STOP PRESS! Soon after transcribing G.B. Hussey's Handbook of Latin Synonyms up to P, Prof. Buddy stumbled upon Discernenda by J. S. Howell. Howell lists similar words in the same way the Prof. was intending. With a mixture of chagrin and relief the Prof. decided to halt creating his list. Eventually the Prof. may merge the two works into a more complete list of Verba Similia.
But for the time being we are displaying the verba similia from Howell's list underneath Hussey's incomplete list (up to P ). You will see from a quick glance at entries under A that neither work is enough on its own. Howell neglects 'a', (exclamation or preposition), and Hussey omits 'acer'(adjective and noun).
Verba Similia
Similar Latin Words
Professor Buddy has also been busy with his work on Latin Homonyms, which soon broadened into a list of Verba Similia or Similar Latin Words. Initially his research focused on
A Handbook of Latin Homonyms, Comprising the Homonyms of Caesar, Nepos, Sallust, Cicero, Virgil, Horace, Terence, Tacitus, and Livy by George B. Hussey, 1905 Boston.
The author has impressively referenced every single instance of each homonym occurring in the works of the named authors. However, knowing that Cicero used alias twice as an adverb in Orationes In Verrem and once as a pronoun in De Imperio does not seem that useful to the Prof. But the Prof. thought that this book would be a great place to start compiling what became a list of similar or confusable words.
He quickly realised that he wanted to include not just homonyms but many similar words that his pupils find confusing. For example, cervus, stag, and cervix, neck won't appear in any book of homonyms, but might be confused. Often he decided not to include cognate words, especially where one was a past participle and the other a 4th declension abstract noun; at other times he included them. Often he decided not to include words with prefixes where the two stems were also similar, sometimes he included them, aware that often two similar compound verbs exist where their stems do not exist as separate verbs.
He is aware that there may be glaring omissions, especially because the list is a work in progress. The Prof. welcomes suggestions, and hopes that his little work will be useful.
Verba Similia or Similar Latin Words (fig.1)
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Most entries copied from Collins Latin Dictionary App
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Some entries are dictionary headwords, some are inflected forms
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Long entries have been shortened for convenience
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This is a work in progress!
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Some entries have long vowels marked, others do not
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Terms defined and color codes:
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defined narrowly: dark pink for minimal pairs or homonyms in the nom. sing. or 1st pers sing. pres. ind. act.
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defined broadly: light pink for homophones in oblique tenses or verbs other than dictionary headwords/lemma
Words somewhat alike in form but different in meaning from Discernenda by J. S. Howell
A
acer, àcris. acre, keen.
acer, aceris, maple-tree.
addo -ére -didi -ditum, to add.
ádeo -ire -ii itum, to approach.
adolesco -ére -evi -ultum to grow.
ádóleo -ére -ui -ultum, to burn.
adorior -iri -ortus, toattack.
adóro -are -avi -atum, to worship.
aes, aeris, copper.
aer, aéris, air.
aestas -atis, summer.
aestus -üs, heat.
aetas -atis, age.
aeger,sick.
áger, agri, field.
agger -éris, mound.
aegra, aegrum,
altus -a -um, high.
alter -era -erum, the other.
afflicto -are -avi -atum, to harass.
affligo -ére -flixi -flictum, to damage.
ancile -is, shield.
ancilla -ae, maid-servant.
appellàre, to speak to.
appellére, to drive.
apis is, bee.
apium -i, parsley.
aquila -ae, eagle.
aquilo -onis, north wind.
ara -ae, altar.
aro -àre -avi -atum, to plough.
arca -ae, box.
arcus -üs, bow.
arx, arcis, citadel.
arceo -ére -ui, to keep off.
armamentum -i, cattle. .
armamenta -orum, tackle.
armus -i, shoulder (of an animal).
arma, arms.
ars, artis, art.
artus -uum, limbs.
artus -a -um, narrow.
assentior -iri -sensus, to assent to.
assentor-ari-atus, to flatter.
attendo -ére -tendi -tentum, to attend to.
attento -are -avi -atum, to try.
attineo, -ere -tinui -tentum, to hold fast.
attract, it concerns.
audeo -ere, ausus sum, to dare.
audio -ire -ivi -itum, to hear.
aura -ae, breeze.
auris -is, ear.
aurum i, gold.
auster -tri, south wind.
austerus -a -um, stern.
ávis is, a bird.
ávus -i, grandfather.
avius -a -um, pathless.
B
bellum -i, war.
bellus -a -um, handsome.
cádo -ére, cécídi, casum, to fall.
cádus -i, cask.
caedo -ére, cecidi, caesum, to cut, kill.
cedo -ére, cessi, cessum, to yield.
cadueus -a -um, falling.
caduceus, the staff of Mercury
cálídus -a -um, warm.
callidus -a -um, cunning.
cano -ére, cecini, cantum, to sing.
cano, dat. and abl. of canus,hoary.
càneo -ere -ui, to be white.
cánis -is, dog.
cáro, carnis, flesh.
carus -a -um, dear.
casses, cassium, net.
cassis -idis, helmet.
cassus -a -um, empty.
cerno -ére, crévi, crétum, to discern.
cresco -ére, crévi, cretum, to increase.
claudo -ére, clausi, clausum, to shut.
claudus -a -um, lame
clava -ae, a club.
clavis -is, a key.
clavus -i, a nail.
collis -is, a hill.
collum -i, neck.
cóma -ae, hair.
comes -itis, companion.
comis -is, kind, courteous.
comis, 2nd pers. sing. pres. of como, I comb.
comitatus -üs, retinue.
comitia -orum, assembly.
comitas -alis, kindness.
condio -ire -ii -itum, to season.
condo -ére -didi -ditum, to hide.
consilium, counsel.
concilium, an assembly for consultation.
contentus-a-um, contented.
contentus -a um, partic. of
contendo, strained.
cornu -iis, a horn.
cornus -i, cornel tree.
cupidus -a -um, eager.
cupido -dinis, desire.
décet, it is seemly.
dedecet, it is unseemly.
décor -oris, mm. beauty.
décóro -are -avi -atum, to adore.
décorus -a -um, graceful.
décus, -oris, n. glory, grace.
delígo -are -avi -atum, to bind down.
déligo -ére -legi lectum, to choose.
delego -are -avi -atum, to assign.
diligo -ére -lexi lectum, to love.
delecto -are -avi -atum, to delight.
désertus -a -um, deserted.
disertus -a -um, accomplished.
dico -are -avi -atum, to dedicate.
dico -ére, dixi, dictum, to say.
diffido -fisus sum, to distrust.
diffindo -ére -fídi -fissum, to split.
divus -i, à god.
divum -i, the open air.
dólor -oris, pain.
dólus -i, fraud.
E
édo -ére, edi, esum, to eat.
edo -ére, edídi, editum, to publish.
és, from sum, I am.
és, from édo, I eat.
édiico -are -avi -atum, to educate.
edüco -ére -duxi -ductum, to lead out.
efféro, efferre, extuli, élà-tum, to bring out.
effáro -are -avi -atum, to make wild.
erga, prep. governing acc., towards.
ergo, adv. therefore.
exorior -iri -ortus, to rise.
exordior -iri -orsus, to begin.
expers -pertis, free from.
expertus -a -um, proved.
F
fácies -ei, countenance.
fácio -ére, feci, factum, to make.
fax, fácis, torch.
fama -ae, fame.
fámes -is, hunger.
fatum -i, fate.
fatus -a -um, partic. of fari, to speak.
fenum -i, hay.
fenus -oris, interest.
féro, ferre, tuli, iatum, to
bear.
fério -ire, percussi, percussum, to strike.
ferre, infin. pres. act. or pres. imper. passive, or 2nd pers. pres. indic. passive.
féra -ae, wild beast.
fére, adv. nearly.
feriae -arum, holidays.
fídes -ei, faith.
fides -ium, lyre.
fido -ére, fisus sum, to trust.
fidus -a -um, trusty.
figo -ére, fixi fixum, to fix
fingo -ére, fini fictum, to fashion.
fido -ére, fisus sum, to trust.’
findo -ére, fidi, fissum, to cleave.
fidi, 1st pers. perf. indic. of findo.
fidi, gen. sing. or nom. plur. of fidus -a -um.
flamen -inis, zn. priest.
flamen -inis, ». blast.
fleo -ere, flevi, fletum, to weep.
flo -are, flavi, flatum, to blow.
foedus -eris, treaty.
foedus -a -um, foul.
fores — esses, from sum.
fóris is, door.
forte, by chance.
fortasse, perhaps.
fortis -e, brave.
frétum -i, strait.
fretus -a -um, relying on.
frico -are -ui -atum to rob.
frigeo -ere, to be cold.
frigo -ére, frixi, frictum, to roast.
frons, frondis, leaf.
frons, frontis, forehead.
frux, frugis, fruits.
frügi, indecl. adj. worthy.
funda -ae, sling.
fundus -i, a farm, the bottom.
fugo -are -avi -atum, to put to flight.
fügio -ére, fügi, figitum, to flee.
fuleio -ire, fulsi, fultum, to prop.
fulgeo -ere, fulsi, to shine.
fundo -are -avi -atum, to establish.
fundo -ére, füdi, füsum, to pour.
füro -ére -ui, tc rave.
füror -avi -atus sum, to steal.
füror -oris, madness.
