previous next
commentor , ātus sum, 1,
I.v. freq. dep. [comminiscor].
I. Prop., to consider thoroughly, meditate, think over, study, deliberate, weigh, prepare one's self mentally, etc. (class.).
A. Ingen.
2. With acc.: “te ipsum, qui multos annos nihil aliud commentaris, docebo quid sit humaniter vivere,Cic. Fam. 7, 1, 5: “commentari aliquid et discere,id. Fin. 5, 15, 42: futuras mecum commentabar miserias, id. poët. Tusc. 3, 14, 29.—
B. In partic.
1. Of the orator's preparation for a speech (freq. and class.).
a. Absol.: “ad quem paratus venerat, cum in villā Metelli compluris dies commentatus esset,Cic. Fam. 12, 2, 1: itaque videas barbato rostro eum commentari, Varr. ap. Non. p. 455, 19: “crebro digitorum labrorumque motu commentari,Quint. 11, 3, 160.—
2. Of writings, to prepare, produce as the result of study, write (rare): “quorum alter commentatus est mimos,Cic. Phil. 6, 13: “eo ipso anno cum commentaremur haec,Plin. 18, 25, 57, § 209: Cato de militari disciplinā commentans, id. praef. § 30.— With acc., to discuss, write upon: “neque commentari quae audierat fas erat,Gell. 1, 9, 4; cf.: “carmina legendo commentando, que etiam ceteris nota facere,Suet. Gram. 2.—
II. Transf.
A. Of the oratorical student's practice in speaking (always with reference to the mental exertion and preparation; cf. Jan. ad Cic. Brut. 22, 87): “commentabar declamitans, sic enim nunc loquuntur, saepe cum M. Pisone,Cic. Brut. 90, 310: “exisse eo colore et eis oculis, ut egisse causam, non commentatum putares,id. ib. 22, 87 fin.: “magister hic Samnitium summā jam senectute est et cottidie commentatur,id. de Or. 3, 23, 86 Sorof ad loc.—
B. Hence, as a modest expression for a speaker's effort, to experiment in speaking, attempt to speak: “satisne vobis videor pro meo jure in vestris auribus commentatus?Cic. Fin. 5, 25, 75 Orell. and Madv. ad loc.—
C. To imitate, adopt the language of another: “Achilem Aristarchi mihi commentari lubet,Plaut. Poen. prol. 1.—
hide Dictionary Entry Lookup
Use this tool to search for dictionary entries in all lexica.
Search for in
hide References (18 total)
  • Cross-references in general dictionaries from this page (18):
    • Cicero, Letters to his Friends, 12.2.1
    • Cicero, Letters to his Friends, 4.6.3
    • Cicero, Letters to his Friends, 7.1.5
    • Cicero, For Sextus Roscius of Ameria, 29.82
    • Cicero, Philippics, 3.14.36
    • Cicero, Against Piso, 40.97
    • Cicero, Philippics, 6.13
    • Plautus, Casina, 2.3
    • Cicero, On Oratory, 3.23
    • Cicero, De Divinatione, 1.41
    • Cicero, de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum, 5.15
    • Cicero, de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum, 5.25
    • Cicero, De Amicitia, 2
    • Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Book 11, 3.160
    • Gellius, Noctes Atticae, 1.9.4
    • Cicero, Brutus, 22.87
    • Cicero, Brutus, 88.301
    • Cicero, Brutus, 90.310
hide Display Preferences
Greek Display:
Arabic Display:
View by Default:
Browse Bar: