celer
celer
From Proto-Indo-European *kel- (“to drive”). Probably cognate with Ancient Greek κέλλω (kéllō), Ancient Greek κέλης (kélēs).
Pronunciation
- (Classical Latin) IPA(key): [ˈkɛ.ɫɛr]
- (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): [ˈt͡ʃɛː.ler]
Adjective
celer (feminine celeris, neuter celere, comparative celerior, superlative celerrimus, adverb celeriter); third-declension three-termination adjective
- fast, swift, quick, speedy, fleet
- Synonyms: rapidus, vēlōx, levis, properus, 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, vēlōx and pernīx 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
Third-declension three-termination adjective.
| singular | plural | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| masculine | feminine | neuter | masculine | feminine | neuter | ||
| nominative | celer | celeris | celere | celerēs | celeria | ||
| genitive | celeris | celerium | |||||
| dative | celerī | celeribus | |||||
| accusative | celerem | celere | celerēs
celerīs |
celeria | |||
| ablative | celerī | celeribus | |||||
| vocative | celer | celeris | celere | celerēs | celeria | ||