Verbum Hodiernum: DOCEO

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DOCEO Dictionary Entry

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Today's word is the verb DOCEO (docere, docui, doctum), meaning "to teach." The word can take a double accusative in Latin, just as in English, for example: Magistra nos litteras docet. It can also take an accusative plus an infinitive, as in this famous proverb: Aquilam volare doces. You can also teach someone about something, with the preposition de, for example: Tempus me de rebus omnibus docet.

This Latin root is very productive in Latin and so too in English. The word "doctor" is most obvious, but consider also nouns like "document" and "docent" and the adjective "docile." The word "doctrine" also derives from this root, along with the related verb, "indoctrinate." You can also see the Latin word in the abbreviation Ph.D., Philosophiae Doctor.

Here are some examples of today's word in Latin sayings and proverbs:

Experientia docet.

Multa docet fames.

Necessitas omnia docet.

Quod nocet, docet.

Quae nocent, docent.

Si vis scire, doce.

Bis discit qui docet.

Doce ut discas.

Disce docendo.

Dies diem docet.

Doctum doces.

Aquilam volare doces.

Delphinum natare doces.

Piscem natare doces.

Ferrum natare doces.

Cancrum doces recte ingredi.

Elephantem saltare doces.

Asinum sub freno currere doces.

Minervam sus docet.

Nemo doctus natus.

Ire docetur eundo.

Doctus sum damno meo.

Verba docent, exempla movent.

Qui timide rogat, docet negare.

Hic mortui vivos docent. (in bibliotheca)