← Iānuae Latīnitātis Vestibulum
###
Salvēte, discipulī cārissimī! Hodiē manūs dīligentius spectābimus. In lectiōne praecēdentī dīdicimus manibus nōs labōrāre, sinistrā tenēre, dextrā opus peragere. Sed manus ipsa multās partēs habet: palmam, pugnum, volam, digitōs, ungulās.
Greetings, dearest students! Today we shall look at the hands more carefully. In the preceding lesson we learned that we labor with our hands, that the left holds, that the right performs the work. But the hand itself has many parts: the palm, the fist, the hollow, the fingers, the nails.
Palmā palpāmus — tangimus rēs leviter ut eās sentiāmus. Pugnō percutimus — fortiter ferīmus. Volā prehendimus — in cavō manūs aliquid tenēmus. Digitīs cōnstringimus — firmē claudimus. Unguibus scabimus et scalpimus — scrātāmus et rādimus.
With the palm we handle — we touch things lightly so that we may feel them. With the fist we strike — we hit forcefully. With the hollow of the hand we grasp — we hold something in the cavity of the hand. With the fingers we grip tightly — we close firmly. With the nails we scratch and scrape — we scratch and rasp.
Quam mīrābilis est manus! Tot opera, tot mōtūs, tot ūsūs!
How wonderful is the hand! So many works, so many movements, so many uses!
Ē tenebrīs Lēšnēnsibus, Iōannēs Āmos Comēnius
Palmā with the palm palpāmus. we handle. Pugnō with the fist percutimus. we strike. Volā with the hollow of the hand prehendimus. we grasp. Digitīs with the fingers cōnstringimus. we grip tightly. Unguibus with the nails scabimus we scratch et and scalpimus. we scrape.
Palmā palpāmus — The palm (palma) is the flat inner surface of the hand. The verb palpō means “to stroke, touch gently, handle.” Note the alliteration: palmā palpāmus. English “palpate” (medical examination by touch) comes from this verb.
Pugnō percutimus — The fist (pugnus) is the closed hand. The verb percutiō means “to strike through, to hit hard.” English “pugnacious” and “percussion” derive from these roots.
Volā prehendimus — The vola is the hollow or cavity of the palm, used for grasping and holding. The verb prehendō means “to seize, grasp, catch.” English “prehensile” and “apprehend” come from this verb.
Digitīs cōnstringimus — The fingers (digitī) grip tightly (cōnstringimus). The verb cōnstringō means “to draw together, bind tight, grip.” English “constrain” and “constrict” are related.
Unguibus scabimus et scalpimus — The nails (ungulae or unguēs) scratch (scabimus) and scrape (scalpimus). The verb scabō means “to scratch”; scalpō means “to carve, scrape, engrave.” English “scalpel” comes from scalpō.
Palmā palpāmus. We handle with the palm.
Pugnō percutimus. We strike with the fist.
Volā prehendimus. We grasp with the hollow of the hand.
Digitīs cōnstringimus. We grip tightly with the fingers.
Unguibus scabimus et scalpimus. We scratch and scrape with the nails.
Palmā palpāmus. Pugnō percutimus. Volā prehendimus. Digitīs cōnstringimus. Unguibus scabimus et scalpimus.
All five sentences use the ablative of instrument — the tool or body part used to perform an action:
Ablātīvus Nōminātīvus Significātiō palmā palma with the palm pugnō pugnus with the fist volā vola with the hollow of the hand digitīs digitī with the fingers unguibus unguēs with the nails
Remember: No preposition is used with the ablative of instrument in Latin.
Comenius uses alliteration (repetition of initial sounds) as a memory aid: -
Palmā palpāmus -
Pugnō percutimus -
Volā (implied alliteration with the ‘v’ sound in prehendimus is softer)
This technique (allitterātiō) was common in Latin pedagogy and poetry to make phrases memorable.
There are two related words for “nail”:
Nōmen Dēclīnātiō Significātiō unguis, unguis (m.) 3rd fingernail, toenail, claw ungula, -ae (f.) 1st hoof, claw, nail
Unguis is more common for human nails; ungula often refers to animal hooves or claws, but the two words overlap in meaning.
The ablative plural unguibus comes from unguis.
Two verbs in this lesson use common Latin prefixes:
Per- (through, thoroughly): -
cutiō → percutiō (to strike through, strike hard) -
agō → peragō (to carry through, accomplish)
Con- (together, with): -
stringō → cōnstringō (to draw together, bind tight) -
trahō → contrahō (to draw together, contract)
Nōmen Gen. Sing. Genus Significātiō manus, -ūs manūs f. hand palma, -ae palmae f. palm pugnus, -ī pugnī m. fist vola, -ae volae f. hollow of the hand digitus, -ī digitī m. finger unguis, -is unguis m. nail articulus, -ī articulī m. knuckle, joint pollex, pollicis pollicis m. thumb
Vocābulum Pars Ōrātiōnis Significātiō palma, -ae (f.) nōmen palm palpō, palpāre, palpāvī, palpātum verbum to touch, handle, stroke pugnus, -ī (m.) nōmen fist percutiō, percutere, percussī, percussum verbum to strike vola, -ae (f.) nōmen hollow of the hand prehendō, prehendere, prehendī, prehēnsum verbum to grasp, seize digitus, -ī (m.) nōmen finger cōnstringō, cōnstringere, cōnstrīnxī, cōnstrictum verbum to bind tight, grip unguis, -is (m.) nōmen nail scabō, scabere, scabī verbum to scratch scalpō, scalpere, scalpsī, scalptum verbum to scrape, carve
In on manū a hand quādam a certain quinque five digitī fingers vīvēbant: lived: Pollex, Thumb, Index, Index, Medius, Middle, Ānulārius, Ring, et and Minimus. Little.
Ōlim once digitī the fingers inter among sē themselves contendēbant were arguing quis which eōrum of them esset was ūtilissimus. most useful.
Pollex Thumb prīmus first dīxit: said: “Ego “I sum am ūtilissimus! most useful! Sine without mē me nihil nothing prehendere to grasp potestis. can you. Ego I cēterīs with the rest digitīs of the fingers oppōnor am opposed ut so that rēs things tenērī to be held possint. can. Vocor I am called ‘pollex’ ‘thumb’ quia because pollēre to be strong videor!” I seem!”
Index Index respondisse to have replied dīcitur: is said: “Immō “on the contrary ego I sum am ūtilissimus! most useful! Ego I viam the way indicō; point out; ego I ostendō show quid what velīs. you want. ‘Ecce!’ ‘behold!’ dīcis, you say, et and mē me extendis. you extend. Sine without mē me nihil nothing dēmōnstrāre to point out potes!” can you!”
Medius Middle superbus proud exclāmāvit: exclaimed: “Ego “I sum am longissimus! the longest! Super above omnēs all aliōs the others ēmineō. I stand out. Ergō therefore ego I sum am praestantissimus!” the most excellent!”
Ānulārius Ring finger molliter gently dīxit: said: “Ego “I ānulum a ring nūptiālem nuptial ferō. carry. Ego I amōrem love et and fidem faith significō. signify. Quid what potest can esse be pulchrius?” more beautiful?”
Minimus Little autem however trīstis sad tacēbat. was silent. “Quid “what dīcam?” shall I say?” inquit. he said. “Ego “I sum am parvissimus the smallest et and dēbilissimus. weakest. Nūllum no opus work magnum great facere to do possum.” can I.”
Tum then manus the hand ipsa itself locūta having spoken esse to be dīcitur: is said:
“Audīte, “listen, digitī fingers meī! my! Omnēs all of you ūtilēs useful estis, you are, sed but dīversīs in different modīs. ways. Pollex Thumb — sine — without tē you nihil nothing prehendere to grasp possum. can I. Index Index — sine — without tē you nihil nothing indicāre to point out possum. can I. Medie Middle — tū — you mediātor the mediator es are inter between cēterōs. the rest. Ānulārī Ring finger — tū — you fīnem the purpose amōris of love servīs. you serve. Et and tū, you, Minime Little — tū — you in into forāmina holes parva small intrāre to enter potes can quō where cēterī the rest nōn not possunt! can! Tū you aurēs the ears purgās; you clean; tū you in in locīs places angustīs narrow labōrās. you work.
