Fortis

Definition

Fortis is a Latin adjective meaning 'strong' or 'brave.' It exemplifies characteristics of the third declension in Latin, and serves as an example of how adjectives agree with nouns in gender, number, and case. This term not only highlights its usage as a descriptive word but also illustrates how to form comparisons and adverbs in Latin, making it essential for understanding more complex sentence structures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Fortis is a third declension adjective and can be declined for masculine, feminine, and neuter forms: fortis (m/f), forte (n).
2. The comparative form of fortis is fortior, which means 'stronger,' while the superlative form is fortissimus, meaning 'strongest.'
3. To form adverbs from fortis, you can use the base word to create 'fortiter,' which means 'strongly' or 'bravely.'
4. Fortis is often used in classical literature to describe heroes or courageous characters in Roman narratives.
5. Understanding fortis helps students grasp the broader patterns of Latin adjectives, including their agreement with nouns in terms of gender and case.

Review Questions

• How does the word fortis illustrate the principles of agreement in Latin adjectives?
  • The word fortis demonstrates agreement by changing its ending based on the gender, number, and case of the noun it describes. For instance, if describing a masculine noun like 'miles' (soldier), it remains as fortis; however, for a feminine noun like 'puella' (girl), the form will still align as fortis due to its invariant masculine/feminine form. This agreement is critical for sentence structure and meaning in Latin.
• What is the process of forming the comparative and superlative forms of fortis, and why is this important for understanding Latin adjectives?
  • The comparative form of fortis is created as fortior, meaning 'stronger,' while the superlative form is fortissimus, translating to 'strongest.' This process is important because it allows speakers to express degrees of strength or bravery in their descriptions. Understanding how these forms are constructed enriches one’s ability to convey nuanced meanings and improves overall comprehension of Latin grammar.
• Evaluate how mastering terms like fortis can enhance a student's ability to interpret classical texts and their themes.
  • Mastering terms like fortis significantly enhances a student's interpretative skills when engaging with classical texts. By understanding not only the meanings but also the grammatical functions such as declensions and adverb formation, students can better grasp character traits depicted in literature. Additionally, recognizing how adjectives function within sentences aids in identifying themes such as bravery and strength, which are prevalent in Roman narratives, thus deepening their overall analytical skills.

Related terms

fortitudo: The Latin noun derived from 'fortis,' meaning 'strength' or 'courage,' often used to express bravery in various contexts.

comparative: A form of an adjective used to compare differences between the two objects it modifies, typically formed by altering the base adjective.

adverb: A part of speech that modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, often formed from adjectives by adding specific endings.