§265. Compound Words

New stems are formed by Composition in three ways:—

• The second part is simply added to the first:—

  • su-ove-taurīlia (sūs, ovis, taurus), the sacrifice of a swine, a sheep, and a bull (cf. § 255. a).
  • septen-decim (septem, decem), seventeen.

• The first part modifies the second as an adjective or adverb (Determinative Compounds):—

  • lāti-fundium (lātus, fundus), a large landed estate.
  • omni-potēns (omnis, potēns), omnipotent.

• The first part has the force of a case, and the second a verbal force (Objective Compounds):—

  • agri-cola ( ager, field, † cola akin to colō, cultivate), a farmer.
  • armi-ger ( arma, arms, † ger akin to gerō, carry), armor-bearer.
  • corni-cen ( cornū, horn, † cen akin to canō, sing), horn-blower.
  • carni-fex ( carō, flesh, †fexakin to faciō, make), executioner.

a. Compounds of the above kinds, in which the last word is a noun, may become adjectives, meaning possessed of the quality denoted:—

• āli-pēs (āla, wing, pēs, foot), wing-footed.
• māgn-animus (māgnus, great, animus, soul), great-souled.
• an-ceps (amb-, at both ends, caput, head), double.