Lesson 63: Latin for Medics, Pharmacists and Herbalists

veniō venīre vēnī ventum - come Verb: 4th Conjugation

Introduction

The verb veniō (to come, arrive) is a fundamental 4th conjugation verb in Latin that appears frequently in medical, pharmaceutical, and herbal contexts. It describes the arrival or coming of symptoms, the emergence of healing effects, the arrival of medical practitioners, and the coming forth of medicinal properties from herbs and compounds.

Definition

veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum - to come, to arrive, to approach, to arise, to occur

FAQ Schema

Q: What does veniō mean in Latin? A: Veniō means "to come" or "to arrive" in Latin. It is a 4th conjugation verb with principal parts veniō (I come), venīre (to come), vēnī (I came/have come), ventum (having been come). In medical contexts, it often describes the onset of symptoms, the arrival of healing, or the emergence of medicinal properties.

How This Word Is Used in the Lesson

In this lesson, veniō appears in various medical, pharmaceutical, and herbal contexts:

• Describing the onset or arrival of symptoms and diseases

• Indicating when medicinal effects begin to manifest

• Showing the arrival of healers or medical practitioners

• Expressing how remedies "come from" natural sources

• Depicting the emergence of healing properties from herbs

Educational Schema

Subject: Latin Language Learning Level: Intermediate Focus: Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Herbal Vocabulary Learning Objective: Master the use of the 4th conjugation verb veniō in healthcare contexts Target Audience: Medical professionals, pharmacists, herbalists, and Latin students

Key Takeaways

• veniō is a 4th conjugation verb with the stem veni-

• Common compounds include: adveniō (arrive), perveniō (arrive at, reach), prōveniō (come forth)

• In medical Latin, it frequently describes symptom onset and therapeutic effects

• The perfect stem vēn- forms vēnī, vēnistī, vēnit, etc.

• The supine ventum gives us derivatives like "advent" and "convention"

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Part A (Interleaved English and Latin Text)

63.1 Febris fever nocte at night venit comes ad to aegrum the sick person

63.2 Medicī doctors celeriter quickly veniunt come cum with remediīs remedies

63.3 Ex from herbīs herbs salūs health venīre to come potest is able

63.4 Dolor pain capitis of the head vēnit came post after longum long labōrem work

63.5 Venient they will come symptōmata symptoms morbī of disease māne in the morning

63.6 Pharmacopōla the pharmacist veniēbat was coming ad to domum the house aegrī of the sick person

63.7 Ā from montibus mountains veniunt come optimae best herbae herbs medicīnālēs medicinal

63.8 Vēnerat had come morbus disease in into urbem the city subitō suddenly

63.9 Cum when vēnerit will have come sōl sun efficācia efficacy herbārum of herbs augētur is increased

63.10 Nōn not venit comes somnium sleep sine without papāveris poppy's sucō juice

63.11 Venīte come! discipulī students ut so that herbās herbs cognōscātis you may learn

63.12 Unde whence venit comes vis power curātīva healing plantārum of plants

63.13 Sī if vēneris you will have come tempore in time salvārī to be saved poteris you will be able

63.14 Per through vēnās veins venit comes medicāmentum medicine ad to cor heart

63.15 Veniendum it must be come est is statim immediately ad to medicum the doctor

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Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)

63.1 Febris nocte venit ad aegrum. The fever comes to the sick person at night.

63.2 Medicī celeriter veniunt cum remediīs. The doctors quickly come with remedies.

63.3 Ex herbīs salūs venīre potest. Health can come from herbs.

63.4 Dolor capitis vēnit post longum labōrem. The headache came after long work.

63.5 Venient symptōmata morbī māne. The symptoms of the disease will come in the morning.

63.6 Pharmacopōla veniēbat ad domum aegrī. The pharmacist was coming to the sick person's house.

63.7 Ā montibus veniunt optimae herbae medicīnālēs. The best medicinal herbs come from the mountains.

63.8 Vēnerat morbus in urbem subitō. The disease had suddenly come into the city.

63.9 Cum vēnerit sōl, efficācia herbārum augētur. When the sun comes, the efficacy of herbs is increased.

63.10 Nōn venit somnium sine papāveris sucō. Sleep does not come without poppy juice.

63.11 Venīte, discipulī, ut herbās cognōscātis! Come, students, so that you may learn about herbs!

63.12 Unde venit vis curātīva plantārum? From where does the healing power of plants come?

63.13 Sī vēneris tempore, salvārī poteris. If you come in time, you will be able to be saved.

63.14 Per vēnās venit medicāmentum ad cor. The medicine comes to the heart through the veins.

63.15 Veniendum est statim ad medicum. One must come immediately to the doctor.

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Part C (Latin Text Only)

63.1 Febris nocte venit ad aegrum.

63.2 Medicī celeriter veniunt cum remediīs.

63.3 Ex herbīs salūs venīre potest.

63.4 Dolor capitis vēnit post longum labōrem.

63.5 Venient symptōmata morbī māne.

63.6 Pharmacopōla veniēbat ad domum aegrī.

63.7 Ā montibus veniunt optimae herbae medicīnālēs.

63.8 Vēnerat morbus in urbem subitō.

63.9 Cum vēnerit sōl, efficācia herbārum augētur.

63.10 Nōn venit somnium sine papāveris sucō.

63.11 Venīte, discipulī, ut herbās cognōscātis!

63.12 Unde venit vis curātīva plantārum?

63.13 Sī vēneris tempore, salvārī poteris.

63.14 Per vēnās venit medicāmentum ad cor.

63.15 Veniendum est statim ad medicum.

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Part D (Grammar Explanation)

Grammar Rules for veniō

veniō belongs to the 4th conjugation, characterized by the -ī- in most forms. Here are its principal parts:

• veniō (I come) - present active

• venīre (to come) - present infinitive

• vēnī (I came/have come) - perfect active

• ventum (supine) - used for passive forms

Present System Conjugation

Present Indicative Active:

• veniō - I come

• venīs - you come

• venit - he/she/it comes

• venīmus - we come

• venītis - you (pl.) come

• veniunt - they come

Imperfect Indicative Active:

• veniēbam - I was coming

• veniēbās - you were coming

• veniēbat - he/she/it was coming

• veniēbāmus - we were coming

• veniēbātis - you (pl.) were coming

• veniēbant - they were coming

Future Indicative Active:

• veniam - I will come

• veniēs - you will come

• veniet - he/she/it will come

• veniēmus - we will come

• veniētis - you (pl.) will come

• venient - they will come

Perfect System Conjugation

Perfect Indicative Active:

• vēnī - I came/have come

• vēnistī - you came/have come

• vēnit - he/she/it came/has come

• vēnimus - we came/have come

• vēnistis - you (pl.) came/have come

• vēnērunt - they came/have come

Pluperfect Indicative Active:

• vēneram - I had come

• vēnerās - you had come

• vēnerat - he/she/it had come

• vēnerāmus - we had come

• vēnerātis - you (pl.) had come

• vēnerant - they had come

Common Mistakes

1. Confusing 3rd and 4th conjugation: Students often mistake venit (he comes) for a 3rd conjugation form

2. Perfect stem confusion: The perfect vēnī looks similar to the present but has a long ē

3. Compound confusion: Not recognizing compounds like adveniō, perveniō, prōveniō

4. Case after veniō: Using accusative instead of ad + accusative for destination

5. Gerundive formation: veniendum (needing to come) not *venendum

Comparison with English

Unlike English, which uses auxiliary verbs ("is coming," "has come"), Latin expresses these concepts through endings:

• English: "The fever is coming" = Latin: "Febris venit"

• English: "The fever has come" = Latin: "Febris vēnit"

• English: "The fever will come" = Latin: "Febris veniet"

Step-by-Step Guide for Complex Forms

Future Perfect (will have come):

1. Take the perfect stem: vēn-

2. Add future perfect endings: -erō, -eris, -erit, -erimus, -eritis, -erint

3. Result: vēnerō, vēneris, vēnerit, etc.

4. Example: "Cum vēnerit sōl" = "When the sun will have come"

Gerundive (must be come to):

1. Take the present stem: veni-

2. Add -endus, -a, -um

3. Result: veniendus, venienda, veniendum

4. Use with forms of sum

5. Example: "Veniendum est" = "It must be come" = "One must come"

Grammatical Summary

• Conjugation: 4th (-iō verbs)

• Principal Parts: veniō, venīre, vēnī, ventum

• Compounds: adveniō (arrive), conveniō (come together), perveniō (arrive at)

• Common constructions:

  • venit ad + acc. (comes to)

  • venit ex/ab + abl. (comes from)

  • venit cum + abl. (comes with)

• Medical usage: Often describes onset of symptoms, arrival of healing

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Part E (Cultural Context)

Medical and Herbal Significance of veniō

In ancient Roman medicine, the concept of "coming" or "arrival" was crucial for understanding disease progression and healing. Roman physicians like Galen carefully observed when symptoms "came" (veniēbant) to diagnose illnesses and predict their course.

