COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES.

IRREGULAR COMPARISIONS

ADVERBS. DEGREES OF COMPARISON OF ADVERBS.

ADVERBS COMMON USED IN PRESCRIPTIONS.

 

 Latin adjectives have wto degrees of comparison: the comparative degree (gradus comparativus) and the superlative degree (gradus superlativus).

 In a dictionary the positive degree (gradus positivus) of an adjective is given.

 Gradus comparativus is formed by adding the suffix –ior to the stem of an adjective (for masculine and feminine forms) and the suffix –ius (for neuter forms).

 

 

 NB! Comparative adjectives are declined like the third declensioouns of the consonant type. Their case endings are on the table outside the brackets.

 The Comparative are declined thus:

 

 Gradus superlativus is formed by adding the suffix –issim and the gender inflections –us (m), –a (f), –um (n) to the stem of an adjective.

 

 

 NB! The superlatives are usually declined like the first and the second declension nouns.

                                Singularis                                     Pluralis

                  m                   f              n                  m                    f           n

 Nom. brevissimus,        -a,           -um      brevissimi,           -a,           -um

 Gen.  brevissimi,           -ae,         -i     brevissimorum,   -arum,     -orum

 Dat.  brevissimo,           -ae,         -o         brevissimis,         -is,           -is

 Acc.  brevissimum,        -am,       -um     brevissimos,        -as,           -um

 Abl.  brevissimo,            -a           -o          brevissimis,          -is,          -is

 

The peculiarities of forming some superlatives

 

I.                   The masculine adjectives with the ending –er form the superlatives by adding the suffix –rim and the gender inflections –us (m), -a (f), -um (n) to the masculine form in Nom. Sing. (not to the stem!)

E.g.:            Positivus                      Comparativus                Superlativus

              rubber, bra, brum            rubrior (m, f)             ruberrimus, a, um

                                                          rubrius (n)

 

II.                Six adjectives with the ending –lis, e form the comparatives according to the main rule, but their superlatives are formed by adding the suffix –lim and the gender inflections – us, a, um to the stem of an adjective.

               

           

  

 NB! Other adjectives with the ending –lis, e form gradus superlativus according to the main rule.

III.             The first class adjectives with the ending –us, a, um preceded by a vowel form comparative degree (gradus comparativus) by means of the adverb magis (more) and the superlative degree (gradus superlativus) by means of the adverb maxime (most).

 

       E.g.:              Positivus                        Comparativus                   Superlativus

necessary      necessaries, a, um         magis necessarius, a, um    maxime necessarius, a, um

  

NB! Comparison of three or more people\ things or parts of the whole thing is expressed be the superlativus whereas the names of other people, things are put in Genetivus. Such Genetivus is called Genetivus partitivus.

 E.g.: Omnium atrium medicina nobilissima est (Hippocrates). Medicine is the noblest of all arts.

Exercise 1

 Form the comparative and superlative adjectives:

 longus, a, um (long); saluber, bra, brum (healthy); profundus, a, um (profound); utilis, e (useful).

Exercise 2

Translate into English:

a)    1. Omnium costarum skeleti femur longissimum est. 2. Misce pulverem subtilissimum cum Vaselino flavo. 3. Omnium vasorum corporis humani vasa capillaria tenuissima sunt. 4. Phalanges hallucis crassiores sunt, quam phalanges pollicis. 5. Misce, fiat pulvis subtilissimus.

b)    Rp.: Solutionis Zinci sulfatis 0,25% 10,0

              Acidi borici purissimi 0,2

              Solve!

              Da. Signa.

      Rp.: Amyli Oryzae 45,0

              Zinci oxydi 20,0

              Talci veneti 30,0

              Magnesii carbonatis levissimi 5,0

              Misce, fiat pulvis subtilissimus

              Da. Signa.

Exercise 3

 Translate into Latin:

 1. Toothache (eyeache, earache) is very acute. 2. Prepare the subtlest powder. 3. Take as much of the subtlest powder as is required. 4. Vegetable food is very useful.

 

Exercise 4

 Translate the prescriptions into Latin:

Take: 1. The purest Vaseline oil 200 ml. Prescribe one tablespoon at one time.

           2. 59 grams of the subtlest sterile sulphanilamide for the aspersion of the wound.

 

Latin sayings and aphorisms

1.    Omnium malorum stultitia est mater. – Folly is the mother of all misfortunes.

2.    Recta linea est brevissima,         A straight line is the shortest, a straight road is the most

recta vita est tutissima.-              dangereous.

 3. Medicina fructuosior ars nulla. – there is no other art useful as medicine (Pliny the  Elder)

IRREGULAR COMPARISIONS

  Some Latin adjectives form their comparatives and superlatives from different stems:

  Positivus                              Comparativus                        Superlativus

 bonus, a, um                       melior, ius                             optimus, a, um

 (good)                                   (better)                                   (the best)

 malus, a, um                        pejor, ius                               pessimus, a, um

 (bad)                                      (worse)                                   (the worst)

 magnus, a, um                     major, ius                              maximus, a, um

 (great)                                   (graeter)                                  (the greatest)

 parvus, a, um                       minor, us                               minimus, a, um

 (small)                                   (smaller)                                 (the smallest)

 multus, a, um                        plus, pluris                            plurimus, a, um

 (many)                                    (more)                                     (the most)

 

Incomplete comparisons

 

 Some Latin adjectives derived from adverbs or prepositions do not have a positive degree, but their comparative degree has the meaning of a positive one. E.g.:

 Comparativus                                            Superlativus

 anterior, ius                                                        –

 (anterior)

 inferior, ius                                                infimus, a, um

 (inferior, lower)                                          (lowest)

 interior, ius                                                 intimus, a, um

 (interior)                                                       (intimate)

 posterior, ius                                              postremus, a, um

 (posterior, ius)                                             (last)

 proprior, ius                                               proximus, a, um

 (nearer)                                                         (nearest)

 superior, ius                                                supremus, a, um

 (superior, upper)                                          (supreme, highest)

 

NB! The adjective proximalis, e is derived from proximus (proximal).

