properus

Latin

Etymology

From prō- + the root of parō, pariō, thus signifying "readiness".

Pronunciation

(Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /ˈpro.pe.rus/, [ˈprɔpɛrʊs̠]
(modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈpro.pe.rus/, [ˈprɔːperus]

Adjective

properus (feminine propera, neuter properum, adverb properē); first/second-declension adjective

hasty, quick, speedy
Synonyms: rapidus, vēlōx, celer, levis, prōmptus, facilis

Antonyms: lentus, tardus, sērus

Usage notes

According to Döderlein, celer and citus mean "swift, fast, quick" in terms of quick motion (in general) with tardus as their antonym. More specifically, citus refers to a lively motion, whereas celer refers to an eager or impetuous motion.

On the other hand, pernīx and vēlōx as "quick" denote a level of athletic nimbleness in terms of bodily activity, with lentus as their antonym. More specifically, pernīx involves a level of dexterity and quickness in an eclectic range of actions (such as climbing, hurdling, jumping, vaulting, etc.); whereas vēlōx is especially used for running, swimming and flying (moving in a direction)

Thirdly, properus and festīnus as "quick" refer specifically to one's speed in terms of the shortest time to reach a destination, with sēgnis as their antonym. More specifically, festīnus intimates a certain level of impatience, whereas properus simply indicates a haste from energy simply.

Declension

First/second-declension adjective.

	masculine	feminine	neuter	masculine	feminine	neuter
	singular			plural
nominative	properus	propera	properum	properī	properae	propera
genitive	properī	properae	properī	properōrum	properārum	properōrum
dative	properō	properae	properō	properīs
accusative	properum	properam	properum	properōs	properās	propera
ablative	properō	properā	properō	properīs
vocative	propere	propera	properum	properī	properae	propera

Derived terms

References

“properus”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
“properus”, in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
properus in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette.