02.12.24: level 2; degrees of comparison [15]; the superlative (2); irregular superlatives; maximē + adjective

[1] There are a small number of irregular superlative forms although they have the same endings and decline in the same way as all other superlatives.

bonus, -a, -um: good > optimus, -a, -um: best

malus, -a, -um: bad > pessimus, -a, -um: worst

magnus, -a, -um: big  > maximus, -a, -um: biggest

parvus, -a, -um: small  > minimus, -a, -um: smallest

multus, -a, -um: much >  plūrimus, -a, -um: most; very many

[2] As with māior and minor, the superlatives maximus and minimus can be used when talking about ages:

Sextus maximus nātū est. │ Sextus is the eldest.          

Mārcus minimus nātū est. │ Marcus is the youngest.

Claudia maxima nātū est. │ Claudia is the eldest.        

Flavia minima nātū est. │ Flavia is the youngest.

[3] Four of these irregualr superlatives are seen in English derivatives:

optimus, -a, -um: best > Engl. deriv: optimist; optimistic

pessimus, -a, -um: worst > Engl. deriv: pessimist; pessimistic

minimus, -a, -um: smallest > Engl. deriv: minimum

maximus, -a, -um: largest > Engl. deriv: maximum

maximē + adjective

In the posts on comparatives we saw that certain adjectives which end in a vowel + us often do not form the comparative with -ior and -ius; instead they use magis (more) + the adjective. The same applies to the superlative of those adjectives where the superlative is expressed by maximē (most) + the adjective. Remember, though, that this is not a consistent use among Roman writers.

ānxius, -a, -um (anxious) > magis ānxius, -a, -um (more anxious) > maximē ānxius, -a, -um (most anxious)

• idōneus (suitable) >  maximē idōneus (most suitable)
• dubius (doubtful) > maximē dubius (most doubtful)
• ēgregius (distinguished) > maximē ēgregius (most distinguished)
• necessārius (necessary) >  maximē necessārius (most necessary)

And the world's greatest superlative: CIRCUS MAXIMUS