Distributives

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136. Distributive Numerals are declined like the plural of bonus.

Note— These answer the interrogative quotēnī (how many of each? or how many at a time?).

1. singulī  one by one 18. octōnī dēnī or
      duodēvīcēnī
300. trecēnī
2. bīnī  two by two 19. novēnī dēnī or
      ūndēvīcēnī
400. quadringēnī
3. ternī, trīnī 20. vīcēnī 500. quīngēnī
4. quaternī 21. vīcēnī singulī, etc. 600. sescēnī
5. quīnī 30. trīcēnī 700. septingēnī
6. sēnī 40. quadrāgēnī 800. octingēnī
7. septēnī 50. quīnquāgēnī 900. nōngēnī
8. octōnī

60. sexāgēnī 1000. mīllēnī
9. novēnī 70. septuāgēnī 2000. bīna mīlia
10. dēnī 80. octōgēnī 10,000. dēna mīlia
11. ūndēnī 90. nōnāgēnī 100,000. centēna mīlia
12. duodēnī 100. centēnī etc.
13. ternī dēnī, etc. 200. ducēnī

137. Distributives are used as follows:

a. In the sense of so many apiece or on each side.

singula singulīs one apiece (one each to each one)
agrī septēna iūgera plēbī dīvīsa sunt i.e. seven jugera to each citizen (seven jugera each), etc.

b. Instead of cardinals, to express simple number, when a noun plural in form but usually singular in meaning is used in a plural sense.

bīna castra two camps1

With such nouns trīnī, not ternī, is used for three.

trīna castra2 three camps

c. In multiplication.

bis bīna twice two
ter septēnīs diēbus in thrice seven days

d. By the poets instead of cardinal numbers, particularly where pairs or sets are spoken of.

bīna hastīlia two shafts (two in a set)

 

Footnotes

1. Duo castra would mean two forts.

2. Terna castra means camps in threes.

Suggested Citation

Meagan Ayer, Allen and Greenough’s New Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: Dickinson College Commentaries, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-947822-04-7. https://dcc.dickinson.edu/grammar/latin/distributives