The Ablative of Source
The ablative of source, usually with a preposition, describes the source of any given thing
- poetry will often omit the preposition (asyndeton)
- verbs denoting birth or origin use the ablative of source without a preposition
Examples
- The Rhine rises in from the country of the Lepontii: Rhēnus oritur ex Lepontiīs.
- Here is the sweetness of odors which flow from the flowers: hīc suāvitās odōrum quī afflārentur ē flōribus.
- He was born of kings: ēditus est rēgibus.
- She lost Caius Fleginas of Placentia : dēsiderāvit C. Flegīnātem Placentiā.
- The charm of the house consisted in its wood : dōmūs amoenitās silvā cōnstābat.
The Ablative of Material
The ablative of material, usually with a preposition, describes the material of which something consists
- poetry will often omit the preposition (asyndeton)
- the verbs cōnsistō and contineor use the ablative of material without a preposition
- the ablative of material, without a preposition, is used with faciō and ficior to mean “to do with” or “become of”
- the ablative of material may replace a partitive genitive
Examples
- He was made all of fraud and falsehood: erat tōtus ex fraude et mendāciō factus.
- I will build a temple of marble: templum dē marmore pōnam.
- The charm of the house consisted in its wood : dōmūs amoenitās silvā cōnstābat.
- What will you do with this man: quid hōc homine faciātis?
- What will become of my dear Tullia: quid Tulliolā meā fīet?
- He was one of four: erat ūnus ēx quattuor.
The Essential AG: 403
Famous Phrase: ē plūribus ūnum: from many, one
[motto of the United States]
Speaking of ūnus, coinage and Latin–cēterum censeō pennem dēlendam esse.
Latin for Addicts 