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Glite Dictionary
📚 A reference book 🪜 A step or stage
gradus

gradus

9.9
A book that lists words and phrases to help write Latin poetry
  • noun
  • /ˈɡrædəs/
  • Archaic
translation icon : gradus
  • The student used a gradus to find the right Latin words for his poem.

Examples

  • Before writing his verse, he checked the gradus for suitable epithets.

  • Many classical scholars keep a gradus on their shelves for reference.

  • The gradus is essential for writing Latin poetry.

  • Many students refer to the gradus for guidance.

  • The student used a gradus to find the right Latin words for his poem.

  • Before writing his verse, he checked the gradus for suitable epithets.

  • Many classical scholars keep a gradus on their shelves for reference.

How Comprehensive

MEDLARS
  • Archaic
9.5
gradus
  • Archaic
9.9
thesaurus
20 3.9
phrase book
2 1.8

Surface Forms

gradus singular
gradi plural

Etymology

Gradus was the name for a small reference book poets used to find the right Latin words, and the name comes from Latin gradus meaning 'step', because the book gave short 'steps' or hints to build a line of verse. That's why a gradus is a tool to help you move forward when you write poetry, and you can link it to English words like grade and graduate from the same grad- root.