G
géna -ae, cheek.
génu -üs, knee.
gens, gentis, nation.
génus -eris, kind, race.
géner -éri, son-in-law.
gero -ére, gessi gestum, to carry on.
gestio -ire -ii -itum, to desire.
gesto, -are -avi -atum, to carry.
gutta -ae, drop.
guttur -üris, throat.
haereo -ére, haesi, haesum, to stick.
haurio ire, hausi, haustum, to drain,
héra -ae, mistress of a house.
heres -edis, heir, heiress.
héri, adv. yesterday.
héros -ois, hero.
herois idis, heroine.
hérus -i, master of a house.
hostia -ae, victim.
hostis -is, enemy.
hümor -óris, moisture.
hümus -i, soil.
I and J
illicio -ére -lexi -lectum, to entice.
illico, adv. on the spot.
incido -ére -cidi -casum, to fall upon.
incido -ére -cidi -cisum, to cut into.
impérito -are -avi -atum, to rule.
impéritus -a -um, unskilled.
ingéniosus -a -um, clever.
ingénüus -a -um, candid.
invitus -a -um, unwilling.
invito -are -avi -atum, to invite.
jáceo -ere -ui tum, to lie.
iacio -ére, jeci, jactum, to hrow.
jus, juris, law.
ius, juris, broth.
justitia -ae, justice.
justitium -i, a closing of the law courts.
L
labes -is, ruin.
labo -are -avi -atum, to totter.
labor -oris, labour.
labor, labi, lapsas sum, to glide.
laboro -are -avi -atum, to toil.
librum -i, lip.
labrum -i, tub.
lácerta -ae, lizard.
lácertus -i, arm.
láter -éris, brick.
látus -eris, side.
latus -a -um, wide, or partic. of fero.
légo -ére, legi, lectum, to select, read.
lego -ére -avi -atum, to depute.
lex, legis, law.
ligo -are -avi -atum, to bind.
lépor -oris, amiability. '
lépus -óris, hare.
laevus -a -um, on the left.
lévis -e, light.
levis -e, smooth.
liber, libri, book.
liber -éra -érum, free.
Liber -eri, Bacchus.
libéri -orum, children.
libra -ae, pound.
libertus, a freedman in reference to the manumitter.
libertinus, a freedman inreference to his status in society.
liceo -€re -ui -itum, to be on sale.
liceor -eri, lícítus, to bid at auction.
Iicet, licuit, it is lawful.
lima -ae, file.
limes -itis, path.
limen -inis, threshold.
limus -i, mud.
Iimus -a -um, sidelong.
Iiqueo-ére, licui, to be fluid.
liquo -are -avi -atum, to melt (trans.).
liquor, liqui, to melt (intrans.).
liquor -oris, fluid.
lira -ae, a ridge.
lyra -ae, a lute.
lítus -a -um, perf. partic. ofIino, to smear.
Iitus -óris, shore.
Iis, litis, strife.
lócülus, box.
lócüli, money-coffer.
lux, lucis, light.
lücus, i, grove.
lustrum -i a sacrifice of purification, five years.
lustrum -i, den.
lüceo -ere, luxi, to shine.
lügeo -ere, luxi, luctum, to mourn.
M
mala -ae, jaw.
male, adv. badly
malum -i, apple.
málus -a -um, bad.
malus -i, apple-tree, mast.
malo, malle, malui, to prefer.
mando -are -avi -atum, to commit.
mando-ére-di-sum, to chew.
máneo -ére, mansi, mansum, to remain.
mano -are -avi -atum, to flow.
mane, in the morning.
manes -ium, the shades,
manus -üs, hand.
mare, máris, the sea.
mas, máris, male.
mensa -ae, table.
mensis -is, month.
mensus -a -um, perf. partic. of metior, to measure.
mentior iri mentitus sum, to lie. |
metior -iri, mensus sum, to measure.
méto -ére, messui, messum, to reap.
métüo-ére-ui -utum, to fear.
minor, minus, compar. degree of parvus, small.
minor -ari -atus sum, to threaten.
modo, only (adr.).
modus i, manner.
móla -ae, mill.
moles -is, mass.
mórior, mori, mortuus sum, to die.
móror -ari -atus sum, to delay.
morus -i, mulberry-tree.
mos, moris, manner.
morére, pres. indic. or imp. of morior.
morare, pres. subj. of moror.
multa -ae, fine.
multus -a -um, many.
mulceo -€re, mulsi, mulsum, to soothe.
mulgeo -ére, mulsi, to milk.
murus -i, a wall.
mus, muris, a mouse.
N
nanciseor -i, nactus sum, to obtain.
nascor i, natus sum, to be born.
nàvis -is, ship.
navus -a -um, diligent.
nébüla -ae, mist.
nébiílo -onis, worthless fellow.
nidor -oris, steam.
nidus -i, nest.
nitor -oris, brightness.
nitor i, nisus and nixus, to strive.
nóta -ae, mark.
notus -a -um, known.
nótus -i, south wind.
nóvus -a -um, new.
nóvem, nine.
nóvi, perf. indic. of nosco.
nibilis -e, marriageable.
nibilus -a -um, cloudy.
nunquam, never.
nusquam, nowhere,
O
oblino -ére -hvi -litum, to besmear.
obliviscor -i oblitus sum, to forget.
obsidio -onis, a siege.
obsídéo, to besiege.
occido -ére -cidi -casum, to fall.
occido -ére -cidi -cisum, to kill.
olor -oris, swan.
ólus -éris, vegetables.
opéra -ae, work; pl. work-people.
opus -éris, work.
opus, indecl. noun, need.
(ops), opis, power; pl. wealth.
Opério -ire -ui -ertum, to cover.
oppérior-iri-pertus, to wait.
oppido, adv. very much.
oppido, dat. and abl. sing. of oppidum -i, town.
ora -ae, coast.
ora, n. v. acc. plur. of os, oris, mouth.
ora, pres. imper. of oro, I pray.
ós, ossis, a bone.
0s, oris, mouth.
orior -iri, ortus sum, to rise.
ordior -iri, orsus sum, to begin.
ovis -is, sheep.
ovis, dat. and abl. plur. of ovum, egg.
P
paciscor -i pactus sum, to bargain.
pasco -ére, pàvi, pastum, to feed (/rans.).
páveo -ere, pàvi, to fear.
pátior -i passus sum, to suffer.
pálus -üdis, marsh.
palus -i, stake.
páro -are -avi -atum, to prepare.
pàreo -ére -ui -itum, to obey.
pário -ére, pépéri, partum, to bring forth.
páries, parietis, partition.
pàr, páris, equal.
párum, too little (ad».).
pars, partis, part.
passus -üs, step.
passus -a -um, perf. partic. of patior and pando.
páter, patris, father.
pátéra -ae, goblet.
pécus, pécüdis, cattle (single).
pécus -óris, flock.
pédés -itis, foot-soldier.
pédes, feet, plur. of pes, pédis.
péditatus -us, infantry.
pando -ére, pandi, passum, to unfold.
pendo -ére, pépendi, pensum, to hang (frans.).
pendeo -ére, pépendi, pensum, to hang (intrans.).
pieus -i, woodpecker.
pix, pieis, pitch.
pila -ae, ball.
pila -ae, pillar.
pila, n. v. acc. plur. of pilum i, javelin.
piléus and piléum -i, hat.
pláceo -ere -ui itum, to please.
placo -are -avi -atum, to appease.
plága -ae, snare.
plaga -ae, a blow.
popiilus -i, a people.
popülus -i, poplar.
porta -ae, gate.
portus -us, harbour.
praes, praedis, surety.
praeda -ae, booty.
praesto -are -stiti -stitum, to excel.
praesto, ready (adv.).
prodeo -ire i -itum, to go forth.
prodo -ére -dídi -ditum, to betray.
praesum, praeesse, praefui, to be over.
prosum, prodesse, profui, to profit.
prócéres -um, chiefs.
procérus -a -um, tall.
profecto, adv. actually.
profectus, perf. partic. of proficiscor.
profectus, perf. partic. of proficio, or noun, meaning growth.
pübes -is, young men.
pübes, grown up (adj.).
pugna -ae, battle.
pugnus -i, fist.
pullus -i, chicken.
pulus :-a -um, coloured dark
Q
quaero -ére -sivi -situm, to seek.
queror i, questus sum, to complain.
quoque, also.
quoque, abl. sing. of quisque.
quót, how many.
quótus, what in number.
