Deponent Verbs in English, Latin and Greek
Deponent verbs are a specific type of verb found in Latin (and some other languages, such as Greek). They are called “deponent” because they are formally “lying down” or passive in form, but are used with an active meaning.
Here is an example to illustrate this concept:
“Amatus est” is a passive sentence in Latin, meaning “he is loved.” The verb “amatus” is the perfect participle form of “amare,” which means “to love.”
“Amo” is the active form of “amare,” meaning “I love.”
However, there are some verbs in Latin that have passive forms but are used with an active meaning. For example:
“Amatus sum” means “I have been loved,” but it is used to express the idea of “I love.”
“Amatus eris” means “you will have been loved,” but it is used to express the idea of “you will love.”
In these sentences, the verb “amatus” is a deponent verb because it has a passive form, but is used with an active sense.
In Latin, “to experience” (experior) is a deponent verb, as it can be conjugated in the passive form (“experiar”) but has an active meaning (to test or try).
In Latin, “to ask” (rogare) is a deponent verb, as it can be conjugated in the passive form (“rogar”) but has an active meaning (to request or inquire).
In Latin, “to please” (placere) is a deponent verb, as it can be conjugated in the passive form (“placer”) but has an active meaning (to be pleasing or agreeable).
In Greek, “to be able” (dynamai) is a deponent verb, as it can be conjugated in the passive form (“dynomai”) but has an active meaning (to have power or strength).
In Greek, “to seem” (dokeo) is a deponent verb, as it can be conjugated in the passive form (“dokoumai”) but has an active meaning (to appear or seem).
In Greek, “to fear” (phobeo) is a deponent verb, as it can be conjugated in the passive form (“phoboumai”) but has an active meaning (to be afraid or fearful).
In Greek, “to know” (oida) is a deponent verb, as it can be conjugated in the passive form (“oidomai”) but has an active meaning (to perceive or understand).
Deponent Verbs in English
Deponent verbs are often used in Latin and Greek, and some examples have made their way into English. These verbs are called “deponent” because they have a “deposed” or “laid aside” form, which is the passive form conjugation. This means that the verb appears to be in the passive voice, but it is actually being used in the active voice. For example, in the sentence “The man bore the heavy suitcase onto the plane,” the verb “bore” is conjugated in the passive form, but it has an active meaning of “to carry.” This is why it is considered a deponent verb. Essentially, the verb’s form does not match its meaning, which is why they are called deponent verbs.
Here is a detailed explanation of some deponent verbs in English :
“To abet” – This verb means “to assist or encourage,” and it is often used in the context of crime or wrongdoing. For example, “She abetted the crime by providing the thieves with a map of the building.” In this sentence, the verb “abet” is being used in the active voice to indicate that the person assisted in the crime by providing the thieves with information.
“To incur” – This verb means “to bring upon oneself,” and it is often used in the context of financial or personal consequences. For example, “He incurred significant debt after investing in several failing businesses.” In this sentence, the verb “incur” is being used in the active voice to indicate that the person brought the debt upon themselves through their own actions.
“To pertain” – This verb means “to relate or be relevant,” and it is often used in the context of documents or information. For example, “The document pertains to the company’s financial records.” In this sentence, the verb “pertain” is being used in the active voice to indicate that the document relates or is relevant to the company’s financial records.
“To betide” – This verb means “to happen or occur,” and it is often used to describe future events or outcomes. For example, “What will betide if we don’t find a solution?” In this sentence, the verb “betide” is being used in the active voice to indicate that an event or outcome will happen or occur if a solution is not found.
“To beseech” – This verb means “to plead or beg,” and it is often used in the context of making a desperate or urgent request. For example, “She besought the judge to show mercy on her son.” In this sentence, the verb “beseech” is being used in the active voice to indicate that the person is pleading or begging the judge to show mercy.
“To bespeak” – This verb means “to indicate or imply,” and it is often used to describe someone’s appearance or behavior. For example, “His expensive suit and confident demeanor bespoke wealth and success.” In this sentence, the verb “bespeak” is being used in the active voice to indicate that the person’s appearance and behavior indicated or implied wealth and success.
“To forespeak” – This verb means “to predict or foretell,” and it is often used to describe future events or outcomes. For example, “The prophecy forespoke disaster for the kingdom.” In this sentence, the verb “forespeak” is being used in the active voice to indicate that the prophecy predicted disaster for the kingdom.
“To intermit” – This verb means “to interrupt or suspend,” and it is often used in the context of pausing or stopping an activity. For example, “The school intermitted classes for the winter break.” In this sentence, the verb “intermit” is being used in the active voice to indicate that the school paused or suspended classes for the winter break.
“To outspeak” – This verb means “to speak louder or more eloquently,” and it is often used to describe someone’s ability to speak persuasively or effectively. For example, “He outspoke his opponents in the debate, clearly and confidently presenting his arguments.” In this sentence, the verb “outspeak” is being used in the active voice to indicate that the person spoke louder or more eloquently than their opponents in the debate.
“To transpire” – This verb means “to become known or revealed,” and it is often used to describe information or events that were previously unknown or hidden. For example, “It transpired that the company had been engaging in illegal activities for years.” In this sentence, the verb “transpire” is being used in the active voice to indicate that information about the company’s illegal activities became known or revealed.
Here are some more examples of deponent verbs in Latin:
agito – to drive, agitate (agito navim – I am driving the ship)
cogo – to gather together, collect (cogo exercitum – I am gathering an army)
effero – to carry out, bring forth (effero fructum – I am bringing forth fruit)
fido – to trust, rely on (fido tibi – I trust you)
gero – to carry, bear (gero bellum – I am carrying on war)
patior – to suffer, endure (patio dolorem – I am suffering pain)
proficio – to profit, advance (proficio ab eo – I am profiting from him)
rego – to rule, guide (rego res publicas – I am ruling the state)
struo – to build, construct (struo aedificium – I am building a building)
veho – to carry, convey (veho navem – I am carrying the ship)
