All of the recent talk in language teacher communities of high frequency vocab lists brings me back to a project that some of us discussed a few years ago, and to the bigger question of whose high frequency vocab are we talking about. Using Perseus, I generated a list of high frequency words. But instead of the “canon,” I selected the letters of Cicero, of Seneca, the plays of Plautus and Terence, the Satires of Juvenal, and the letters of Jerome, translator of the Vulgate bible. The result is a list that might lend itself more to conversational classroom use, but is still solidly based in Latin literature. Please excuse the errors in this list: there is much more work to be done, but it points the way toward an expanded (and more useful) concept of what a high-frequency word is in the context of Latin language and literature classes. Future attempts might include the “canon” as well as these works, to see where the overlap is, as well as the letters of Pliny the Younger, which I had accidentally left out.
Here are Word docs for the colloquial 400 and 800 lists I generated using Perseus
top 400
https://docs.google.com/document/d/0BydRlfqMyDnVM1lSTC01VHRZZDA/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=115514265295331801479&resourcekey=0-qso_LgRBfufv44clM3D33g&rtpof=true&sd=true
Top 800
https://docs.google.com/document/d/120nmQ4D9LHO2X_TpM9Qnd9C32YPuP0Ya/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=115514265295331801479&rtpof=true&sd=true
Colloquial top 400 list
Word | |||||||
ego | I, me, we, us | ||||||
sum | to be, exist, live | ||||||
tu | thou, you | ||||||
et | and | ||||||
edo | to eat, consume | ||||||
is | he, she, it, the one mentioned | ||||||
quis | who? which one? | ||||||
quis | any one, anybody, anything, some one, somebody, something | ||||||
qui | in what manner? how? whereby? by what means? why? | ||||||
hic | in this place, here | ||||||
hic | haec, gen. hōrum | ||||||
facio | to make, construct, fashion, frame, build, erect, produce, compose | ||||||
ad | to, toward | ||||||
tuus | thy, thine, your, yours | ||||||
ut | that, so that | ||||||
atque | and | ||||||
ille | that | ||||||
non | not, by no means, not at all | ||||||
neque | and not yet | ||||||
omnis | all, every | ||||||
meus | of me, my, mine, belonging to me, my own | ||||||
video | to see, discern, perceive | ||||||
nunc | now, at present, at this time | ||||||
habeo | to have, hold, support, carry, wear | ||||||
jam | are you going so soon | ||||||
dico | to say, speak, utter, tell, mention, relate, affirm, declare, state, assert | ||||||
sui | Himself, herself, itself, themselves | ||||||
nos | we | ||||||
ex | out of, from within | ||||||
homo | a human being, man, person | ||||||
nam | for | ||||||
eo | to go, walk, ride, sail, fly, move, pass | ||||||
possum | 0.1858 | ||||||
ab | all the way from | ||||||
ago | to put in motion, move, lead, drive, tend, conduct | ||||||
aut | or | ||||||
etiam | now too, yet, as yet, even yet, still, even now | ||||||
ipse | Self | ||||||
huc | to this place, hither | ||||||
scio | to know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of, be skilled in | ||||||
volo | to will, wish, want, purpose, be minded, determine | ||||||
quidem | assuredly, certainly, in fact, indeed | ||||||
nihil | I may be somewhat in doubt | ||||||
enim | for, for instance, namely, that is to say, I mean, in fact | ||||||
venio | to come | ||||||
de | down | ||||||
res | a thing, object, matter, affair, business, event, fact, circumstance, occurrence, deed, condition, case | ||||||
multus | many, a great number | ||||||
iste | |||||||
verus | true, real, actual, genuine | ||||||
noster | our, our own, ours, of us | ||||||
ubi | in which place, in what place, where | ||||||
tamen | notwithstanding, nevertheless, for all that, however, yet, still | ||||||
Hercules | a son of Jupiter and Alcmena, and god of strength | ||||||
do | obsol. | ||||||
amo | to love | ||||||
cum | with, together with, in the company of, in connection with, along with, together, and | ||||||
Cum | when, at the time when | ||||||
sed | but, on the contrary, but also, but even, but in fact | ||||||
sed | [unavailable] | ||||||
sed | [unavailable] | ||||||
si | if ever, if at any time; see quando | ||||||
meum | an umbelliferous plant, bear-wort | ||||||
ito | to go | ||||||
credo | to give as a loan, lend, make a loan | ||||||
fio | pass. of facio; see facio | ||||||
domus | a house, dwelling-house, building, mansion, palace | ||||||
ita | in this manner, in this wise, in such a way, so, thus, accordingly, as has been said | ||||||
magnus | a great man | ||||||
at | but | ||||||
causa | a cause, reason, motive, inducement, occasion, opportunity | ||||||
tantus | of such size, of such a measure, so great, such | ||||||
abeo | to go from, go away, go off, go forth, go, depart: | ||||||
bonus | good | ||||||
audio | 0.1602 | ||||||
littera | a letter, alphabetical sign, written sign of a sound | ||||||
illic | in that place, yonder, there | ||||||
scribo | to scratch, grave, engrave, draw | ||||||
suus | of oneself, belonging to oneself, his own, her own, his, her, its, their | ||||||
quin | why not? wherefore not? | ||||||
autem | but, on the other hand, on the contrary, however | ||||||
modus | a measure, extent, quantity | ||||||
nullus | 0.0627 | ||||||
quia | because | ||||||
animus | 0.2619 | ||||||
quisquam | any, any one | ||||||
primus | the first, first | ||||||
tum | then, at that time, in those times | ||||||
sic | thus, in this way, as I do, as you see | ||||||
loquor | to speak, talk, say, tell, mention, utter | ||||||
hodie | to-day | ||||||
potis | able, capable | ||||||
hinc | from this place, hence | ||||||
certus | determined, resolved, fixed, settled, purposed, certain | ||||||
mitto | to cause to go, let go, send, send off, despatch | ||||||
idem | the same | ||||||
uxor | a wife, spouse, consort | ||||||
deus | a god, deity | ||||||
meo | to go, pass | ||||||
verbum | 0.1015 | ||||||
apud | in the abode of Orcus | ||||||
jubeo | imposed | ||||||
sequor | to follow, come after, follow after, attend, accompany | ||||||
pereo | to pass away, come to nothing, vanish, disappear, be lost | ||||||
numquam | at no time, never | ||||||
puto | to clean, cleanse, trim, prune | ||||||
miser | wretched, unfortunate, miserable, pitiable, lamentable, in distress | ||||||
aio | to say yes, assent, affirm | ||||||
filius | a son | ||||||
accipio | to take without effort, receive, get, accept | ||||||
quaero | to seek, look for | ||||||
vir | man | ||||||
ne | interj. (not nae), truly, verily, really, indeed (only with pron pers. or demonst.) | ||||||
fero | to bear, carry, support, lift, hold, take up | ||||||
quasi | as if, just as if, as though | ||||||
ne | no | ||||||
ne | do you remember? | ||||||
per | through, across, through the midst of, from side to side of, traversing | ||||||
parvus | 0.1401 | ||||||
dies | a day, civil day | ||||||
vis | strength, force, vigor, power, energy, virtue | ||||||
argentum | silver | ||||||
edepol | by Pollux | ||||||
redeo | Of persons, to go back, turn back, return, turn around | ||||||
valeo | to be strong, be vigorous, have strength, be able | ||||||
modo | by a measure, with a limit | ||||||
debeo | to withhold, keep back | ||||||
in | into, to | ||||||
ante | before, in front, forwards | ||||||
obsecro | to beseech, entreat, implore, supplicate, conjure | ||||||
Roma | Rome, the mother city | ||||||
igitur | then, therefore, thereupon, accordingly, consequently | ||||||
opera | service, pains, exertion, effort, work, labor | ||||||
semper | ever, always, at all times, continually, perpetually, forever | ||||||
erus | the master of a house, head of a family | ||||||
ergo | in consequence of, on account of, because of, for the sake of (old) | ||||||
intellego | to come to know, see into, perceive, understand, discern, comprehend, gather | ||||||
scius | knowingly | ||||||
alius | something else | ||||||
