English Derivatives: Donum

by Aleshia
(U.S.)

Dear Latin Teacher,

What are the English derivatives for donum?

Thanks, Aleshia


Dear Aleshia,

The Latin word donum means gift. It has several related words in Latin and several English Derivatives.

In Latin: The two most common verbs for to give are dare (do, dare, dedi, datus) and donare (dono, donare, donavi, donatus).

For English derivatives, we can take a look at the fourth principal part of each verb: datus and donatus.

From donatus we have in English donate and donation. Also donator, donary, donative, donatory, donor and donee.

From datus we have datum and data. Also date, which is a given time or day.

Adding the prefix ex to dare we get edere, meaning to publish or give out. And so the English derivatives edit, editor, edition, etc.

Hope this helps, and thanks for asking a Latin teacher.

Sincerely,

John

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