16 - 20
作成:2016-08-11
更新:2017-02-21
Adjectives form the superlative by adding issimus to the root of the positive, as, doct-us, learned, doct-issimus, most learned; brev-is, short, brev-issimus, shortest.
 (1) Adjectives ending in -x, change x into c before taking the superlative termination, as felix, happy, felic-issimus, happiest.
 (2) Those ending in -es, -ens, or -ans, change s into t before taking the suffix, as locuples, rich, locuplet-issimus, richest; sapiens, wise, sapient-issimus, wisest.
 (3) Those ending in -er add -rimus to the positive unaltered, as pauper, poor, pauper-rimus, poorest.
 (4) The superlative is an adjective of three terminations, as, mas., brevissimus, fem., brevissima, neut., brevissimum.
The Latin answers to the English superlative, which is usually formed by adding -est to dissyllables, and putting most with polysyllables, as rich, richest, fortunate, most fortunate.
The Latin superlative, besides most, has the power of quite, very remarkably, exceedingly, and similar English intensitive words; thus the locution ingenium asperrimum stands for a most (very, remarkably, or exceedingly) keen judgment; so Aegyptus foecundissima est, may be rendered by Egypt is most, very, remarkably, or exceedingly fertile. In many constructions most will not render the Latin superlative correctly thus parātissimus sum should be read, I am quite ready, not I am most ready.
How is the superlative degree formed?
  (the root of positive) -issimus, -rimus, -limus
What is the superlative of latus, broad?
What is the positive of amplissimus, most spacious?
How do adjectives in -x form the superlative?
  x → c
What is the superlative of audax, daring?
What is the Latin for most affectionate?
What adverbs besides most does the Latin superlative express?
  very, remarkably, or exceedingly
What is the equivalent of very easy when rendered by a Latin superlative?
 ambulābam,1 I walked, or was walking.
 vulnerābam, I hurt, or was hurting.
 vidēbam, I saw, or was seeing.
 faciēbam, I did, or was doing.
 veniēbam, I came, or was coming.
 sedēbat, he, she, it sat, or remained.
 jacēbat, he, she, it lay, or was lying.
 habēbat, he, she, or it had.
 prōpōnēbat, he, she, or it proposed.
 dūcēbat, he, she, or it regarded.
 pōtērat, he, she, it, could, or was able.
 sperābant, they hoped or were hoping.
 habitābant, they dwelt, or were inhabiting.
 habēbant, they had or possessed.
 (1) The Latin imperfect properly stands for the English compound tense, made up of the past tense of to be with the participle in ing; but it likewise stands for the English inflected past tense when used in speaking of a recent past event, or of a past act repeated, continued, or not entirely completed, (See Rem. Lesson 96. First Course), thus:─
  ambulabam, I walked, or was walking.
  ambulabas, thou walkedest, or wast walking. you walked, or were walking.
  ambulabat, he, she, it walked, or was walking.
 Puer ambulabat.
  The boy was walking.
 Quid amicus faciebat tuus?
  What was your friend doing?
 Quando huc frater venit meus?
  When did my brother come here?
 Murus altissimus.
  The highest wall.
 Arbor altissima.
  The tallest tree.
 Vallum altissimum.
  The deepest ditch.
 Conjuratus audacissimus.
  A most audacious conspirator.
 Rex locupletissimus.
  An exceedingly rich king.
 Civis opulentissimus.
  A most opulent citizen.
 Convicium asperrimum.
  A most bitter reproach.
 Liber hic utilissimus est.
  This book is remarkably useful.
 Illa mensa est latissima.
  That is the broadest table.
 Haec molestia est durissima.
  This is quite a severe trouble.
 Dulcissima est libertas.
  Liberty is most sweet.
 Positio illa est saluberrima.
  That position is most salubrious.
 Catilina homo erat teterrimus.
  Catilina was a most mischievous man.
 Conscientia recta est suavissima.
  A clear conscience is very delightful.
 Venus dea erat formosissima.
  Venus was a most beautiful goddess.
