthongos
Ab atomis alvis carbasis colis diphthongis
V atomi alvi carbasi coli diphthongi

humus, -i vannus, -i vulgus, -i virus, -i virus, -i

2f. ground, earth, 2f. winnowing 2n. crowd, throng, mob, 2n. poison 2n. virus
soil basket general public, gathering (a harmful medicinal) (a biological entity)

Sg
N humus vannus vulgus virus virus
G humi vanni vulgi viri viri
D humo vanno vulgo viro viro
Ac humum vannum vulgus virus virus
Ab humo vanno vulgo viro viro
V hume vanne vulgus virus virus
L humi

Pl
N humi vanni - - vira
G humorum vannorum - - virorum
D humis vannis - - viris
Ac humos vannos - - vira
Ab humis vannis - - viris
V humi vanni - - vira
L -

Nota bene : Feminine nouns cited decline regularly, observe the singular vocative : -e

Neuter nouns cited decline regularly, observe the singular vocative : -us

atomus : originally a Greek-loanword was defined as a small particle incapable of being divided, our
noun : atom. atomus has an associated : 1 / 2 adjective. atomus, -a, -um. indivisible

vulgus : is declined in the singular. The noun has an implied plurality. To Roman authorities the thought
of the mob was cause for worry

humus : declines regularly, observe the locative singular : humi, at earth

virus : is cited twice. The singular is antiquity’s usage : a poison. The second citation is
current-era adapted Latin. The noun faithfully replicates the ancient declension. In the plural virus
declines regularly as a second declension plural neuter . As for the entity, the word also mutates

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 8

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SECOND DECLENSION INFLECTION PECULIARITIES

Proper nouns and place names ending : -ius and the case change ending. A grammar book is a tomb, a sepulchre where
the living pay their respect and hurry on. in principio erat verbum… In the beginning was the word…

Commencing in the reign of Octavian, the spelling of proper nouns, applicable to persons and place names only, the
genitive singular ending of : -i, was either contracted or dropped. Equally, the vocative singular underwent a similar
change. Example :

N Vergilius Pompeius
G Vergili or Vergilii Pompei or Pompeii
D Vergilio Pompeio
Ac Vergillium Pompeium
Ab Vergilio Pompeio
V Vergili or Vergilie Pompei or Pompeii

Why did the Romans alter the case ending? The answer is speculative. The Romans had no silent reading, all was read
aloud : recito, recitare, recitavi, recitatum (1). to read aloud, recite. The supposition is one of either poetic style or vanity.
The pronunciation and accent remain, though adjusted spelling calls for a short vowel sound. Example :

Thus, the genitive : Vergili, of Virgil and the vocative : Vergili, O Virgil

NOUN-ADJECTIVE AGREEMENT
Noun-adjective agreement. The first and second declension noun has been introduced, in particular : magnus, -a, -um both
as noun and adjective. In Latin, word agreement between noun and adjective is important : masculine, feminine, or neuter
in gender, number, and case. Example :

saxum, -i. 2n. rock femina, -ae. 1f. woman

saxi, of a rock (genitive) feminae, of the woman (genitive)

magni saxi, of the large rock feminae miserae, of the wretched woman

In the immediate above example, saxum and femina : in the genitive singular, respective neuter and feminine gender,
agreement appears to be matching endings. Be aware, see examples immediately below. Example :

magni poetae , of the great poet poetae is genitive singular, therefore magnus must be in
the gentive singular, magni

poetae clari, of the famous poet CNG rule prevails but the word order is reversed, why?

Cardinal numerals, adjectives of size, and pronominal adjectives except possessives, usually precede the noun they
modify. Adjectives of quality commonly follow the noun, proper adjectives regularly follow. Example :

decem milites the ten soldiers frater meus my brother

magnus numerus a great number oppidum copiosissimum the most copious town

hoc proelium this battle senates populusque the Senate and People of
Romanus Rome

ADJECTIVES ACTING AS NOUNS

Adjectives acting as nouns. An adjective may act as a noun, so long as the adjective (as a noun) is understood; the clarity
of thought and speech. Example :

The good (men) and the just (men) voted for freedom, while fortune favours the brave (men)

magnus (masculine) a great (man) magna opto I desire great things

magna (feminine) a great (woman) Romanos timet He fears the Romans

magnum (neuter) a great (thing) multa bona habet He has many good things;
He has many goods; He has
much property

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 9

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE THIRD DECLENSION NOUN

The third declension noun, case and usage. Latin has a large vocabulary of third declension nouns in the masculine and
feminine genders, and in the neuter. These nouns are easily identified by the genitive singular ending : -is

To decline a third declension noun, find the word’s stem by dropping the genitive singular ending, then add the endings
for the declension. Example :

THIRD DECLENSION CASE ENDINGS

Masculine and Feminine Neuter

Sg Pl Sg Pl

N - -es - -a (-a)
G -is -um (-ium) -is -um (-ium)
D -i -ibus -i -ibus
Ac -em -es (-is) - -a (-a)
Ab -e -ibus -e (-i) -ibus

Nota bene : There are no nominative singular endings

Neuter nouns, nominative and accusative singular

are identical

Bracketed endings are i-stems

Masculine and feminine i-stems may have : -is as

an alternate for : -es in the accusative plural

DETERMINING THIRD DECLENSION I-STEM NOUNS

A third declension noun will be an i-stem if :

I. The nominative and the genitive have the same number of syllables
Example : ignis, ignis. 3m i-stem. fire. ignium
navis, navis. 3f i-stem. ship. navium

II. The stem of the noun ends in two consonants, except if the second
consonant : -I, -r, or -x (except : mater, frater, pater though first rule applies)
Example : mons, montis. 3m i-stem. mountain. montium

III. Neuter nouns with nominative singular ends : -e, -al, or -ar
Example : mare, maris. 3n i-stem. sea. marium
animal, anamalis. 3n i-stem. animal, living creature. animalium
exemplar, exemplaris. 3n i-stem. model, pattern. exemplarium

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 10

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MODEL THIRD DECLENSION NOUNS

Masculine Feminine Neuter

frater, fratris abor, aboris corpus, corporis

3m. brother 3f. tree 3n. body

N frater fratres abor abores corpus corpora

G fratris fratrum aboris aborum corporis corporum
D fratri fratribus abori aboribus corpori corporibus
Ac fratrem fratres aborem abores corpus corpora
Ab fratre fratribus abore aboribus corpore corporibus

MODEL THIRD DECLENSION I-STEM NOUNS

dens, dentis urbs, urbis mare, maris
3m i-stem. tooth 3f i-stem. city 3n i-stem. sea

N dens dentes urbs urbes mare maria

G dentis dentium urbis urbium maris marium
D denti dentibus urbi urbibus mari maribus
Ac dentem dentes urbem urbes mare maria
Ab dente dentibus urbe urbibus mari maribus

MODEL THIRD DECLENSION ADJECTIVES

ADJECTIVE OF ONE-END
ingens, ingentis. 3 adj i-stem, 1-end. huge

Sg Pl
M/F/N M/F/N
N Ingens, ingens ingentes, ingentia
G ingentis ingentium
D ingenti ingentibus
Ac ingentem, ingens ingentes, ingentia
Ab ingenti ingentibus

ADJECTIVE OF TWO-ENDS
fortis, forte. 3 adj i-stem, 2-ends. strong, brave

Sg Pl
M/F N M/F N
N fortis forte fortes fortia
G fortis fortis fortium fortium
D forti forti fortibus fortibus
Ac fortem forte fortes fortia
Ab forti forti fortibus fortibus

ADJECTIVE OF THREE-ENDS
celer, celeris, celere. 3 adj i-stem, 3-ends. swift, quick, rapid

Sg Pl
M F N M F N
N celer celeris celere celeres celeres celeria
G celeris celeris celeris celerium celerium celerium
D celeri celeri celeri celeribus celeribus celeribus
Ac celerem celerem celere celeres celeres celeria
Ab celeri celeri celeri celeribus celeribus celeribus

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 11

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The adjective, modifier of words. In the previous section, the second declension noun; adjectives were briefly discussed.
This section on adjectives is a continuation of the topic

The Romans were shameless borrowers of Hellenic culture. One borrowed Greek word was the noun for adjective :
adiectivum, -i. 2n

As every discipulus, -i. 2m. schoolboy can attest, a Latin adjective agrees with the noun it modifies in : case, number, and
gender. Instances where the adjective modifies more than one noun, the adjective usually agrees with the nearest noun. In
such circumstance, the adjective most likely will be in the masculine gender (to conform to Latin grammar default). For
poetry, when the poet may place the adjective elsewhere in the sentence to conform with literary style, the adjective
follows the noun. Adjectives that denote size or number, the adjective of size, proceeds the adjective. When the adjective
is descriptive of a quality, the adjective of quality, follows the adjective

Every grammar rule can be broken; often the Romans placed a descriptive adjective before the noun. If done, the author is
emphasizing the adjective over the noun

The third declension adjective modifies a noun (similarly as for first / second declension adjectives). Example :

Attributive adjective : viri fortes. The brave men [modifier]

Predicate adjective : viri sunt fortes. The men are brave. [ modification of the subject noun with a linking verb, in
this instance : sunt. [sum, esse, fui, futurus. (irr.) to be]

Substantive adjective : fortuna fortes adiuvat. Fortune helps the brave [the adjective replaces the noun : vir]

Objective complement : virtus fecit viros fortes. Virtue made the men brave [describes the result of the verb on the
object]

The adjective acting as a noun. Latin may use an adjective as a stand-in for nouns, masculine gender denotes persons,
the neuter, things. Example :

ADJECTIVES ACTING AS NOUNS

Masculine : Denotes Persons Neuter : Denotes Things

omnes all men, everybody omnis all (things), everything

boni the good, good people bona good things, blessings,

goods, property,
possessions

mali the bad, bad people malum an evil, misfortune

pauperes the poor mala evils

maiores the ancestors praeterita the past, bygones

interiores those within, the men

in the town

Nota bene : Possessive adjectives may act for nouns. Example :

mea my property, my possessions

nostri / nostra our men, our comrades / Our property

sui / sua his [their] men, his friends / His

property

Nota bene : Masculine plural adjective functions in any case, neuter in the
nominative and accusative. Example :

omnes everybody omnia everything

omnium of everybody omnium rerum of everything

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 12

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The comparative degree. The Latin comparative degree has a heighten force : altior, higher; fidelior, more faithful; paratior,
better prepared. The comparative may express a higher degree than usual : pulchrior, rather pretty; audacior, too bold;
difficilior, quite difficult

The superlative degree. The superlative degree has the same force as the comparative, but at the next level of a state of
heightened feeling : altissimus, highest; fidelissimus, most faithful. In expressing feeling, a sense of even more intensity :
pulcherrima, very beautiful; difficilimus, exceedingly difficult

quam with the superlative, to denote the highest attainment. To express the highest degree possible, quam with the
superlative degree : quam plurimae civitates, as many states as possible

Adjectives : princeps, primus, solus, unus, and ultimus. Latin has the adjectives : princeps, primus, solus, unus, ultimus,
to express the sense : the first / the chief, the first, the only one, the last, to do a thing. Example :

ea pars princeps poenas persolvit The part was the first to pay the penalty

primus venit, ultimus abit He was the first to come, the last to leave

IN PRINCIPIO…
principium, principii. 2n. beginning, origin, principle

A beginning, origin, commencement N principium principia

A groundwork, foundation, principle G principii principiorum
[plural only] The elements, first principles D principio principiis
[military, plural only] The front ranks; Ac principium principia
camp headquarters Ab principio principiis

in principio creavit Deus caelum et terram In the beginning God created heaven and earth
Genesis 1.1

in principio erat Verbum In the beginning was the Word

John 1.1

principia probant non probantur Principles prove, they are not proved

WITH DIGNITY…
Paying compliments to Rome’s leading citizens. So, young Decimus; how do you pay a compliment, the dignity owed to a
man of stature? The Romans did not combine an adjective with a man’s name. Latin used either vir or homo with an
adjective in apposition to the name. Example :

P. Scipio, vir amplissimus, est legatus The distinguished Publius Scipio is ambassador

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 13

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THIRD DECLENSION VOCABULARY

NOUNS AND ADJECTIVES
aes, aeris 3n. copper, bronze, money error, erroris 3m. error, mistake

aestas, aestatis 3f. summer exemplar, exemplaris 3ni. model, pattern, ex-
ample, original or ideal
aetas, aetatis 3f. period of life, age
feles, felis 3mi / 3fi. cat (may refer to
apis, apis 3fi. (honey) bee any small furry animal)

amor, amoris 3m. love finis, finis 3mi. end, limit, boundary

animal, animalis 3ni. living creature, animal flumen, fluminis 3n. river

arbor, arboris 3f. tree foramen, foraminis 3n. hole, mouse hole

as, assis 3mi. small copper coin frater, fratris 3m. brother
(value equal to a penny)
fur, furis 3m / 3f. thief
ars, artis 3fi. art, skill
gens, gentis 3fi. Roman clan related
arx, arcis 3fi. citadel, stronghold by birth and mirage, tribe

auctor, auctoris 3m. author, originator genus, generis 3n. origin, kind, type, sort,
class
auditor, auditoris 3m. hearer, listener,
member of an audience homo, hominis 3m. human being, man

auris, auris 3fi. ear honor, honoris 3m. honour, esteem

avis, avis 3fi. bird; (figurative) an hostis, hostis 3mi. enemy (of the state);
omen, portent sg. an enemy, pl. the enemy

Caesar, Caesaris 3m sg. Caius Iulius Caesar ignis, ignis 3mi. fire

carmen, carminis 3n. song, poem imperator, imperatoris 3m. general, emperor,
commander
cervical, cervicalis 3ni. pillow, cushion
iudex, iudicis 3m. judge, juror
Cicero, Ciceronis 3m sg. Marcus Tullius
Cicero ius, iuris 3n. justice, law

civis, civis 3fi. citizen labor, laboris 3m. labour, work

civitas, civitatis 3fi. state, citizenship laus, laudis 3f. praise, glory, fame

consul, consulis 3m. consul lector, lectoris 3m. (man) reader,

a reader to another
corpus, corporis 3n. (anatomy) body
lectrix, lectricis 3f. (woman) reader,
cupiditas, cupiditatis 3f. desire, longing, a reader to another
passion, cupidity
lex, legis 3f. law, statute
cupido, cupidinis 3f. desire, longing, passion
libertas, libertatis 3f. liberty, freedom
dens, dentis 3mi. tooth
limen, liminis 3n. threshold
delectatio, delectationis 3f. delight, pleasure,
enjoyment litus, litoris 3n. shore, coast

dignitas, dignitatis 3f. merit, prestige, dignity lux, lucis 3f. light

dolor, doloris 3m. pain, grief maiores, maiorum 3m pl. ancestors

dux, ducis 3m. leader, commander mare, maris 3ni. sea

guide

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 14

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

mater, matris 3f. mother pes, pedis 3m. lower leg, foot

mens, memtis 3fi. mind, thought piper, piperis 3n. pepper (condiment)

miles, militis 3m. soldier piscis, piscis 3mi. fish; (zodiac symbol)
Fish
moenia, moenium 3ni pl. city walls
probitas, probitatis 3f. uprightness, honesty
moles, molis 3fi. mass (of material)
pulvinar, pulvinaris 3ni. couch
monile, monilis 3ni. necklace, collar
ratio, rationis 3f. reckoning, account,
mons, montis 3mi. mountain reason, judgement, manner