 A lot of latin comparatives have English words, e.g.: inferior and superior, junior, senior. Some superlatives are also English words now, e.g.: minimum, maximum. 

 

Exercise 1

Translate the terms into English:

Anatomical: ostium venae cavae superioris; foramina venarum minimarum; valvula venae cavae inferioris; ramus anterior descendens; rami articulares anteriores; segmentum anterius superius; musculus rectus capitis posterior minor; musculus flexor digiti minimi brevis.

 Histological: camera anterior; tunica interna (intima); gemma membri superioris; pars proximalis; camera posterior oculi; neuron fusiformae parvum; grandula vestibularis minor.

 Pharmaceutical: Vaselinum optimum pro oculis; infusum foliorum Plantaginis majoris; folia plantaginis majoris; decoctum hrbae Vincae minoris.

 Clinical diagnoses: Aneurysma parietis anterioris ventriculi sinistri acutum. Syndromum thrombosis sinus sagittalis superioris. Abscessus lobs superioris pulmonis dextri postpneumonicus acutus. Phlebectasia membrorum inferiorum. Tuberculosis lobi superioris pulmonis dextri focalis.

Exercise 2

 Translate the prescriptions into English:

1.    Rp.: Infusi foliorum Plantaginis majoris ex 10,0 -200 ml

               Da. Signa.

2.    Rp.: Chloroformii pro narcosi 100 ml

              Aetheris purissimi pro narcosi 80 ml

              Spiritus aethylici rectificati 30 ml

              Misce. Da. Signa.

Exercise 3

 Translate the terms into Latin:

 Anatomical: posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh; superior cerebellar veins; the highest intercostals vein; anterior basic segment.

Histological: great vestibular gland; anterior branch of the left crus; small pyramidal neuron; posterior epithelium;

Pharmaceutical: grass of vinca minor; the best vaseline for eyes; juice from the plantago major leaves.

Clinical diagnoses: myocardial infarction of the anterior wall of the left ventricle; cirrhotic tuberculosis of the upper lobe of the left lung; paresis of the lower limbs.

 

Latin sayings and aphorisms

1.    A posteriori. – Based on the experience.

2.    A priori. – Despite the experience.

3.    Fames optimum condimentum est. – Hunger is the best spice.

4.  Sibi imperare maximum imperium est. – The greatest power is when you give orders to yourself.

5. Tempus est optimus medicus. – Time is a great healer.

 

ADVERBS. DEGREES OF COMPARISON OF ADVERBS. ADVERBS

COMMON USED IN PRESCRIPTIONS.

 Latin adverbs are: ana (so much of each); ubi (where); interdum (sometimes); gratis (free of charge); post (after); quantum satis (as much as is required); saepe (often); semper (always); statim (immediately); quantum libet (as much as is desired).

 Many adverbs are derived from adjectives and other parts of speech.

 Most adverbs are formed by adding the ending –e to the stems of the corresponding first class adjectives, e.g.:

                                     Adjective                                        Adverb

                                    longus, a, um (long)                       longe

 Some adverbs are formed by adding –o to the stems of the first class adjectives. You should remember them:

 

 

  Some adverbs are formed by adding the ending –iter to the stems of the second class (third declension) adjectives, e.g.:

           Latin adjective              Translation           Latin adverb          Translation

           brevis, e                         short, brief            breviter                  in short, briefly

           simplex, icis                   simple                   simpliciter             simply

  Some adverbs are derived from those second class adjectives which have one gender inflection and the stem ending in –nt. These adverbs are formed by adding –er to the stem of an adjective, e.g.:

   Latin adjective         Translation        Latin adverb          Translation

   prudens, ntis           prudent           prudenter       in a prudent, reasonable, sensible way

   recens, ntis               recent                  recenter          recently

   sapiens, ntis             sapient                 sapienter        in a sapient way

        Some neuter adjectives in a positive degree can be used as adverbs, e.g.:

 Latin adjective          Translation         Latin adverb          Translation

 facilis, e                     facile                   facile                       easily

 difficilis, e                 difficult               difficile                    difficult

 multus, a, um           numerous             multum                   many, much

Comparative and superlative adverbs

 Adverbs formed from qualitative adjectives have three degrees of comparison: positive (positivus), comparative (comparativus) and superlative (superlatives). Comparative adverbs are the same as comparative neuter adjectives. We form the superlative by changing the gender inflection of a superlative adjective –us into –e, e.g.:

Irregular comparisons

 

 Some Latin adverbs form the comparative and superlative from different stems, e.g.:

 

Adverbs which are used in medical terminology and prescriptions

 

 acute acutely                                minutim fine, into small particles

 ana so much of each                    modice into neither big no small parts

 aseptice in aseptic conditions      optime best

 bene well                                      partim partly

 calide when being warm (hot)     perpetuo forever, eternally in (to, for) perpetuity

 caute carefully                             praecipue mainly

 cito quickly                                  quantum libet as much as is desired

 citissime as quickly as possible   quantum satis as much as is required

 continue continuously                 recenter recently, just

 exacte exactly                                  statim immediately, at once

 exactissime as exactly as possible  longe subtilissimus, a, um into tiny (subtlest) parts

 frigide when being cold

 gratis gratis

 grosse roughly

 lente slowly

 male badly

                                                       Exercise 1

 Form the adverbs and their comparative and superlative from the adjectives given below:

diligens, ntis (diligent);        citus, a, um (quick, fast);         simlex, icis (simple)

 

Exercise 2

 Translate the clinical diagnoses into English:

1. Bronchitis distalis bronchoobstructiva chronica, cursus continue recidivus.

2. Arthritis rheumatoidea, seronegativa, cursus lente progressivus, activitas gradus II (secundi).

3. Hernia inguinalis incarcerate sinistra.

 

Exercise 3

 Translate the pharmaceutical terms into English:

1. Spiritus Vini optime rectificatus seu spiritus aethylicus. 2. Infusa frigide (calide) parata. 3. Remedium exactissime paratum. 4. Remedia recenter parata. 5. Pulvis longe subtilissimus.

 

Exercise 4

 Translate into English:

1. Medici debent curare aegrotos cito, tuto et jucunde (A. Corn. Celsus). 2. Multum vinum bibere, non diu vivere. 3. Morbi inveterati semper difficile curantur.

  

Exercise 5

 Translate the prescriptions into English:

1.    Rp.: Xycaini 1,25

              Solutionis Natrii chloride isotonicae 0,9 % ad 500 ml

              Misce. Sterilisa!

              Adde aseptice:

              Solutionis adrenelini hydrochloridi 1:1000 guttas XXX

              Misce. Da. Signa.

2.    Rp.: Strychnini nitratis 0,03

              Massae pilularum quantim satis, ut fiant pilulae numero 30

              Da. Signa.

Exercise 6

 Translate the clinical diagnoses into Latin:

1.    Rheumatism, II degree of activity, recurring course.

2.    Chronic atrophic gastritis with evident secretor deficiency, exacerbation phase.

3.    Incarcerated femoral right-side hernia.

 

Exercise 7

 Translate the pharmaceutical terms into Latin:

1. Infusion made when being hot. 2. Roughly powdered. 3. Drugs which are just made. 4. Subtle powder. 5. Preserve carefully! 6. Well-dried leaves. 7. Add white sugar as much as is required.

Exercise 8

 Write the prescriptions in Latin. Prescribe:

1.    6,0 grams of ferrous lactate, extract and powder which are made from licorice root as much as is required to make 60 pills. Prescribe one pill two times a day after meals.

2.    Calcium lactate and calcium glucerophosphate: take 0,25 of each. Give 20 such doses in tablets. Prescribe one tablet 2-3 times a day.

 

Latin sayings and aphorisms

 

1.    Bene diagnoscitur, bene curantur. – What is well diagnosed will be well treated.

2.    Citius, altius, fortius! – Quicker, higher, stronger (the slogan of the Olympic Games)

3.    Potius sero quam nunquam. – Better late thaever.

4.    Feliciter vade! – Bon voyage!

5.    Quidquid agis, prudenter agas et    Give a thought to everything that you do  and

respice finem!                                     think about the results.

6.         Male parta male dilabuntur. – Easy come, easy go.

 

REVISION ON ADJECTIVES.

ADJECTIVES. CLASS II. GREEK EQUIVALENTS OF THE LATIN SECOND CLASS ADJECTIVES

 

The second class adjectives are divided into three subclasses:

1.    Adjectives with three gender inflections:

–er(m), -is(f);–e(n), e.g.: saluber, salubris, salubre (healthy). In a dictionary their short form is given, e.g.: saluber, bris, bre.

 

2. Adjectives with two gender inflections:

–is(m, f); -e(n), e.g.: cervicalis, cervicale (cervical). In a dictionary their short form is given: cervicalis, e (cervical); brevis, e (short).

 Such adjectives are frequently used in medical terminology, e.g.:

   abdominalis, e – abdominal

    facialis, e – facial

    cerebralis, e – cerebral

    cranialis, e – cranial

 

3.    Adjectives having the same inflections: -s, -r, -x for all genders in the Nominative case, singular, e.g.:

par, paris – pair

recens, ntis – recent

simplex, icis – simple

 

In a dictionary adjectives of the third subclass are presented like the third declensioouns, that their forms in Nom. et Gen. Sing. are given. Compare:

 

            Noun                                         Adjective

exemplar, aris n – example                 par, paris – pair

dens, ntis m – tooth                              recens, ntis – recent

apex, icis m – apex                               simplex, icis – simple

 The noun is followed by the letter which indicates its gender whereas the adjective is not followed by such a letter.

 

 The stem of the first and second subclass adjectives is found by dropping the ending of the feminine form, e.g.;

   saluber, br-is, bre – the stem is salubr-; frontalis, e – the stem is frontal-.  

 

 The  stem of the third subclass adjectives is found by dropping the ending –is in Gen. Sing., e.g.:

      recens, ntis – the stem is recent-

      simplex, icis – the stem is simplic-

 

 The second subclass adjectives in the positive degree are declined like the third declensioouns of the vowel type. You can find their case endings on the table in  brackets. They have the ending –i in Abl. Sing.,-ia in Nom. Plur. of neuter nouns, and –ium in Gen. Plur. E.g.:

 

                     Singularis                          Pluralis

Nom.  brevis          breve                       brev-es     brev-ia

Gen.            brev-is                                        brev-ium

Dat.             brev-i                                          brev-ibus

Acc.    brevem         breve                     brev-es      brev-ia

Abl.              brev-i                                         brev-ibus

 

 

Greek equivalents of the Latin second class adjectives

 

Latin word           Greek noun and its stem             Meaning

 

aequalis, e           homoios        homoeo-              like, meaning (a combining form

                             homo            homo-                    denoting sameness or similarity)

brevis, e             brachys        brachy-             short (a combining form meaning short)

celer, is e            tachys           tachy-                  swift (a combining form meaning swift or rapid)

dulcis, e              glykys           glyk-; glyc-         sweet (a combining form denoting relationship to (a) sweetness (b) sugar, sometimes specifically glucose, (c) glycerine, or (d) glycogen)

latens, ntis          cryptos          crypt-                    latent, not manifest, concealed

mollis, e              malakos         malac-                   soft (a combining form denoting a condition of abnormal softness)

omnis, e              pas, pantos   pan-, pant-              every, any

par, paris           isos               iso-                           pair

senex, senis        geron,           ger-,                          old (a combining form

                            gerontos       geront-                      denoting relationship to old age or to the aged)

viridis, e              chloros         chlor-                       green

 

Word terminations

 

-pepsia – pertaining to digestion;

-chylia – pertaining to gastric juice;

-iatria – pertaining to a physician’s activity (a combining form denoting relationship to medical treatment);

-genes, is = -genus, a, um – denotes production, formation or development of the object or state indicated by the word stem to which it is affixed;

-pnoe – resparation.

