legio, legionis (f) = legion
legionarius, -a, -um (adj.) < legio, legionis (f)
I'm confused about Orberg's use of what he tells us is an adjective as a noun. In LLPSI Cap XXXIII he has:
Exercitus Romanus universus constat ex legionibus duodetriginta, quae in denas cohortes dividuntur. In singulis legionibus sunt sena vel quina vel quaterna milia militum, qui omnes cives Romani sunt. Praeterea magna auxilia exercitui adiunguntur. Auxilia sunt pedites equitesque ex provinciis, qui arma leviora, sicut arcus sagittasque, ferunt.
So far so good. Then he adds:
Legionarii sunt pedites scutis, gladiis pilisque armati.
Legionarii seems to be an adjective, not a noun. He then, confusingly, explains this latter word Legionarii as follows:
Legionarius, -a, -um < legio; m = miles l.
Is he saying that the use of the adjective legionarius in the masculine functions as a masculine noun and means a legionary / miles?
legio ......legionarius
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Re: legio ......legionarius
"Is he saying that the use of the adjective legionarius in the masculine functions as a masculine noun and means a legionary / miles?" Yes.
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Re: legio ......legionarius
Quimmik, great.. Thanks for your help.