taceo | to be silent, not speak, say nothing, hold one’s peace | ||||||
prior | former, previous, prior, first | ||||||
nolo | 0.1881 | ||||||
pater | a father, sire | ||||||
aliquis | pron indef., some one, any one, anybody, one or another; neut., something, anything. | ||||||
curo | to care for, take pains with, be solicitous for, look to, attend to, regard | ||||||
haud | not, not at all, by no means | ||||||
mulier | a woman, female | ||||||
arbitror | to testify on information and belief, depose to one’s best knowledge | ||||||
perdo | to make away with, destroy, ruin, squander, dissipate, throw away, waste, lose | ||||||
opus | work, labor, toil | ||||||
duco | 0.0734 | ||||||
quisquis | whoever, whosoever, whatever, whatsoever, every one who, everything which | ||||||
unus | One, a single | ||||||
reor | to reckon, calculate, believe, think, suppose, imagine, judge, deem | ||||||
amicus | loving, friendly, kind, favorable | ||||||
immo | no indeed, by no means, on the contrary, nay, in reality: An | ||||||
facilis | easy to do, easy, without difficulty | ||||||
pol | by Pollux! indeed! truly! | ||||||
nemo | no man, no one, nobody | ||||||
peto | to strive for, seek, aim at, repair to, make for, travel to | ||||||
senex | old, aged, advanced in years | ||||||
aurum | gold | ||||||
consilium | 0.1977 | ||||||
locus | a place, spot | ||||||
reddo | I. To give back, return, restore | ||||||
quam | for what reason? on what account? wherefore? why? | ||||||
nosco | to get knowledge of, become acquainted with, come to know, learn, discern | ||||||
ibi | in that place, there | ||||||
adsum | to be at, be present, be at hand: | ||||||
frater | a brother | ||||||
manus | a hand | ||||||
sentio | to discern by sense, feel, hear, see, perceive, be sensible of | ||||||
advenio | to come to, reach, arrive at: | ||||||
inquam | 0.0921 | ||||||
teneo | to hold, keep, have, grasp, hold fast | ||||||
puer | a male child, boy, lad, young man | ||||||
amor | love, affection, strong friendly feeling | ||||||
cupio | to long for, desire, wish | ||||||
sto | to stand, stand still, remain standing, be upright, be erect | ||||||
alter | one, another, the one, the other | ||||||
oculus | 0.068 | ||||||
queo | to be able, can | ||||||
aetas | the life of man, age, lifetime, years | ||||||
equidem | verily, truly, indeed, at all events | ||||||
vester | your, yours, of you | ||||||
dum | a while, now, yet | ||||||
dum | while, whilst, at the time that, during the time in which, where | ||||||
refero | to bear back, bring back, drive back, carry back | ||||||
filia | a daughter | ||||||
nescio | not to know, to be ignorant | ||||||
cur | why? wherefore? for what reason? | ||||||
studium | application, assiduity, zeal, eagerness, fondness, inclination, desire, exertion, endeavor, study | ||||||
spero | to hope, look for, trust, expect, promise oneself | ||||||
tempus | a portion of time, time, period, season, interval | ||||||
tempus | the vital spot, side of the head near the eye, temple | ||||||
spes | hope | ||||||
dominus | a master, possessor, ruler, lord, proprietor, owner | ||||||
istuc | thither, to you, to where you are, in that direction | ||||||
rogo | 0.1952 | ||||||
quando | I. Adv, at what time? when? | ||||||
officium | a service, kindness, favor, courtesy | ||||||
quidam | a certain, a certain one, somebody, one, something | ||||||
tam | in such a degree, as much, so, so much | ||||||
verto | to turn, turn up, turn back, direct | ||||||
oportet | it is necessary, is proper, is becoming, behooves | ||||||
quaeso | to beg, pray, beseech, entreat | ||||||
invenio | to come upon, find, meet with, light upon | ||||||
servo | to make safe, save, keep unharmed, preserve, guard, keep, protect, deliver, rescue | ||||||
metuo | to fear, be afraid, stand in fear, be apprehensive | ||||||
pars | a part, piece, portion, share, division, section | ||||||
factum | a deed, act, exploit, achievement | ||||||
exspecto | to look out for, await, wait for | ||||||
ecce | lo! see! behold! there! look! | ||||||
salvus | while their friends are living | ||||||
unde | 0.073 | ||||||
ullus | any, any one | ||||||
cognosco | to become acquainted with, acquire knowledge of, ascertain, learn, perceive, understand ; perf., to know | ||||||
rus | the country, lands, fields, a country-seat, farm, estate (opp. urbs) | ||||||
mos | a will, way, habit, manner, fashion, caprice, humor | ||||||
sententia | a way of thinking, opinion, judgment, sentiment, thought, notion, purpose, determination, decision, will, desire | ||||||
umquam | at any time, ever | ||||||
nox | night | ||||||
ob | towards, to | ||||||
negotium | 0.2559 | ||||||
affero | are driven | ||||||
existimo | 0.1343 | ||||||
quisque | whoever it be, whatever, each, each one, every, everybody, every one, everything (of more than two) | ||||||
sino | to let down, set, fix | ||||||
vivo | 0.1174 | ||||||
malus | bad, not good | ||||||
malus | an apple-tree | ||||||
etsi | though, although, albeit | ||||||
provincia | an office, duty, pursuit, charge, business, province | ||||||
gero | to bear about, bear, carry, wear, have, hold, sustain | ||||||
pono | to put down, set down, put, place, set, fix, lay, deposit | ||||||
nego | 0.0772 | ||||||
voco | to call, summon, invoke, call together, convoke | ||||||
gaudeo | to rejoice, be glad, be joyful, take pleasure, be pleased, delight | ||||||
absum | abesse, in general, to be away from, be absent: | ||||||
virgo | a maid, maiden, virgin | ||||||
ratio | a reckoning, numbering, casting up, account, calculation, computation | ||||||
pro | interj., of wonder or lamentation, O! Ah! Alas! | ||||||
pro | before, in front of, in face of | ||||||
utor | to use, make use of, employ, profit by, take advantage of, enjoy, serve oneself with | ||||||
patior | to bear, support, undergo, suffer, endure | ||||||
dignitas | worth, merit, desert, character | ||||||
exeo | to go out, go forth, go away, depart, withdraw, retire | ||||||
placeo | to please, give pleasure, be approved, be pleasing, be agreeable, be acceptable, suit, satisfy | ||||||
sermo | continued speech, talk, conversation, discourse | ||||||
urbs | a walled town, city | ||||||
nascor | to be born, begin life, be produced, proceed, be begotten | ||||||
soleo | to use, be wont, be accustomed | ||||||
quantus | tantus, of what size, how much, as | ||||||
quantus | however great | ||||||
superus | that is above, upper, higher | ||||||
cura | trouble, care, attention, pains, industry, diligence, exertion | ||||||
familiaris | of a house, of a household, belonging to a family, household, domestic, private | ||||||
nomen | a means of knowing, name, appellation | ||||||
periculum | a trial, experiment, attempt, test, proof, essay | ||||||
par | equal | ||||||
dignus | worthy, deserving, meritorious, deserved, suitable, fitting, becoming, proper | ||||||
virtus | manliness, manhood, strength, vigor, bravery, courage, excellence | ||||||
respondeo | to answer, reply, respond, make answer | ||||||
intro | to go into, enter | ||||||
postquam | after that, after, as soon as, when | ||||||
convenio | to come together, meet, assemble, gather, come in a body | ||||||
dius | godlike, divine, worshipful, adorable | ||||||
an | or | ||||||
gratus | beloved, dear, acceptable, pleasing, agreeable | ||||||
relinquo | to leave behind, not take along, not stay with, leave, move away from, quit, abandon | ||||||
publicus | of the people, of the state, done for the state, public, common | ||||||
vita | life | ||||||
memini | I remember, recollect, think of, am mindful of, bear in mind | ||||||
postulo | to ask, demand, claim, require, request, desire | ||||||
intus | 0.1737 | ||||||
accedo | to go to, come to, come near, draw near, approach, enter: | ||||||
quoniam | since now, since then, since, seeing that, as, because, whereas | ||||||
salus | soundness, health, good health, vigor | ||||||
emo | to buy, purchase | ||||||
post | behind, back backwards | ||||||
amicus | a loved one, loving one, friend | ||||||
timeo | to fear, be afraid, be fearful, be apprehensive, be afraid of, dread, apprehend | ||||||
dica | a lawsuit, judicial process, action | ||||||
corpus | a body | ||||||
laudo | to praise, laud, commend, honor, extol, eulogize, approve | ||||||
libet | it pleases, is pleasing, is agreeable | ||||||
sapio | to taste of, smack of, savor of, have a flavor of | ||||||
servus | slavish | ||||||
malo | to choose rather, prefer | ||||||
adulescens | 0.198 | ||||||
simul | at the same time, together, at once, simultaneously | ||||||
lego | to bring together, gather, collect | ||||||
epistula | a written communication, letter, epistle | ||||||
sumo | 0.0951 | ||||||
liber | an Italian deity of planting and fructification | ||||||
capio | to take in hand, take hold of, lay hold of, take, seize, grasp | ||||||
hem | interj. (of surprise), oho! indeed! well! well, to be sure! hah! | ||||||
diu | by day, all day | ||||||
quo | in what manner, in what way? how? | ||||||
quo | see quo, and 2 minus | ||||||
bene | well tended | ||||||
intro | to the inside, within, in | ||||||
vinco | to conquer, overcome, get the better of, defeat, subdue, vanquish, be victorious | ||||||
dudum | a short time ago, little while ago, not long since, but now | ||||||
voluntas | will, free-will, wish, choice, desire, inclination | ||||||
doceo | to cause to know, make aware, teach, instruct, inform, show, prove, convince, tell | ||||||
commendo | to commit for protection, intrust, confide, deposit with | ||||||
oratio | a speaking, speech, discourse, language, faculty of speech, use of language | ||||||
oro | to speak | ||||||
narro | to make known, tell, relate, narrate, report, recount, set forth | ||||||
miles | a soldier | ||||||
terra | the earth | ||||||
totus | all, all the, all at once, the whole, entire, total | ||||||
diligo | 0.102 | ||||||
adduco | to lead to, bring to, bring along | ||||||
caput | the head | ||||||
nitor | to bear upon, press upon, lean, support oneself | ||||||
istic | there, in that place, where you are | ||||||
soror | a sister | ||||||
audeo | to venture, dare, be bold, dare to do, risk | ||||||
cogito | to consider thoroughly, ponder, weigh, reflect upon, think | ||||||
mater | a mother | ||||||
aufero | to take away, bear off, carry off, withdraw, remove | ||||||
ingenium | 0.0623 | ||||||
Iuppiter | Jupiter, Jove, son of Saturn, brother and husband of Juno, chief of the gods, god of the sky | ||||||
aequus | even, plain, level, flat | ||||||
longus | long, extended | ||||||
lubet | [unavailable] | ||||||
coepio | to begin, commence | ||||||
censeo | to tax, assess, rate, estimate: | ||||||
contra | in opposition, opposite, face to face, in front, on the other side | ||||||
recipio | To take back, bring back, carry back, retake, get back, regain, recover | ||||||
cogo | to drive together, collect, crowd, bring together, summon, congregate, convene | ||||||
via | a way, highway, road, path, street | ||||||
fides | trust, faith, confidence, reliance, credence, belief | ||||||
fortis | strong, powerful, mighty | ||||||
nimium | too much, too | ||||||
adhuc | of time, until now, heretofore, hitherto, as yet: | ||||||
irascor | to be angry, be in a rage | ||||||
O | O! oh! | ||||||
lex | a formal proposition for a law, motion, bill | ||||||
nescius | unknowing, ignorant, unaware | ||||||
quoque | also, too | ||||||
civis | a citizen | ||||||
annus | a year | ||||||
tueor | to look at, gaze upon, behold, watch, view, regard, consider, examine | ||||||
forum | to bore | ||||||
reperio | to find again, find, meet with, find out, discover | ||||||
eo | there, in that place | ||||||
erga | towards, in respect of, in relation to | ||||||
evenio | to come out, come forth | ||||||
nisi | if not, unless | ||||||
nisus | a pressing upon, pressure, push, striving, exertion, labor, effort | ||||||
adeo | 0.2292 | ||||||
ambo | both | ||||||
postea | after this, after that, hereafter, thereafter, afterwards, later | ||||||
reliquus | 0.0621 | ||||||