mors, mortis 3fi. death remissio, remissionis 3f. letting go, release

mos, moris 3m sg. habit, custom, rex, regis 3m. king

manner
mores, morum 3m pl. habits, morals. rumor, rumoris 3m. rumour, gossip
character
sacerdos, sacerdotis 3m / 3f. priest / priestess
mulier, mulieris 3f. woman
sal, salis 3m. salt, (figurative) wit
mus, muris 3mi. mouse
sales, salum 3m pl. jokes, witticisms
navis, navis 3fi. ship
sator, satoris 3m. sower (of seeds),
nepos, pepotis 3m / 3f. grandson / daughter planter, founder, originator

nomen, nominis 3n. name salus, saluris 3f. health, safety

nox, noctis 3fi. night, darkness scriptor, scriptoris 3m. writer, clerk, scribe

nubs, nubis 3fi. cloud scelus, sceleris 3n. evil deed, crime, sin,
wickedness
occasion, occasionis 3f. occasion, opportunity
senectus, senectutis 3f. old age, senility
opus, operis 3n work, task, deed,
accomplishment servitus, servitutis 3f. servitude, slavery

ops, opis 3f sg. help, aid sidus, sideris 3n. (astronomy) star,
3f pl. power, resources constellation

oratio, orationis 3f. speech sol, solis 3m. sun

orator, oratoris 3m. orator, speaker soror, sororis 3f. sister

os, oris 3ni. mouth, (lower) face tempestas, tempestatis 3f. period / portion of time,
season, weather, storm
ovis, ovis 3fi. sheep
tempus, temporis 3n. time, occasion, season,
papilio, papilionis 3m. butterfly, moth opportunity; pl. times

parens, parentis 3m / 3f. parent timor, timoris 3m. fear

pars, partis 3fi. part, share, direction veritas, veritatis 3f. truth, truthfulness

passer, passeris 3m. sparrow virgo, virginis 3f. maiden, virgin;

(zodiac symbol) Virgo
pater, patris 3m. father
timor, timoris 3m. fear
paupertas, paupertatis 3f. state of being poor,
poverty, need, indigence urbs, urbis 3fi. city (refers : Rome)

pax, pacis 3f. peace uxor, uxoris 3f. wife

pectus, pectoris 3n. breast, heart virtus, virtutis 3f. manhood, manliness,
merit; strength, force

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 15

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

vis, vis Nota bene : see below facilis, facile easy, agreeable

vulnus, vulneris 3n. wound fortis, forte strong, brave

THIRD DECLENSION ADJECTIVE, I-STEM, 1-END gracilis, gracile slender, thin, slim

absens, absentis absent, away gravis, grave heavy, weighty, serious

adulescens, adulescentis young man, youth humilis, humile lowly, humble

felix, felicis lucky, fortunate, happy immortalis, immortale not subject to death

ferox, ferocis fierce, savage levis, leve light, easy, small, brief

ingens, ingentis huge liberalis, liberale of / relating to a free person;

decent, liberal, generous
par, paris equal, like
mediocris, medioce ordinary, moderate
pauper, pauperis of small means, poor
mirabilis, mirabile amazing, wondrous,
potens, potentis able, powerful, mighty remarkable
strong
maior, maius greater
princeps, principis leader, chief, emperor
mortalis, mortale subject to death, mortal
sapiens, sapientis adj, wise, judicious
3mi / 3fi. wise man / woman; omis, omne sg. every; pl. all
philosopher
similis, simile similar (to), like, resembling
senex, senis old, aged, old man
suavis, suave sweet
vetus, veteris old
sublimis, sublime elevated, lofty, heroic,
THIRD DECLENSION ADJECTIVE, I-STEM, 2-ENDS noble
talis, tale such, of such a sort
brevis, breve short, small, brief
turpis, turpe ugly, shameful, base,
communis, commune common, general of / for disgraceful
the community
THIRD DECLENSION ADJECTIVE, I-STEM, 3-ENDS
difficilis, difficile hard, difficult, troublesome
acer, acris, acre keen, severe, fierce
dissimilis, dissimile unlike, different
celer, celeries, celere swift, quick, rapid
dulcis, dulce sweet, pleasant

Nota bene : senectus, senectutis. 3f. old age, senility. Adjectival form : senectus, -a, -um. 1 / 2 adj. aged, very old

vis, vis. 3f i-stem. gen pl. virium. irregular in sg, regular pl. N vis vires
G - virium
D - viribus
Ac vim viries
Ab vi viribus

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 16

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE FOURTH DECLENSION NOUN

The fourth declension noun, case and usage. Latin has a modest vocabulary of fourth declension nouns in the masculine
and feminine, and the neuter. These nouns are identified by the genitive singular ending : -us. Example :

fructus, -us manus, -us cornu, -us

4m. fruit, profit, benefit, enjoyment 4f. hand, handwriting, band (of soldiers) 4n. horn, antler, tusk

N fructus fructus manus manus cornu corua

G fructus fructuum manus manuum cornus cornuum
D fructui fructibus manui manibus cornu cornibus
Ac fructum fructus manum manus cornu cornua
Ab fructu fructibus manu manibus cornu cornibus

Nota bene : Remember : -us ending is shared with : amicus, -i. 2m. and corpus, corporis. 3n. (anatomy) body

Fourth declension masculine and feminine nouns in the singular and plural decline similarly

Fourth declension neuter nouns decline differently, nominative and accusative singular : -u and, in the
plural the distinctive neuter : -a- appears : -ua; finally, dative singular : -u