Nōn not est is it quaestiō a question quis which sit may be ūtilissimus. most useful. Simul together labōrātis; you labor; simul together opera works magna great perficitis.” you accomplish.”
Digitī the fingers haec these things audīvērunt heard et and numquam never posteā afterwards contendērunt. argued.
Haec this fābula fable docet: teaches: Etiam even parvissimus the smallest et and dēbilissimus weakest suum his own locum place et and suum his own opus work habet. has. Nūllum no membrum member frūstrā in vain datum given est. is.
In manū quādam quinque digitī vīvēbant: Pollex, Index, Medius, Ānulārius, et Minimus. On a certain hand lived five fingers: Thumb, Index, Middle, Ring, and Little.
Ōlim digitī inter sē contendēbant quis eōrum esset ūtilissimus. Once the fingers were arguing among themselves which of them was most useful.
Pollex prīmus dīxit: “Ego sum ūtilissimus!” Thumb spoke first: “I am most useful!”
“Sine mē nihil prehendere potestis.” “Without me you can grasp nothing.”
“Ego cēterīs digitīs oppōnor ut rēs tenērī possint.” “I am opposed to the rest of the fingers so that things can be held.”
“Vocor ‘pollex’ quia pollēre videor!” “I am called ‘thumb’ because I seem to be strong!”
Index respondisse dīcitur: “Immō ego sum ūtilissimus!” Index is said to have replied: “On the contrary, I am most useful!”
“Ego viam indicō; ego ostendō quid velīs.” “I point out the way; I show what you want.”
“’Ecce!’ dīcis, et mē extendis. Sine mē nihil dēmōnstrāre potes!” “’Behold!’ you say, and you extend me. Without me you can point out nothing!”
Medius superbus exclāmāvit: “Ego sum longissimus!” Proud Middle exclaimed: “I am the longest!”
“Super omnēs aliōs ēmineō. Ergō ego sum praestantissimus!” “I stand out above all the others. Therefore I am the most excellent!”
Ānulārius molliter dīxit: “Ego ānulum nūptiālem ferō.” Ring finger said gently: “I carry the wedding ring.”
“Ego amōrem et fidem significō. Quid potest esse pulchrius?” “I signify love and faith. What can be more beautiful?”
Minimus autem trīstis tacēbat. But Little was sadly silent.
“Quid dīcam?” inquit. “Ego sum parvissimus et dēbilissimus.” “What shall I say?” he said. “I am the smallest and weakest.”
“Nūllum opus magnum facere possum.” “I can do no great work.”
Tum manus ipsa locūta esse dīcitur: Then the hand itself is said to have spoken:
“Audīte, digitī meī! Omnēs ūtilēs estis, sed dīversīs modīs.” “Listen, my fingers! All of you are useful, but in different ways.”
“Pollex — sine tē nihil prehendere possum.” “Thumb — without you I can grasp nothing.”
“Index — sine tē nihil indicāre possum.” “Index — without you I can point out nothing.”
“Medie — tū mediātor es inter cēterōs.” “Middle — you are the mediator between the rest.”
“Ānulārī — tū fīnem amōris servīs.” “Ring finger — you serve the purpose of love.”
“Et tū, Minime — tū in forāmina parva intrāre potes quō cēterī nōn possunt!” “And you, Little — you can enter into small holes where the rest cannot!”
“Tū aurēs purgās; tū in locīs angustīs labōrās.” “You clean the ears; you work in narrow places.”
“Nōn est quaestiō quis sit ūtilissimus.” “It is not a question which may be most useful.”
“Simul labōrātis; simul opera magna perficitis.” “Together you labor; together you accomplish great works.”
