§320. Adverbs

The proper function of Adverbs, as petrified case-forms, is to modify Verbs: as,—celeriter īre, to go with speed. It is from this use that they derive their name ( adverbium, from ad, to, and verbum, verb; see § 241. b). They also modify adjectives, showing in what manner or degree the quality described is manifested: as, splendidē mendāx, gloriously false. More rarely they modify other adverbs: as, nimis graviter, too severely. Many adverbs, especially relative adverbs, serve as connectives, and are hardly to be distinguished from conjunctions (see § 20. g. N.).¹