← Latin for Medics, Pharmacists and Herbalists
The verb videō (I see) is fundamental to medical Latin, appearing frequently in diagnostic contexts, pharmaceutical instructions, and herbal descriptions. This second conjugation verb (-ēre infinitive) is essential for describing observations, examinations, and visual assessments in medical texts.
Definition: videō means "to see, observe, examine visually, perceive, understand"
FAQ Schema Q: What does videō mean in Latin? A: Videō means "to see" or "to observe." In medical contexts, it refers to visual examination, observation of symptoms, or perceiving conditions. The full principal parts are: videō (I see), vidēre (to see), vīdī (I saw/have seen), vīsum (seen).
In this lesson, videō will appear in various medical contexts: examining patients, observing symptoms, inspecting herbs, viewing anatomical features, and understanding medical conditions. The examples progress from simple visual observations to more complex medical assessments.
Educational Schema Course: Latin for Medical Professionals Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Visual Examination and Observation Vocabulary Language: Latin with English glosses Focus: Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Herbal Applications
-
videō is a regular second conjugation verb essential for medical observation -
Forms include present (videō), imperfect (vidēbam), perfect (vīdī), and passive (vidētur) -
Commonly used with accusative direct objects -
Frequently appears in medical texts for describing examinations -
Can mean both physical seeing and intellectual understanding
31.1 Medicus physician aegrum sick person attentē carefully videt sees
31.2 Videō I see rubōrem redness in in oculō eye dextrō right
31.3 Herbārius herbalist plantās plants salūbrēs healthful cotīdiē daily videt sees
31.4 Vulnera wounds gravia serious in in bracchiō arm vidēmus we see
31.5 Pharmacopōla pharmacist vidēre to see potest is able colōrem color medicāmentī of medicine
31.6 Vīdī I saw tumōrem swelling magnum large in in colle neck patientis of patient
31.7 Signa signs morbī of disease nōn not vidēbantur were being seen prīmō at first
31.8 Vidētisne do you see? maculās spots rubrās red in in cute skin
31.9 Oculīs with eyes nūdīs naked parasītōs parasites vidēre to see nōn not possumus we are able
31.10 Medica female doctor vīdit saw īnflammātiōnem inflammation in in gutture throat
31.11 Videndī of seeing causā for the sake microscopium microscope adhibēmus we employ
31.12 Vīsum seen est it is vīrus virus in in sanguine blood aegrōtī of sick person
31.13 Pūs pus flāvum yellow in in vulnere wound vidētur is seen
31.14 Vidēbimus we will see effectūs effects remedī of remedy crās tomorrow
31.15 Nōn not videntur are seen symptōmata symptoms lēvia mild ab by omnibus all
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
31.1 Medicus aegrum attentē videt. The physician carefully examines the patient.
31.2 Videō rubōrem in oculō dextrō. I see redness in the right eye.
31.3 Herbārius plantās salūbrēs cotīdiē videt. The herbalist observes healthful plants daily.
31.4 Vulnera gravia in bracchiō vidēmus. We see serious wounds on the arm.
31.5 Pharmacopōla vidēre potest colōrem medicāmentī. The pharmacist can see the medicine's color.
31.6 Vīdī tumōrem magnum in colle patientis. I saw a large swelling in the patient's neck.
31.7 Signa morbī nōn vidēbantur prīmō. The signs of disease were not visible at first.
31.8 Vidētisne maculās rubrās in cute? Do you see the red spots on the skin?
31.9 Oculīs nūdīs parasītōs vidēre nōn possumus. We cannot see parasites with naked eyes.
31.10 Medica vīdit īnflammātiōnem in gutture. The female doctor saw inflammation in the throat.
31.11 Videndī causā microscopium adhibēmus. We use a microscope for the purpose of seeing.
31.12 Vīsum est vīrus in sanguine aegrōtī. A virus was seen in the sick person's blood.
31.13 Pūs flāvum in vulnere vidētur. Yellow pus is visible in the wound.
31.14 Vidēbimus effectūs remedī crās. We will see the remedy's effects tomorrow.
31.15 Nōn videntur symptōmata lēvia ab omnibus. Mild symptoms are not seen by everyone.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
31.1 Medicus aegrum attentē videt.
31.2 Videō rubōrem in oculō dextrō.
31.3 Herbārius plantās salūbrēs cotīdiē videt.
31.4 Vulnera gravia in bracchiō vidēmus.
31.5 Pharmacopōla vidēre potest colōrem medicāmentī.
31.6 Vīdī tumōrem magnum in colle patientis.
31.7 Signa morbī nōn vidēbantur prīmō.
31.8 Vidētisne maculās rubrās in cute?
31.9 Oculīs nūdīs parasītōs vidēre nōn possumus.
31.10 Medica vīdit īnflammātiōnem in gutture.
31.11 Videndī causā microscopium adhibēmus.
31.12 Vīsum est vīrus in sanguine aegrōtī.
31.13 Pūs flāvum in vulnere vidētur.
31.14 Vidēbimus effectūs remedī crās.
31.15 Nōn videntur symptōmata lēvia ab omnibus.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Conjugation Pattern: videō belongs to the second conjugation, characterized by the -ē- in the infinitive (vidēre).
Principal Parts: -
videō - I see (present active) -
vidēre - to see (infinitive) -
vīdī - I saw/have seen (perfect active) -
vīsum - seen (supine/perfect passive participle)
Present Active Conjugation: -
videō - I see -
vidēs - you see -
videt - he/she/it sees -
vidēmus - we see -
vidētis - you (pl.) see -
vident - they see
Imperfect Active: -
vidēbam - I was seeing -
vidēbās - you were seeing -
vidēbat - he/she/it was seeing -
vidēbāmus - we were seeing -
vidēbātis - you (pl.) were seeing -
vidēbant - they were seeing
Perfect Active: -
vīdī - I saw/have seen -
vīdistī - you saw/have seen -
vīdit - he/she/it saw/has seen -
vīdimus - we saw/have seen -
vīdistis - you (pl.) saw/have seen -
vīdērunt - they saw/have seen
Present Passive: -
videor - I am seen/I seem -
vidēris - you are seen/you seem -
vidētur - he/she/it is seen/it seems -
vidēmur - we are seen/we seem -
vidēminī - you (pl.) are seen/you seem -
videntur - they are seen/they seem
-
Confusing videō with audiō: Remember videō = see (visual), audiō = hear (auditory) -
Perfect stem: The perfect stem changes to vīd-, not vid- -
Passive meaning: videor often means "I seem" rather than "I am seen" -
Gerund form: videndī (of seeing) is genitive; don't confuse with videndō (ablative)
Unlike English, Latin videō: -
Changes endings rather than using auxiliary verbs -
Can omit subject pronouns (videō already means "I see") -
Uses passive voice to express "seem" (vidētur = "it seems") -
Forms compounds: prōvideō (foresee), invideō (envy, literally "look upon")
To form the gerundive (videndus, -a, -um): -
Take the present stem (vid-) -
Add -end- -
Add adjective endings (-us/-a/-um) -
Result: videndus (must be seen, worth seeing)
To form the future active participle (vīsūrus, -a, -um): -
Take the supine stem (vīs-) -
Add -ūr- -
Add adjective endings (-us/-a/-um) -
Result: vīsūrus (about to see)
videō functions as: -
Transitive verb (takes accusative object): videō medicum (I see the doctor) -
Intransitive with adverbs: bene videō (I see well) -
With infinitive constructions: videō eum venīre (I see him coming) -
In passive for "seem": bonus vidētur (he seems good)
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
For English speakers learning medical Latin, understanding how Romans approached visual diagnosis provides crucial context. Roman physicians relied heavily on direct observation, as they lacked modern diagnostic tools.
Galen's Method: The famous physician Galen emphasized careful visual examination. He taught doctors to observe skin color (color), swelling (tumor), surface texture, and visible injuries. His systematic approach to visual diagnosis influenced medical practice for over a millennium.
