Superlative degree of adjectives

General formation method

For the overwhelming majority of Latin adjectives, the superlative degree is built using a single formula. The only exceptions are those words whose dictionary form ends in -er.

To form the superlative degree, you need to take the stem of the positive degree, add the suffix -issim- to it, and attach standard gender endings:

• -us (for masculine);
• -a (for feminine);
• -um (for neuter).

Formation examples:

• From the adjective longus, a, um (long), we isolate the stem long-, add the suffix and endings. We get longissimus (longest, very long), longissima (for feminine), longissimum (for neuter).
• From the adjective brevis, e (short), the stem brev- is isolated. With the help of the suffix, the form transforms into brevissimus, a, um (shortest, very short).

Formation from adjectives ending in -er

If an adjective in the positive degree (specifically in the masculine nominative singular form) ends in -er, a different rule applies. In this case, the superlative degree is formed by attaching the suffix and endings not to the isolated stem, but directly to the masculine dictionary form.

For such words, the suffix -rim- is used. The typical gender endings -us, -a, -um are also added to it.

Example: Let's take the adjective ruber, rubra, rubrum (red). To the original form ruber, we add -rim- and the endings. The final result is: ruberrimus, a, um (reddest, very red).

Features of suppletive forms

Some Latin adjectives form their comparative and superlative degrees from completely different (modified) roots. Such forms are called suppletive, and they simply need to be memorized.

There is also a special case of formation. From the comparative degree form superior, ius (upper), the superlative degree supremus, a, um (highest, supreme) is formed.

> Note: When translating into Russian, the anatomical terms maximus, a, um and supremus, a, um are sometimes translated absolutely identically as "наивысший".

Agreement and declension rules

In medical terminology, adjectives in the superlative degree are subject to the general rule of agreement. They must agree with the modified noun in gender, number, and case.

Examples of agreement:

• musculus (m) longissimus — longissimus muscle (agreement in the masculine gender);
• linea (f) longissima — longest line (agreement in the feminine gender).

From a morphological perspective, such adjectives share the same dictionary form as 1st group adjectives. Accordingly, they are declined according to the rules of the 1st and 2nd declensions.

Differences from the comparative degree

To avoid grammar mistakes, it is important to clearly distinguish between the degrees of comparison:

1. Suffixes: While the superlative degree uses -issim-, -rim-, or -illim-, the comparative degree is formed using completely different suffixes: -ior (for masculine and feminine) and -ius (for neuter).
2. Declension: Unlike the superlative degree (which follows the 1st and 2nd declensions), the comparative degree is declined strictly according to the 3rd declension (having the ending -is in the genitive singular).
3. Stem and dictionary form: For the comparative degree, the stem is derived from the genitive case. It is identical for all genders and completely matches the masculine and feminine nominative singular form (ending in -ior). The dictionary form of the comparative degree itself consists of a common form for masculine and feminine and a separate form for neuter.

Briefly: answers to topical questions

Class and exam questions

What else to study on this topic

• Degrees of comparison formed from different stems
• Summary of information on adjectives
• Substantivization of Latin adjectives
• Compound adjectives in Latin
• Preliminary information on prefixes

Other topics in the section "Superlative degree. Substantivization. Prefixes. Compound adjectives"

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