by Steve
(San Francisco)
Dear Latin Teacher,
What is the declension of domus? Is it second declension feminine (which I don't think exists) or is it fourth declension?
This noun seems to have strange endings.
Thank you, Steve
Dear Steve,
The Latin noun domus, meaning home, follows both the second and fourth declensions. It is always feminine.
Yes, there are some second declension feminine nouns! (Especially the names of trees.)
While the word declines fully in both declensions, here is a breakdown of the most common forms found (with less common forms in parentheses).
Case | Singular | Plural |
Nominative | domus | domus |
Genitive | domus (domi) | domorum or domuum |
Dative | domui (domo) | domibus |
Accusative | domum | domus or domos |
ablative | domo (domu) | domibus |