Medical Texts: Roman medical writers like Celsus used videō frequently when describing symptoms. The phrase "vidētur esse" (it appears to be) was a standard diagnostic expression, acknowledging the uncertainty inherent in visual diagnosis.
Herbal Identification: Roman herbalists needed keen observational skills. They used videō when describing plant characteristics: leaf shape, flower color, root structure. Dioscorides' "De Materia Medica" contains hundreds of visual descriptions using forms of videō.
Pharmaceutical Practice: Ancient pharmacists visually inspected ingredients for quality. They looked for signs of spoilage, proper color, and consistency. The expression "quantum vīsum est" (as much as seems right) appears in many pharmaceutical recipes.
Medical Education: Roman medical students learned by watching experienced physicians. The phrase "vidē et disce" (see and learn) encapsulated this apprenticeship model. Visual learning was primary, as books were rare and illustrations limited.
Modern Relevance: Today's medical professionals still use Latin terms derived from videō: "visual acuity," "visible symptoms," "provisional diagnosis" (from prōvideō). Understanding the visual emphasis in Roman medicine helps modern practitioners appreciate their diagnostic heritage.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
From Celsus, De Medicina 2.6.12-13:
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Sī if quis anyone autem however ex from tōtō whole latere side dolōrem pain sentit, feels, is he dēcumbere to lie down dēbet ought in on contrāriō opposite latere, side, ut so that vidēre to see possit he may be able an whether aliquid anything humoris of fluid in in eō that locō place concrētum collected sit. may be. Nam for saepe often vidētur is seen pūs pus aut or sanguis blood in in imīs lowest partibus parts subsidere. to settle.
Sī quis autem ex tōtō latere dolōrem sentit, is dēcumbere dēbet in contrāriō latere, ut vidēre possit an aliquid humoris in eō locō concrētum sit. Nam saepe vidētur pūs aut sanguis in imīs partibus subsidere.
If anyone feels pain from the whole side, he ought to lie down on the opposite side, so that he may be able to see whether any fluid has collected in that place. For often pus or blood is seen to settle in the lowest parts.
Sī quis autem ex tōtō latere dolōrem sentit, is dēcumbere dēbet in contrāriō latere, ut vidēre possit an aliquid humoris in eō locō concrētum sit. Nam saepe vidētur pūs aut sanguis in imīs partibus subsidere.
This passage demonstrates several uses of videō: -
vidēre possit: potential subjunctive with modal verb (may be able to see) -
vidētur: passive present indicative (is seen) -
Medical context: visual diagnosis of fluid accumulation -
Purpose clause: ut + subjunctive (so that he may see) -
Indirect question: an...sit (whether...may be) -
Technical vocabulary: pūs (pus), sanguis (blood), humor (fluid)
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
This is a clinical case history in Latin. Here's a complete translation:
31.16 Today I saw a ten-year-old girl with a high fever.
31.17 At first glance, I saw her pale face and sunken eyes.
31.18 Her mother said that her daughter was unable to eat anything because of nausea.
31.19 I was able to see her tongue covered with white material.
31.20 Upon examining the tonsils, I saw obvious redness and swelling.
31.21 By palpating her neck, I felt swollen lymphatic glands, but did not see them.
31.22 Having performed auscultation, I heard nothing abnormal in her lungs, but observed a rapid heartbeat.
31.23 Having applied a thermometer, I observed a fever of 40 degrees.
31.24 Upon inspection of the pharynx, I was permitted to see white pustules on the tonsils.
31.25 I examined her blood and observed that the number of white cells was increased.
31.26 I observed the dark color of her urine and a strong odor, and noted these findings.
31.27 Having performed a bacterial culture, we were able to see streptococci after two days.
31.28 I prescribed penicillin and advised that I might see the patient again after a week.
31.29 After seven days, I saw the girl much improved, without fever.
31.30 Rejoicing, I saw her playing and laughing with all signs of disease having vanished.
---
Clinical Note: This describes a classic case of acute bacterial pharyngitis/strep throat, documenting symptoms, physical examination findings, diagnostic tests, treatment, and successful recovery. ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
31.16 Hodiē vīdī puellam annōrum decem cum febre altā. Today I saw a ten-year-old girl with a high fever.
31.17 Prīmō aspectū faciem pallidam et oculōs cavōs vīdī. At first glance I saw a pale face and sunken eyes.
31.18 Māter eius dīxit fīliam nihil edere posse propter nauseam. Her mother said her daughter could eat nothing because of nausea.
31.19 Linguam albā materiā obductam vidēre potuī. I was able to see the tongue covered with white matter.
31.20 Inspectīs tōnsillīs rubōrem et tumōrem manifestum vīdī. Upon inspecting the tonsils, I saw obvious redness and swelling.
31.21 Palpandō collum glandulās lymphāticās tumidās sēnsī sed nōn vīdī. By palpating the neck I felt swollen lymph glands but did not see them.
31.22 Auscultātiōne factā nihil abnorme in pulmōnibus audīvī sed cordis pulsum celerem vīdī. After auscultation I heard nothing abnormal in the lungs but observed a rapid heartbeat.
31.23 Thermōmetrō adhibitō febrem quadrāgintā graduum vīdī. Using a thermometer, I saw a fever of forty degrees.
31.24 Pharyngis inspectīōne pūstulās albās in tōnsillīs vidēre licuit. Upon throat inspection, it was possible to see white pustules on the tonsils.
31.25 Sanguinem exāmināvī et vīdī numerum leucocytōrum auctum esse. I examined the blood and saw that the white cell count was elevated.
31.26 Urīnae colōrem obscūrum et odōrem fortem vīdī atque notāvī. I observed and noted the dark color and strong odor of the urine.
31.27 Cultūrā bacteriārum factā streptococcōs post duōs diēs vidēre potuimus. After doing a bacterial culture, we were able to see streptococci after two days.
31.28 Praeseripsī penicillīnum et monuī ut patientem post hebdomadem iterum vidērem. I prescribed penicillin and advised that I should see the patient again after a week.
31.29 Post septem diēs puellam multō meliōrem vīdī sine febre. After seven days I saw the girl much improved without fever.
31.30 Gaudēns vīdī eam lūdentem et rīdentem omnibus signīs morbī ēvānidīs. Rejoicing, I saw her playing and laughing with all signs of disease having vanished.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
