Syntax, ADJECTIVES
WITH
THE FORCE OF ADVERBS.
239. The Latin often uses an Adjective where the English idiom employs an Adverb or an adverbial phrase; as,senatua frequens converrit, the senate assembled ÂŁn great mtmbers; fuit assiduus mecum, he was constantly wi/It me. COMPARATIVES
240.
I.
with 'rather,'
AND SUPERLATIVES.
The Comparative often corresponds to the English Positive 'somewlwt,'
'too';
as,-
senee us est Ioquacior, 2.
So the
old age is rather talkative.
Superlative often corresponds to the Positive with
4'l1ery'; as,vir fortissimus,
a"very brave man.
3. Strengthening Words. Vel and quam are often used with the Superlative as strengthening particles, vel with the force of' very,' and quam with the force of' as possible'; as,vel maximus, the very greatest; quam maximae copiae, as great forces as possible. 4. Phrases of the type' more rich than brave' regularly take the Comparative in both members; as,-
exercitus
erat ditior quam fortior, the army was more rich than brave. OTHER PECULIARITIES.
241. I. Certain Adjectives may be used to denote a part of an oifect; chiefly primus, extremus, summus, medius, infimus, imus; as,summus mons, the top of the 1JZ01t1ttai1t; extrema hieme, ilZ the last part of the zuinter, 2. Prior, primus, ultimus, and poatremus are frequently equivalent to a relative clause; as,-
primus eam vidi, 1was the first wlw saw her; ultimus decessit, he was the last who withdrew. 3. When multus and another adjective both limit the same noun, et is generally used; as,multae et magnae eogitationes,
many (and) great thoughts.