 Socrates vir erat sanctissimus.
  Socrates was a most religious man.
 Rosa Scythica flos est laetissimus.
  The Scythian rose is a most beautiful flower.
 Roma celeberrima atque frequentissima erat urbs.
  Rome was a most famous and most populous city.
 Altissimum saepe flumen est tranquillissimum.
  The most tranquil river is often the deepest.
 Miltiades nauta erat peritissimus.
  Miltiades was a most expert sailor.
 Res erat turpissima, judiciumque iniquissimum.
  The affair was most disgraceful, and the judgment most heartless.
 Chremes non solum vicinus est meus, sed etiam amicus carissimus.
  Chremes was not only my neighbour, but also my dearest friend.
 Nunc coelum est serenissimum, nunc formosissimus annus.
  Now the sky is exceedingly clear; now the season most beautiful.
 Tunc erat fortissima spes, tunc vita dulcissima.
  Then was hope strongest, then life sweetest.
 ambulāvi, I walked, or have walked.
 vitāvi, I shunned, or have shunned.
 vēni, I came, or have come.
 audīvi, I heard, or have heard.
 vīdi, I saw, or have seen.
 reclīnāvi, I leant back.
 dedi, I gave, or have given.
 accēpī, I got, or have received.
 venisti, thou camest, you came, or have come.
 vidisti, thou sawest, you saw or have seen.
 accēpisti, thou receivedst, you received, or have received.
 audīvisti, thou heardest, you heard, or have heard.
 fēcisti, thou didst, you did, made, or have been doing.
 contulisti, thou hast, or you have conferred.
 vēnit, he, she, it came, or has come.
 vīdit, he, she, it saw, or has seen.
 audīvit, he, she, it heard, or has heard.
 perduxit, he, she, it led, or has led.
 nāvigāvit, he, she, it sailed, or has sailed.
 studuit, he, she, it studied, or has studied.
 flēvit, he, she, it lamented, or has lamented.
 implēvit, he, she, it filled, or has filled.
 ēgit, he, she, it spent, or has spent.
 ostendit, he, she, it showed, or has shown.
 distendit, he, she, it stretched, or has stretched.
 (1) The Latin perfect stands for the English inflected past tense; for the compound of the present, and likewise for, the compound tense, made up of have been, with the participle in ing, thus:─
  1st per. ambulāvi, I walked, have walked, or have been walking.
  2nd per.ambulāvisti, thou walkedst, or hast walked, you walked, have walked, or have been walking.
  3rd per. ambulāvit, he walked, has walked, or has been walking.
My brother has come.
  Frater meus venit.
Where have you been walking?
  Ubi ambulavisti?
What did you see?
  Quid vidisti?
The broadest field.
  Ager latissimus.
The broadest table.
  Mensa latissima.
The broadest river.
  Flumen latissimum.
A most dense forest.
  Saltus obscurissimus.
An exceedingly spacious palace.
  Curia amplissima.
A very ancient statue.
  Simulacrum antiquissimum.
A remarkably expert general.
  Dux expertissimus.
A most fortunate merchant.
  Mercator felicissimus.
A most copious book.
  Liber locupletissimus.
A most innocent man.
  Vir innocentissimus.
A most wholesome mildness.
  Temperies saluberrima.
The water is quite delicious.
  Aqua est dulcissima.
War is most cruel.
  Bellum est crudelissimum.
A most cruel war.
  Bellum crudelissimum.
Hannibal was a very brave soldier.
  Hannibal miles erat fortissimus.
Tarquin was a most cruel king.
  Tarquinius rex erat crudelissimus.
Alcibiades was a very handsome man.
  Alcibiades vir erat formosissimus.
Popilius was a most ungrateful fellow.
  Popilius homo erat ingratissimus.
Simple food is the most useful.
  Cibus simplex est utilissimus.
Jerusalem is a most renowned city.
  Hierosolyma urbs est clarissima.
Socrates was a most upright man.
  Socrates vir erat honestissimus.
Catilina was a most audacious conspirator.
  Audacissimus Catilina erat conjuratus.