R
ritis -is, raft.
ratus -a -um, perf. partic. of reor, to think.
rédux, reducis, brought back.
rédüco -ére -xi -ctum, to lead back.
référo, referre, retuli or
rettüli, latum, to bring back.
refertis, 2nd pers. plur. pres. indic. of refero.
réfertus -a -um, perf. partic. of refercio, to cram.
refert, it concerns.
régio -onis, region.
regius -a -um, royal.
régis, 2nd pers. pres. indic. of rego, I rule.
regis, gen. sing. of rex, king.
res, rei, thing.
réus, defendant.
rüdis -e, rough.
rüdis -is, gladiator's foil.
rüdens -entis, rigging.
rüdens -entis, pres. partic. of
rudo, to roar.
S
sal, sális, salt; plur. wit.
sálum i, sea.
sálus -ütis, safety.
saltem, at least (adv.).
salto -are, to dance.
saltus -üs, leap.
sátis, enough.
satus -a -um, perf. partic. of sero, to sow.
satus -us, a sowing.
scio, scire, scivi, seitum, to know.
scisco -ére, scivi, scitum, to decree.
scitum -i, decree.
scitus -a -um, knowing.
securis -is, axe.
secürus -a -um, safe, free from care.
sédeo -ere, sedi, sessum, to sit.
sedo -are, to appease.
sedes -is, a seat.
sido -ére, sidi, to settle.
sidus -éris, star.
sénex, senis, old man.
seni -ae, six each.
séro -ére, sevi, sátum, to sow.
séro -ére, serui, sertum, to interweave.
sero, late (ado.).
servio -ire -ii -itum, to serve.
servo -are -avi -atum, to save.
sestertius, a silver coin.
sestertium, a sum, not a coin, = 1000 sestertii.
sine, without (prep.).
sine, pres. imper. of sino, to permit.
sitis -is, thirst.
situs -a -um, situated.
situs -iis, situation.
sol, solis, sun.
solus -a -um, alone.
solum -i, ground.
südo -are, sweat.
südum -i, dry weather.
sidus -a -um, dry.
silo -ére, sui, sutum, to sew.
sto, dat. and abl. sing. of
suus -a -um, his, hers.
suis, pig.
M
tàlis -e, such.
talus -i, heel.
tégo -ére, texi, tectum, to cover.
texo -ére -ui, textum, to weave.
tela -ae, woven material.
tela, n. voc. and acc. plur. of telum -i, a dart.
tendo -ére, tetendi, tentum and tensum, to stretch.
téneo -ére -ui, tentum, to hold.
tento -are -avi -atum, to try.
tergeo -ere, tersi, tersum, to wipe.
turgeo -ere, tursi, to swell.
testa -ae, a shell.
testis -is, a witnoss.
tribus -üs, tribe.
tribus, da. and abl. of tres, three.
U
über -éris, udder.
über -éris, fruitful.
üti pres. inf. of utor, to use.
uti, that, — ut.
üter, utra, utrum, which of two.
üter, utris, leathern bottle.
V
vàdo -ére, to go.
vádum -i, ford.
vas, vádis, surety.
vas, vasis, vessel.
vallis -is, valley.
vallus -i, stake.
vallum -i, rampart.
velle, pres. infin. of volo, I wish.
vello -ére, vulsi, vulsum, to pluck.
vellus -éris, fleece.
véneo -ire -ui -itum, to be on sale.
vénio -ire, veni, ventum, to come.
venor -ari -atus sum, tohunt.
ver, véris, spring.
véru -us, spit.
verus -a -um, true.
verum, but.
verro -ére, verri, versum, to sweep.
verto -ére, verti, versum, to turn.
verso -are -avi -atum, to turn.
versus, prep. towards.
versus -üs, a line, verse.
vicis, change.
vicus -i, village.
victus -a -um, perf. partic. of vivo and of vinco.
victus -üs, food.
video -ere, vidi, visum, to see.
viso -ére, Visi, visum, to visit.
vila -ae, villa, house.
villus -i, tuft of hair.
country
vincio ire, vinxi, vinctum, to bind.
vinco -ére, vici, victum, to conquer,
vivo -ére, vixi, victum, to live.
vir, víri, a man.
vires, nom. plur. of strength.
virus -i, poison.
vireo -ére, to flourish.
vis strength,