-tĕr is used if the Adj. ends in -ns (base ending in -nt), one of the t's being dropped; as dĕcēns, base dĕcent-, becoming, dĕcen-tĕr becomingly.
The second formation is sometimes used in the case of Adjectives of the First Class; as, larg-ŭs lavish, larg-ĭtĕr or larg-ē lavishly.
(3) The Neut. Acc. Sing. is used to form the Adverbs of some Positive Adjectives; so făcĭlĭs easy, făcĭlĕ easily; dulcĭs sweet, dulcĕ sweetly (also dulcĭtĕr). Compare § 307(1).
§ 42. Degrees of Comparison.—The Comparative Adverb is the Neut. Acc. Sing. of the Comparative Adjective.
The Superlative Adverb is usually formed by adding -ē to the base of the Superlative Adjective. Thus—
Pos. | Comp. | Superl. |
mĭsĕr-ē wretchedly | mĭsĕr-ĭŭs | mĭserrĭm-ē |
fort-ĭtĕr bravely | fort-ĭŭs | fortissĭm-ē |
făcĭl-ē easily | făcĭl-ĭŭs | făcillĭm-ē |
Note | ||
bĕnĕ well | mĕlĭŭs better | optĭm-ē best |
mălĕ badly | pēiŭs worse | pessĭm-ē worst |
mŭltum much | plūs more | plūrĭmum most |
măgĭs more | māxĭmē most | |
[părum] | mĭnŭs less | mĭnĭmē least |
Numeral Adjectives
§43. These are of three kinds:
- Cardinal; as, ūnus one, dŭŏ two.
- Ordinal; as, prīmus first, sĕcundus second.
- Distributive; as, singulī one each, bīnī two each.
For the complete list see the Table of Numerals §44.