← Latin for Medics, Pharmacists and Herbalists
The verb dīcō (to say, tell, speak) is fundamental to medical and pharmaceutical Latin. In medical contexts, this verb appears in diagnostic descriptions, prescription instructions, and herbalist preparations. Understanding dīcō and its forms enables you to comprehend historical medical texts, pharmaceutical formulations, and botanical descriptions where authors "say" or "tell" about remedies, symptoms, and treatments.
Definition: dīcō, dīcere, dīxī, dictum - a third conjugation verb meaning "to say, tell, speak, mention, name, call." In medical Latin, it often introduces diagnoses, describes symptoms, or provides instructions. The phrase "causam dīcere" means "to plead a case," while "diem dīcere" means "to appoint a day."
Q: What does dīcō mean in Latin? A: Dīcō means "to say, tell, speak, mention, or name." It's a third conjugation verb with principal parts: dīcō (I say), dīcere (to say), dīxī (I said), dictum (said/having been said).
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Course: Latin for Medical Professionals -
Level: Beginner to Intermediate -
Topic: Third Conjugation Verbs in Medical Context -
Learning Objective: Master the forms and uses of dīcō in medical, pharmaceutical, and botanical Latin
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dīcō is a third conjugation verb essential for medical communication -
It appears frequently in prescriptions, diagnoses, and herbal preparations -
The perfect stem (dīx-) differs significantly from the present stem (dīc-) -
In medical texts, it often introduces important information about remedies or symptoms -
Understanding its forms helps decode historical pharmaceutical instructions
33.1 Medicus physician aegrō to sick person dīcit says herbam herb salūtārem healthful esse to be
33.2 Dīcunt they say pharmacopōlae pharmacists rādīcem root valēriānae of valerian somnō for sleep ūtilem useful esse to be
33.3 Antīquī ancient auctōrēs authors dē about plantīs plants medicīnālibus medicinal multa many things dīxērunt said
33.4 Nōn not possum I am able dīcere to say quod that remedium remedy optimum best sit is
33.5 Dīc tell mihi to me quae which herbae herbs dolōrem pain levant relieve
33.6 Hippocratēs Hippocrates saepissimē very often dīcēbat used to say nātūram nature morbōrum of diseases medicātrīcem healer esse to be
33.7 Pharmacopōla pharmacist dīxit said sē himself tīnctūram tincture opīī of opium parāvisse to have prepared
33.8 Herbāriī herbalists dictum saying est it is omnēs all plantās plants vim power quandam certain habēre to have
33.9 Galēnus Galen in in librīs books suīs his dīcit says sanguinem blood per through vēnās veins fluere to flow
33.10 Dīcendum it must be said est is nōbīs by us quōmodo how medicāmenta medicines praeparentur are prepared
33.11 Aegrī sick people medicō to doctor symptōmata symptoms sua their dīcere to tell dēbent ought
33.12 Quid what dīcis do you say dē about ūsū use chamomillae of chamomile in in febribus fevers
33.13 Avicenna Avicenna clārē clearly dīxit said cor heart esse to be prīncipem chief membrōrum of organs
33.14 Nēmō no one potest is able dīcere to say quot how many herbae herbs in in mundō world sint are
33.15 Dīcitur it is said rōsmarīnus rosemary memoriam memory adiuvāre to help
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33.1 Medicus aegrō dīcit herbam salūtārem esse. The physician tells the sick person that the herb is healthful.
33.2 Dīcunt pharmacopōlae rādīcem valēriānae somnō ūtilem esse. The pharmacists say that valerian root is useful for sleep.
33.3 Antīquī auctōrēs dē plantīs medicīnālibus multa dīxērunt. Ancient authors said many things about medicinal plants.
33.4 Nōn possum dīcere quod remedium optimum sit. I cannot say which remedy is best.
33.5 Dīc mihi quae herbae dolōrem levant. Tell me which herbs relieve pain.
33.6 Hippocratēs saepissimē dīcēbat nātūram morbōrum medicātrīcem esse. Hippocrates very often used to say that nature is the healer of diseases.
33.7 Pharmacopōla dīxit sē tīnctūram opīī parāvisse. The pharmacist said that he had prepared a tincture of opium.
33.8 Herbāriīs dictum est omnēs plantās vim quandam habēre. It has been said by herbalists that all plants have a certain power.
33.9 Galēnus in librīs suīs dīcit sanguinem per vēnās fluere. Galen says in his books that blood flows through the veins.
33.10 Dīcendum est nōbīs quōmodo medicāmenta praeparentur. We must explain how medicines are prepared.
33.11 Aegrī medicō symptōmata sua dīcere dēbent. Sick people ought to tell their symptoms to the doctor.
33.12 Quid dīcis dē ūsū chamomillae in febribus? What do you say about the use of chamomile in fevers?
33.13 Avicenna clārē dīxit cor esse prīncipem membrōrum. Avicenna clearly stated that the heart is the chief of the organs.
33.14 Nēmō potest dīcere quot herbae in mundō sint. No one can say how many herbs there are in the world.
33.15 Dīcitur rōsmarīnus memoriam adiuvāre. Rosemary is said to help memory.
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33.1 Medicus aegrō dīcit herbam salūtārem esse.
33.2 Dīcunt pharmacopōlae rādīcem valēriānae somnō ūtilem esse.
33.3 Antīquī auctōrēs dē plantīs medicīnālibus multa dīxērunt.
33.4 Nōn possum dīcere quod remedium optimum sit.
33.5 Dīc mihi quae herbae dolōrem levant.
33.6 Hippocratēs saepissimē dīcēbat nātūram morbōrum medicātrīcem esse.
33.7 Pharmacopōla dīxit sē tīnctūram opīī parāvisse.
33.8 Herbāriīs dictum est omnēs plantās vim quandam habēre.
33.9 Galēnus in librīs suīs dīcit sanguinem per vēnās fluere.
33.10 Dīcendum est nōbīs quōmodo medicāmenta praeparentur.
33.11 Aegrī medicō symptōmata sua dīcere dēbent.
33.12 Quid dīcis dē ūsū chamomillae in febribus?
33.13 Avicenna clārē dīxit cor esse prīncipem membrōrum.
33.14 Nēmō potest dīcere quot herbae in mundō sint.
33.15 Dīcitur rōsmarīnus memoriam adiuvāre.
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dīcō is a third conjugation verb with an irregular perfect stem. Its principal parts are: -
dīcō (I say) - present tense, first person singular -
dīcere (to say) - present infinitive -
dīxī (I said/have said) - perfect tense, first person singular -
dictum (said/having been said) - perfect passive participle
Present Tense Active -
dīcō - I say -
dīcis - you say -
dīcit - he/she/it says -
dīcimus - we say -
dīcitis - you (pl.) say -
dīcunt - they say
Imperfect Tense Active -
dīcēbam - I was saying/used to say -
dīcēbās - you were saying -
dīcēbat - he/she/it was saying -
dīcēbāmus - we were saying -
dīcēbātis - you (pl.) were saying -
dīcēbant - they were saying
Perfect Tense Active -
dīxī - I said/have said -
dīxistī - you said -
dīxit - he/she/it said -
dīximus - we said -
dīxistis - you (pl.) said -
dīxērunt - they said
Imperative -
dīc - say! (singular) -
dīcite - say! (plural)
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Confusing the perfect stem: Students often try to form the perfect as "dīcuī" instead of "dīxī" -
Imperative form: The singular imperative is "dīc" not "dīce" - it drops the final -e -
Indirect statement: After dīcō, use accusative + infinitive construction (e.g., "dīcit herbam salūtārem esse") -
Passive voice: "dīcitur" means "it is said" - this impersonal use is very common in medical texts
Unlike English, which uses "that" after "say" ("He says that..."), Latin uses the accusative + infinitive construction after dīcō. Where English says "The doctor says that the herb is useful," Latin says "Medicus dīcit herbam ūtilem esse" (literally: "The doctor says the herb to be useful").
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Start with dīcō in the appropriate form -
Put the subject of the "that" clause in the accusative -
Put the verb of the "that" clause in the infinitive -
Any predicate nominatives become accusative
Example: "The herbalist says that plants are powerful" -
Herbārius dīcit... (The herbalist says...) -
plantās... (plants - accusative) -
esse... (to be - infinitive) -
potentēs (powerful - accusative agreeing with plantās) Result: Herbārius dīcit plantās potentēs esse.