 

Exercise 1

 

Agree the adjectives with the nouns and form Nom. Plur. of the word combinations:

 abdominalis, e (musculus, i m; regio, onis f; ligamentum, i n);

 recens, ntis (succus, i m; solution, onis f; infusum, i n)

 Exercise 2

 Translate the terms into English:

Anatomical

vesica biliaris, articulation simplex, ossa terporalia, canales aveolares

 Histological

bulbus terminalis, foramen apicale dentis, nomina generalia, cartilagines bronchiales.

Pharmaceutical

Extractum Adonidis vernalis; succus gastricus naturalis; suppositoria rectalia; hirudens medicinales.

Clinical

 homoeophatia; brachycephalia; tachypnoe; odontogenus, a, um; cryptomnesia; malacoplakia; panophthalmitis; pantophobia; isothenuria; chloranaemia.

 

Clinical diagnoses

1.    Bronchitis endogena toxica cum syndrome obstructivo manifesto, cursus gravis. Insufficientia renalis. 2. Hernia umbilicalis incarcerata.

 

Exercise 3

 Translate the prescriptions into English:

 Rp.: Infusi Adonidis vernalis ex 6,0 -180 ml.

        Diuretini 4,0

        Sirupi simplicis ad 200 ml

        Misce. Da. Signa.

 Rp.: Natrii salicylatis 6,0

        Natrii hydrocarbonatis 3,0

        Misce, ut fiat pulvis

        Divide in partes aequales numero 12

        Da. Signa.

Exercise III

 Translate the terms into Latin:

Anatomical

surface of the gallbladder, simple joints (articulations), temporal bone, basal part of the occipital bone

Histological

 general name, dental laminas, bronchial cartilage, apical foramens of the teeth

 

Pharmaceutical

Infusion of the vernal Adonis; rectal suppository; 20,0 of natural gastric juice.

 

Clinical

brachydactyly; renal insufficiency; umbilical hernia; inoperable patient; very rapid breathing, tachypnea; glycemia; cryptophthalmus.

 

Latin sayings and aphorisms

 

1.    Ars longa, vita brevis. – Art is long, life is short.

2.    Fortes fortuna adiuvat. – Fortune likes courageous people. Courage wins.

3.    Omne initium difficile est. – Beginning is always difficult.

4.    Non omnia possumus omnes. – Not everybody among us can do everything.   

LIST OF ADJECTIVES IN LATIN

Below is a list of the Adjectives, Colors, Shapes, Sizes in Latin placed in a table. Memorizing this table will help you add very useful and important words to your Latin vocabulary.

English Adjectives	Latin Adjectives
colors	colores
black	niger color
blue	caeruleus color
brown	fuscus color
gray	cineraceus color
green	viridis color
orange	luteus color
purple	violaceus color
red	ruber color
white	albus color
yellow	flavus color
sizes	mensurae
big	magnus
deep	profundus
long	longus
narrow	angustus
short	brevis
small	parvus
tall	altus
thick	densus
thin	gracilis
wide	latus
shapes	formae
circular	rotundus
straight	rectus
square	quadratus
triangular	triangulus
tastes	sapores
bitter	acerbus
fresh	frigidus
salty	salsus
sour	acidus
spicy	piperatus
sweet	dulcis
qualities	species
bad	malus
clean	tersus
dark	ater
difficult	difficilis
dirty	sordidus
dry	siccus
easy	facilis
empty	cassus
expensive	carus
fast	velox
foreign	extrarius
full	plenus
good	bonus
hard	durus
heavy	gravis
inexpensive	insumptuosus
light	splendidus
local	loci (gen of locus)
new	novus
noisy	sonans
old	vetus
powerful	potens
quiet	quietus
correct	rectus
slow	tardus
soft	mollis
very	valde
weak	tenuis
wet	madidus
wrong	emendosus
young	tener
quantities	modi
few	pauci
little	parum
many	multi
much	multum
part	pars
some	aliquis
a few	aliqui
whole	universus

USEFUL MEDICAL SAYINGS AND APHORISMS

 

