placeō

See the related plācō (“to appease, placate”).

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈpla.ke.oː/, [ˈpɫ̪äkeoː]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈpla.t͡ʃe.o/, [ˈpläːt͡ʃeo]

Verb

placeō (present infinitive placēre, perfect active placuī or placitus sum, supine placitum); second conjugation, optionally semi-deponent

1. (with dative) to be pleasing or agreeable to; to please, to be nice; to be welcome or acceptable; to satisfy, suit (in a mental rather than a sensual way) [ synonyms, antonym ▲]

   Synonyms: gaudeō, ovō, exhilarō, grātulor, congrātulor, fruor

   Antonym: displiceō

   sibi placēre ― to be pleased with oneself, to act proud

   placet mihi ― I find this fine/nice

   sī dīs placet ― gods willing (literally, “if it pleases the gods”)

   placēns uxor ― dear wife

   hostia placens Deō ― a sacrifice that pleases God

   vidē sī satis placet ― see if this suits

   ita nōbīs placitum est, ut […] ― I thought it fitting to […]

   senātuī placet ― the Senate decrees

2. (with dative) to like (the dative should be translated as the subject in English)
3. to resolve, will, order, determine [ synonyms ▲]

   Synonyms: statuō, cernō, dēcernō, parō, cōnstituō

Usage notes

Designates pleasure in something that one finds agreeable, fitting, while libet refers to a pursuit of something desirable or pleasurable.

Contrasts with dēlectō (“to please the senses, delight, entertain”).