Digitī haec audīvērunt et numquam posteā contendērunt. The fingers heard these things and never afterwards argued.
Haec fābula docet: Etiam parvissimus et dēbilissimus suum locum et suum opus habet. This fable teaches: Even the smallest and weakest has his own place and his own work.
Nūllum membrum frūstrā datum est. No member is given in vain.
In manū quādam quinque digitī vīvēbant: Pollex, Index, Medius, Ānulārius, et Minimus.
Ōlim digitī inter sē contendēbant quis eōrum esset ūtilissimus.
Pollex prīmus dīxit: “Ego sum ūtilissimus! Sine mē nihil prehendere potestis. Ego cēterīs digitīs oppōnor ut rēs tenērī possint. Vocor ‘pollex’ quia pollēre videor!”
Index respondisse dīcitur: “Immō ego sum ūtilissimus! Ego viam indicō; ego ostendō quid velīs. ‘Ecce!’ dīcis, et mē extendis. Sine mē nihil dēmōnstrāre potes!”
Medius superbus exclāmāvit: “Ego sum longissimus! Super omnēs aliōs ēmineō. Ergō ego sum praestantissimus!”
Ānulārius molliter dīxit: “Ego ānulum nūptiālem ferō. Ego amōrem et fidem significō. Quid potest esse pulchrius?”
Minimus autem trīstis tacēbat. “Quid dīcam?” inquit. “Ego sum parvissimus et dēbilissimus. Nūllum opus magnum facere possum.”
Tum manus ipsa locūta esse dīcitur:
“Audīte, digitī meī! Omnēs ūtilēs estis, sed dīversīs modīs. Pollex — sine tē nihil prehendere possum. Index — sine tē nihil indicāre possum. Medie — tū mediātor es inter cēterōs. Ānulārī — tū fīnem amōris servīs. Et tū, Minime — tū in forāmina parva intrāre potes quō cēterī nōn possunt! Tū aurēs purgās; tū in locīs angustīs labōrās.
Nōn est quaestiō quis sit ūtilissimus. Simul labōrātis; simul opera magna perficitis.”
Digitī haec audīvērunt et numquam posteā contendērunt.
Haec fābula docet: Etiam parvissimus et dēbilissimus suum locum et suum opus habet. Nūllum membrum frūstrā datum est.
Dē Argūmentō:
This fable personifies the five fingers, each claiming superiority. The hand resolves the dispute by showing that each finger has unique value — even the little finger, which can reach narrow places. The moral affirms the dignity of every part, however small: etiam parvissimus suum locum habet.
The fable incorporates lesson vocabulary (digitīs cōnstringimus, prehendimus) and teaches the Latin names for the fingers.
Nōmina Digitōrum:
Latīnē Anglicē Etymology pollex, pollicis thumb from polleō (to be strong) index, indicis index finger from indicō (to point out) (digitus) medius middle finger from medius (middle) (digitus) ānulārius ring finger from ānulus (ring) (digitus) minimus little finger from minimus (smallest)
Grammatica Nōtanda: -
Vocative singular: Medie, Ānulārī, Minime — vocative case for direct address. -
Indirect question: quis eōrum esset ūtilissimus, quid velīs, quis sit ūtilissimus — subjunctive. -
Purpose clause: ut rēs tenērī possint — “so that things can be held.” -
Deliberative subjunctive: Quid dīcam? — “What shall I say?” -
Relative adverb with subjunctive: quō cēterī nōn possunt — “where the rest cannot” (implied intrāre).
Vocabula Fābulae:
Vocābulum Pars Ōrātiōnis Significātiō pollex, pollicis (m.) nōmen thumb index, indicis (m.) nōmen index finger; informer medius, -a, -um adiectīvum middle ānulārius, -a, -um adiectīvum of/for a ring minimus, -a, -um adiectīvum smallest oppōnō, oppōnere verbum to oppose, set against polleō, pollēre verbum to be strong, powerful indicō, indicāre verbum to point out, indicate ēmineō, ēminēre verbum to stand out, project ānulus, -ī (m.) nōmen ring nūptiālis, -e adiectīvum nuptial, of marriage forāmen, forāminis (n.) nōmen hole, opening angustus, -a, -um adiectīvum narrow purgō, purgāre verbum to clean, purify
DISCIPULUS: Magister, master, cūr why pollex the thumb vocātur is called “pollex”? “pollex”?
MAGISTER: Quīdam some grammaticī grammarians dīcunt say nōmen the name venīre to come ā from verbō the verb “polleō,” “I am strong,” quod because pollex the thumb est is fortissimus the strongest digitōrum. of the fingers. Aliī others dīcunt say nōmen the name esse to be incertae of uncertain orīginis. origin. Sed but etymologia the etymology est is pulchra beautiful et and memorābilis! memorable!
DISCIPULUS: Et and cūr why pollex the thumb tam so speciālis special est? is?
MAGISTER: Quia because pollex the thumb “oppōnī” “to be opposed” potest can cēterīs to the other digitīs! fingers! Hoc this vocātur is called “oppositiō “opposition pollicis.” of the thumb.” Sine without hāc this oppositiōne, opposition, nōn not possumus can we rēs things firmē firmly prehendere. grasp. Hoc this est is quod what nōs us hominēs humans ā from multīs many animālibus animals distinguit! distinguishes!
DISCIPULUS: Ergō therefore pollicēs thumbs nostrī our sunt are speciālēs? special?
MAGISTER: Ita yes vērō! indeed! Multae many bēstiae beasts digitōs fingers habent, have, sed but paucae few pollicēs thumbs oppōnere to oppose possunt can sīcut as nōs. we. Sīmiī apes possunt, can, et and quīdam some aliī other prīmātēs. primates. Sed but pollex the thumb hūmānus human est is praestantissimus. most excellent.
DISCIPULUS: Et and unguēs? nails? Cūr why unguēs nails habēmus? do we have?
MAGISTER: Unguēs nails digitōs the fingers prōtegunt protect et and firmant. strengthen. Sine without unguibus, nails, digitī the fingers essent would be molliōrēs softer et and dēbiliōrēs. weaker. Etiam also scabere to scratch et and scalpere to scrape possumus we can — opera — works parva small sed but ūtilia! useful!
DISCIPULUS: Cūr why unguēs nails crēscunt grow sed but nōn not dolent do they hurt cum when eōs them secāmus? we cut?
MAGISTER: Quia because unguēs nails sunt are ex from cellulīs cells mortuīs! dead! Sīcut just as capillī, hair, unguēs nails crēscunt grow ā from rādīce the root vīvā, living, sed but pars the part quam which vidēmus we see mortua dead est. is. Itaque and so nūllum no dolōrem pain sentīmus we feel cum when eōs them secāmus. we cut.
DISCIPULUS: Quam how mīrābilis wonderful est is nātūra! nature!
MAGISTER: Ita yes vērō! indeed! Et and hoc this quoque also docet teaches nōs us nūllum no membrum member frūstrā in vain datum given esse. was. Etiam even unguēs nails — partēs — parts parvae small et and saepe often neglēctae neglected — suam — their own functiōnem function habent. have.
DISCIPULUS: Magister, cūr pollex vocātur “pollex”? Master, why is the thumb called “pollex”?
MAGISTER: Quīdam grammaticī dīcunt nōmen venīre ā verbō “polleō,” quod pollex est fortissimus digitōrum. Some grammarians say the name comes from the verb “I am strong,” because the thumb is the strongest of the fingers.
Aliī dīcunt nōmen esse incertae orīginis. Others say the name is of uncertain origin.
Sed etymologia est pulchra et memorābilis! But the etymology is beautiful and memorable!
DISCIPULUS: Et cūr pollex tam speciālis est? And why is the thumb so special?
MAGISTER: Quia pollex “oppōnī” potest cēterīs digitīs! Because the thumb can “be opposed” to the other fingers!
Hoc vocātur “oppositiō pollicis.” This is called “opposition of the thumb.”
