Questions tagged [superlatives]

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Why is the superlative form of "fertilis" "fertilissimus" rather than *fertillimus?

Superlatives of adjectives ending in -lis are usually formed with the suffix -limus. For example, the superlative of facilis is facillimus. So, why is the superlative of fertilis fertilissimus, rather ...
FlatAssembler's user avatar
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How would you say "I am too stupid for this university." in Latin?

In my previous question, I learned that, for example, "I am too stupid to understand that." would be "Stupidior sum quam ut id intellegam.". But how would one say "I am too ...
FlatAssembler's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
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Superlatives (Cambridge Latin Course)

I have one question about the translation of the superlatives. For some reason in Cambridge Latin Course they always give the following translation for the superlatives: laetissimus — very happy ...
Dachi Pachulia's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
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Optimus and the comparative and superlative uses of adjectives in Latin

What are the superlative and comparative forms of "optimus"? Why is it also used as a simple adjective, meaning simply "excellent" and not a comparative? Isn't "optimus" a suppletive comparative for ...
Quidam's user avatar
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10 votes
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What is the superlative of ipse?

In later Latin, as ipse started to lose its force, Petronius uses ipsimus for emphasis: Tamen ad delicias ipsimi [domini] annos quattuordecim fui. Nec turpe est, quod dominus iubet. Ego tamen et ...
Draconis's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
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How to determine if "senissimus" is a Latin word?

I noticed "senissimus" appears on Wiktionary, but it's not obvious if there are any other attestations of this word. How does one investigate whether this is a spurious Wiktionary page, or is indeed ...
Doubt's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
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Can "quam" be used as a mere intensifier to a superlative?

In a question about Augustine, this quotation is given: Frustra itaque nonnulli, immo quam plurimi, aeternam damnatorum poenam et cruciatus sine intermissione perpetuos humano miserantur affectu, ...
Cerberus's user avatar
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13 votes
4 answers
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Comparison of participles

Participles behave much like adjectives. Do they also have comparative and superlative forms? They are easy enough to form: ferentior, dicturissimus. More precisely, are any comparatives or ...
Joonas Ilmavirta's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
149 views

does there exist "valde <superlative>"?

Are there any examples in classical texts where the word 'valde' is used before a superlative? For example 'valde stultissimus' to mean very, very stupid.
tox123's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
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Rerum to strengthen an adjective?

I read in my Latin to English and English to Latin dictionary that the genitive plural of res is used to strengthen an adjective. However, my latin teacher said that he thought that if a superlative ...
tox123's user avatar
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