Fourth declension has no associated adjectives (as found with the first, second, and third declensions)

FOURTH DECLENSION INFLECTION PECULIARITIES

The dative and ablative plural and the end : -ubus. The fourth declension noun has few inflection peculiarities. artus, -us.
and lacus, -us. change their dative and ablative plural case endings : -ubus. the two nouns admit : -ibus. Example :

artus, -us lacus, -us

4m. (anatomy, usually pl) joints, limbs 4m. lake, pond, basin, reservoir

N artus artus lacus lacus

G artus artuum lacus lacuum
D artui artubus artibus lacui lacubus lacibus
Ac artum artus lacum lacus
Ab artu artubus artibus lacu lacubus lacibus

Nota bene : artus, -a, -um. 1 /2 adj. narrow, close, fitted, confined, dense; (figurative) severe, strict, scanty, brief

domus, -us
4f and 2m declensions, irregular. house, home (a building where a person lives)

N domus domus Common preference. Example :

G domus domi domuum domorum Sg 4th decl : -us, -us, -ui, -um, -o
D domui domo domibus Pl 2nd decl : -us, -orum, -ibus, -us / -os, -ibus
Ac domum domus domos
Ab domu domo domibus domi. at home domi visus est
V domus domus He was seen at home
Loc domi domibus domum. home (= to home) domum ibit
He will go home
domo. from home domo iit
He went from home

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 17

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FOURTH DECLENSION VOCABULARY

NOUNS
acus, -us 4f. needle, pin, bodkin idus, -uum 4f pl. Ides of the Roman
month
actus, -us 4m. act, performance, action
impetus, -us 4m. assault, attack; vigour
aditus, -us 4m. access, way, means
ingressus, -us 4m. entrance (act and
adventus, -us 4m. arrival, approach, attack structure); inroad

aestus, -us 4m. heat, fire; tide, sea swell interitus, -us 4m. violent or untimely
death; extinction, ruin
anus, -us 4f. old woman, crone, sibyl
lacus, -us 4m. lake, pond, basin,
arcus, -us 4m. arch; bow; rainbow reservoir
(anything arched or curved)
magistratus, -us 4m. magistrate, official,
artus,-us 4m. (usually pl) joints, limbs magisterial office, civil
office, magistracy
aspectus, -us 4m. looking at, glance, view
manus, -us 4f. hand, handwriting,
cantus, -us 4m. song, poem; singing (military) band or any size
unit of soldiers; workmen;
captus, -us 4m. capacity, ability, legal power of a husband
potentiality (phrase) per manum : by
hand
comitatus, -us 4m. escort, train, retinue
metus, -us 4m. fear, anxiety, dread,
conquestus, -us 4m. (violent) complaint awe

consensus, -us 4m. unanimity, concord natus, -us 4m. son, birth; age, years;
(plants) growth, growing
cornu, us 4n. horn, antler, tusk; arm or
wing of an army; (music) obitus, -us 4m. approaching; approach,
horn; (figurative) power (sun, movement) sunset;
death
cursus, -us 4m. running; course,
voyage; race; (career path) odoratus, -us 4m. act of smelling, smell;
cursus honorum (sense) smell, odour

discessus, -us 4m. going apart, separation; ornatus, -us 4m. military equipment;
departure; marching off armour; costume, garb,
get-up; adornment
domus, -us 4f / 2m irr. house, home;
(extension) birth, residence; passus, -us 4m. step, pace; Roman unit
(extension) household; of the stride length equal to
(group) school, disciples five Roman feet : left-right-
-left, the measured distance
fetus, -us 4m. birth; offspring; young, from heel-to-heel of the left
litter, brood; produce foot

fructus, -us 4m. fruit, profit, benefit, peditatus, -us 4m. foot soldier (s), infantry
enjoyment
portus, -us 4m. harbor, port; haven,
gelu, -us 4n sg. frost; ice, snow; cold, refuge, asylum; warehouse
chilliness
porticus, -us 4f. colonnade, portico
gemitus, -us 4m. sigh, groan; roaring
potus, -us 4m. drink; (action) drinking
genu, -us 4n. knee
principatus, -us 4m. pre-eminence; rule;
gradus, -us 4m. step, pace; position; beginning; commander
rank; degree; (ladder) rung
prospectus, -us 4m. view, prospect
gressus, -us 4m. going; step; (pl) feet
pulsus, -us 4m. stroke, beat, pulse

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 18

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

quaestus, -us 4m. gaining, acquiring; spiritus, -us 4m. breath of air, breeze;
gain, profit, income breath, breathing; soul, life

questus, -us 4m. complaint status, -us 4m. state, status, condition;
position, place; rank, status
receptus, -us 4m. withdrawal, retreat;
refuge strepitus, -us 4m. noise, din; (clattering
sound) musical instrument;
regressus, -us 4m. going back, return noisy talk, uproar

risus, -us 4m. laughter, laugh sumptus, -us 4m. expense, lavish
expenditure or charge
ritus, -us 4m. ceremony, rite
tractus, -us 4m. dragging or pulling
saltus, -us 4m. (1). leap, spring, jump along; drawing out