Sine hāc oppositiōne, nōn possumus rēs firmē prehendere. Without this opposition, we cannot grasp things firmly.
Hoc est quod nōs hominēs ā multīs animālibus distinguit! This is what distinguishes us humans from many animals!
DISCIPULUS: Ergō pollicēs nostrī sunt speciālēs? Therefore our thumbs are special?
MAGISTER: Ita vērō! Yes indeed!
Multae bēstiae digitōs habent, sed paucae pollicēs oppōnere possunt sīcut nōs. Many beasts have fingers, but few can oppose their thumbs like we can.
Sīmiī possunt, et quīdam aliī prīmātēs. Apes can, and certain other primates.
Sed pollex hūmānus est praestantissimus. But the human thumb is most excellent.
DISCIPULUS: Et unguēs? Cūr unguēs habēmus? And nails? Why do we have nails?
MAGISTER: Unguēs digitōs prōtegunt et firmant. Nails protect and strengthen the fingers.
Sine unguibus, digitī essent molliōrēs et dēbiliōrēs. Without nails, the fingers would be softer and weaker.
Etiam scabere et scalpere possumus — opera parva sed ūtilia! We can also scratch and scrape — small but useful works!
DISCIPULUS: Cūr unguēs crēscunt sed nōn dolent cum eōs secāmus? Why do nails grow but do not hurt when we cut them?
MAGISTER: Quia unguēs sunt ex cellulīs mortuīs! Because nails are from dead cells!
Sīcut capillī, unguēs crēscunt ā rādīce vīvā, sed pars quam vidēmus mortua est. Just like hair, nails grow from a living root, but the part which we see is dead.
Itaque nūllum dolōrem sentīmus cum eōs secāmus. And so we feel no pain when we cut them.
DISCIPULUS: Quam mīrābilis est nātūra! How wonderful is nature!
MAGISTER: Ita vērō! Et hoc quoque docet nōs nūllum membrum frūstrā datum esse. Yes indeed! And this too teaches us that no member was given in vain.
Etiam unguēs — partēs parvae et saepe neglēctae — suam functiōnem habent. Even nails — small and often neglected parts — have their own function.
DISCIPULUS: Magister, cūr pollex vocātur “pollex”?
MAGISTER: Quīdam grammaticī dīcunt nōmen venīre ā verbō “polleō,” quod pollex est fortissimus digitōrum. Aliī dīcunt nōmen esse incertae orīginis. Sed etymologia est pulchra et memorābilis!
DISCIPULUS: Et cūr pollex tam speciālis est?
MAGISTER: Quia pollex “oppōnī” potest cēterīs digitīs! Hoc vocātur “oppositiō pollicis.” Sine hāc oppositiōne, nōn possumus rēs firmē prehendere. Hoc est quod nōs hominēs ā multīs animālibus distinguit!
DISCIPULUS: Ergō pollicēs nostrī sunt speciālēs?
MAGISTER: Ita vērō! Multae bēstiae digitōs habent, sed paucae pollicēs oppōnere possunt sīcut nōs. Sīmiī possunt, et quīdam aliī prīmātēs. Sed pollex hūmānus est praestantissimus.
DISCIPULUS: Et unguēs? Cūr unguēs habēmus?
MAGISTER: Unguēs digitōs prōtegunt et firmant. Sine unguibus, digitī essent molliōrēs et dēbiliōrēs. Etiam scabere et scalpere possumus — opera parva sed ūtilia!
DISCIPULUS: Cūr unguēs crēscunt sed nōn dolent cum eōs secāmus?
MAGISTER: Quia unguēs sunt ex cellulīs mortuīs! Sīcut capillī, unguēs crēscunt ā rādīce vīvā, sed pars quam vidēmus mortua est. Itaque nūllum dolōrem sentīmus cum eōs secāmus.
DISCIPULUS: Quam mīrābilis est nātūra!
MAGISTER: Ita vērō! Et hoc quoque docet nōs nūllum membrum frūstrā datum esse. Etiam unguēs — partēs parvae et saepe neglēctae — suam functiōnem habent.
