Part 9

[5] Not _dives_ which Cicero uses only absolutely and almost always of persons, cf. however _animus hominis dives_ (Parad. 6. 44), _divitior mihi et affluentior videtur esse vera amicitia_ (De Am. 16. 58).

[6] _persequi_ is often used in the meaning to expound, treat of either orally or in writing, e.g. _alicuius vitam, alicuius laudes versibus, res Hannibalis_.

3. Delivery—Voice

_actio_ (Brut. 38)—delivery.

_pronuntiatio_[1] c. Gen.—artistic delivery; declamation.

_actio paulum claudicat_[2]—the delivery is rather halting, poor.

_haerere, haesitare_ (Catil. 2. 6. 13)—to stop short, hesitate.

_perturbari, permoveri_—to be nervous, embarrassed.

_de scripto orationem_[3] _habere, dicere_ (opp. _sine scripto, ex memoria_)—to read a speech.

_interpellare aliquem (dicentem)_—to interrupt.

_vox magna, clara_ (Sulla 10. 30)—a strong, loud voice.

_vox gravis, acuta, parva, mediocris_—a deep, high, thin, moderate voice.

_vox canōra_ (Brut. 63. 234)—a melodious, ringing voice.

_vox lenis, suppressa, summissa_—a gentle, subdued voice.

_vocem mittere_ (_sonitum reddere_ of things)—to speak, utter a sound.

_vocem summittere_—to lower one's voice.

_contentio, remissio vocis_—raising, lowering the voice.

_vocem intercludere_ (Just. 11. 8. 4)—to prevent some one from speaking.

_nulla vox est ab eo audita_—no sound passed his lips.

_magna voce clamare_—to shout at the top of one's voice.

_clamorem tollere_ (Liv. 3. 28)—to raise a shout, a cry.

_gestum_ (always in the sing.) _agere_—to gesticulate.

[1] Not _declamatio_ which = an oratorical exercise. Distinguish _pronuntiare_ (De Or. 1. 59. 251), to declaim a thing according to the rules of rhetoric; and _declamare_ = to go through rhetorical exercises as a practice in speaking.

[2] _claudicare_ often metaph. of things which are unequal, weak, e.g. _amicitia claudicat_ (Fin. 1. 69).

[3] But to read a speech _orationem legere_ (Brut. 51. 191); to read with expression, _recitare_ (Phil. 10.2. 5).

4. Subject-Matter—Argument

_non habeo argumentum scribendi_—I have nothing to write about.

_deest mihi argumentum ad scribendum_ (Att. 9. 7. 7)—I have nothing to write about.

_non habeo, non est quod scribam_—I have nothing to write about.

_res_ (opp. _verba_) _mihi suppetit_—I have abundance to say.

_materia mihi crescit_—my subject grows as I write.

_res componere ac digerere_—to arrange and divide the subject-matter.

_dispositio rerum_ (De Inv. 1. 7. 9)—the arrangement of the subject-matter.

_materia rerum et copia uberrima_—abundance of material.

_infinita et immensa materia_—abundance of material.

_materiem ad ornatum praebere_—to afford matter for elaboration, embellishment.

_id quod (mihi) propositum est_—a theme, subject proposed for discussion.

_res proposita_—a theme, subject proposed for discussion.

_id quod quaerimus (quaeritur)_—a theme, subject proposed for discussion.

_institutum_ or _id quod institui_—a theme, subject proposed for discussion.

_a proposito aberrare, declinare, deflectere, digredi, egredi_—to digress from the point at issue.

_ad propositum reverti, redire_—to come back to the point.

_ad rem redire_—to come back to the point.

_sed redeat, unde aberravit oratio_—but to return from the digression we have been making.

_sed ad id, unde digressi sumus, revertamur_—but to return from the digression we have been making.

_verum ut ad id, unde digressa est oratio, revertamur_—but to return from the digression we have been making.

_mihi propositum est_ c. Inf. (or _mihi proposui, ut_)—the task I have put before myself is...

_ponere_—to propose, set a theme.

_ponere alicui, de quo disputet_—to set some one a theme for discussion.

_ponere iubere, qua de re quis audire velit_ (Fin. 2. 1. 1)—to let those present fix any subject they like for discussion.

5. Question—Answer

_quaestionem ponere, proponere_—to propose a subject of debate, put a question.

_quaestionem poscere_ (Fin. 2. 1. 1)—to get a question submitted to one.

_hoc loco exsistit quaestio, quaeritur_—at this point the question arises.

_nunc id quaeritur, agitur_—the question now is...

_res, de qua nunc quaerimus, quaeritur_—the question at issue.

_magna quaestio est_ (followed by an indirect question)—it is a difficult point, disputed question.

_quaerendum esse mihi visum est_—the question has forced itself on my mind.

_quaestionem solvere_—to decide, determine a question.

_quaestio ad exitum venit_—the question has been settled.

_ad interrogata respondere_[1]—to answer questions.

_bene interrogare_—to cross-examine cleverly, put leading questions.

_percontanti non deesse_ (De Or. 1. 21. 97)—to answer every question.

_responsum ab aliquo ferre, auferre_—to extract an answer from some one.

_respondere in hanc sententiam_[2]—to answer to this effect.

[1] Note to answer (a thing) _respondere ad aliquid_ or _alicui rei_; to answer (a person) always _alicui_. So _dicere alicui_ to speak to a person, but _scribere ad aliquem_.

[2] _responsum dare_ only of answers given by oracles or lawyers.

6. Humour—Earnest

_ioco uti_ (Off. 1. 29. 103)—to make a joke.

_haec iocatus sum, per iocum dixi_—I said it in jest.

_animo prompto esse ad iocandum_—to be humorously inclined.

_extra iocum, remoto ioco_ (Fam. 7. 11. 3)—joking apart.

_facete dicere_—to be witty.

_facetiis uti, facetum esse_—to make witty remarks.

_facete et commode dicere_ —to indulge in apt witticisms.

_breviter et commode dictum_—a short, pointed witticism.

_facete dictum_—a witticism, bon mot.

_arcessitum dictum_ (De Or. 2. 63. 256)—a far-fetched joke.

_dicta dicere in aliquem_—to make jokes on a person.

_aspergere sales orationi_ (Or. 26. 87)—to intersperse one's speech with humorous remarks.

_aliquid ad ridiculum convertere_—to make a joke of a thing.

_(homo) ridiculus_ (Plaut. Stich. 1. 3. 21)—a wit; a joker.

_lepos in iocando_—humour.

_iucunde esse_ (Deiot. 7. 19)—to be in a good temper.

_se dare iucunditati_—to let oneself be jovial.

_sibi displicere_ (opp. _sibi placere_)—to be in a bad temper.

_ioca et seria agere_—to be now jesting, now in earnest.

_serio dicere_ (Plaut. Bacch. 1. 1. 42)—to say in earnest...

_severitatem adhibere_—to show that one is serious.

_ineptum esse_ (De Or. 2. 4. 17)—to be silly, without tact.

_nimium diligentem esse_[1]—to be pedantic.

[1] Such words as "pedantry," "pedant" can be expressed very variously in Latin, cf. N. D. 3. 31. 71 _posse ACERBOS e Zenonis schola exire_; Pro Mur. 9. 19 _multorum DIFFICULTATEM exsorbuit_; Brut. 38. 143 _erat in Crasso latine loquendi sine MOLESTIA diligens elegantia_.

7. Language—Use of Language—Translation—Grammar

_lingua graeca latinā locupletior (copiosior, uberior) est_—the Greek language is a richer one than the Latin.

_commercium linguae_—intercourse of speech.

_volubilitas, solutio linguae_—volubility.

_vitium orationis, sermonis_ or simply _vitium_—a mistake, solecism.

_saepe (crebro, multa) peccavit, erravit, lapsus est_—he has made several mistakes.

_eiusdem linguae societate coniunctum esse cum aliquo_ (De Or. 3. 59. 223)—to be united by having a common language.

_orationis expertem esse_—to be unable to express one's ideas.

_sermo patrius_ (Fin. 1. 2. 4)—native tongue; vernacular.

_consuetudo sermonis, loquendi_—to usage of language.

_cotidiani sermonis usus_—the ordinary usage of language, everyday speech.

_communis sermonis consuetudo_—the ordinary usage of language, everyday speech.

_sermo familiaris et cotidianus_—the ordinary usage of language, everyday speech.

_aliquid a consuetudine sermonis latini abhorret, alienum est_—the expression is not in accordance with Latin usage.

_consuetudo vitiosa et corrupta_ (opp. _pura et incorrupta_) _sermonis_—incorrect usage.

_incorrupta latini sermonis integritas_[1] (Brut. 35. 132)—pure, correct Latin.

_sermo latinus_ (opp. _sermo parum latinus_) (cf. sect. VII. 2., note _For the use of adverbs..._)—good Latin.

_latine loqui_ (Brut. 45. 166)—(1) to speak Latin, (2) to speak good Latin (also _bene latine_), (3) to express oneself clearly.

_graece_ or _graeca lingua loqui_—to speak the Greek language.

_latinam linguam scire_ or _didicisse_—to know Latin.

_latine scire_—to know Latin.

_latine commentari_—to write treatises in Latin.

_aliquid e graeco in latinum (sermonem) convertere, vertere, transferre_—to translate from Greek into Latin.

_Platonem vertere, convertere_—to translate Plato.

_ab_ or _de_ (not _ex_) _Platone vertere, convertere, transferre_—to translate from Plato.

_ex Platonis Phaedone haec in latinum conversa sunt_—what follows has been translated into Latin from Plato's Phaedo.

_aliquid (graeca) latine reddere_ or _sermone latino interpretari_—to render something into Latin.

_ad verbum transferre, exprimere_—to translate literally, word for word (not _verbo tenus_).

_verbum e verbo exprimere_—to translate literally, word for word (not _verbo tenus_).

_verbum pro verbo reddere_—to translate literally, word for word (not _verbo tenus_).

_totidem verbis transferre_—to translate literally, word for word (not _verbo tenus_).

_his fere verbis, hoc fere modo convertere, transferre_—to translate freely.

_liber (scriptoris) conversus, translatus_—the work when translated; translation (concrete).

_interpretatio, translatio_ (not _versio_ or _conversio_)—the process of translation.

_interpres_—the translator.

_leges dicendi_—the rules of speech, grammar.

_praecepta_[2] _grammaticorum_—the rules of speech, grammar.

_grammaticus_[3] (De Or. 1. 3. 10)—a linguist, philologian.

_emendate scribere_—to write correctly, in faultless style.

_latine scribere_[4] (Opt. Gen. Or. 2. 4)—to write good Latin.

[1] Cf. Cic. ad Herenn. 4. 12. 17 _latinitas est quae sermonem purum conservat ab omni vitio remotum_.

[2] Not _regula_, which means a level, standard, e.g. _regula ad quam iudicia rerum diriguntur_ (Cic.)

[3] The adverb _grammatice_ is used with _loqui, scribere_ = to speak, write correctly; _grammatista_ and also _litterator_ are used of elementary teachers.

[4] Cf. _latine docere philosophiam_, to teach philosophy in Latin; Fin. 3. 12. 40 _latine scire_, to know Latin. (cf. ἑλληνιστὶ ξυνιέναι Xen. Anab. 7. 6. 8). Also _latine didicisse, latine oblivisci_ (Caec. 22. 62), in which Dräger supposes an ellipse of _loqui_ or _dicere_.

8. Sentence—Period—Words—Proverbs—Syllables

_enuntiatio, enuntiatum, sententia_—the sentence, proposition.

_compositio, structura verborum_—the structure of the sentence.

_ambitus, circuitus, comprehensio, continuatio (verborum, orationis)_, also simply _periodus_—the period.

_constructio, structura verborum, forma dicendi_—the construction.

_adiungi, addi coniunctivo_ (Marc. Cap. 3. 83)—to be used with the conjunctive mood.

_copia, ubertas verborum_—profusion of words.

_verbis abundantem esse, abundare_—to be rich in words.

_inopia verborum_—poverty of expression.

_lectissimis verbis uti_ (De Or. 3. 37)—to employ carefully chosen expressions.

_prisca, obsoleta_ (opp. _usitata_), _ambigua verba_—obsolete, ambiguous expressions.

_locutio_ (Brut. 74. 258)—a phrase.

_verbo, nomine; re, re quidem vera_—nominally; really.

_si verba spectas_—literally.

_verbis alicuius_, e.g. _salutare_ (Liv. 9. 36)—in some one's name; on some one's behalf (not _nomine alicuius_).

_haec verba sunt_ (Ter. Phorm. 3. 2. 32)—these are mere empty phrases.

_inanis verborum sonitus_—mere words; empty sound.

_inanium verborum flumen_—senseless rant.

_flosculi, rhetorum pompa_—fine, rhetorical phrases.

_voces iacere_ (Sall. Iug. 11)—to let fall an expression.

_nullum (omnino) verbum facere_—to not say a word.

_ne verbum_ (without _unum_) _quidem de aliquo facere_—to say not a syllable about a person.

_verba facere (de aliqua re, apud aliquem)_—to speak on a subject.

_verbum ex aliquo elicere_—to extract a word from some one.

_verbis concertare_ or _altercari cum aliquo_ (B. C. 3. 19. 6)—to hold an altercation with a man.

_verborum concertatio_—an altercation, debate.

_pauca dicere_ (_pauca verba dicere_ only of the orator)—to say only a few words.

_omnia verba huc redeunt_—all this means to say.

_nullum verbum ex ore eius excidit_ (or simply _ei_)—no word escaped him.

_verbo parum valere_ (Tusc. 3. 5. 11)—to unable to find a suitable expression.

_verbum prorsus nullum intellegere_—not to understand a single word.

_huic rei deest apud nos vocabulum_—we have no expression for that.

_inducere novum verbum in latinam linguam_—to introduce a new word into the Latin language.

_verba parere, fingere, facere_—to invent, form words.

_nominum interpretatio_—etymology (not _etymologia_).

_vocabulum,_[1] _verbum, nomen ducere ab, ex..._—to form, derive a word from... (used of the man who first creates the word).

_verbum ductum esse a...putare_—to derive a word from... (used of an etymologist).

_originem verbi repetere a..._—to derive a word from... (used of an etymologist).

_nomina enodare_ or _verborum origines quaerere, indagare_—to give the etymological explanation of words.

_nomen amicitiae_ (or simply _amicitia_) _dicitur ab amando_—the word _amicitia_ comes from _amare_.

_in aliqua re dici_—to be used in speaking _of_ a thing.

_quid significat, sonat haec vox?_—what is the meaning, the original sense of this word?

_quae est vis huius verbi?_—what is the meaning, the original sense of this word?

_quae notio_ or _sententia subiecta est huic voci?_—what is the meaning, the original sense of this word?

_vis et notio verbi, vocabuli_—the fundamental meaning of a word.

_vox, nomen carendi_ or simply _carere hoc significat_ (Tusc. 1. 36. 88)—the word _carere_ means...

_quem intellegimus sapientem?_—what do we understand by "a wise man"?

_quae intellegitur virtus_—what do we mean by "virtue"?

_quid est virtus?_—what do we mean by "virtue"?

_idem valere, significare, declarare_—to have the same meaning.

_vocabula idem fere declarantia_—synonyms.

_vocabulum latius patet_—the word has a more extended signification.

_vocabulum angustius valet_—the word has a narrow meaning.

_iracundiam sic (ita) definiunt, ut ulciscendi libidinem esse dicant_ or _ut u. libido sit_ or _iracundiam sic definiunt, ulc. libidinem_—anger is defined as a passionate desire for revenge.

_in bonam (malam) partem accipere aliquid_—to take a thing in good (bad) part.

_aemulatio dupliciter dicitur, ut et in laude et in vitio hoc nomen sit_—the word _aemulatio_ is employed with two meanings, in a good and a bad sense.

_verba ac litteras_ or _scriptum (legis) sequi_ (opp. _sententia_ the spirit)—to hold by the letter (of the law).

_hoc vocabulum generis neutri_ (not _neutrius_) _est_)—this word is neuter.

_ordo verborum_ (Or. 63. 214)—the order of words.

_vocabulum proprium_—the proper term; a word used strictly.

_verbum translatum_ (Or. 27. 92)—a figurative expression; a word used metaphorically.

_translatio_—a metaphor.

_verba composita_[2]—well-arranged words.

_verborum immutatio_—a trope; metonymy.

_continua translatio_ (Or. 27. 94)—an allegory; continuous metaphor.

_simili uti_—to employ a comparison, simile.

_dissimulatio_ (Off. 1. 30. 108)—irony.

_vetus (verbum) est_ (c. Acc. c. Inf.)—it was said long ago that...

_ut est in proverbio_—as the proverb says.

_ut_ or _quod_ or _quomodo aiunt, ut_ or _quemadmodum dicitur_—as the proverb says.

_in proverbii consuetudinem_ or simply _in proverbium venire_—to pass into a proverb.

_proverbii locum obtinere_ (Tusc. 4. 16. 36)—to be used as a proverb.

_hoc est Graecis hominibus in proverbio_—this is a proverb among the Greeks.

_bene illo Graecorum proverbio praecipitur_—that Greek proverb contains an excellent lesson.

_vetamur vetere proverbio_—an old proverb tells us not to...

_proverbium vetustate_ or _sermone tritum_ (_vid._ sect. II. 3, note _tritus..._)—an old proverb which every one knows.

