← Latin for Medics, Pharmacists and Herbalists
The irregular verb volō (I wish, I want, I am willing) is fundamental to Latin medical and pharmaceutical texts. It expresses desire, willingness, and intention - concepts essential when discussing patient preferences, medical recommendations, and treatment protocols. In classical medical texts, volō often appears in discussions of what physicians desire to achieve, what remedies are intended to accomplish, or what patients wish regarding their care.
FAQ Schema: Q: What does volō mean in Latin? A: Volō means "I wish," "I want," or "I am willing" in Latin. It's an irregular verb that expresses desire or intention.
In this lesson, volō appears in various medical contexts: physicians expressing treatment intentions, descriptions of desired therapeutic outcomes, patient preferences regarding remedies, and pharmaceutical preparations intended for specific purposes. The verb's forms change irregularly, making it important to learn each form carefully.
Educational Schema: -
Course: Latin for Medical Professionals -
Level: Intermediate -
Topic: Irregular Verbs in Medical Contexts -
Focus: The verb volō and its applications in medical Latin
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volō is an irregular verb meaning "wish, want, be willing" -
Common in medical texts expressing therapeutic intentions -
Often used with infinitives to express desired actions -
Essential for understanding prescriptions and medical recommendations -
Appears in patient care discussions and treatment protocols
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66.1 Medicus physician aegrum sick person sānāre to heal vult wishes
66.2 Volō I wish herbās herbs salūtārēs healthful colligere to gather
66.3 Pharmacopōla pharmacist novum new medicāmentum medicine parāre to prepare vult wishes
66.4 Nōn not vīs you wish amārum bitter pōtiōnem potion bibere to drink
66.5 Aegrī sick people celeriter quickly convalēscere to recover volunt wish
66.6 Herbārius herbalist rādīcēs roots efficācēs effective vēndere to sell vult wishes
66.7 Volumus we wish dolōrem pain levāre to relieve hōc with this emplāstrō plaster
66.8 Patiēns patient sine without dolōre pain dormīre to sleep vult wishes
66.9 Vultis you (plural) wish optimum best remedium remedy invenīre to find
66.10 Nōn not volēbat he was wishing chirurgus surgeon operātiōnem operation facere to do
66.11 Morbum disease expellere to expel volunt they wish medicī physicians perītī skilled
66.12 Voluī I wished antīdotum antidote statim immediately administrāre to administer
66.13 Vulnera wounds pūrgāre to cleanse vult wishes medicus physician prīmum first
66.14 Nōlumus we do not wish nocīvās harmful herbās herbs ūtī to use
66.15 Febrem fever minuere to reduce voluērunt they wished variīs with various medicāmentīs medicines
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66.1 Medicus aegrum sānāre vult. The physician wishes to heal the sick person.
66.2 Volō herbās salūtārēs colligere. I wish to gather healthful herbs.
66.3 Pharmacopōla novum medicāmentum parāre vult. The pharmacist wishes to prepare a new medicine.
66.4 Nōn vīs amārum pōtiōnem bibere. You do not wish to drink the bitter potion.
66.5 Aegrī celeriter convalēscere volunt. The sick people wish to recover quickly.
66.6 Herbārius rādīcēs efficācēs vēndere vult. The herbalist wishes to sell effective roots.
66.7 Volumus dolōrem levāre hōc emplāstrō. We wish to relieve the pain with this plaster.
66.8 Patiēns sine dolōre dormīre vult. The patient wishes to sleep without pain.
66.9 Vultis optimum remedium invenīre. You wish to find the best remedy.
66.10 Nōn volēbat chirurgus operātiōnem facere. The surgeon was not willing to perform the operation.
66.11 Morbum expellere volunt medicī perītī. The skilled physicians wish to expel the disease.
66.12 Voluī antīdotum statim administrāre. I wished to administer the antidote immediately.
66.13 Vulnera pūrgāre vult medicus prīmum. The physician wishes to cleanse the wounds first.
66.14 Nōlumus nocīvās herbās ūtī. We do not wish to use harmful herbs.
66.15 Febrem minuere voluērunt variīs medicāmentīs. They wished to reduce the fever with various medicines.
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66.1 Medicus aegrum sānāre vult.