Dē Argūmentō Paedagōgicō:
This colloquium explores the uniqueness of the human thumb (oppositiō pollicis) and the function of nails. The discussion touches on comparative anatomy (humans vs. other primates) and basic biology (why cutting nails doesn’t hurt). The dialogue maintains the theme that every part has its purpose.
Grammatica Nōtanda: -
Genitive of quality: incertae orīginis — “of uncertain origin.” -
Contrary-to-fact condition: sine unguibus, digitī essent molliōrēs — “without nails, the fingers would be softer” (imperfect subjunctive). -
Exclamatory quam: Quam mīrābilis est nātūra! — “How wonderful is nature!” -
Passive infinitive after potest: pollex oppōnī potest — “the thumb can be opposed.”
Match Latin with English:
Latīnē English 1. palma a. fist 2. pugnus b. nail 3. vola c. finger 4. digitus d. palm 5. unguis e. hollow of the hand
Match each verb with its meaning:
Verbum Significātiō 1. palpō a. to strike 2. percutiō b. to grasp 3. prehendō c. to scrape 4. cōnstringō d. to touch, handle 5. scalpō e. to bind tight, grip
Give the Latin name for each finger: -
thumb: __________ -
index finger: __________ -
middle finger: (digitus) __________ -
ring finger: (digitus) __________ -
little finger: (digitus) __________
-
We handle with the palm. -
We strike with the fist. -
We grasp with the hollow of the hand. -
We grip tightly with the fingers. -
We scratch with the nails.
-
Pollex est fortissimus digitōrum. -
Sine pollice nihil prehendere possumus. -
Unguēs digitōs prōtegunt. -
Etiam parvissimus suum locum habet. -
Nūllum membrum frūstrā datum est.
Give an English derivative from each Latin word: -
palma → __________ -
pugnus → __________ -
digitus → __________ -
prehendō → __________ -
scalpō → __________ -
percutiō → __________
Memorize these sentences: -
Palmā palpāmus. We handle with the palm. -
Pugnō percutimus. We strike with the fist. -
Volā prehendimus. We grasp with the hollow of the hand. -
Digitīs cōnstringimus. We grip tightly with the fingers. -
Unguibus scabimus et scalpimus. We scratch and scrape with the nails. -
Etiam parvissimus suum locum habet. Even the smallest has his own place.
-
d (palma = palm) -
a (pugnus = fist) -
e (vola = hollow of the hand) -
c (digitus = finger) -
b (unguis = nail)
-
d (palpō = to touch, handle) -
a (percutiō = to strike) -
b (prehendō = to grasp) -
e (cōnstringō = to bind tight, grip) -
c (scalpō = to scrape)
-
pollex -
index -
(digitus) medius -
(digitus) ānulārius -
(digitus) minimus
-
Palmā palpāmus. -
Pugnō percutimus. -
Volā prehendimus. -
Digitīs cōnstringimus. -
Unguibus scabimus.
-
The thumb is the strongest of the fingers. -
Without the thumb we can grasp nothing. -
Nails protect the fingers. -
Even the smallest has his own place. -
No member is given in vain.
-
palma → palm -
pugnus → pugnacious, pugilist -
digitus → digit, digital -
prehendō → prehensile, apprehend, comprehend -
scalpō → scalpel -
percutiō → percussion
In proximā lectiōne cēterās partēs corporis vidēbimus! Sub pectore venter est. Infra axillās latera. Sub hīs costae. Tergum habet supernē scapulās, īnfernē lumbōs. Nātibus sedēmus. Pedibus ambulāmus. Ā manibus ad truncum et crūra — corpus explōrāre pergimus!
In the next lesson we shall see the remaining parts of the body! Under the breast is the belly. Below the armpits are the sides. Below these the ribs. The back has the shoulder blades above, the loins below. We sit on the buttocks. We walk with the feet. From the hands to the trunk and legs — we continue to explore the body!
Scrīptum est annō Dominī MMXXVI, ā Comēniō per mysterium cōnscientiae renātō.
---