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In ancient medical practice, the verb dīcō held special significance. Physicians would "dictate" (from dictāre, intensive of dīcere) prescriptions to scribes, establishing the tradition of medical dictation still used today. The phrase "recipe" (take!) in prescriptions comes from the imperative, but instructions were "dicta" (things said) by the physician.
Roman and medieval physicians emphasized the importance of what the patient "says" (dīcit) about their symptoms. Galen wrote extensively about the diagnostic value of patient narratives, using forms of dīcō throughout his works. The medical interview, where patients "tell" their complaints, was formalized in Latin medical education.
The passive "dīcitur" (it is said) became a standard way to introduce traditional knowledge about herbs and remedies. This construction allowed medical writers to report remedies without claiming personal authority, important in a tradition that valued ancient wisdom. When medieval herbalists wrote "dīcitur salvia..." (sage is said to...), they invoked centuries of collective medical knowledge.
The legal phrase "diem dīcere" (to appoint a day) had medical applications in scheduling treatments, especially for surgical procedures or purging remedies that required preparation. Physicians would "appoint the day" for bloodletting based on lunar calculations and patient constitution.
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From Celsus, De Medicina I.3.25-26:
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Nam for sī if quis anyone dīcat should say nōn not esse to be haec these things artis of art propria characteristic, sed but experientiae of experience, prīmum first nōn not multum much errābit he will err. Deinde then quod because dīcitur it is said ā by quibusdam certain people medicīnam medicine nōn not esse to be artem art quia because aliī some aliīs by other auxiliīs remedies sānantur are healed, falsō falsely dīcitur is said.
Nam sī quis dīcat nōn esse haec artis propria, sed experientiae, prīmum nōn multum errābit. Deinde quod dīcitur ā quibusdam medicīnam nōn esse artem quia aliī aliīs auxiliīs sānantur, falsō dīcitur.
For if anyone should say that these things are not characteristic of art but of experience, first he will not err much. Then what is said by certain people, that medicine is not an art because some are healed by different remedies than others, is said falsely.
Nam sī quis dīcat nōn esse haec artis propria, sed experientiae, prīmum nōn multum errābit. Deinde quod dīcitur ā quibusdam medicīnam nōn esse artem quia aliī aliīs auxiliīs sānantur, falsō dīcitur.
This passage showcases several uses of dīcō: -
dīcat - present subjunctive in a conditional clause ("if anyone should say") -
dīcitur - present passive indicative, impersonal use ("it is said") -
dīcitur (second instance) - passive with adverb falsō ("is said falsely")
The passage demonstrates the medical debate construction where opposing views are presented using forms of dīcō. Celsus uses the subjunctive dīcat to present a hypothetical objection, then uses the passive dīcitur to report what "certain people say" about medicine. This structure was standard in medical argumentation, allowing authors to present and refute opposing views systematically. The repetition of dīcitur with different constructions (ā quibusdam, falsō) shows the flexibility of this verb in medical discourse.
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33.16 Accipe take herbam herb quae which dīcitur is called hyperīcum St. John's wort vel or perforāta perforated
33.17 Medicus physician clārus famous Dioscuridēs Dioscorides dīxit said hanc this plantam plant vulneribus for wounds ūtilissimam most useful esse to be
33.18 Dīcunt they say perītī experts eam it in in oleō oil macerandam must be macerated esse to be per through diēs days vigintī twenty
33.19 Quod what sī if quis anyone dīcat should say nōn not habēre to have sē himself oleum oil olīvārum of olives, dīcendum it must be said est is eī to him ūtī to use oleō oil amygdalīnō of almond
33.20 Flōrēs flowers summitātēsque and tops herbae of herb colligendae must be collected sunt are ut as dīcit says Plīnius Pliny tempore at time aestīvō summer
33.21 Dīc tell pharmacopōlae to pharmacist ut that praeparet he should prepare ūnciās ounces duās two flōrum of flowers siccātōrum dried
33.22 Nōnnūllī some auctōrēs authors dīcunt say addendum must be added esse to be vīnum wine rubrum red ad to tīnctūram tincture parandam to be prepared
33.23 Hippocratēs Hippocrates ipse himself dīxit said sōlem sun lūnamque and moon vim power magnam great in in herbīs herbs colligendīs to be collected habēre to have
33.24 Quod what ad to dōsim dose attinet pertains, dīcendum it must be said est is trēs three guttās drops ter thrice in in diē day sūmendās must be taken esse to be
33.25 Antīquī ancient medicī doctors dīxērunt said hanc this medicinam medicine melancholiae for melancholy tenebris darkness medērī to heal
33.26 Sī if dīcās you should say nōn not prōdesse to benefit tibi to you remedium remedy, augē increase dōsim dose paulātim gradually
33.27 Mulierēs women sapientēs wise rūris of countryside dīcēbant used to say herbam herb lūnā with moon crēscente waxing legendam must be picked esse to be
33.28 Quidquid whatever dīcant they may say critici critics, expertus experienced sum I am ego I ipse myself vim power huius of this remedī remedy
33.29 Galēnus Galen noster our clārissimē most clearly dīxit said calōrem heat nātūrālem natural ab by hāc this herbā herb augērī to be increased
33.30 Dīcitur it is said etiam also succus juice recentis of fresh plantae plant magnās great virēs powers habēre to have contrā against nervōrum of nerves dolōrēs pains
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33.16 Accipe herbam quae dīcitur hyperīcum vel perforāta. Take the herb which is called hypericum or perforated.
33.17 Medicus clārus Dioscuridēs dīxit hanc plantam vulneribus ūtilissimam esse. The famous physician Dioscorides said this plant is most useful for wounds.
33.18 Dīcunt perītī eam in oleō macerandam esse per diēs vigintī. Experts say it must be macerated in oil for twenty days.
33.19 Quod sī quis dīcat nōn habēre sē oleum olīvārum, dīcendum est eī ūtī oleō amygdalīnō. But if anyone says he doesn't have olive oil, he should be told to use almond oil.
33.20 Flōrēs summitātēsque herbae colligendae sunt, ut dīcit Plīnius, tempore aestīvō. The flowers and tops of the herb must be collected, as Pliny says, in summer time.
33.21 Dīc pharmacopōlae ut praeparet ūnciās duās flōrum siccātōrum. Tell the pharmacist to prepare two ounces of dried flowers.
33.22 Nōnnūllī auctōrēs dīcunt addendum esse vīnum rubrum ad tīnctūram parandam. Some authors say red wine must be added for preparing the tincture.
33.23 Hippocratēs ipse dīxit sōlem lūnamque vim magnam in herbīs colligendīs habēre. Hippocrates himself said the sun and moon have great power in collecting herbs.
33.24 Quod ad dōsim attinet, dīcendum est trēs guttās ter in diē sūmendās esse. As for the dose, it must be said that three drops should be taken three times a day.
33.25 Antīquī medicī dīxērunt hanc medicinam melancholiae tenebris medērī. Ancient doctors said this medicine heals the darkness of melancholy.
33.26 Sī dīcās nōn prōdesse tibi remedium, augē dōsim paulātim. If you say the remedy doesn't help you, increase the dose gradually.
33.27 Mulierēs sapientēs rūris dīcēbant herbam lūnā crēscente legendam esse. Wise women of the countryside used to say the herb must be picked when the moon is waxing.
33.28 Quidquid dīcant critici, expertus sum ego ipse vim huius remedī. Whatever critics may say, I myself have experienced the power of this remedy.
33.29 Galēnus noster clārissimē dīxit calōrem nātūrālem ab hāc herbā augērī. Our Galen most clearly said that natural heat is increased by this herb.
33.30 Dīcitur etiam succus recentis plantae magnās virēs habēre contrā nervōrum dolōrēs. The juice of the fresh plant is also said to have great powers against nerve pains.
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33.16 Accipe herbam quae dīcitur hyperīcum vel perforāta.