saltus, -us 4m. (2). forest or mountain transitus, -us 4m. passage; passage
pasture; defile, narrow over; transition
pass; unit of square land
measure tribus, -us 4m. decl dat and abl pl :
-ubus. tribe; refer to one or
senatus, -us 4m. Roman senate all original founding Roman
tribes : Rames, Tites, and
sensus, -us 4m. faculty of feeling, Luceres; a division of
perception, sensation, people; the mob; the lower
sense; emotion; idea classes

sinus, -us 4m. hollow, cavity, fold; veru, -us 4n. spit (for roasting or
gulf, bay, cove; fold of a cooking)
toga over the breast;
pocket for money; hiding vestitus, -us 4m. clothes, dress; (phrase)
place redeo ad vestitum : resume
(normal) dress (after mourn-
sonitus, -us 4m. noise, loud sound ing)

specus, -us 4m / f / n. decl dat and abl victus, -us 4m. livelihood, food; way of
pl : -ubus. cave, grotto; life
ditch, canal, drain;
(mining) pit; chasm, abyss;
(poetic) cavity

.
Nota bene : anus, sinus, and tribus : each is cited above in the nominative singular. Within in the Latin lexicon several
similar words may result in confusion. Example :

anus, -i. 2m. (geometrical shape) ring, (anatomy) anus

sinus, -i. 2m. bowl

tres, tria. 3 adj, i-stem, 2-ends, plural only. Latin cardinal number : III (dat and abl pl : tribus)

potus : a drink or the act of drinking. May you enjoy this libation : qui bibit, dormit
qui dormit, non peccat
qui non peccat, sanctus est
ergo
qui bibit sanctus est
.
VOCABULARY EXERCISE, COMBINING WORDS
N magnus fructus dulcis manus dextra tuum genu your knee
G magni fructus dulcis manus dextrae tui genus of your knee
D magno fructui dulci mani dextram tuo genu to / for your knee
Ac magnum fructum dulcem manum dextra tuum genu your knee
Ab magno fructu dulci manu dextra tuo genu by / from / in / with your knee

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 19

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE FIFTH DECLENSION NOUN

The fifth declension noun, case and usage. Latin has a modest vocabulary of fifth declension nouns in the masculine and
feminine. The fifth declension has neither neuter nouns nor adjectives

dies. -ei res, -ei

5m or f. day 5f. thing, matter M/F N

Sg
N dies res -es -
G diei rei -ei -
D diei rei -ei -
Ac diem rem -em -
Ab die re -e -

Pl
N dies res -es -
G dierum rerum -erum -
D diebus rebus -ebus -
Ac dies res -es -
Ab diebus rebus -ebus -

FIFTH DECLENSION VOCABULARY

NOUNS
dies, -ei 5m / f. day, daytime, day- planities, -ei 5f. plain, plateau, flatness
light; (feminine) goddess
progenies, -ei 5f. offspring, children,
meridies, -ei 5m. midday, noon, south family

acies, -ei 5f. sharp edge or point; res, -ei 5f. thing, matter
battle line, battle
series, -ei 5f. series, succession, row,
fides, -ei 5f. faith, trust, fidelity, chain
reliance, loyalty
spes, -ei 5f. hope (sense of belief);
glacies, -ei 5f. ice; (figurative) hardness expectation, anticipation

permicies, -ei 5f. ruin, disaster; (figurative) species, -ei 5f. appearance, figure,
execution, death shape, spectacle, sight

.
VOCABULARY EXERCISE, COMBINING WORDS
N res publica magna res ille magnus dies that great day
G rei publicae magnae rei illius magni diei of that great day
D rei publicae magnae rei illi magno diei to / for that great day
Ac rem publicam magnam rem illam magnum diem that great day
Ab re publica magna re illo magno die by / from / in / with that great day

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 20

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Two little words with significant import in Roman life. The fifth declension introduces two nouns : res and dies. Each
noun has a specific sense, with wide usage across life

omnia res bonae sunt. res, -ei. 5f : takes its meaning from the context. The noun is everywhere, to meet the circumstance
of daily life. To the Romans, res may be interpreted to mean : thing (though rarely), object, event, circumstance, matter,
situation, act, property, possession, fact, interest, cause, reason, business, task, undertaking, case, et cetera. Example :

OMNIA RES BONAE SUNT

res and the adjective or participle. Latin has a large number of phrases consisting of res with either an adjective or a
Participle, in the nominative. Example :

res repentina sudden, hasty, unexpected res frumentaria a supply of gain, provisions

res secundae good fortune, prosperity res militaris the science of warfare

res adversae bad fortune, adversity res novae revolution, a change of

government
res communis the common interest, the
interest of both parties res publica public interest, political
affairs, public business,
res frumentaria a supply of gain, provisions matters of state, the state,
the government

res phrase may be modified with ad adverb, in the ablative. Example :

res gesta exploit, deed, achievement re bene gesta a successful / beneficial

affair

re male gesta a wrong / cruel / wicked

affair

desperate re despairing of success re impetrata when they had obtained

their request

qua re nuntiata when this movement was

reported

res phrase in the genitive plural. Example :

commutation rerum a reverse of fortune imperitus rerum ignorant of affairs

fortissimo rerum animalia the strongest animals dulcissime rerum the sweetest thing

res in the grand gesture. Example :

divinarum humanarumque rerum cognito of divine and human things considered…

magna res principio statim belli the auspicious beginning of war…

consilium pro tempore et pro re capere as the circumstances should require…

pro re pauca loquar I speak with a few words on behalf of…

relicitis rebus omnibus all things, having left…

in arbitrio rei uxoriae at the disposal of the dowry…

suffragiis res permittitur The question is put to the vote

repentina re perturbati sunt They were alarmed by the suddenness of the news

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 21

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

carpe diem, seize the present. dies, -ie. 5m or 5f. the solar or the sidereal day of 24 hours or the period of time from one
midnight to the next. Another usage, the dies is the period of daylight from sunrise to sunset. The noun is masculine,
particularly in the plural. If the noun appears in the feminine; dies is then the personification of a goddess. Example :

