Dictionary formlegatus, legati(masculine)
Translation
envoy, ambassador; legate, deputy commander
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Grammar
Cases
| Case | singular | plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativethe subject | legatus | legati |
| Vocativecalling someone: O ... | legate | legati |
| Accusativethe direct object; after ad, in (into), per | legatum | legatos |
| Genitiveof | legati | legatorum |
| Dativeto, for | legato | legatis |
| Ablativeby, with, from; after a, ab, cum, de, e, ex, in (in), sine | legato | legatis |
Examples
.
Envoys were sent to the king.
.
He refused to hear the ambassadors.
.
The legate led the army through the mountains.
.
He spoke with the pope's legates.
.
The envoys sued for peace.
Legatus, legati, m., second declension, and originally a perfect participle: the man who has been deputed. Two careers live in the one noun. In civil life he is an envoy carrying somebody else's authority, sent by a senate, a city or a king. In the army he is the commander's deputy, a senator delegated to a legion, which is why Caesar's narrative is full of them.
Medieval Latin keeps the civil sense and raises the stakes: a papal legatus a latere is a cardinal sent out with the pope's own powers rather than his own. Do not confuse him with legatum, the neuter noun, which is a legacy in a will - the same verb legare, to depute or bequeath, going in a different direction. English legate, legation and delegate all follow.
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legatus: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Latin word "legatus" (envoy, ambassador; legate, deputy commander): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is taught in chapter 9, lesson 2: legatus, consto, scriptura and 7 more words.