Dictionary formportus, portus(masculine)
Translation
harbour, port
Test yourself on portus
Three quick questions. No account needed.
Know this word? Create a free account to track it.
Grammar
Cases
| Case | singular | plural |
|---|---|---|
| Nominativethe subject | portus | portus |
| Vocativecalling someone: O ... | portus | portus |
| Accusativethe direct object; after ad, in (into), per | portum | portus |
| Genitiveof | portus | portuum |
| Dativeto, for | portui | portibus / portubus |
| Ablativeby, with, from; after a, ab, cum, de, e, ex, in (in), sine | portu | portibus / portubus |
Examples
.
The harbour was safe.
.
The ships came into harbour.
.
The ships stayed in the harbour.
.
We saw the city's harbour.
.
They set out from the harbour on a long voyage.
Portus, portus is masculine, fourth declension, with dative and ablative plural portibus. The trap is porta, "gate", first declension and feminine, which looks like it ought to be the same word declined differently and is not. They are cousins rather than forms: both go back to a root meaning a way through, which also gives porto, "I carry", and the ford in English.
Latin is careful with its prepositions here. In portum with the accusative is into harbour, motion; in portu with the ablative is in harbour, at rest. English opportune is ob portum, said of a wind blowing you toward harbour, and importune is its opposite. Port, portal and porch are all in the family.
Where this fits
Add to review queue
Track this word in your spaced-repetition queue and be tested on it at the right interval.
Meet this word in a story
Every course has graded stories written only with words you have been taught, plus grammar drills, a games arcade and printable worksheets. Chapters 1 and 2 are free.
Chapters 1 and 2 free, forever. Plus: 7 days free, then $5 a month for all eleven languages.
Latin · Free printables
portus: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Latin word "portus" (harbour, port): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
Free for members
The printable worksheets, infographics and PDFs are free with an account. Start a free week and download as many as you like.
Start your free weekThis word is taught in chapter 4, lesson 10: portus, singuli, hora and 10 more words.