IN DIES, IN DIEM
EXERCERE DIEM

quota hora est What hour is it ? prima hora est It is the first hour

tertia hora est It is the third hour

duodecima hora est It is the twelfth hour

in dies, in diem every day, for a day dies natalis birthday

dies feriatus a holiday / day off / holy day

dies festus a festival day

stativae, -a, -um referred to a fixed festival conceptae, -arum referred to a moveable
day day

pridie (non declinable) the day before postpridie (non declinable) the day after

perendie (non declinable) the day after tomorrow heri (non declinable) yesterday

hodie (non declinable) today cras (non declinable) tomorrow

post (non declinable) (of time) afterwards, after ante (non declinable) (of time) before

aurora, -ae dawn mane (non declinable) morning

prima luce at dawn (at first light) matutinum tempus morning

meridies, -ei midday, noon, the 12th hour meridiatio, -onis midday nap, siesta

crepusculum, -i dusk, twilight vesper, -i evening

sub noctem at nightfall ad multum noctem until late at night

noctem et diem / noctes day and night / continually tenebrae, tenebraum darkness, (in particular) the
et dies darkness of night

paucis ante diebus a few days earlier postpridie eius diei the next day

diem de die prospectans day by day eagerly ubi ea dies venit when this day comes

die et nocte concoqui in a single day and night multo denique die late in the day

diem tempusque forsitan ipsum leniturum iras

The day and the time and circumstance might perhaps calm the angry passions

quae tot res in unum conclusit diem

So many things into one day, the things that be gathered

diem se ad deliberabdum sumpturum

That he would take time to deliberate

hic nuptiis dictus est dies

This was her wedding day

longa dies intervenit

A long time had passed

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 22

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nouns used only in the Plural

angustiae, -arum. 1f pl. narrowness, straightness; (geographic) pass, defile; (figurative) want, \

arma, -orum. 2n pl. defensive arms, weapons of war, weaponry; defence; (metaphor) war, soldiers, military power

coniurati, -orum. 2m pl. conspirators, plotters

deliciae, -arum. 1f pl. delights, pleasures, luxuries, comforts

divitiae, -arum. 1f pl. riches, wealth, affluence

idus, -uum. 4f pl. the Ides of the Roman calendar (15th day of March, May, July, October; 13th day of January, February,
April, June, August, September, November, December. Eight days after the Nones)

indutiae, -arum. 1f pl. truce, armistice, cessation, respite

insidiae, -arum. 1f pl. ambush; artifice, plot, snare

maiores, -um. 3m pl. ancestors

manes, -ium. 3m, i-stem, pl. spirits of dead ancestors, defied, shades, a corpse, ashes, remains

moenia, -ium. 3n, i-stem, pl. city walls, fortifications, walls, ramparts

minae, -arum. 1f pl. projecting points, pinnacles, battlements, parapets; (figurative) threats, menaces

nuptiae, -arum. 1f pl. wedding, marriage, nuptials (one ceremony, two persons). nubo, nubere, nupsi, nuptum (3). to
cover, veil; (intransitive w dat) to veil oneself for, get married to, marry, wed (used only by women)

posteri, -orum. 2m pl, no dat, no abl. following, next, coming after; descendants

reliquiae, -arum. 1f pl. remains, relics, remnants, survivors

tenebrae, -arum. 1f pl. darkness (the darkness of night); (poetic) shadow of death, prison, dungeon; (by extension) gloom
or darkness of the mind

verbera, -um. 3n. pl. blows; (instrument for flogging) lash, whip

NOUNS USED MAINLY IN THE PLURAL

cervix, -is. 3f. neck of a person or an animal; (by extension) neck of an object, bottle; (figurative) boldness, headstrong

fides, -is. 3f, i-stem, gut string (of a musical instrument); (plural) lyre, lute, harp. Nota bene : fides, -ei. 5f. faith, loyalty

naris, -is, 3f, i-stem. (anatomy) nostril, nose; opening, vent, air-hole

viscus, -is. 3n. (anatomy) any internal organ of the body, entrails, viscera

copia, -ae. 1f. supply, plenty, abundance, copious; (plural) troops, forces, resources

locus, -i. 2m, irr. I. sg. place or spot (a specific geographic location) pl masc pl neut
II. pl masc. passage of literature N locus loci loca
III. pl neut. region or geographical area G loci locorum locorum
D loco locis locis
Ac locum locos loca
Ab loco locis locis
V loce loci loca

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 23

Latin Declension of Nouns : Formation and Usage
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PECULIAR, NON DECLINABLE NOUNS