66.2 Volō herbās salūtārēs colligere.
66.3 Pharmacopōla novum medicāmentum parāre vult.
66.4 Nōn vīs amārum pōtiōnem bibere.
66.5 Aegrī celeriter convalēscere volunt.
66.6 Herbārius rādīcēs efficācēs vēndere vult.
66.7 Volumus dolōrem levāre hōc emplāstrō.
66.8 Patiēns sine dolōre dormīre vult.
66.9 Vultis optimum remedium invenīre.
66.10 Nōn volēbat chirurgus operātiōnem facere.
66.11 Morbum expellere volunt medicī perītī.
66.12 Voluī antīdotum statim administrāre.
66.13 Vulnera pūrgāre vult medicus prīmum.
66.14 Nōlumus nocīvās herbās ūtī.
66.15 Febrem minuere voluērunt variīs medicāmentīs.
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Volō is one of Latin's most important irregular verbs. Unlike regular verbs, it doesn't follow standard conjugation patterns, making memorization essential.
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volō = I wish/want -
vīs = you wish/want (note the short stem!) -
vult = he/she/it wishes/wants -
volumus = we wish/want -
vultis = you (plural) wish/want -
volunt = they wish/want
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volēbam = I was wishing -
volēbās = you were wishing -
volēbat = he/she/it was wishing -
volēbāmus = we were wishing -
volēbātis = you (plural) were wishing -
volēbant = they were wishing
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voluī = I wished/have wished -
voluistī = you wished/have wished -
voluit = he/she/it wished/has wished -
voluimus = we wished/have wished -
voluistis = you (plural) wished/have wished -
voluērunt = they wished/have wished
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Confusing vīs with regular forms - Students often write "volis" instead of "vīs" -
Forgetting the short vowel in vult - Not "vōlt" but "vult" -
Using wrong infinitive - The infinitive is "velle" not "volere" -
Mixing up with nōlō - Remember nōlō (not wish) = nōn + volō
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Identify the tense - Look for tense markers (-ba- for imperfect, perfect stem changes) -
Note the subject - Personal endings still apply, though modified -
Recognize compounds - nōlō (not wish), mālō (prefer) follow similar patterns -
Check for infinitive - volō often takes complementary infinitive
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English uses auxiliaries: "I want to heal" = "volō sānāre" -
Latin doesn't need "to" - infinitive directly follows volō -
English "will" (future) is NOT related to Latin volō despite appearance -
Latin volō is about desire/willingness, not future tense
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Often expresses therapeutic goals -
Used in discussing patient preferences -
Common in prescription formulas -
Appears in medical ethics discussions
Principal Parts: volō, velle, voluī, — Conjugation: Irregular Common constructions: volō + infinitive (desire to do something) Negation: Use nōlō (contracted from nōn volō)
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For English speakers learning medical Latin, understanding volō provides insight into how Roman physicians approached patient care. Ancient medical texts reveal that patient consent and physician intention were important concepts even in antiquity.
In Roman medical practice, physicians would express their therapeutic intentions using volō. Galen frequently uses this verb when discussing what he wishes to achieve with particular treatments. The phrase "volō sānāre" (I wish to heal) appears throughout medical literature as a statement of medical purpose.
The compound nōlō (I do not wish) was equally important in medical contexts. The Hippocratic principle "prīmum nōn nocēre" (first, do no harm) reflects this concept of not wishing to cause injury. Roman physicians would write "nōlō nocēre" (I do not wish to harm) when discussing dangerous procedures.
Patient autonomy, while not as developed as modern concepts, still existed. Medical texts describe patients who "nōn volunt" (do not wish) certain treatments. Celsus mentions patients who refuse surgery, using forms of volō to express their preferences.
In pharmaceutical contexts, volō appears in discussions of intended effects. Herbalists would describe what they "volunt efficere" (wish to accomplish) with specific preparations. This intentionality was considered important in Roman medicine, where the physician's will was thought to influence healing.
The irregular nature of volō reflects its ancient Indo-European roots and frequent use. Just as English "will" developed irregularly due to constant use, Latin volō shows similar patterns. For medical students, mastering this verb opens doors to understanding centuries of medical literature where physician intention and patient preference are discussed.
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From Celsus, De Medicina 3.4.1:
Part F-A (Interleaved Text)
Quī He who sānārī to be healed vult wishes prīmum first dēbet ought cōnfiteri to confess quae those things which perperam wrongly fēcit he has done deinde then medicō to the physician pārēre to obey nam for sine without patientiā patience et and oboedientiā obedience nūlla no medicīna medicine prōdest benefits volentī to one wishing autem however et and sequentī following praecepta precepts etiam even difficillima most difficult things curābilia curable fīunt become
Quī sānārī vult prīmum dēbet cōnfiteri quae perperam fēcit, deinde medicō pārēre, nam sine patientiā et oboedientiā nūlla medicīna prōdest. Volentī autem et sequentī praecepta etiam difficillima curābilia fīunt.
He who wishes to be healed ought first to confess what he has done wrongly, then obey the physician, for without patience and obedience no medicine benefits. However, for one who is willing and follows the precepts, even the most difficult conditions become curable.
Celsus here emphasizes the importance of patient willingness (volentī) in the healing process. The passage begins with "quī sānārī vult" (who wishes to be healed), establishing desire for health as the foundation of treatment. The use of vult in the relative clause makes patient agency central to the medical process.
The participle "volentī" (to one wishing/willing) in the final sentence creates a powerful contrast with the earlier negative statement. Celsus argues that patient willingness transforms medical outcomes - what seems impossible becomes "curābilia" (curable) through the patient's active desire and cooperation.
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vult - 3rd person singular present of volō, subject is "quī" -
sānārī - passive infinitive, complementing vult -
volentī - present participle in dative case, showing benefit -
Word order - Note how "vult" appears early in the relative clause for emphasis -
Medical grammar - The passive infinitive "sānārī" (to be healed) rather than active "sānāre" (to heal) emphasizes the patient's role as recipient of care
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This passage presents medical advice and procedures in Latin, with vocabulary related to pharmacy and treatment. Here are the key grammatical and semantic points:
Infinitive expressions with volo/nolo: - Lines 66.16, 66.18, 66.20, 66.21, 66.23, 66.25, 66.29: Various forms of volo (wish/want) + infinitive - Lines 66.19, 66.21, 66.28: nolo (do not wish) + infinitive
Subjunctive forms: - 66.20: sūmant (should take) - jussive subjunctive - 66.23: fricā (rub) - imperative - 66.29: sūmite (take) - imperative
Key medical terms cluster throughout: - Remedies: potion, poultice, plaster, ointment, decoction, antidote, sudorific - Conditions: fever, swelling, pain, abscess, wounds - Actions: reduce, dissolve, recover, relieve, purge, cure
The passage presents practical medical wisdom: - Preparation of remedies (66.16-17, 66.22) - Selection of ingredients (66.18-19, 66.26) - Dosage and administration (66.20, 66.27, 66.29) - Contraindications (66.21, 66.25) - Procedural guidelines (66.24, 66.28) - Ancient medical philosophy (66.30)
The text reflects classical medical practice emphasizing preparation, proper dosage, and timing of treatments. ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
66.16 Sī febrem minuere vīs, hanc pōtiōnem parā. If you wish to reduce fever, prepare this potion.
66.17 Medicus quī tumōrem dissolvere vult cataplāsma ex faenō facit. The physician who wishes to dissolve swelling makes a poultice from fenugreek.
66.18 Volumus optimās herbās prō hōc emplāstrō ēligere. We wish to choose the best herbs for this plaster.
66.19 Pharmacopōla nōn vult veterēs rādīcēs in medicāmentīs ūtī. The pharmacist does not wish to use old roots in medicines.
66.20 Aegrī quī celeriter convalēscere volunt tria cochleāria sūmant. Let the sick who wish to recover quickly take three spoonfuls.
66.21 Nōlīte nimis caldās aquās vulneribus applicāre. Do not apply excessively hot waters to wounds.
66.22 Voluī fortiōrem dēcoctiōnem parāre sed herbae dēfuērunt. I wished to prepare a stronger decoction but herbs were lacking.
66.23 Sī vīs dolōrem articulōrum levāre, hōc unguentum cotīdiē fricā. If you wish to relieve joint pain, rub this ointment daily.
66.24 Medicī volunt pūrgātiōnem ante omnēs aliās cūrātiōnēs administrāre. Physicians wish to administer purging before all other treatments.
66.25 Nōn volumus aegrōs jejūnōs medicāmenta fortia sūmere. We do not wish sick people to take strong medicines while fasting.
66.26 Herbārius quī bonum sūdōrificium facere vult sambūcī flōrēs addit. The herbalist who wishes to make a good sudorific adds elder flowers.
66.27 Voluistī potentius antīdotum sed haec dōsis satis est. You wished for a more potent antidote but this dose is sufficient.
66.28 Chirurgus nōn vult incīsiōnem facere nisi apostēma mātūrum sit. The surgeon does not wish to make an incision unless the abscess is ripe.
66.29 Sī vultis optimum effectum habēre, medicāmentum cum cibō sūmite. If you wish to have the best effect, take the medicine with food.
66.30 Volēbant antiquī medicī contrāria contrāriīs cūrāre. Ancient physicians wished to cure opposites with opposites.
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66.16 Sī febrem minuere vīs, hanc pōtiōnem parā.
66.17 Medicus quī tumōrem dissolvere vult cataplāsma ex faenō facit.
66.18 Volumus optimās herbās prō hōc emplāstrō ēligere.
66.19 Pharmacopōla nōn vult veterēs rādīcēs in medicāmentīs ūtī.
66.20 Aegrī quī celeriter convalēscere volunt tria cochleāria sūmant.
66.21 Nōlīte nimis caldās aquās vulneribus applicāre.
66.22 Voluī fortiōrem dēcoctiōnem parāre sed herbae dēfuērunt.
66.23 Sī vīs dolōrem articulōrum levāre, hōc unguentum cotīdiē fricā.
66.24 Medicī volunt pūrgātiōnem ante omnēs aliās cūrātiōnēs administrāre.
66.25 Nōn volumus aegrōs jejūnōs medicāmenta fortia sūmere.
66.26 Herbārius quī bonum sūdōrificium facere vult sambūcī flōrēs addit.
66.27 Voluistī potentius antīdotum sed haec dōsis satis est.
66.28 Chirurgus nōn vult incīsiōnem facere nisi apostēma mātūrum sit.
66.29 Sī vultis optimum effectum habēre, medicāmentum cum cibō sūmite.
66.30 Volēbant antiquī medicī contrāria contrāriīs cūrāre.
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In pharmaceutical and medical contexts, volō takes on specialized meanings and constructions that English speakers must understand for reading historical formularies and prescriptions.