Abscessus	Abscess.
Absente febre (Abs. feb.)	Fever being absent.
Accessio	Seizure.
Accurate	Accurately.
Acerbus	Sharp, harsh (to the taste).
Ad conciliandum gustum	To suit the taste.
Ad duas vices	At twice taking.
Ad partes dolentes (Ad. Part. Dolent.)	To the painful (aching) parts.
Ad saturandum (Ad sat.)	To saturation.
Ad secundum vicem	For the second time.
Ad tertiam vicem	For the third time.
Adde, Addantur	Add, Let them be added.
Adhibendus (Adhib.)	To be administered.
Adstante febri (Ads. feb.)	While fever is present.
Adversum (Adv.)	Against.
Aeger	The sick one, the patient.
Aggrediente febre (Aggr. feb.)	While the fever is coming on.
Agita	Shake, stir.
Agita ante sumendum	Shake before taking.
Agitato vase	The vile being shaken.
Agitetur	Let it be shaken or stirred.
Alternis horis	Every other hour.
Alvus	The belly, the bowels.
Ante cibum (AC)	Before meals.
Ante prandium (AP)	Before a meal.
Apoplexia	Apoplexy, Stroke.
Appone, Applica	Apply, Lay or put on.
Aqua pura (Aq. pur.)	Pure water. (filtered, not distilled)
Baccalaureus Medicinae (BM)	Bachelor of Medicine.
Balneum maris (BM)	Salt	water bath.
Balneum tepidum (BT)	A tepid bath.
Bis in die (bid.)	Twice a day.
Bolus	A large pill.
Brachium	Arm.
Bulliat, Bulliant	Let it (or them) boil.
Butyrum	Butter.
Calor	Heat, warmth.
Capiatur (Capr.)	Let it be taken.
Capillus	A hair.
Caput	The head.
Caute	Cautiously.
Cena	Supper.
Cibus	Food, victuals.
Cito	Quickly.
Clarus	Bright, clear.
Cochleare, Cochleatim	A spoonful. By spoonfuls.
Coctio	Boiling.
Colaturas	About to strain. (Sufficient to strain)
Colatus	Strained.
Colentur	Let them be strained.
Colica	Colic.
Collum	The neck.
Collutorium (Collut.)	A mouth	wash.
Collyrium (Collyr.)	An eye	lotion.
Commisce	Mix together.
Constipatio	Constipation.
Contere	Rub together.
Contusus	Buised.
Convulsio	Convulsions.
Coque secundum artem (Coq. SA)	Boil according to art.
Cor	The heart.
Coup	Stroke.
Coxa	The hip.
Cras mane (CM)	Tomorrow morning.
Cras mane sumendus (CMS)	To be taken tomorrow morning.
Cras nocte (CN)	Tomorrow night.
Crastinus (Crast.)	For tomorrow.
Cruor	Blood, gore.
Cum	With.
Cura te ipsum	Physician, heal thyself!
Cursu hodie	During the day.
Cyathus aquae (C. aq.)	A glass of water.
Da, signa (DS)	Give and sign.
Deaurentur pilulae (Deaur. pil.)	Let the pills be gilt.
Debilitas	Debility, Illness, Weakness.
Debita spissitudine (D, spiss.)	With a proper consistence.
Decanta	Pour off.
Decessus	Died, Death.
Decoctum	A decoction.
Decubitus	Lying down.
Decubitus (Decub.)	Lying down.
Deglutiatur (Deglut.)	Let it be swallowed.
Dejectiones alvi	Stools.
Delirium tremens	Alcoholic distress; delusions and trembling.
Dementia a potu	Insanity from drinking.
Dentes	The teeth.
Dentur ad scatulam (Dent. ad scat.)	Let them be put in a box.
Dentur tales doses (DTD)	Let such doses be given.
Detur (Det.)	Let it be given.
Detur in duplo (D. in dup.)	Let twice as much be given.
Detur, signetur	Let it be given and signed.
Dextro lateri (Dext. lat.)	To the right side.
Dicbus alternis (Dicb, altern.)	Every other day.
Die sequente (D. seq.)	On the following day.
Digere, Digeretur	Digest, Let it be digested.
Diluculo (Diluc.)	At break of day.
Dilue, Dilutus	Dilute (thou), Diluted.
Dimidius	One half.
Directione propria (DP)	With a proper direction.
Divide in partes aequales (D. in px)	Divide into equal parts.
Dolor	Pain.
Donec	Until.
Dosi pedetentim crescente (DPC)	The dose gradually increasing.
Dosis	Dose.
Dysenteria	Dysentery.
E gelatina vituli (E gel vit.)	In calf’s foot jelly.
E paulo aquae (E paul. aq.)	In a little water.
E quolibet vehiculo idoneo (E quol. vehic, idon.)	In any suitable vehicle.
Eadem (Ead.)	The same.
Ecclampsia	Convulsions.
Ejusdem (Ejusd.)	Of the same.
Electuarium (Elect.)	An electuary.
Emesis	Vomiting.
Emeticum (Emet.)	An emetic.
Empicus	Lung disease.
Emplastrum (Emp.)	A plaster.
Emplastrum lyttx (Emp. lytt.)	A blister.
Epilepsia	Epilepsy.
Et	And.
Etiam	Also, besides.
Evacuatio (Evac.)	A motion.
Evanuerit	Shall have disappeared.
Ex aqua (Ex aq.)	In water.
Ex parte	Partly.
Exhaustio	Exhaustion.
Exhibeatur (Exhib.)	Let it be exhibited.
Extemplo (Estempl.)	To at once, immediately.
Extende super alutam mollem (Ext. sup. alut. moll.)	Spread it on soft leather.
Extende, Extendatur	Spread, Let it be spread.
Extractum (Ext.)	An extract.
Fac	Make (thou).
Fascia lintea	A linen bandage.
Feber (Febris)	Fever.
Febri durante (Feb. dur.)	During the fever.
Febris Adenomeningea	Adenomeningeal Fever.
Febris Africana	African Fever.
Febris Angina	Angina.
Febris Castrensis	Camp Fever.
Febris Enterica	Enteric Fever.
Febris Flava	Yellow Fever.
Febris Intermittens	Intermittent Fever.
Febris Militarius	War Fever.
Febris Nervosa	Nervous Fever.
Febris Petechialis	Spotted Fever.
Febris Puerperalis	Puerperal Fever.
Febris Remittens	Remittent Fever.
Febris Rubra	Scarlet Fever.
Febris Scorbutica	Scorbutic Fever.
Febris Verminosa	Verminous Fever.
Femoribus internis (Fem. intern.)	To the inner part of the thighs.
Fiant pilulae (Ft. pil.)	Let the pills, be made.
Fiat	Let it be made.
Fiat haustus (Ft. haust.)	Let a draught be made.
Fiat lege artis (FLA)	Let it be made according to rule.
Fiat mistura (FM., ft. mist.)	Let a mixture be made.
Fiat pilula (Ft. pil.)	Let a pill be made.
Fiat secundum artem (FSA)	Let it be made according to art.
Filtrum (Filtr.)	A filter.
Flavus	Yellow.
Flores	Flowers.
Folia	Leaves.
Frigor	Cold.
Frustillatim	In small pieces.
Frustillatim (Frust.)	Little by little.
Frustum (Frust.)	A little bit.
Fuerit	Shall have been.
Fuscus	Brown, dark.
Gargarisma	A gargle.
Gelatina quavis (Gel. quav.)	In any kind of jelly.
Gradatim	By degrees, gradually.
Gratus	Peasant.
Gutta, Guttae	A drop, Drops.
Guttatim	By drops.
Gutturi applicandus (Guttur. appl.)	To be applied to the throat.
Harum pilulae tres sumantur (Har. pil. iij. s.)	Let three of these pills be taken
Haustus ter de die sumendus (Ht. TDDS)	The draught to be taken three times a day.
Hebdomada (Hebdom.)	For a week.
Hirudo	A leech.
Hora	An hour.
Hora somni (HS)	At bedtime. (At the hour of sleep)
Horae unius spatio (Hor. un. spat.)	At the expiration of one hour.
Horis intermediis (Hor, interm.)	In the intermediate hours.
Hujus formae (HF)	Of this shape. (emplast)
Idem	The same.
Identidem	Repeatedly, Often.
Idoneus	Sitable, proper, convenient.
Illico	Then, immediately.
Immitatur	Let it be placed in.
Impetu effervescentiae (Impet. efferv.)	During effervescence.
Imprimis	First, chiefly.
In decocto hordei (In decoct. hord.)	In barley water.
In dies (In d.)	From day to day.
In folio argenti volvendas (In fol. arg. vol.)	Rolled in silver leaf.
In fusum (Inf.)	An infusion.
In loco frigido	In a cold place.
In partes aequales (In p. aeq.)	Into equal parts.
In pulmento (In pulm.)	In gruel.
