31.03.24: 3rd declension nouns in context [1]; nominative and accusative

Here are some sample sentences showing different case usage in the 3rd declension. Each section has some “schoolbook” sentences and then a couple of examples from the literature.

As always, don’t get dragged down by other aspects of the grammar. Just look at the noun in bold and the translation. Refer back to the tables that showed you the endings for 3rd declension nouns so you can see where the endings come from. Case uses have been covered in earlier posts but, if you’re not sure about cases, then ask here in the group, and I’ve also given a brief note for those new to the group and new to Latin about what each case does.

[1] Nominative: the subject of the sentence; the person or thing that is performing the action

[i] Masculine, feminine and neuter singular nouns can be any ending.

[ii] Masculine, feminine plural is -ēs

[iii] Neuter plural is -a (sometimes -ia, but don’t be concerned by that now)

canis, canis [3/m or f] dog

Canis in viā latrat. │ The dog is barking in the street

Canēs in viā latrant. │ The dogs are barking in the street.

Canēs interdiū clausōs esse oportet... (Cato) │  Dogs should be chained up during the day, …

homō, hominis [3/m]: man

Ecce homō (Vulgate). │ Behold the man.

caput, capitis [3/n]: head

Caput mihi dolet. │ My head hurts

tempus, temporis [3/n]: time

Tempora annī sunt vēr, aestās, autumnus, hiems.  │ The times [ = the seasons] of the year are spring, summer, autumn, winter.

And two very famous 3rd declensions from Cicero that leads you into the exact same endings for the accusative plural:

mōs, mōris: manner / way of behaving; custom

Ō tempora! Ō mōrēs! │ Oh the times! Oh the customs!

One loose translation of this is: "Shame on this age and on its lost principles!" And Cicero was saying that 2000 years ago.

[2] Accusative: the direct object of the sentence i.e. the person or thing that is experiencing the action

[i] masculine and feminine singular ends in -em

[ii] the neuter will be exactly the same as whatever it was in the nominative; it does not change

[iii] masculine and feminine plural is -ēs i.e. the same as the nominative plural

[iv] neuter plural is –(i)a i.e. the same as the nominative plural

frōns, frontis [3/f]: forehead

Mārcus frontem Sextī pulsat. │ Marcus strikes Sextus’ forehead.

Sextus frontem Marci pulsat. │ Sextus strikes Marcus’ forehead.

auris, auris [3/f]: ear

Mārcus aurēs Sextī vellit. │ Marcus tugs Sextus’ ears.

dēns, dentis [3/m]: tooth

Sextus dēntēs Mārcī excutit. │ Sextus knocks out Marcus’ teeth.

crūs, crūris [3/n]: leg

Mārcus crūs Sextī torquet. │ Marcus twists Sextus’ leg.

Sextus crūra Mārcī torquet. │ Sextus twists Marcus’ legs.

fēlēs, felis [3/f]: cat

mūs, mūris [3/m or f]: mouse

Canis fēlem terret. │ The dog frightens the cat.

Fēlēs mūrem terret. │ The cat frightens the mouse.

quī canem et fēlem ut deōs colunt (Cicero) │those who worship the dog and the cat as gods

ōdī hominem; īrātus pugnō (Lucilius) │  I hate the man; enraged I fight

From the “Boar’s Head Carol” (15th cent.):

laus, laudis [3/f]: praise

Caput aprī dēferō / Reddēns laudēs Dominō  │ I bear the head of the boar rendering praises to the Lord.

mīles, militis [3/m]: soldier

Ego īre vīdī mīlitēs plēnīs viīs. (Plautus) │  I've seen the soldiers marching through the crowded streets.

ōs, ōris [3/n]: mouth

Opprime ōs! (Plautus) │  Shut your mouth!