The ablative of description is one usage of the ablative case, which in Latin, may be used either with or without a preposition to express time, place and space. Common prepositions used with the ablative include ‘by’, ‘with’, ‘from’, ‘at’, ‘in’ or ‘on’.

The ablative can also be used to express visible and tangible qualities, when it is known as the ablative of description (or ablative of quality). This usage requires an adjective and describes a feature of the body or mind.

In these following examples, nouns in the ablative case are in bold.. See if you can detect the adjectives which modify them.

puer longis capillis

a boy with long hair

puella maxima prudentia

a girl of the greatest good sense

gratia plena

full as to grace

Beati mundo corde

Blessed are the pure in heart.

Patres, nolite ad indignationem provocare filios vestros, ut pusillo animo fiant.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, that they may not become of feeble mind. (Col 3: 21)

Click here to see our general Grammar page.

Click here to learn more about the ablative case.

REFERENCES: An Introduction to Ecclesiastical Latin by HPV Nunn

Let’s Read Latin by Ralph McInerny

Latin Grammar by Oxford University Press.

IMAGE SOURCE: Nicolae Grigorescu, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons