I.inf. nanciscier, Plaut. As. 2, 2, 59), 3, v. dep. a. [Sanscr. naç, obtain; Gr. ἐνεκ- in ἤνεγκα, etc.; cf.: ἀνάγκη, necesse] (in pass. signif, nactus, v. infra fin.), to get, obtain, receive a thing (esp. by accident or without one's co-operation), to meet with, stumble on, light on, find a thing (syn.: “offendo, reperio, deprehendo): unde anulum istum nactus?” Ter. Hec. 5, 3, 27: “quoniam nacti te, inquit, sumus aliquando otiosum,” Cic. Fin. 1, 5, 14: “nactus sum etiam, qui Xenophontis similem esse se cuperet,” id. Or. 9, 32: “cum plus otii nactus ero,” id. Fam. 3, 7, 1; id. N D. 3, 36, 87: “immanes beluas nanciscimur venando,” id. ib. 2, 64, 161; id. Fam. 13, 7, 4: “eum Philolai commentarios esse nanctum,” id. Rep. 1, 10, 16 Mai.: “Cato sic abiit a vitā, ut causam moriendi nactum se esse gauderet,” id. Tusc. 1, 30, 74: “se in silvas abdiderunt, locum nacti, egregie et naturā et opere munitum,” Caes. B. G. 5, 9; hence, to possess by birth, to have by nature: maleficam (naturam) nactus est in corpore fingendo, Nep Ages. 8; of evil as well as good fortune: “quod sim nactus mali,” Ter. And. 5, 6, 3: “ex nuptiis tuis si nihil nanciscor mali,” id. Phorm. 3, 3, 10.—Esp., to catch, contract by infection or contagion: “nactus est morbum,” Nep. Att. 21, 2: febrim, to contract or catch a fever, Suet. Tit. 10: “milvo est quoddam bellum quasi naturale cum corvo, ergo alter alterius ubicumque nactus est ova, frangit,” Cic. N. D. 2, 49, 125. —
II. Transf., to light upon, meet with, reach, find; of inanim. things or living beings: “meum quod rete et hami nacti sunt, meum potissimum est,” Plaut. Rud. 4, 3, 46: “vitis claviculis suis quicquid est nacta, complectitur,” Cic. Sen. 15, 52: “nactus idoneam ad navigandum tempestatem,” Caes. B. G. 4, 23: “nactusque silentia ruris Exululat,” having reached the quiet country, Ov. M. 1, 232: “nactus, as passive,” App. M. 7, 15; Hyg. Fab. 1 and 8.
