This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Latin to English
  3. General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

Senissimus

English translation: very old man

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Latin term or phrase:Senissimus
English translation:very old man
Entered by: Joseph Brazauskas

09:22 Sep 10, 2010
Latin to English translations [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Latin term or phrase: Senissimus
Hi there,

I'm just wondering if you can say 'senissimus' as a stand-alone noun to mean 'a very old man'? I haven't come across it used like this before in Latin, although gramatically it makes sense!

Thanks
rkirk (X)
Local time: 08:33
very old man
Explanation:
Any adjective, or participle used adjectivally, may also be used substantively (i.e., as a noun), especially in poetry. Neither Latin nor Greek grammarians made any formal distinction between what we call substantives (or nouns) and adjectives. It is due to the haphazard nature of ordinary speech that some words were used habitually as what we call substantives or nouns, and others as what we call adjectives. The plural is much more common in this usage than the singular, but examples of the latter are also fairly abundant.
Selected response from:

Joseph Brazauskas
United States
Local time: 03:33
Grading comment
Thanks Joseph, just what I was looking for!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5very old man
Joseph Brazauskas


Discussion entries: 8





  

Answers


3 days 5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
very old man


Explanation:
Any adjective, or participle used adjectivally, may also be used substantively (i.e., as a noun), especially in poetry. Neither Latin nor Greek grammarians made any formal distinction between what we call substantives (or nouns) and adjectives. It is due to the haphazard nature of ordinary speech that some words were used habitually as what we call substantives or nouns, and others as what we call adjectives. The plural is much more common in this usage than the singular, but examples of the latter are also fairly abundant.

Joseph Brazauskas
United States
Local time: 03:33
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 36
Grading comment
Thanks Joseph, just what I was looking for!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search