Dictionary formlex, legis(feminine)
Translation
law, statute; rule
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Grammar
Cases
| Case | singular | plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativethe subject | lex | leges |
| Vocativecalling someone: O ... | lex | leges |
| Accusativethe direct object; after ad, in (into), per | legem | leges |
| Genitiveof | legis | legum |
| Dativeto, for | legi | legibus |
| Ablativeby, with, from; after a, ab, cum, de, e, ex, in (in), sine | lege | legibus |
Examples
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The law is fair to everyone.
.
We keep the laws of the state.
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He acted against the law.
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We live by the laws.
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The judge was the guardian of the laws.
Lex, legis is third declension feminine, a consonant stem, so the genitive plural is legum. As with rex and vox, the nominative x is c or g plus s and hides the stem leg-.
Latin keeps three legal words apart and it matters. A lex is a specific statute, something proposed, voted and recorded, with a name attached: lex Iulia, lex Cornelia. Ius is right and law as a system, the abstract entitlement. Mos is custom carrying the force of law. The reading trap is homography: legis is also "you read" and legi is also "I read" or "to be gathered", from lego; lege is both the ablative of lex and the imperative of lego. The context does all the work. Family: legalis, legitimus, collega, privilegium. English legal, legislate, legitimate, loyal; French loi, Spanish ley.
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lex: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Latin word "lex" (law, statute; rule): 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 3, lesson 4: lex, caelum, scio and 7 more words.