31.16 Hodiē vīdī puellam annōrum decem cum febre altā.
31.17 Prīmō aspectū faciem pallidam et oculōs cavōs vīdī.
31.18 Māter eius dīxit fīliam nihil edere posse propter nauseam.
31.19 Linguam albā materiā obductam vidēre potuī.
31.20 Inspectīs tōnsillīs rubōrem et tumōrem manifestum vīdī.
31.21 Palpandō collum glandulās lymphāticās tumidās sēnsī sed nōn vīdī.
31.22 Auscultātiōne factā nihil abnorme in pulmōnibus audīvī sed cordis pulsum celerem vīdī.
31.23 Thermōmetrō adhibitō febrem quadrāgintā graduum vīdī.
31.24 Pharyngis inspectīōne pūstulās albās in tōnsillīs vidēre licuit.
31.25 Sanguinem exāmināvī et vīdī numerum leucocytōrum auctum esse.
31.26 Urīnae colōrem obscūrum et odōrem fortem vīdī atque notāvī.
31.27 Cultūrā bacteriārum factā streptococcōs post duōs diēs vidēre potuimus.
31.28 Praeseripsī penicillīnum et monuī ut patientem post hebdomadem iterum vidērem.
31.29 Post septem diēs puellam multō meliōrem vīdī sine febre.
31.30 Gaudēns vīdī eam lūdentem et rīdentem omnibus signīs morbī ēvānidīs.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Clinical Observation Patterns: -
Perfect tense for case history: vīdī (I saw/examined) -
Present for ongoing conditions: vidētur (appears/is seen) -
Infinitive with possum for ability: vidēre potuī (I was able to see) -
Impersonal constructions: vidēre licuit (it was permitted to see)
Medical Constructions: -
videō + accusative: direct observation of symptoms -
videō + infinitive: observing processes (vīdī numerum auctum esse) -
videō + participle: observing states (vīdī eam lūdentem)
Ablative Absolutes in Medical Context: -
inspectīs tōnsillīs (the tonsils having been inspected) -
auscultātiōne factā (auscultation having been done) -
cultūrā factā (culture having been done)
Time Expressions with videō: -
post septem diēs vīdī (I saw after seven days) -
iterum vidērem (I might see again)
Purpose Clauses in Medical Instructions: -
ut...vidērem (that I might see) - subjunctive for follow-up appointments
Technical Vocabulary Patterns: -
Medical instruments + ablative: thermōmetrō adhibitō (with thermometer applied) -
Body parts as direct objects: linguam, tōnsillās, glandulās -
Symptoms with descriptive adjectives: febrem altam, faciem pallidam
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute's comprehensive Latin reading course, designed specifically for autodidacts learning Latin with a focus on medical, pharmaceutical, and herbal applications. The course employs the "construed text" method, where Latin text is presented with detailed interlinear glosses, allowing learners to build vocabulary and understand grammatical structures naturally through extensive reading.
The method, developed by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), curator of the Latinum Institute, represents over 18 years of innovation in online language learning materials (since 2006). The approach combines traditional philological rigor with modern pedagogical insights, making Latin accessible to self-directed learners worldwide.
Key features of the course include: -
Graduated difficulty with systematic vocabulary building -
Authentic Latin texts adapted for learners -
Comprehensive grammar explanations tailored for English speakers -
Cultural and historical context for deeper understanding -
Multiple presentation formats (interlinear, natural, Latin-only) -
Focus on practical Latin for specific professional fields
Each lesson follows a consistent structure that reinforces learning through repetition and varied contexts. The interlinear format in Part A allows beginners to decode Latin systematically, while Parts B and C provide practice with natural Latin word order. Part D offers detailed grammatical analysis, Part E supplies cultural context, and Part F presents authentic literary excerpts. 31.16 Hodiē today vīdī I saw puellam girl annōrum of years decem ten cum with febre fever altā high
31.17 Prīmō first aspectū at glance faciem face pallidam pale et and oculōs eyes cavōs sunken vīdī I saw
31.18 Māter mother eius her dīxit said fīliam daughter nihil nothing edere to eat posse to be able propter because of nauseam nausea
31.19 Linguam tongue albā with white materīā matter obductam covered vidēre to see potuī I was able
31.20 Inspectīs having been inspected tōnsillīs tonsils rubōrem redness et and tumōrem swelling manifestum obvious vīdī I saw
31.21 Palpandō by feeling collum neck glandulās glands lymphāticās lymphatic tumidās swollen sēnsī I felt sed but nōn not vīdī I saw
31.22 Auscultātiōne by auscultation factā having been done nihil nothing abnorme abnormal in in pulmōnibus lungs audīvī I heard sed but cordis of heart pulsum beat celerem rapid vīdī I observed
31.23 Thermōmetrō with thermometer adhibitō having been applied febrem fever quadrāgintā forty graduum degrees vīdī I saw
31.24 Pharyngis of pharynx inspectīōne by inspection pūstulās pustules albās white in on tōnsillīs tonsils vidēre to see licuit it was permitted
31.25 Sanguinem blood exāmināvī I examined et and vīdī I saw numerum number leucocytōrum of white cells auctum increased esse to be
31.26 Urīnae of urine colōrem color obscūrum dark et and odōrem odor fortem strong vīdī I observed atque and notāvī I noted
31.27 Cultūrā by culture bacteriārum of bacteria factā having been done streptococcōs streptococci post after duōs two diēs days vidēre to see potuimus we were able
31.28 Praeseripsī I prescribed penicillīnum penicillin et and monuī I advised ut that patientem patient post after hebdomadem week iterum again vidērem I might see
31.29 Post after septem seven diēs days puellam girl multō much meliōrem better vīdī I saw sine without febre fever
31.30 Gaudēns rejoicing vīdī I saw eam her lūdentem playing et and rīdentem laughing omnibus all signīs signs morbī of disease ēvānidīs having vanished
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