31.08.24: the present active participle [11] (1); participles as nouns (1)

The present active participle can stand alone and function as a noun:

Image #1: This one phrase from the Vulgate illustrates an important use of the present active participle:

Vōx clamantis in dēsertō: the voice of someone crying the wilderness

Similarly:

audeō, -ere [2]: dare; venture; risk > audēns, -entis: daring

Latin proverb:

audentēs fortūna iuvat │ (the goddess) Fortune favours the brave [= brave people; those who are brave]

Other examples:

Ūnus ex audientibus īrātus est. │ One of those [who are] listening got angry.

Multōs disputantēs audiō. │I hear many [people] arguing.

vōcēs morientium │the voices of those who are dying

Qui cum sapiente* ambulat, sapientior erit. │He who walks with a wise man [a man who is wise] will be wiser.

 *When the participles act as nouns, the ablative singular is -e and not -ī.

Other images: this use of the participle to convey a noun has ended up in derivatives:

agēns,  -entis: doing; acting > Modern English: agent i.e. a person who is acting on somebody’s behalf

dēfendēns, -entis: defending > M.Eng: defendant i.e. a person who is defending him/herself

litigāns, -antis: quarrelling > M.Eng. litigant i.e. a person who is suing

patiēns, -entis: suffering > M.Eng: patient i.e. a person who is suffering

recipiēns, -entis: receiving: M.Eng: recipient i.e. a person who receives

studēns, -entis: dedicating effort to > M.Eng: student i.e. a person who studies

And secret agent, Johnny English might help you to remember this use!