Calumny is a most pernicious vice.
  Calumnia vitium est nocentissimum.
Croesus was a most opulent king.
  Rex Croesus erat locupletissimus.
Nero was a most hideous tyrant.
  Nero tyrannus erat teterrimus.
The wisest man may err.
  Sapientissimus homo errare potest.
Exile is an exceedingly hard fate.
  Exilium fortuna est tristissima.
Carthage was a most beautiful city.
  Civitas pulcherrima fuit Carthago.
The middle finger is the longest.
  Medius digitus est longissimus.
Time is a most precious thing.
  Tempus res est pretiosissima.
Rome was and still is a most corrupt city.
  Roma olim fuit, et adhuc urbs est corruptissima.
Although Xantippe was certainly a surly woman, yet she is said to have been a very affectionate wife.
  Quamquam Xantippe mulier quidem morosa erat, tamen uxor amantissima fuisse dicitur.
 adoptāvit, he, she, or it adopted.
 inspectāvit, he, she, or it inspected.
 fundāvit, he, she, or it founded.
 praecipitāvit, he, she, or it threw.
 interrogāvit, he, she, or it enquired.
 praebuit, he, she, it ministered to, or behaved.
 tulit, he, she, it bore or reaped.
 expulit, he, she, or it expelled.
 fēcit, he, she, it did or made.
 instituit, he, she, or it established.
 perterrēfecit, he, she, or it scared.
 gessit, he, she, or it carried on.
 potuit, he, she, or it could.
 poposcit, he, she, or it asked for.
 vīcit, he, she, it conquered, subdued, vanquished, or overcame.
 docuit, he, she, or it taught.
 dixit, he, she, it said, or pled.
 accēpit, he, she, it got, or received.
 flexit, he, she, or it changed.
 redēgit, he, she, or it brought back.
 quaesīvit, he, she, or it asked.
 contigit, it befell, or happened.
 respondit, he, she, or it replied.
 sumpsit, he, she, it took or drank.
 Quis te expulit?
  Who has expelled you?
 Quando te dominus expulit?
  When did the master expel you?
 Cur te expulit dominus?
  Why did the master expel you?
 Quam apis magis industrius.1
  More industrious than a bee.
 Haec vestis maxima pretiosa est.
  This garment is very valuable.
 Ferrum quam aurum magis est necessarium.
  Iron is more necessary than gold.
 Hoc vinum est mollissimum.
  This wine is most mellow.
 Sacerdos vir amplissimus fuit.
  The priest was a most stately man.
 Novitas semper est gratissima.
  Novelty ia always most agreeable.
 Animus contentus jucundissimus est.
  A contented mind is most pleasant.
 Archelaus fortunatissimus olim fuit.
  Archelaus was at one time very fortunate.
 Solidissima tellus non semper est secura.
  The most solid ground is not always safe.
 Nostra longissima vita est brevissima.
  Our longest life is very short.
 Saxum asperrimum interdum est pretiosius quam ager fertilis.
  A most rugged stone is often more precious than a fertile field.
 Fraxinus est pulchra, populus pulchrior, pulcherrima autem pinus.
  The ash tree is beautiful, the poplar more beautiful, but the pine is the most beautiful.
 Plato sapiens erat, Solon sapientior, Socrates autem sapientissimus.
  Plato was wise, Solon wiser, but Socrates was the wisest.
 Puer magis voluptarius et iracundus est, si educatio mollis et blanda fuit.
  A boy is the more voluptuous and passionate, if his education has been soft and caressing.
 Miles bellicosissimus non semper est inclytissimus.
  The most warlike soldier is not always the most renowned.
 Nunc vel imbellis miles interdum melior est quam fortissimus, olim non ita.
  Now even an unwarlike soldier is sometimes better than the bravest, formerly it was not so.
 Socrates non solum philosophus erat, sed etiam vir sanctissimus.
  Socrates was not only a philosopher, but also a most religious man.
 Cyrus non solum rex erat felicissimus, sed etiam vir excellentissimus.
  Cyrus was not only a most fortunate king, but also a most worthy man.
 (1) Sometimes the comparative and superlative are formed by the adverbs, magis, more, and maxime, most, usually so wben a vowel precedes tbe termination -us of the positive, as, pius, godly, magis pius, more godly, maxima pius, most godly. This construction is likewise very often used when two qualities possessed by the same person are compared, as, vir magis eloquens quam sapiens, a man more eloquent than wise; under such circumstances the double comparative is sometimes used instead, as, eloquentior quam sapientior. (See Rem.(2) §2, Lesson 9.)
 ambulaveram, I had walked.1
 ambulaveras, thou hadst walked, you had walked.
 ambulaverat, he had walked.
 videram, I had seen.
 videras, thou hadst seen, you had seen.
 viderat, he had seen.
 volueram, I had wished.
 fugeram, I had fled.
 attuleram, I had brought.
 reliqueram, I had left.
 feceram, I had done, or made.
 tuleram, I had suffered.
 colueram, I had worshipped.
 colueras. thou hadst worshipped, you had worshipped.
 coluerat, he had worshipped.
 veneram, I had come.
 veneras, thou hadst come, you had come.
 venerat, he had come.
 dixerat, he, she, or it had said.
 biberat he, she, or it had drunk.
 petierat, he, she, or it had requested.
 noverat, he, she, or it understood.2
 fuerat, he, she, or it had been.
 fecerat, he, she, it had done or made.
 (1) The Latin pluperfect, besides answering to the English compound tense made up of had with a past participle, likewise stands for the compound of had been with the participle in -ing, thus:─
  1st per. ambulaveram, I had been walking.
  2nd per. ambulaveras, thou hadst been walking, you had been walking.
  3rd per. ambulaverat, he had been walking.
 (2) The perfect form of noscere, to understand, is sometimes used as present, and the pluperfect as a perfect tense.
The old man had come.
  Senex venerat.
Had the witness seen you?
  Tene testis viderat?
What had the silly girl said?
  Quid inepta dixerat puella?
What had you done?
  Quid tu feceras?
The servant is often more godly than his master.
  Servus saepe magis est pius quam dominus.
Socrates was certainly a most pious man.
  Vir quidem maxime pius fuit Socrates.
Your brother is a great deal more industrious than you.
  Frater tuus magis industrius est quam tu.
Gold is useful, but iron is most useful.
  Aurum est utile, ferrum vero utilissimum.
The longest day and the shortest night.
  Dies longissima, noxque brevissima.
Charles is my dearest friend.
  Carolus carissimus amicus est meus.
The brother is tall, the sister is taller, but the grandson is tallest.
  Frater celsus est, soror est celsior, nepos autem celsissimus.
The advocate is short, the witness is shorter, but the judge is shortest.
  Defensor brevis est, testis est brevior, judex autem brevissimus.
This root is deep, but the other is deepest.
  Haec radix alta est, altera vero altissima.
The merchant is a most guiltless man, and his cause is most just.
  Mercator vir est innocentissimus, causaque sua justissima.
Grief seems to be a most vigorous adversary.
  Dolor acerrimus adversarius esse videtur.
Socrates is said to have been a most honourable and most intelligent man.
  Socrates vir honestissimus et sapientissimus fuisse dicitur.
Segesta, a Sicilian city, was not only beautiful, but also very opulent.
  Segesta urbs Siciliana non solum pulcherrima erat, sed etiam valde opulens.
Solon was not only a great legislator, but also a most just man.
  Solon non solum magnus fuit legislator, sed etiam vir justissimus.
Cyrus was undoubtedly an excellent king, for he was just, merciful, and beneficent.
  Rex quidem excellentissimus Cyrus erat, nam justus erat, clemens et benignus.
Epaminondas was a general of great renown, and a most prudent man.
  Dux Epaminondas erat inclytissimus virque prudentissimus.
Vespasian was a very eloquent, warlike, and well-disciplined ruler.
  Vespasianus rector fuit facundissimus, bellicosissimus, moderatissimus.