May I ask how to compare the degrees between Latin synonyms (or words within the same semantic range)?
For example, in English, adverbs of frequency are, in descending order: always, usually, often, sometimes, occasionally, seldom, rarely, never.
In Latin, there are many words that denote the meaning of “determine”, such as “definio”, “determino”, “decerno”, “destino”, but how to distinguish them from each other and their degree?
Thank you.
It’s funny, I just joined Textkit too and one of my first questions was on semantic ranges between Latin words.
For that kind of thing, you will find a Latin Synonym dictionary very useful. I found two free, online ones just the other day which I will share with you as I try to help you answer your question.
Here is the first dictionary I found (and there are more online ones as well). Here’s what it has to say about your question.
DECIDERE, DECERNERE, STATUERE, TRANSIGERE PACISCI, DEPACISCI. > Decidere> , finishing a question or disputed matter by > cutting > it, i. e. by a shortening of the transaction, or only one-sidedly (as we say, somewhat similarly, to cut the matter short), finishing a case quite short, summarily: > Res ad Verrem defertur, et istius more deciditur> . Cic. > Decernere> , 269, deciding according to certain reasons in consequence of reflection, deliberation (with others), concluding: > Rem consules de consilii sententia decreverunt> . Cic. > Statuere> , establishing, settling, after previous scruples and considerations, as a lasting resolution, from which no departure shall be made: > Decidis statuisque, quid Scapulis ad denarium solveretur> . Cic. > Transigere> , settling a disputed case, a business, so that nothing unsettled or requiring alteration remains, terminating: > Qui de sua parte decidit, reliquis integram relinquit. actionem; qui pro sociis fransi git, satisdat, neminem eorum postea petiturum> . Cic. > Pacisci> , making an agreement, contract, compact: > Scopas Simonidi dixit, se dimidium ejus e, quod pactus esset, pro illo carmine daturum> . Cic. > Depacisci > and > Depecisci> , to enter upon a contract, to accept of it: > Eques Romanus non ante dimissus, quam ad conditiones Apronii depactus est> . Cic.
And here is the other dictionary I found (in pdf format). This one is cool because it’s actually written in Latin. However, it’s not as exhaustive as the first one.
There are others, too, which you may come across. These are just two.
However, I don’t know about dictionaries that deal primarily on comparison of words in terms of their extent or emphasis on a meaning. Perhaps others will be able to give you more precise recommendations. Still, I think these words may differ from each other more than in how emphatic they are on a primary meaning (especially a primarily English meaning). Keep in mind that Latin is not English, but its own language with its own nuances in emphasis and meaning.
If it’s an academic question, then I could recommend you to look at Word Embedding methods. They transform words into semantic vectors, and consequently you can measure angles, in degrees, between two words (like in geometry). For example, https://doi.org/10.17630/3cf644e6-86b8-44d0-a50a-b33c7ca86072.
But if you prefer dusty humanitarian science, there are numerous dictionaries of Latin synonyms. Check these collections:
Thank you very much for your reply and this information.
I strongly agree with this last paragraph of yours, that the difference between these words is not supposed to be in their degree, but rather in the meaning, the usage. Latin words have their own nuances and importance to be emphasised. That’s what I’m trying to find out.
Thank you!!!
Thank you for your reply and information.
I have noticed this app. Unfortunately, I don’t have an android phone. Hahaha. Do I need to buy an Android phone for this app?
You mean computer dictionaries? There are suitable applications for desktop MS Windows or macOS, mobile Android or iOS. Can’t say about Kindle, I don’t have it.
But foremost, I mentioned https://latin-dict.github.io as a collection of links to ordinary PDF books. Every dictionary has Sources section with links to Archive.org, HathiTrust, etc.
The software by St Andrew’s University is currently only available on Android phones.
Oh, this one. You can take it in other formats.
Though, Spinelli’s dictionary is not something special. It’s the most interesting from the methodological point of view, as an example of Word Embedding, but this method is explained in many places.
P.S. Spinelli’s dictionary is not similar to TDNT.
Lemma embeddings for Latin:
https://embeddings.lila-erc.eu