Peculiar and non declinable nouns. Not all nouns conform to one of the five declensions. Cited below are four peculiar,
non declinable nouns in unique ways. The nouns are : fas, instar, mane, and nefas. They exist in the nominative and
accusative singular only. Example :

fas. neut. nom and acc instar. neut. nom and acc mane. neut. nom and acc nefas. neut. nom and acc
sg. dictates of religion, sg. equal form (of), equal / sg. morning sg. moral wrong, wicked
divine law (opposed to size / weight / form (of) act, offensive, forbidden,
human law), obligation misdeed or misdoing

N fas instar manis nefas

G - - - -
D - - - -
Ac fas instar manis nefas
Ab - - mani -

Nota bene : fas. non declinable, no gen, sg only. hoc contra ius fasque est. This is against law and divine law

instar. non declinable, no gen, sg only. corhortes quaendum, quod instar legionis videbatur, erant post
sylvan. Some cohorts, that were as large as legions, were behind the forest

mane. non declinable, no gen, sg only. mani, aurora affecti sumus. In the morning, we were affected by
the dawn. Vulgar Latin : maneana… morning…

nefas. non declinable, no gen, sg only. ille est nefas. That man is wicked. (The adjective nefarious is a
derivative of nefas.)
.
.

Odes 1.11

Tu ne quaesieris, scire nefas, quem mihi, quem tibi

finem di dederint, Leuconone, nec Babylonios

temptaris numerous. ut melius quicquid erit pati

seu pluris hiemes seu tribuit Iuppiter ultimam,

quae nunc oppositis debilitat pumicibus mare

Tyrrhenum, sapias, vina liques et spatio brevi

spem longam reseces. Dum loquimur, fugerit invida

aetas : carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero

Quintus Horatius Flaccus

© Michael Eugene Lambert, 2020. All rights reserved. 24

 FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD DECLENSION

1. First Declension Nouns are declined thus:

Singular Plural
Nom. -a -ae
Gen. -ae -arum
Dat. -ae -is
Acc. -am -as
Abl. -a -is

2. Second Declension Nouns are declined thus:

Masculine Neuter

Singular Plural Singular Plural

Nom. -us (-er) -i Nom. -um -a
Gen. - -i -orum Gen. -i -orum
Dat. -o -is Dat. -o -is
Acc. -um -os Acc. -um -a
Abl. -o -is Abl. -o -is

3. Third Declension Nouns are declined thus:

Masculine & Feminine Neuter

Singular Plural Singular Plural

Nom. ----- -es Nom. ------ -a
Gen. -is -um Gen. -is -um
Dat. -i -ibus Dat. -i -ibus
Acc. -em -es Acc. ------ -a
Abl. -e -ibus Abl. -e -ibus

Remember the Neuter Rule:

The Nominative and the Accusative are always alike, and in the plural end in -a.

Remember:
i) The Accusative singular always ends in -m for masculine and feminine
nouns.
ii) The Ablative singular always ends in a vowel.
ii) The Dative and Ablative plurals are always alike within each declension.
 DECLENSION OF NOUNS
In English, the relationship between words in a sentence depends primarily on word
order. The difference between the god desires the girl and the girl desires the god is
immediately apparent to us. Latin does not depend on word order for basic meaning,
but on inflections (changes in the endings of words) to indicate the function of words
within a sentence.
Thus the god desires the girl can be expressed in Latin deus puellam desiderat, puellam deus
desiderat, or desiderat puellam deus without any change in basic meaning. The accusative
ending of puellam shows that the girl is being acted upon (i.e., is the object of the verb) and
is not the actor (i.e., the subject of the verb). Similarly, the nominative form of deus shows
that the god is the actor (agent) in the sentence, not the object of the verb.
The inflection of nouns is called declension. The individual declensions are called cases,
and together they form the case system. Nouns, pronouns, adjectives and participles
are declined in six Cases: nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, ablative, and vocative and
two Numbers (singular and plural). (The locative, an archaic case, existed in the classical
period only for a few words).
. Nominative Indicates the subject of a sentence. (The boy loves the book).
. Genitive Indicates possession. (The boy loves the girl’s book).
. Dative Indicates indirect object. (The boy gave the book to the girl).
. Accusative Indicates direct object. (The boy loves the book).
. Ablative Answers the questions from where? by what means? how? from what
cause? in what manner? when? or where?
The ablative is used to show separation (from), instrumentality or
means (by, with), accompaniment (with), or locality (at). It is often
used with a preposition: The boy went to the store with the girl.
. Vocative Used for direct address: Son, pick up the book.
. Locative Also answers the question where? in what place?
In classical Latin the locative was nearly obsolete, replaced by the
ablative of location, and was confined to cities, small islands, and a
few others words (Romae, at Rome; domi, at home; ruri, in the country;
humi, on the ground).
Because the possible relationships between words far exceed six or seven cases, Latin
uses other devices to vary meaning:
. Prepositions are common with the accusative and ablative cases, with special
meanings (trans flumen, across the river; coram populo, in the presence of the
people).
.The cases themselves serve different functions, the genitive, dative, and ablative
being particularly rich in meaning.
For example, even in English the phrase "man of steel" does not imply literal
possession (i.e., it doesn't mean "the steel's man"), but is a genitive of description.
Similarly puella magnae sapientiae ("a girl of great wisdom") is a genitive of description,
not of possession.
. Verbs sometimes "govern" or require the use of a particular case, often with
idiomatic meaning. These must be learned as they are encountered.