# Latin/Chapter 2 Verse

## Using a Dictionary

Foremost, Latin verbs are listed using the **present indicative first
person singular active** construct of the verb. For example, to find the
meaning of the verb *amāre*, you must find *amō* listed in the
dictionary. Some verbs like *esse* and *ferre* are highly irregular and
use different stems to form the perfect tenses.

Nouns are usually much easier. They are always given in the nominative
singular. If you see a noun such as *vōcem* and do not know what it is,
do not fret. If you look for *voc-* in the dictionary, you will not find
what you are looking for. The ending *-em* typically belongs to the
third-declension accusative; thus, be aware that third-declension nouns
have radically changing stems. Those that have the consonant *c* or *g*
usually have the consonant *x* in the nominative singular. Thus the
nominative singular of *vōcem* is *vōx*, and *rēx* becomes *rēgem* in
the accusative singular. There are plenty of other simple rules which
you will learn through experience.

Words that do not conjugate or decline (like prepositions and particles)
are listed under their only form.

## Exercise 1

### Vocabulary

1.  *affectus, -ūs, m.*, goodwill
2.  *confessiō, -ōnis, f.*, confession
3.  *dē*, from, about, concerning
4.  *liber, librī, m.*, book
5.  *malus -a -um*, evil, bad
6.  *placeō -ēre* + dative, to please (*placuīsse* is a perfect
    infinitive)
7.  *filia, -ae f.*, daughter
8.  *puella, -ae f.*, girl

### Other Difficulties

1.  *quod ad mē attinet*, as far as I\'m concerned
2.  *cum scriberentur*, when they were written (imperfect passive
    subjuntive)
3.  *quid sentiant*, what they think (present subjunctive in indirect
    question)
4.  *ipsī viderint*, (loosely) they will see in their own way (future
    perfect)
5.  *eōs placēre sciō*, accusative-infinitive construction for indirect
    statement: \"I know they \[the books\] please\"

### Passage

