Latin adjective
magnus
magnus, -a, -um
magnus is a Latin adjective. In the 4 analysed lines it was read in, it means “greatest” (3 times), “a great (part)” (once) and “great” (once).
In the texts
Each line as the reader shows it: every word in its case colour with its meaning underneath, and arcs from magnus to the words it goes with.
Perseus filius erat Iovis, maximi deorum;
Perseus was the son of Jupiter, the greatest of the gods.
maximi: describes Iovis.
Et si volueris attendere, maxima pars vitae elabitur male agentibus, magna nihil agentibus, tota vita aliud agentibus.
And if you are willing to pay attention, the greatest part of life slips away while doing evil, a great part while doing nothing, and a whole life while doing other things.
maxima: describes pars.
“Pater meus,” inquit, “Hamilcar puerulo me, utpote non amplius novem annos nato, in Hispaniam imperator proficiscens Karthagine Iovi optimo maximo hostias immolavit.
"My father," he said, "Hamilcar, when I was a mere boy, being no more than nine years old, upon setting out for Spain as commander, sacrificed victims at Carthage to Jupiter Optimus Maximus."
maximo: describes Iovi.
tempestas enim magna mare turbabat.
For a great storm was disturbing the sea.
magna: describes tempestas.
Forms
Every form of the word in these texts, with what it is.
| Form | Grammar | Read |
|---|---|---|
| magna | Nominative · Singular · Feminine | 2 |
| maxima | Nominative · Singular · Feminine · Superlative | 1 |
| maximi | Genitive · Singular · Masculine · Superlative | 1 |
| maximo | Dative · Singular · Masculine · Superlative | 1 |
Words it goes with
Joined to magnus by an arc in these lines, most often first.
Grammar
- About the nominativeThe Latin nominative names the subject of a verb, and whatever renames the subject after sum. How to spot it, with real lines from Genesis and Eutropius.
- About the genitiveThe Latin genitive ties one noun to another, where English says “of” or adds ’s. Its uses and endings, with real lines from the story of Perseus and Genesis.
- About the dativeThe Latin dative marks the person something is given to, said to or done for. Its uses and endings, with real lines from Horace, Seneca and Catullus.
- About agreementHow Latin adjectives, pronouns and participles agree with their nouns in case, number and gender, and why that lets them stand apart. With real lines.
- About word orderWhy a Latin adjective can sit far from its noun: the endings carry the grammar, so writers order words for emphasis. Lines from Virgil, Cicero and Horace.