Incide, Incisus	Cut (thou), Being cut.
Inde	Therefrom.
Infectio	Infection.
Inflammatio	Inflammation.
Infricandus	To be rubbed in.
Infricetur (Infric.)	Let it be rubbed in.
Infunde (Infund.)	Pour in.
Ingere, Ingerendus	Put in, Putting into.
Injectio (Inj.)	An injection.
Injectio hypodermica (Inj. hyp.)	An hypodermic injection.
Injiciatur enema (Inj. enem.)	Let an enema be administered.
Inspissare (Insp.)	To thicken.
Instar	As big as, the size of.
Inter	Between.
Intus	Inwardly.
Ita	In such manner.
Jentaculum	Breakfast.
Jusculum	Soup.
Lana	Flannel, wool.
Languor	Waintness.
Latere admoveatur	Let it be applied to the side.
Lateri dolenti (Lat. dol.)	To the affected side.
Latus	The side.
Lectus	A bed.
Leniter	Easily, gently.
Linimentum parti affectre infricandum (Lin. p. a. infr.)	The liniment to be rubbed on the affected part.
Luce prima (Luc. p.)	Early in the morning, dawn
Luteus	Yellow.
Mane et vespere (M. et. v.)	Morning and evening.
Mane primo (MP)	Early in the morning.
Manipulus	A handful.
Marasmus	Weakness.
Massa pilularum (MP)	A pill mass.
Medicinae Doctor (MD)	Doctor of Medicine.
Mica panis (Mic. pan.)	A crumb of bread.
Misce, fiat mistura (M. ft. mist.)	Mix, and let a mixture be made.
Mittantur in phialam (Mittr. in phial.)	Let them be put into a phial.
Mittatur, mittantur (Mittr.)	Let it (let them) be sent.
Mitte quantitatem duplicem (M. q. dx.)	Send double quantity.
Modo dictu	As directed.
Modo praescripto	In the manner prescribed.
Mollis, molle	Soft.
Mora	Delay.
Morbus	Disease.
Morbus Hungaricus	Epidemic Typhus.
More dicto utendus (MDU)	To be used as directed.
More dictor (M. Dict.)	As directed.
More solito	In the usual manner.
More solito (MS)	In the usual manner.
Mors	Death.
Musculus latissimus dorsi	The widest muscle of the back.
Natus Mortuus	Stillborn.
Necnon	Not yet.
Nihil per os (NPO)	Nothing by mouth.
Nocte maneque	At night and in the morning.
Noctis	Of the night.
Non repetat	Let it not be repeated.
Noxa	An injury.
Nucha	The nape of the neck.
Nunc	Now.
Obitus	Death, Died.
Omni biduo (Omn. bid.)	Every two days.
Omni bihorio	Every two hours.
Omni hora	Every hour.
Omni mane	Every morning.
Omni nocte	Every night.
Ope penicilli	With a Camel	hair pencil.
Optimus	Best.
Opus	Need, occasion.
Os	The mouth.
Pabulum	Food.
Partes aequales (P. AE.)	Equal parts.
Parti affectae (Part. affect.)	To the affected part.
Parti affectae applicandus (PAA)	To be applied to the affected part.
Partitis vicibus (Part. vic.)	In divided doses.
Paucus	Little, few.
Pectus	The breast.
Pediluvium	A foot	bath.
Per deliquium (PD)	By deliquescence.
Per os (PO)	Through the mouth; By mouth.
Per rectum (PR)	Through the rectum.
Peracta operatione emetic (or, emetica) (Peract. op. emet.)	When the operation of the emetic is finished.
Percola	Strain through, percolate (thou)
Permittentibus viribus	The strength permitting.
Perpurus	Very clean.
Pes	The foot.
Plasma, Plasmetur	Mould, Let it be moulded.
Poculum	A cup, A little cup.
Postridie	On the next day.
Pestis	Plague.
Phiala prius agitata (PPA)	The bottle having been previously shaken.
Placebo	I will please. (Medical expression for remedies with no medical effect, which improve one’s medical condition only because one believes they do)
Pondere	By weight.
Post cibum (PC)	After meals.
Post jentaculum (Post jentac.)	After breakfast.
Post prandium (Post prand.)	After dinner.
Post quamque evacuationem (Post qq. evac.)	After each motion.
Post singulas sedes liquidas (Post sing, sed. liq.)	After each liquid motion.
Primum est noocere	First of all, do no harm. (Hippocrates; The maxim has become an ethical guiding principle in medical profession)
Pro dosi (PD)	For a dose.
Pro potu sumendus (Pro pot. s.)	To be taken as a drink.
Pro ratione aetatis (Pro. rat. wt.)	According to age.
Pro re nata (PRN)	As needed: As the occasion arises.
Proxima luce (Prox. luc.)	On the next day.
Proximo	Nearest.
Pulvinar humuli (Pulv, hum.)	A hop pillow.
Pulvis	Powder.
Quantitas duplex (Q. dx.)	A double quantity.
Quantum libet (QL)	As much as pleases. (As much as you wish)
Quantum sufficit (QS)	As much as suffices.
Quantum vis (QV)	As much as you wish.
Quibus	From which, by which.
Quam	As much as.
Quaque die (QD)	Every day.
Quaque hora (QH)	Every hour.
Quaque mane (QM)	Every morning.
Quaque nocte (QN)	Every night.
Quater die (QD)	Four times a day.
Quater in die (QID)	Take four times a day.
Quoque alternis die (QAD)	Every other day.
Quorum	Of which.
Recipe	Take (thou).
Recens	Fresh.
Renova	Renew (thou).
Redactus in pulverem (R. in pulv.)	Reduced to powder.
Redigatur in pulverem (Redig. in pulv.)	Let it be reduced to powder.
Remedium	Cure, remedy, nostrum, medicine.
Repetat (Rep., Repet.)	Let him repeat.
Rigor mortis	The stiffening of a dead body.
Res	A substance, a thing.
Rudicula (Rudic.)	A spatula.
Rumen	The throat.
Saepe	Frequently.
Sal	Salt.
Saltem	At least.
Saltim	By leaps.
Scilicet	Namely.
Semel	Once.
Semidrachma (Semidr.)	Half a drachm.
Sequenti luce (Seq. luc.)	The following day.
Sermihora (Semih.)	Half an hour.
Sesquihora (Sesquih.)	An hour and a half.
Sesuncia (Sesunc.)	Apt ounce and a half.
Si vires permittant (Si vir. perm.)	If the strength permit.
Siccus	Dry.
Simul	Together.
Sile hujus	Keep silence concerning this.
Sine	Without.
Signa, signetur, signentur (Sig.)	Let it be signed, sign.
Signetur (Sig.) or (S/)	Let it be labeled.
Singulis aurosis (Sing. auror.)	Every morning.
Singulis horae quadrantibus (Sing. hor. quad.)	Every quarter of an hour.
Solve, dissolve (Solv.)	Soluble tablets.
Spasmus	Cramps.
Spiritus vini rectificatus (SVR)	Rectified spirit.
Spiritus vini tenuior (SVT)	Proof spirit.
Statim (stat)	Immediately.
Statu effervescentiae (Stat. eff.)	Whilst effervescing.
Stratum super stratum (SSS)	Layer upon layer.
Sub finem coctionis (Sub fin. coct.)	When sufficiently boiled down.
Subinde	Frequently.
Spissus	Dense, hard.
Stillatim	By drops.
Somnus	Sleep.
Sumat talem (Sum. tal.)	Let the patient take one (or more) such.
Sumendus	To be taken.
Talis	Of such, like this.
Tantum	So much, so many.
Tegmen	A cover.
Tum	Then.
Tussis	A cough.
Tempori dextro (Temp. dext.)	To the right temple.
Ter in die (TID)	Thrice a day.
Tere simul (Ter. sim.)	Rub together.
Tinctura (Tr.)	A tincture.
Tussi urgente (Tuss. urg.)	If the cough is troublesome
Tussis	Cough.
Typhus	Typhoid fever.
Tuto	Safely.
Ubi pus, ibi evacua	Where there is pus, (there) evacuate it.
Ulna	The arm, elbow.
Una	together.
Unctus	Anointed, besmeared.
Ustus	Burnt.
Ut dictum	As directed.
Ut	So that, in order that.
Variola	Smallpox.
Vas	A vessel, utensil, bottle.
Vas vitreum	A glass vessel.
Vel	Or.
Venaesectio brachii	Bleeding in the arm.
Vesper	The evening.
Vires	strength.
Vinum	Wine.
Vicis, Vices	Change, changes.
Vermis	Worms.
Vomitione urgente	Vomiting being severe.

Adjectival Derivatives From Greek & Latin

In medical terminology, many adjectives or combining forms of adjectives are derived from either Greek or Latin. Adjectives will appear most often in compounds and will be joined to either nouns or verbs. Suffixes may be added to make them into nouns as well.

 

ROOTS OF BODY PARTS AND COMPONENTS

 

 

ROOTS OF COLOR

 

 

ROOTS OF DESCRIPTION

 

ROOTS OF POSITION

 

ROOTS OF QUANTITY

(AMOUNT, QUANTITY)

 

Degrees of Adjectives

Latin adjectives can appear in three different forms, called degrees.

I. Positive Degree

This is the form in which an adjective is listed in a vocabulary or dictionary, such as:

acer, acris, acre	–	keen, sharp	iratus, a, um	–	angry	pinguis, pingue	–	fat
bonus, a, um	–	good	laetus, a, um	–	happy	prudens, prudentis	–	wise, sensible
celer, celeris, celere	–	swift	magnus, a, um	–	large, great	pulcher, pulchra, pulchrum	–	beautiful
facilis, facile	–	easy	nobilis, nobile	–	noble	stultus, a, um	–	stupid

Some of these adjectives belong to the first and second declension and some to the third declension. They never leave their declensions while they are positive degree adjectives, no matter what the declension of the noun that they modify. They must always agree in gender, case and number with their noun, and they may happen to agree in declension too. Thus, you will see such combinations as:

1st/2nd declension adjective & 1st, 2nd, 3rd declensioouns

• irata ancilla, iratae ancillae

• iratus vir, irati viri

• iratus consul, irati consulis

• irata imperatrix, iratae imperatricis

3rd declension adjective & 1st, 2nd, 3rd declension plural nouns

• celeres raedae, celerium raedarum

• celeres pueri, celerium puerorum

• celeria itinera, celerium itinerum

II. Comparative Degree

In English, represented by the “more —– ” or “—–er” forms. In Latin, by endings that incorporate -ior or -ius. To form the comparative, add -ior to the stem. The only exception is that -ius, instead of -ior, is added to the stem for the neuter nominative and accusative singular forms. The comparative adjective in Latin is always declined in the 3rd declension:

iratior, iratius	–	angrier	laetior, laetius	–	happier	stultior, stultius	–	more foolish
prudentior, -ius	–	more sensible	pinguior, pinguius	–	fatter	nobilior, nobilius	–	nobler
facilior, facilius	–	easier	pulchrior, pulchrius	–	more beautiful	celerior, celerius	–	swifter
acrior, acrius	–	keener

Notice above that pulcher and acer drop out -e-, so that the stem is pulchr- or acr-, and the comparative form is built on that stem. Magnus and bonus, two very common adjective, have irregular forms that are discussed on the Irregular adjective page. Remember, a comparative form belongs ONLY to the third declension, regardless of the declension of its positive form. Examine the declensionined noun-adjective pairs below:

	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter
Singular

 

nom.	novior vir	novior femina	novius tempus
gen.	novioris viri	novioris feminae	novioris temporis
dat.	noviori viro	noviori feminae	noviori tempori
acc.	noviorem virum	noviorem feminam	novius tempus
abl.	noviore viro	noviore feminâ	noviore tempori
Plural
nom.	noviores viri	noviores feminae	noviora tempora
gen.	noviorum viriorum	noviorum feminarum	noviorum temporum
dat.	novioribus virîs	novioribus feminîs	novioribus temporibus
acc.	noviores viros	noviores feminas	noviora tempora
abl.	novioribus virîs	novioribus feminîs	novioribus temporibus

 

Often a comparison will contain quam because it is stating that one person or thing is more “——” than another person or thing is: A rabbit is faster than a tortoise (is) = Lepus celerior est quam testudo (est). Keep that in mind when you are translating the practice sentences below.

III. Superlative Degree

In English, represented by “most —–” or “very —–” or “—–est”. In Latin, the superlative is indicated by —-issimus,-a,-um, —-illimus,-a,-um, or —-errimus,-a,-um. A superlative adjective in Latin is ALWAYS declined in the 1st and 2nd declensions. To form the superlative, add -issimus to the stem of the adjective. Decline the new adjective like “altus”. There are two variations on this rule:

If the adjective ends in the nominative masculine singular in -er, double the r and then add -imus,-a,-um. For example, celer becomes celerrimus.

If the adjective is facilis, difficilis, similis, dissimilis, gracilis or humilis, double the l and then add -imus,-a,-um. For example, difficillimus. (All other adjective whose positive form ends in -lis will add the normal ending -issimus.)

iratissimus, -a, -um	–	very angry	laetissimus, -a, -um	–	happiest	stultissimus, -a, -um	–	most foolish
prudentissimus, -a, -um	–	most wise	pinguissimus, -a, -um	–	fattest	nobilissimus,-a, -um	–	very noble
facillimus, -a, -um	–	easiest	pulcherrimus, -a, -um	–	most beautiful	celerrimus, -a, -um	–	swiftest
acerrimus, -a, -um	–	very keen

The superlative forms of magnus and bonus also have irregular spellings and are discussed on the Irregular adjective page.

Practice Sentences

Translate the following sentences.

1.     Mercator est tristis; senex est tristissimus.

2.     Canis erat ferox; porcus erat ferior; leo erat ferocissimus.

3.     Amicus fabulam longissimam narravit.

4.     Murmillones erant fortes sed retiarii erant fortissimi.

5.     Urbs est pulchra sed mons est pulcherrimus.

6.     Nos Romani sumus fortiores quam vos Graeci.

7.     Aurelia irata est sed Cornelius iratior quam Aurelia.

8.     Melissa est pulcherrima; Cornelia est pulchrior quam Metella. Estne Cornelia pulchrior quam Melissa?

9.     Cerberus est fortissimus canis.

10. Iovis est potentior quam Iuno; est potentissimus omnium deorum.

 

WATCH THE FOLLOWING VIDEO ON THE TOPIC:

 

1.      Colours – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts7n1xdQjP8 

 

REFERENCES:

Main:

1. Demchenko O., Zakaliuzhnyi. The Latin Language and the Fundamentals of Medical Terminology. – Ternopil: Ukrmedknyha, 2004.

Supplementary:

1.     Smolska L.Yu., Kiselyova O.G. The Latіn Language and Medical Terminology Basics: Підручник. — 2-nd edition. — К.: Медицина, 2012. —     400 с.

2.     Laskowska D. Medical Latin Course. – 2007. Source: http://www.umed.pl/pl/doc/cnjo/Medical%20Latin%20Course%20-%20second%20version.pdf

3.     Marcekova Elena, Frantisek Simon, Ladislav Cerveny. Latin as the language of medical terminology: some remarks on its role and prospects. Source: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/10913254_Latin_as_the_language_of_medical_terminology_some_remarks_on_its_role_and_prospects

4.     Latin for pharmacy students / Ye.I.Svetlichnaya, I.A.Tolok, Ye.A.Volobuyeva. – Kharkiv: NUPh «Golden pages», 2011. – 248p.

5.     Bugaj M., Bugaj W., Kierczak A. Lingua Latina pharmaceutica. — Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Lekarskie PZWL, 2005.

6.     Fałdrowicz W., Grech-Żmilewska Z. Lingua Latina pro usu medico. — Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Lekarskie PZWL, 2004.

7.     Kołodziej A., Kołodziej  S. Lingua Latina medicinalis. — Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Lekarskie PZWL, 2008. 8.     Filipczak-Nowicka S., Grech-Zmijewska Z. Lingua Latina ad usum medicinae studentium. – Warszawa: WYDAWNICTWO Lekarskie PZWL.- Wydanie IX – 2011. – 253 p.