The pattern "sī + vīs/vult/vultis" (if you wish) frequently introduces prescriptions: -
"Sī febrem minuere vīs" = "If you wish to reduce fever" -
This construction implies patient choice in treatment -
Often followed by imperative for the actual instruction
"Medicus quī... vult" (the physician who wishes) describes medical intentions: -
Links practitioner identity with therapeutic goals -
Common in describing different medical approaches -
Shows that treatment choice reflects physician preference
The imperative "nōlīte" (do not wish/do not) gives negative instructions: -
"Nōlīte nimis caldās aquās applicāre" = "Do not apply excessively hot waters" -
More polite than direct negative imperatives -
Common in warnings about dangerous practices
"Aegrī quī... volunt... sūmant" (let the sick who wish... take): -
Combines patient desire with medical instruction -
The subjunctive "sūmant" gives gentle command -
Respects patient autonomy while giving direction
"Volēbant antiquī medicī" (ancient physicians wished): -
Imperfect tense shows historical medical philosophy -
Introduces traditional treatment approaches -
Example: "contrāria contrāriīs cūrāre" (opposites with opposites)
"Voluī... sed" (I wished... but): -
Expresses intended but unrealized treatment -
Common in case histories describing complications -
Shows limitations of medical practice
When expressing optimal treatment conditions: -
"Sī vultis optimum effectum habēre" = "If you wish to have the best effect" -
Links patient compliance with treatment success -
Emphasizes importance of following instructions exactly
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facere vult = wishes to make/prepare -
sūmere volunt = they wish to take -
applicāre nōn vult = does not wish to apply -
cūrāre volumus = we wish to cure
Medical Latin often places volō strategically: -
Early placement emphasizes intention -
Final position emphasizes the action desired -
Split constructions (vult... facere) frame the medical action
This specialized use of volō in medical contexts shows how Latin medical writers balanced physician authority with patient agency, a surprisingly modern concept in ancient medicine.
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This Latin course for medical professionals represents a unique approach to language learning developed by the Latinum Institute. Drawing on methods detailed at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk, these lessons combine traditional philological rigor with modern pedagogical insights specifically tailored for autodidactic learning.
The course curator, Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), has been pioneering online language learning materials since 2006. His approach emphasizes: -
Granular interlinear translation that breaks down every grammatical element -
Authentic Latin texts from medical sources with careful scaffolding -
Progressive difficulty that builds competence systematically -
Cultural and historical context essential for understanding medical Latin -
Genre variety exposing learners to different types of medical writing
Each lesson follows a carefully structured format that allows self-directed learners to progress without formal instruction. The interleaved translations in Part A provide immediate comprehension while training pattern recognition. Parts B and C present natural Latin syntax with increasing independence. Part D offers explicit grammar instruction tailored for English speakers, while Parts E and F connect language learning to broader medical and cultural contexts. 66.16 Sī if febrem fever minuere to reduce vīs you wish hanc this pōtiōnem potion parā prepare
66.17 Medicus physician quī who tumōrem swelling dissolvere to dissolve vult wishes cataplāsma poultice ex from faenō fenugreek facit makes
66.18 Volumus we wish optimās best herbās herbs prō for hōc this emplāstrō plaster ēligere to choose
66.19 Pharmacopōla pharmacist nōn not vult wishes veterēs old rādīcēs roots in in medicāmentīs medicines ūtī to use
66.20 Aegrī sick people quī who celeriter quickly convalēscere to recover volunt wish tria three cochleāria spoonfuls sūmant should take
66.21 Nōlīte do not wish nimis too much caldās hot aquās waters vulneribus to wounds applicāre to apply
66.22 Voluī I wished fortiōrem stronger dēcoctiōnem decoction parāre to prepare sed but herbae herbs dēfuērunt were lacking
66.23 Sī if vīs you wish dolōrem pain articulōrum of joints levāre to relieve hōc this unguentum ointment cotīdiē daily fricā rub
66.24 Medicī physicians volunt wish pūrgātiōnem purging ante before omnēs all aliās other cūrātiōnēs treatments administrāre to administer
66.25 Nōn not volumus we wish aegrōs sick people jejūnōs fasting medicāmenta medicines fortia strong sūmere to take
66.26 Herbārius herbalist quī who bonum good sūdōrificium sudorific facere to make vult wishes sambūcī of elder flōrēs flowers addit adds
66.27 Voluistī you wished potentius more potent antīdotum antidote sed but haec this dōsis dose satis enough est is
66.28 Chirurgus surgeon nōn not vult wishes incīsiōnem incision facere to make nisi unless apostēma abscess mātūrum ripe sit is
66.29 Sī if vultis you wish optimum best effectum effect habēre to have medicāmentum medicine cum with cibō food sūmite take
66.30 Volēbant they were wishing antiquī ancient medicī physicians contrāria opposites contrāriīs with opposites cūrāre to cure
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