gravis | heavy, weighty, ponderous, burdensome, loaded, laden, burdened | ||||||
decet | it was becoming | ||||||
fortuna | chance, hap, luck, fate, fortune | ||||||
ni | not | ||||||
poto | to drink | ||||||
voluptas | 0.0671 | ||||||
senatus | the council of the elders, council of state, Senate, body of senators | ||||||
inter | between, betwixt | ||||||
aliqui | some, any | ||||||
nuptiae | a marriage, wedding, nuptials | ||||||
fugio | to flee, fly, take flight, run away, make off | ||||||
opinor | to be of opinion, suppose, imagine, conjecture, deem, believe, think, judge | ||||||
ostendo | to stretch out, spread before, expose to view, show, point out, exhibit, display | ||||||
maneo | to stay, remain, abide, tarry | ||||||
morior | to die, expire | ||||||
orno | to fit out, furnish, provide, supply, equip, get ready, prepare | ||||||
stultus | foolish, simple, silly, fatuous, stupid, dull | ||||||
multa | much, very, exceedingly, greatly, earnestly | ||||||
summus | uppermost, highest, topmost | ||||||
servio | to be a servant, be enslaved, serve, be in service | ||||||
amitto | to send away, dismiss, part with | ||||||
licet | It is lawful, is allowed, is permitted | ||||||
consulo | to meet and consider, reflect, deliberate, take counsel, consult, take care, have regard, look out, be mindful | ||||||
mens | 0.0289 | ||||||
mors | death | ||||||
deinde | then, next, thereafter, thence | ||||||
dolor | pain, smart, ache, suffering, anguish | ||||||
judicium | concerning | ||||||
aedes | a house that is rent-free | ||||||
aedes | see aedis. | ||||||
cedo | to go from, give place, remove, withdraw, go away, depart, retire | ||||||
molestus | troublesome, irksome, grievous, annoying, unmanageable | ||||||
solus | alone, only, single, sole | ||||||
pes | a foot | ||||||
vendo | to sell, vend | ||||||
inimicus | unfriendly, hostile, inimical | ||||||
opto | to choose, select, prefer | ||||||
solo | to make lonely | ||||||
uno | to make one | ||||||
validus | strong, stout, able, powerful, robust, vigorous | ||||||
vox | a voice, sound, tone, utterance, cry, call | ||||||
labor | labor, toil, exertion | ||||||
volvo | to cause to revolve, roll, turn about, turn round | ||||||
probo | to make good, esteem good, approve, esteem, commend | ||||||
mirus | wonderful, marvellous, astonishing, extraordinary, amazing | ||||||
aequum | a plain, level: | ||||||
praesto | to stand out, stand before, be superior, excel, surpass, exceed, be excellent | ||||||
meio | to make water | ||||||
proficiscor | to set forward, set out, start, go, march, depart | ||||||
confero | 0.0413 | ||||||
dubito | to waver in opinion, be uncertain, be in doubt, be perplexed, doubt, question | ||||||
qua | by what means? whereby? how? | ||||||
mus | a mouse | ||||||
novus | new, not old, young, fresh, recent | ||||||
amicitia | friendship | ||||||
facies | appearance, form, figure, shape, build | ||||||
paro | to make ready, prepare, furnish, provide, arrange, order, contrive, design | ||||||
ecquis | Direct, Is there any one? any? any one? anybody? anything? | ||||||
saepis | that happens often | ||||||
defendo | to ward off, repel, avert, keep off | ||||||
aliquando | at some time or other, once; at any time, ever | ||||||
bibo | to drink | ||||||
propter | near, hard by, next to, close to | ||||||
tandem | at length, at last, in the end, finally | ||||||
legio | a body of soldiers, legion | ||||||
pudeo | to be ashamed, feel shame | ||||||
talis | such, of such a kind, such like, the like | ||||||
vinum | wine | ||||||
auctoritas | 0.06 | ||||||
nihilum | [unavailable] | ||||||
propero | to make haste, hasten, be quick, be in haste, go quickly | ||||||
vereor | 0.0565 | ||||||
moneo | to remind, put in mind of, admonish, advise, warn, instruct, teach | ||||||
cena | a dinner, principal meal (anciently taken at noon, afterwards later): | ||||||
caveo | 0.2103 | ||||||
sanus | 0.2665 | ||||||
mereo | 0.1491 | ||||||
lepidus | 0.631 | ||||||
gratia | 0.3231 | ||||||
Alius | 0.5422 | ||||||