# Latin Phrase-Book

## Part 8

Book page: https://www.cyberlibrary.org/la/books/latin-phrase-book-50280/index.md

_astrologia_ (pure Latin _sidera, caelestia_)—astronomy.

_spectator siderum, rerum caelestium_ or _astrologus_[6]—an astronomer.

_arithmetica_[7] (_-orum_)—arithmetic.

_numeri (-orum)_—arithmetic.

_bis bina quot sint non didicisse_—to be absolutely ignorant of arithmetic.

[1] But _res Romana_ = the Roman power, Rome.

[2] _historia_ has several different senses. (1) The narration, exposition of the facts (_res gestae, res_), cf. _rerum exemplum_, historic precedent; _res facta_, historic fact. (2) Historical composition, e.g. _historiam scribere, historia graeca_ = either a history written in Greek or a history of Greece (_rerum graecarum historia_); _historia latina_, history written in Latin; _historia romana_ or _rerum romanarum historia_ = a history of Rome. (3) A place famous in history, e.g. _quacunque ingredimur, in aliqua historia pedem ponimus_. In the plural _historiae_ means specially histories, anecdotes (_narratiunculae_), memoirs, e.g. _Taciti historiae_.

[3] _historicus_ means an erudite student of history, one engaged on historical research. As an adjective its use in Cicero is limited, being only used when opposed to _oratorius_, e.g. _genus historicum_, historic style (Brut. 83. 286).

[4] _scimus, cognovimus_ (= we know by experience) are not used of historical knowledge.

[5] _heroicus_ only of time. _herous_ = epic, e.g. _versus herous_ (De Or. 3. 49. 191) = a dactylic hexameter; _pes herous_ a dactyl; "epic" of other things is usually _epicus_, e.g. _carmen epicum_; _poetae epici_, or _epici_ alone. For "heroic" of an action, cf. _praeclarum atque divinum factum; factum illustre et gloriosum_, etc.

[6] It is only in later Latin after _astrologus_ had acquired the meaning of astrologer, magician, that _astronomus_ came to be used (= astronomer).

[7] In Cicero always neut. plur., e.g. _in arithmeticis satis versatus_; later writers use the fem. sing. The pure Latin word is _numeri_, cf. De Fin. 1. 21. 72 _an ille se, ut Plato, in musicis, geometria, numeris, astris contereret?_ So De Fin. 5. 29. 87 _cur Plato Aegyptum peragravit, ut a sacerdotibus barbaris numeros et caelestia acciperet?_ Cf. Nägelsb. Lat. Stil. p. 46.

15. Art in General

_artis opus; opus arte factum_ or _perfectum_—a work of art.

_opus summo artificio[TR1] factum_—a master-piece of classical work.

_opus omnibus numeris absolutum_—a master-piece of classical work.

_artem exercere_—to follow an artistic profession, practise an art.

_artem tradere, docere_—to teach an art.

_artem profiteri_—to profess an art.

_artium (liberalium) studium_, or simply _studium_—a taste for the fine arts.

_artis praecepta_, or also simply _ars_—the rules of art; aesthetics.

_(artis, artium) intellegens, peritus_[1] (opp. _idiota_, a layman)—a connoisseur; a specialist.

_existimator (doctus, intellegens, acerrimus)_—a (competent, intelligent, subtle) critic.

_in existimantium arbitrium venire_ (Brut. 24. 92)—to come before the tribunal of the critics.

_iudicium facere_—to criticise.

_sensum, iudicium habere_—to be a man of taste.

_elegantia in illo est_—he possesses sound judgment in matters of taste.

_iudicium subtile, elegans, exquisitum, intellegens_—good taste; delicate perception.

_iudicium acuere_—to cultivate one's powers of criticism.

_abhorrere ab artibus_ (opp. _delectari artibus_)—to have no taste for the fine arts.

_veritatem_[2] _imitari_ (Div. 1. 13. 23)—(1) to make a lifelike natural representation of a thing (used of the artist); (2) to be lifelike (of a work of art).

_in omni re vincit imitationem veritas_—in everything nature defies imitation.

_aliquid ad verum exprimere_—to make a copy true to nature.

_morum ac vitae imitatio_—a lifelike picture of everyday life.

_aliquid e vita ductum est_—a thing is taken from life.

[TR1] Transcriber's Note: the original text has _opus summo artifico factum_. But that is wrong as can be seen from the French edition using _opus summo artificio factum._

[1] _idiota_ = properly uninitiated, not the same as _rudis, indoctus, imperitus_.

[2] _veritas_ means not merely truth (opp. _mendacium_), but also reality (opp. _opinio, imitatio_). Thus we often find the combination _res et veritas ipsa_ (Tusc. 5. 5. 13), _natura rerum et ipsa veritas_.

16. Poetry—Music—Painting—Sculpture

_poema condere, facere, componere_—to write poetry.

_versus facere, scribere_—to write poetry.

_carmina , versus fundere_ (De Or. 3. 50)—to write poetry with facility.

_carmen epicum_—epic poetry.

_poeta epicus_—an epic, heroic poet.

_poesis scaenica_—dramatic poetry.

_poeta scaenicus_—a dramatic poet.

_scriptor tragoediarum, comoediarum_, also (_poeta_) _tragicus, comicus_[1]—a writer of tragedy, comedy.

_scriptor fabularum_[2]—a writer of fables.

_divino quodam instinctu concitari, ferri_ (Div. 1. 31. 66)—to feel inspired.

_divino quodam spiritu inflatus_ or _tactus_—inspired.

_carmen, versum agere_—to recite a poem, line with appropriate action.

_carmen recitare_—to read a piece of verse with expression.

_carmen pronuntiare_—to recite a piece of verse (without gestures).

_carmen inconditum_—a rough poem; an extempore effusion.

_se conferre ad poesis studium_—to devote oneself to poetry.

_poetica laude florere_—to be distinguished as a poet.

_poesis genus ad Romanos transferre_—to transplant to Rome one of the branches of poesy.

_alicuius laudes versibus persequi_—to sing the praises of some one (not _canere aliquem_)

_alicuius laudes (virtutes) canere_—to sing the praises of some one (not _canere aliquem_)

_alicuius res gestas versibus ornare, celebrare_—to celebrate some one's exploits in song.

_ut ait Homerus_—as Homer sings (not _canit_).

_numerus poetice vinctus_—poetical rhythm.

_artem musicam_[3] _discere, tractare_—to learn, study music.

_nervorum et tibiarum cantus_—instrumental music.

_vocum et fidium (nervorum) cantus_—vocal and instrumental music.

_docere aliquem fidibus_—to teach some one to play a stringed instrument.

_fidibus discere_ (De Sen. 8. 26)—to learn to play a stringed instrument.

_fidibus canere_—to play on the lyre.

_pellere nervos in fidibus_—to strike the strings of the lyre.

_tibias inflare_—to play the flute.

_tibiis_ or _tibiā canere_—to play the flute.

_ad tibiam_ or _ad tibicinem canere_—to sing to a flute accompaniment.

_(homo) symphoniacus_—a singer, member of a choir.

_symphōnīa canit_ (Verr. 3. 44. 105)—the orchestra is playing.

_acroāma_[4]—a professional performer.

_modi_ (De Or. 1. 42. 187)—the melody.

_modos facere_—to compose, put to music.

_numerus, numeri_—the tune; rhythm.

_numerose cadere_—to have a rhythmical cadence.

_ars pingendi, pictura_ (De Or. 2. 16. 69)—the art of painting.

_ars fingendi_—the art of sculpture.

_signa et tabulae (pictae)_—statues and pictures.

_simulacrum e marmore facere_—to make a marble statue.

_statuas_[5] _inscribere_ (Verr. 2. 69. 167)—to put an inscription on statues.

[1] _tragicus, comicus_ as adjectives = occurring in tragedy, comedy—e.g. _Orestes tragicus; senes comici_. Comic in the ordinary sense = _ridiculus_, c.f. _homo ridiculus_.

[2] Not _fabulator_, which = a gossip, teller of anecdotes.

[3] _musica (-orum)_ is also used for music, cf. _in musicis se conterere_.

[4] _acroama_ = originally anything performed to give pleasure, then a performer. The Greeks applied the term to music; the Romans used it of any professional performer who entertained guests while at table.

[5] _statua_ is not used of statues of the gods, but _signum, simulacrum_.

17. The Drama

_ars ludicra_ (De Or. 2. 20. 84)—the dramatic art.

_fabula, ludus scaenicus_—the piece; the play.

_argumentum_—the plot of the piece.

_actio_—the treatment of the piece.

_actus_—an act.

_fabulam docere_ (διδάσκειν) (of the writer) (opp. _fabulam discere_—to study a piece, of the actor)—to get a piece played, rehearse it.

_fabulam agere_—to act a play (said of the actors).

_fabulam edere_—to bring out a play, put it on the stage (used of the man who finds the money).

_fabulam dare_—to produce a play (of the writer).

_in scaenam producere aliquem_—to introduce a character on the stage.

_in scaenam prodire_—to come upon the stage.

_in scaenam redire_—to reappear on the stage.

_de scaena decedere_—to retire from the stage.

_in scaenam aliquid inducere_—to bring a thing upon the stage.

_familia, grex, caterva histrionum_—a theatrical company.

_dominus gregis_—the manager.

_theatrum_[1]—the playhouse.

_theatra reclamant_—the spectators protest.

_populum facilem, aequum habere_—to have an appreciative audience.

_plaudere_ (not _applaudere_)—to applaud, clap a person.

_plausum dare (alicui)_—to applaud, clap a person.

_clamores (coronae) facere, excitare_—to elicit loud applause.

_saepius revocatur_ (Liv. 7. 2. 9)—he is encored several times.

_fabulam exigere_ (Ter. Andr. Pol.)—to hiss a play.

_fabula cadit_—a piece is a failure, falls flat.

_histrionem exsibilare, explodere, eicere, exigere_—to hiss an actor off the stage.

_histrioni acclamare_[2]—to interrupt an actor by hooting him.

_partes agere alicuius_[3]—to play the part of some one.

_agere servum, lenonem_—to act the rôle of a slave, pander.

_actor primarum (secundarum, tertiarum) partium_—the actor who plays the leading part.

_tragoedia_ or _fabula Antigona_ (not _Antigona trag._ or _fab._)—the Antigone.

_in Sophoclis_ (not _Sophoclea_) _Aiace_ or _apud Sophoclem in Aiace_—in Sophocles' Ajax.

_caterva, chorus_—the Chorus in Tragedy.

_carmen chori, canticum_—a choric ode in a tragedy.

_loci melici_—the lyric portions of a tragedy.

_diverbium_—stage dialogue.

_canticum_—a choric ode.

_ludi circenses, scaenici_—performances in the circus; theatrical perfomances.

_ludos apparare_—to institute games.

_ludos facere, edere (Iovi)_—to give public games in honour of Jupiter.

_ludos instaurare_—to revive public games.

_munus gladiatorium edere, dare_ (or simply _munus edere, dare_)—to give a gladiatorial show.

_gladiatores dare_—to give a gladiatorial show.

_familia_[4] _gladiatoria_ (Sest. 64. 134)—a band, troupe of gladiators under the management of a _lanista_.

_ludus gladiatorius_—a school for gladiators.

_gladiatoribus_ (Att. 2. 19. 3)—at the gladiatorial games.

_celebritas ludorum_—crowded games.

_magnificentia ludorum_—sumptuous public games.

_ludi apparatissimi_—sumptuous public games.

_ludi Olympia_ (not _ludi Olympici_), _Pythia_—the Olympian, Pythian games.

_Olympia vincere_ (Ολύμπια νικαν)—to win a prize at the Olympian games.

_ludi gymnici_—gymnastic contests.

_certamina gymnica_—gymnastic contests.

_stadium currere_ (Off. 3. 10. 42)—to run a foot-race.

[1] _theatrum_ = (1) the playhouse, theatre; (2) the audience, house. It is used metaphorically for the sphere of activity, theatre, scene, e.g. _theatrum magnum habet ista provincia_ (Cic.); _nullum theatrum virtuti conscientia majus_ (ibid.)

[2] Livy is the first writer who uses _acclamare_ in a good sense.

[3] Also used metaphorically of the part played in life, e.g. _partes suscipere, sustinere, dare, tribuere, defendere, tueri_. Similarly _persona_ (properly mask) is used in several phrases, e.g. _personam alicuius agere, ferre, tenere_; _personam suscipere_ or _induere_; _personam tueri_ (Phil. 8. 10); _personam alicui imponere_ (Sull. 3. 8). _persona_ thus got the meaning of personality, individuality, character, and lastly in a concrete sense a personage of distinction. N.B.—It never represents our "person," cf. many persons were present, _multi (homines) aderant_.

[4] Hence _familiam ducere_, metaphorically to be at the head of a movement, to play the leading part, e.g. _in iure civili_ (Cic.) For other phrases drawn from the wrestling-school _vid._ ix. 6.

VIII. Speech and Writing

1. Speech in General

_ars dicendi_—the art of speaking; oratory.

_ad dicendum se conferre_—to devote oneself to oratory.

_dicendi_[1] _praecepta tradere_—to teach rhetoric.

_rhetor, dicendi magister_—a teacher of rhetoric.

_facultas dicendi_—oratorical talent.

_natum, factum esse ad dicendum_—to be a born orator.

_facilem et expeditum esse ad dicendum_ (Brut. 48. 180)—to be a ready, fluent speaker.

_rudem, tironem ac rudem_ (opp. _exercitatum_) _esse in dicendo_—to be an inexperienced speaker.

_disertum esse_ (De Or. 1. 21. 94)—to be fluent.

_eloquentem esse_ (De Or. 1. 21. 94)—to be a capable, finished speaker.

_eloquentia valere_—to be very eloquent.

_dicendi arte florere_—to be very eloquent.

_eloquentiae laude florere_—to be a distinguished orator.

_vis dicendi_—oratorical power.

_multum dicendo valere, posse_—to have great weight as a speaker.

_eloquentiae principatum tenere_—to be considered the foremost orator.

_primum_ or _principem inter oratores locum obtinere_—to be considered the foremost orator.

_oratorum principem esse_—to be considered the foremost orator.

_orationem conficere_—to compose a speech.

_orationem commentari_ (Fam. 16. 26)—to prepare, get up a speech.

_oratio meditata_ (Plin. 26. 3. 7)—a prepared speech.

_subito, ex tempore_ (opp. _ex praeparato_) _dicere_—to speak extempore.

_oratio subita_—an extempore speech.

_oratio perpetua_—a continuous discourse.

_oratio accurata_[2] _et polita_—a carefully prepared speech.

_oratio composita_—an elaborate speech.

_contentio_ (opp. _sermo_) (Off. 2. 48)—pathetic address; emotional language.

_copiose dicere_—to speak very fluently.

_ornate dicere_—to speak well, elegantly.

_libere dicere_ (Verr. 2. 72. 176)—to speak frankly, independently.

_plane, aperte dicere_—to speak openly, straightforwardly.

_perspicue, diserte dicere_—to speak in clear, expressive language.

_missis ambagibus dicere_—to speak without circumlocution.

_accommodate ad persuadendum dicere_—to be a persuasive speaker.

_aggredi ad dicendum_[3]—to come forward to make a speech; to address the house.

_verba facere apud_[4] _populum, in contione_—to address a meeting of the people.

_in contionem (in rostra) escendere_[5] (only of Romans)—to mount the rostra.

_orationem habere_ (Tusc. 5. 33. 94)—to make a speech.

_initium dicendi facere_—to begin to speak.

_finem dicendi facere_—to cease speaking.

_perorare_—(1) to make one's peroration; (2) to deliver the closing speech (in a case where several speeches have been made).

_animos audientium permovere, inflammare_—to make an impression on one's audience.

_animos tenere_—to rivet the attention of...

_audientiam sibi (orationi) facere_—to obtain a hearing.

_solutum et expeditum esse ad dicendum_—to be never at a loss for something to say.

_lingua promptum esse_—to have a ready tongue.

_celeritas in respondendo_—readiness in debate, in repartee.

_bonis lateribus_[6] _esse_—to have good lungs.

_linguae solutio_—volubility.

[1] Note the way in which the Latin language prefers a concrete expression in the plural to represent our abstract "rhetoric," cf. _musica (-orum), astra, numeri, soni_ = music, astronomy, arithmetic, acoustics (_vid._ vii. 14).

[2] _accuratus_ is only used of things, never of persons.

[3] _surgere ad dicendum_ is only used of some one who has been till now seated (De Or. 2. 78. 316).

[4] _apud_ is used of appearing before an official assembly, e.g. _apud populum, apud senatum, apud iudices_. _coram_ is used of an informal casual meeting.

[5] _escendere_ is more common than _ascendere_, cf. _in contionem escendere_ (Cic. Att. 4. 2. 3; Liv. 2. 7. 7, etc. etc.) Similarly _in rostra escendere_ (Cic. Liv.), _in tribunal escendere_ (Liv.) Later _suggestum, rostra escendere_ (Tac. Ann. 15. 59; ibid. 13. 5.).

[6] _latus_ is never used in the singular in good Latin with the meaning "lungs,", "breath," "vigour," cf. Cic. _iam me dies, vox, latera deficient si..._ In a somewhat similar way _lacerti_ is used of oratorical vigour, e.g. _ipse hastas...oratoris lacertis viribusque torquebit_ (De Or. 1. 57. 242).

2. Style—Expression

_genus dicendi (scribendi); oratio_[1]—style.

_genus dicendi grave_ or _grande, medium, tenue_[2] (cf. Or. 5. 20; 6. 21)—elevated, moderate, plain style.

_fusum orationis genus_—a running style.

_inconditum dicendi genus_ (Brut. 69. 242)—a rough, unpolished style.

_inflatum orationis genus_—a bombastic style.

_oratio altius exaggerata_—a bombastic style.

_elatio atque altitudo orationis_—the exalted strain of the speech.

_exsurgere altius_ or _incitatius ferri_—to take a higher tone (especially of poets and orators).

_magnifice loqui, dicere_—(1) to speak vehemently, passionately; (2) to speak pompously, boastfully.

_magniloquentia, granditas verborum_—pathos; passion.

_tragoediae_—tragic pathos.

_expedita et facile currens oratio_—an easy, fluent style.

_oratio aequabiliter fluens_—an easy, fluent style.

_flumen_[3] _orationis_ (De Or. 2. 15. 62)—flow of oratory.

_siccitas, sanitas orationis_—the plain style.

_verborum tenuitias, oratio subtilis_—the plain style.

_oratio exilis, ieiuna, arida, exsanguis_—the dry, lifeless style.

_ornatus orationis, verborum_—well-chosen language, grace of style.

_elegantia orationis_—tasteful description.

_oratio pura, pura et emendata_—pure, correct language.

_integritas, sinceritas orationis_ (not _puritas_)—purity of style.

_oratio inquinata_[4] (De Opt. Gen. Or. 3. 7)—incorrect language.

_orationes Catonis antiquitatem redolent_ (Brut. 21. 82)—Cato's speeches sound archaic.

_ex illius orationibus ipsae Athenae redolent_—there is a flavour of Atticism about his discourse.

_oratio soluta_ (not _prosa_) or simply _oratio_—prose.

_oratio numerose cadit_—his style has a well-balanced cadence.

_numeris orationem astringere, vincire_—to make a speech rhythmical.

_lumina, flores dicendi_ (De Or. 3. 25. 96)—flowers of rhetoric; embellishments of style.

_sententias (verbis) explicare, aperire_—to explain one's sentiments.

_sententiae reconditae ex exquisitae_ (Brut. 97. 274)—profound sentiments.

_ubertas_ (not _divitiae_) _et copia orationis_—a full and copious style of speech.

_crebritas_ or _copia_ (opp. _inopia_) _sententiarum_ or simply _copia_—richness of ideas.

_sententiis abundans_[5] or _creber_ (opp. _sententiis inanis_)—rich in ideas.

_adumbrare aliquid_ (Or. 14. 43)—to roughly sketch a thing.

_exprimere aliquid verbis_ or _oratione_ (_vid._ sect. VI. 3, note _adumbrare..._)—to express clearly, make a lifelike representation of a thing.

_exponere aliquid_ or _de aliqua re_—to give an account of a thing (either orally or in writing).

_sententiae inter se nexae_—the connection.

_perpetuitas verborum_—the connection.

_contextus orationis_ (not _nexus, conexus sententiarum_)—the connection.

_ratio sententiarum_—the connection of thought.

_ratio, qua sententiae inter se excipiunt._—the connection of thought.

_vitam alicuius exponere_—to give an account of a man's life.

_vitam alicuius depingere_—to make a sketch of a man's life.

_de ingenio moribusque alicuius exponere_—to make a character-sketch of a person.

_summo colore aliquid illustrare_—to depict a thing in lively colours.

_ante oculos ponere aliquid_—to bring a thing vividly before the eyes.

_oculis_ or _sub oculos, sub aspectum subicere aliquid_—to represent a thing vividly.

_rerum sub aspectum paene subiectio_ (De Or. 3. 53. 202)—graphic depiction.

_perlustrare, lustrare oculis aliquid_—to scrutinise, examine closely.

_sic exponere aliquid, quasi agatur res (non quasi narretur)_—to represent a thing dramatically.

_aliquem disputantem facere, inducere, fingere (est aliquid apud aliquem disputans)_—to introduce a person (into a dialogue) discoursing on...

_in uno conspectu ponere aliquid_—to give a general idea of a thing.

_sub unum aspectum subicere aliquid_—to give a general idea of a thing.

_in brevi conspectu ponere aliquid_—to make a short survey of a thing.

_uno conspectu videre aliquid_—to have a general idea of a thing.

_breviter tangere, attingere aliquid_—to touch briefly on a thing.

_strictim, leviter tangere, attingere, perstringere aliquid_—to make a cursory mention of a thing; to mention by the way (not _obiter_ or _in transcursu_).

_quasi praeteriens, in transitu attingere aliquid_—to make a cursory mention of a thing; to mention by the way (not _obiter_ or _in transcursu_).

_res summas attingere_—to dwell only on the main points.

_summatim aliquid exponere_—to dwell only on the main points.

_multa verba facere_—to go deeply into a matter, discuss it fully.

_multum, nimium esse (in aliqua re)_ (De Or. 2. 4. 17)—to go deeply into a matter, discuss it fully.

_pluribus verbis, copiosius explicare, persequi_[6] _aliquid_—to give a full, detailed account of a thing.

_fusius, uberius, copiosius disputare, dicere de aliqua re_—to speak at great length on a subject, discuss very fully.

_breviter, paucis explicare aliquid_—to explain a matter briefly, in a few words (not _paucis verbis_).

_rem paucis absolvere_ (Sall. Iug. 17. 2)—to explain a matter briefly, in a few words (not _paucis verbis_).

_rebus ipsis par est oratio_—the circumstances are described in language worthy of them.

_rebus verba respondent_—the circumstances are described in language worthy of them.

_copiam quam potui persecutus sum_—I have exhausted all my material.

_verbis non omnia exsequi posse_—to be unable to say all one wants.

_in medium proferre aliquid_—to bring a subject forward into discussion.

_in medio ponere (proponere)_—to publish, make public.

_silentio praeterire_ (not _praetermittere_) _aliquid_—to pass over in silence.

_significare aliquem_ or _aliquid_—to allude to a person or thing (not _alludere_).

_significatione appellare aliquem_—to allude to a person or thing (not _alludere_).

_describere aliquem_ (Cael. 20. 50)—to allude to a person or thing (not _alludere_).

_leviter significare aliquid_—to hint vaguely at a thing.

_ordine narrare, quomodo res gesta sit_—to detail the whole history of an affair.

_dicendo ornare aliquid_—to embellish a narrative.

_rhetorice, tragice ornare aliquid_ (Brut. 11. 43)—to add rhetorical, dramatic embellishments to a subject.

_digressus, digressio, egressio_—a digression, episode.

_quod ornandi causa additum est_—a digression, episode.

_includere in orationem aliquid_—to interpolate, insert something.

_inserere orationi aliquid_—to interpolate, insert something.

_interponere aliquid_ (De Am. 1. 3)—to interpolate, insert something.

_dicendo augere, amplificare aliquid_ (opp. _dicendo extenuare aliquid_)—to lend lustre to a subject by one's description.

_in maius ferre, in maius extollere aliquid_—to exaggerate a thing.

_in maius accipere aliquid_—to overestimate a thing.

_digredi (a proposito)_ (De Or. 2. 77. 311)—to digress, deviate.

_studio alicuius rei provectus sum_—my zeal for a thing has led me too far.

_longe, alte (longius, altius) repetere_ (either absolute or _ab aliqua re_)—to go a long way back (in narrative).

_oratio longius repetita_ (De Or. 3. 24. 91)—a rather recondite speech.

_accedere ad cotidiani sermonis genus_—to adopt the language of everyday life.

_ad vulgarem sensum_ or _ad communem opinionem orationem accommodare_ (Off. 2. 10. 35)—to express oneself in popular language.

[1] Not _stilus_, which means the writing instrument, the stylus, hence the expression _stilum vertere_ (Verr. 2. 3. 41), to erase what has been written. Metaphorically it denotes—(1) the action of writing, e.g. _stilus optimus est et praestantissimus dicendi effector et magister_; (2) the manner of writing, mode of composition, e.g. _unus enim sonus est totius orationis et idem stilus_.

[2] Speeches belong according to their subject-matter to _genus deliberativum_ (συμβουλευτικόν), _genus iudicale_ (δικανικόν), or _genus demonstrativum_ (ἐπιδεικτικόν), cf. Cic. de Inv. 1. 5. 7; Arist. Rhet. bk. iii.

[3] On the other hand, _oratio fluit_ (De Or. 3. 49. 190) = the language has no rhythm.

[4] Not _impura_, which means unchaste, obscene.