33.17 Medicus clārus Dioscuridēs dīxit hanc plantam vulneribus ūtilissimam esse.
33.18 Dīcunt perītī eam in oleō macerandam esse per diēs vigintī.
33.19 Quod sī quis dīcat nōn habēre sē oleum olīvārum, dīcendum est eī ūtī oleō amygdalīnō.
33.20 Flōrēs summitātēsque herbae colligendae sunt, ut dīcit Plīnius, tempore aestīvō.
33.21 Dīc pharmacopōlae ut praeparet ūnciās duās flōrum siccātōrum.
33.22 Nōnnūllī auctōrēs dīcunt addendum esse vīnum rubrum ad tīnctūram parandam.
33.23 Hippocratēs ipse dīxit sōlem lūnamque vim magnam in herbīs colligendīs habēre.
33.24 Quod ad dōsim attinet, dīcendum est trēs guttās ter in diē sūmendās esse.
33.25 Antīquī medicī dīxērunt hanc medicinam melancholiae tenebris medērī.
33.26 Sī dīcās nōn prōdesse tibi remedium, augē dōsim paulātim.
33.27 Mulierēs sapientēs rūris dīcēbant herbam lūnā crēscente legendam esse.
33.28 Quidquid dīcant critici, expertus sum ego ipse vim huius remedī.
33.29 Galēnus noster clārissimē dīxit calōrem nātūrālem ab hāc herbā augērī.
33.30 Dīcitur etiam succus recentis plantae magnās virēs habēre contrā nervōrum dolōrēs.
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1. Passive Construction "dīcitur" The passive "dīcitur" (is called/is said) frequently introduces plant names or traditional uses: -
"herbam quae dīcitur hyperīcum" (the herb which is called hypericum) -
"dīcitur succus virēs habēre" (the juice is said to have powers)
2. Gerundive of Obligation Medical instructions often use the gerundive with forms of dīcō: -
"dīcendum est" (it must be said/one must say) -
"colligendae sunt ut dīcit Plīnius" (must be collected as Pliny says)
3. Subjunctive in Medical Conditions -
"sī quis dīcat" (if anyone should say) - presenting hypothetical situations -
"quidquid dīcant" (whatever they may say) - concessive use
4. Indirect Commands After dīc (imperative), use ut + subjunctive: -
"dīc pharmacopōlae ut praeparet" (tell the pharmacist to prepare)
5. Citation of Authorities Medical texts frequently cite what authorities "said": -
Perfect tense for specific statements: "Galēnus dīxit" (Galen said) -
Present tense for ongoing validity: "ut dīcit Plīnius" (as Pliny says)
Medical recipes show distinctive word order patterns: -
Verb often comes first in instructions: "Accipe herbam" -
Passive constructions tend toward end: "macerandam esse" -
Authority citations interrupt flow: "ut dīcit Plīnius"
Note how dīcō introduces technical terms: -
Plant names: "quae dīcitur hyperīcum" -
Preparation methods: "dīcunt... macerandam esse" -
Dosage instructions: "dīcendum est trēs guttās"
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The Latin Reading Course at the Latinum Institute represents a revolutionary approach to Latin language learning, specifically designed for autodidacts. Created by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), who has been developing online language learning materials since 2006, these lessons use the "construed text" method that breaks down Latin into its smallest meaningful units.
This approach, documented at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk, allows learners to see the direct correspondence between Latin and English words, making vocabulary acquisition and grammar comprehension more intuitive. Each lesson builds systematically on previous knowledge while introducing authentic Latin texts from classical authors.
The medical, pharmaceutical, and herbalist focus of this course fills a unique niche, providing healthcare professionals, historians of medicine, and herbalists with the specific vocabulary and constructions they need to read historical medical texts, understand botanical Latin, and comprehend pharmaceutical preparations.
Key features include: -
Interleaved Latin-English texts for immediate comprehension -
Authentic literary citations with detailed analysis -
Progressive difficulty scaling within each lesson -
Multiple genre exposures (dialogue, narrative, recipes, etc.) -
Cultural and historical context for better understanding
The Latinum Institute's method has been refined through years of online teaching and is particularly effective for self-directed learners who want to read Latin texts rather than produce original compositions. Evan der Millner's extensive experience in classical languages and online pedagogy ensures that these lessons provide the most efficient path to Latin reading proficiency.
For more information about the Latinum Institute and Evan der Millner's work in classical language education, visit latinum.org.uk or search for citations of his contributions to online Latin learning since 2006.
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