_syllabam, litteram producere_ (opp. _corripere_) (Quintil. 9. 4. 89)—to lengthen the pronunciation of a syllable or letter.

_haec vox longa syllaba terminatur, in longam syllabam cadit, exit_—this word ends in a long syllable.

_oriri a longa_ (De Or. 1. 55. 236)—to begin with a long syllable.

_syllabarum auceps_—a verbal, petty critic; a caviller.

_verborum aucupium_ or _captatio_—minute, pedantic carping at words.

_litteras exprimere_ (opp. _obscurare_)—to pronounce the syllables distinctly.

_ad litteram, litterate_—to the letter; literally.

_litterarum_[3] _ordo_—the alphabet.

_litterae, elementa_—the alphabet.

_ad litteram_ or _litterarum ordine digerere_—to arrange in alphabetical order.

[1] _verbum derivare_ means to form new words from words which exist already, e.g. by adding a syllable, _Atrides_ from _Atreus_. For word-building, cf. Cic. De Or. 3. 37 and 38; Hor. A. P. 46.

[2] Compound words = _verba copulata, iuncta_ (Or. 48. 159), _coniuncta_, cf. Cic. De Or. 3. 38. 154.

[3] Cf. _quarta elementorum littera_, the fourth letter of the alphabet (Suet. Iul. 56).

9. Writing—Writers—Books

_litteris mandare_ or _consignare aliquid_ (Acad. 2. 1. 2)—to put down in writing.

_litteris persequi_ (_vid._ sect. VIII. 2, note _persequi..._) _aliquid_—to treat in writing.

_scriptor_ (not _auctor_ = guarantor)—the writer, author.

_scribere_—to take to writing, become an author.

_ad scribendum_ or _ad scribendi studium se conferre_—to become a writer, embrace a literary career.

_animum ad scribendum appellere, applicare_—to become a writer, embrace a literary career.

_librum scribere, conscribere_—to write a book.

_librum conficere, componere_ (De Sen. 1. 2)—to compose, compile a book.

_librum edere_ (Div. 1. 3. 6)—to publish a book.

_librum evolvere, volvere_—to open a book.

_volumen explicare_—to open a book.

_librum mittere ad aliquem_ (Fin. 1. 3. 8)—to dedicate a book to some one.

_index, inscriptio_[1] _libri_—the title of a book.

_liber inscribitur_[2] _Laelius_ (Off. 2. 9. 30)—the book is entitled "Laelius".

_Cicero dicit in Laelio (suo)_ or _in eo_ (not _suo_) _libro, qui inscribitur Laelius_—Cicero says in his "Laelius."

_est liber de..._—there exists a book on...

_exstat liber_ (notice the order of the words)—the book is still extant.

_liber intercidit, periit_—the book has been lost.

_liber deperditus_—a book which has been entirely lost sight of.

_liber perditus_—a lost book of which fragments (_relliquiae_, not _fragmenta_) remain.

_liber qui fertur alicuius_—a book which is attributed to some one.

_nescio quis_—an anonymous writer.

_liber refertur ad nescio quem auctorem_—the book is attributed to an unknown writer.

_hic liber est de amicitia_ (not _agit_) or _hoc libro agitur de am._—the book treats of friendship.

_libro continetur aliquid_—the book contains something... (not _continet aliquid_).

_libro scriptor complexus est aliquid_—the book contains something... (not _continet aliquid_).

_in extremo libro_ (Q. Fr. 2. 7. 1)—at the end of the book.

_liber mihi est in manibus_—to be engaged on a book.

_librum in manibus habere_ (Acad. 1. 1. 2)—to be engaged on a book.

_liber, oratio in manibus est_—the book, speech can easily be obtained.

_librum in manus sumere_—to take up a book in one's hands.

_librum de manibus ponere_[3]—to lay down a book (_vid._ sect. XII. 3, note _vestem deponere..._).

_perpolire, limare diligenter librum, opus_—to polish, finish a work with the greatest care.

_extrema manus accēdit operi_ (active _extremam manum imponere operi_)—to put the finishing touch to a work.

_liber accurate, diligenter scriptus_—a carefully written book.

_aliquid, multa ex Ciceronis libris excerpere_ (not _excerpere librum_)—to make extracts from Cicero's writings.

_aliquid in commentarios suos referre_ (Tusc. 3. 22. 54)—to enter a thing in one's note-book.

_librum annotare, interpolare, distinguere_—to furnish a book with notes, additional extracts, marks of punctuation.

_se abdere in bibliothecam suam_—to bury oneself in one's library.

_Platonem legere, lectitare_—to read Plato.

_locum Platonis afferre, proferre_ (not _citare_)—to quote a passage of Plato.

_scriptor hoc loco dicit_—our (not _noster_) author tells us at this point.

_Cicero loco quodam haec dicit_—Cicero says this somewhere.

_Platonem legere et cognoscere_—to study Plato.

_legendo percurrere aliquid_—to read cursorily.

_apud Platonem scriptum videmus,_[4] _scriptum est_ or simply _est_—we read in Plato.

_in Platonis Phaedone scriptum est_—in Plato's "Phaedo" we read.

_verba, oratio, exemplum scriptoris_—the text of the author (not _textus_).

_legentes, ii qui legunt_[5]—the reader.

_languorem, molestiam legentium animis afferre_—to weary, bore the reader.

_liber plenus delectationis_—a very charming book.

_alicuius mens in scriptis spirat_—a man's soul breathes through his writings.

_mendum (scripturae)_ (Fam. 6. 7. 1)—a clerical error, copyist's mistake.

_mendose scriptum_—full of orthographical errors.

_labi in scribendo_—to make a mistake in writing.

_mendosum esse_ (Verr. 2. 4. 77)—(1) to make frequent mistakes in writing; (2) to be full of mistakes (speaking of a passage).

_inducere verbum_ (Phil. 13. 19. 43)—to strike out, delete a word.

[1] Not _titulus_ which means—(1) an inscription on a tomb, monument; (2) public notice, e.g. an advertisement of a sale, _sub titulum misit lares_ (Ov.); (3) metaph. title, honour, e.g. _consulatus, coniugis_. It is only in very late writers that it = a title of a book.

[2] The perfect _inscriptus est_ is only used when the writer himself is speaking of his book, e.g. _de senectute disputavi eo libro, qui Cato maior inscriptus est_, "...which I have entitled _Cato maior_."

[3] Distinguish the two verbs _ponere_ = to set down for a moment temporarily, and _deponere_ to lay aside, abandon altogether. Cf. _vincere_ and _devincere_, _perdere_ and _deperdere_.

[4] _legere_ in this connection only in the perfect.

[5] Not _lector_, which means a professional reader, cf. De Or. 2. 55. 223. Similarly "audience" = _ii qui audiunt_ or _audientes_ (usually in oblique cases). Words in _-tor_ and _-trix_ always denote those who do something habitually or for some permanent object. Thus of functionaries—_censor, dictator, quaestor_; of artisans—_fictor_ sculptor, _institor_ retail dealer, _mercator_ wholesale merchant, _structor_ mason; of people who are always showing some distinguishing quality or defect—_calumniator, ratiocinator_; of those who have performed a feat so remarkable as to confer on them a durable characteristic—_creator urbis_ (Romulus), _servator Graeciae_ (Themistocles), _Cimbrorum victor_ (Marius), etc.

10. Letters

_epistulam (litteras) dare, scribere, mittere ad aliquem_—to write a letter to some one.

_epistula ad Atticum data, scripta, missa_ or _quae ad A. scripta est_—a letter to Atticus.

_epistulam dare alicui ad aliquem_—to charge some one with a letter for some one else.

_epistulam reddere alicui_ (Att. 5. 21. 4)—to deliver a letter to some one (used of the messenger).

_epistularum commercium_—correspondence.

_litterae missae et allatae_—correspondence.

_colloqui cum aliquo per litteras_—to correspond with some one.

_litteras inter se dare et accipere_—to be in correspondence with...

_litteras perferre aliquo_—to take a letter somewhere.

_epistulam signare, obsignare_—to seal, fasten a letter.

_epistulam solvere, aperire, resignare_ (of Romans also _linum incīdere_)—to open a letter.

_epistulam intercipere_ (Att. 1. 13. 2)—to intercept a letter.

_epistulam deprehendere_—to take forcible possession of a letter.

_litteras recitare_ (Att. 8. 9. 2)—to read a letter aloud (in public).

_litterae hoc exemplo_ (Att. 9. 6. 3)—a letter, the tenor of which is...

_litterae in hanc sententiam_ or _his verbis scriptae sunt_—the terms, contents of the letter are as follows.

_Kalendis Ianuariis Romā (dabam)_—Rome, January 1st.

_dies_ (fem. in this sense)—the date.

_pater optime_[1] or _carissime, mi pater_ (_vid._ sect. XII. 10)—my dear father.