The verb veniō appears frequently in medical texts to describe:

• Disease onset: Romans believed diseases "came" from various sources - bad air (malaria literally means "bad air"), imbalanced humors, or divine punishment

• Healing arrival: The "coming" of health (salūs venit) was often attributed to proper treatment, divine intervention, or natural healing

• Herbal medicine: Romans understood that medicinal properties "came from" (veniunt ex) specific plants and locations

Pharmaceutical Practice

Roman pharmacists (pharmacopōlae) would literally "come" to patients' homes, as seen in example 63.6. This house-call system reflects the personalized nature of ancient medicine. The arrival of the pharmacist with remedies was often the turning point in an illness.

Herbal Collection

The belief that the best herbs "came from" specific locations (example 63.7: "ā montibus veniunt optimae herbae") reflects sophisticated botanical knowledge. Romans knew that altitude, climate, and soil affected medicinal potency. Mountain herbs were particularly prized because they were thought to be closer to the gods and therefore more powerful.

Temporal Aspects

Romans paid careful attention to when symptoms "came" - morning, evening, or night arrivals had different meanings. Night fevers (example 63.1) were considered more dangerous. The timing of medicinal administration was also crucial, as seen in the belief that solar influence affected herbal efficacy (example 63.9).

Modern Relevance

Many modern medical terms derive from this concept:

• "Advent" (arrival) from adventus

• "Convene" (come together) from convenīre

• "Intervention" (coming between) from intervenīre

Understanding veniō helps modern medical professionals decode numerous Latin medical terms and appreciate the historical continuity of medical thought.

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Part F (Literary Citation)

From Celsus, De Medicina 3.7.1

Source: Aulus Cornelius Celsus, De Medicina (On Medicine), Book 3, Chapter 7, Section 1 Context: Celsus describes the onset of fever and appropriate medical response

Part F-A (Interleaved Text)

Cum when febris fever vēnerit will have come prīmum first abstinentia abstinence opus necessary est is deinde then sī if dolor pain est is fōmentīs with warm applications mollīre to soften eum it convenit it is fitting tum then sī if vīrēs strength patiuntur allows sanguinem blood mittere to let post after haec these things cibum food levem light dare to give

Part F-B (Complete Translation)

Cum febris vēnerit, prīmum abstinentia opus est; deinde, sī dolor est, fōmentīs mollīre eum convenit; tum, sī vīrēs patiuntur, sanguinem mittere; post haec cibum levem dare.

When fever has come, first abstinence is necessary; then, if there is pain, it is fitting to soften it with warm applications; then, if strength allows, to let blood; after these things, to give light food.

Part F-C (Literary Analysis)

Celsus demonstrates the systematic Roman approach to fever treatment, using vēnerit (future perfect) to indicate the completed arrival of fever before treatment begins. The temporal sequence (prīmum, deinde, tum, post haec) shows the methodical progression of Roman medical practice.

Part F-D (Grammatical Notes)

• vēnerit: future perfect subjunctive in temporal clause with cum, showing completed action

• opus est: impersonal construction meaning "it is necessary"

• mollīre: infinitive after convenit (it is fitting)

• mittere: infinitive meaning "to let" (blood) - technical medical usage

• dare: infinitive in sequence of treatments

The passage exemplifies medical Latin's preference for concise, sequential instructions using infinitives for prescribed actions.

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Part A (Interleaved Text)

63.16 Aeger sick man quīdam certain vēnit came ad to medicum doctor cum with magnō great dolōre pain ventris of stomach

63.17 Iam already trēs three diēs days dolor pain acūtus sharp veniēbat was coming et and recēdēbat was receding sine without causā cause manifestā clear

63.18 Medicus doctor rogāvit asked num whether febris fever quoque also vēnisset had come cum with dolōre pain

63.19 Respondit he replied aeger sick man febrem fever levem light vespere in evening venīre to come sed but māne in morning discēdere to depart

63.20 Tunc then medicus doctor iussit ordered ut that pharmacopōla pharmacist venīret should come cum with decoctō decoction absinthiī of wormwood

63.21 Vēnit came pharmacopōla pharmacist ferēns carrying nōn not sōlum only absinthium wormwood sed but etiam also alia other remedia remedies stomachica for stomach

63.22 Post after hōram hour ūnam one cum when vēnisset had come tempus time medicāmentī of medicine sumendī to be taken aeger sick man bibit drank potionem potion amāram bitter

63.23 Medicīna medicine per through ōs mouth vēnit came deinde then per through stomachum stomach ad to intestīna intestines dēscendit descended

63.24 Brevī in short tempore time levāmen relief vēnit came et and dolor pain minuī to diminish coepit began

63.25 Alterō on next diē day cum when medicus doctor vēnisset had come vīsitandī of visiting causā for sake aeger sick man iam already melius better sē himself habēbat was having

63.26 Nūlla no symptōmata symptoms mala bad vēnerant had come nocte at night nec nor febris fever redierat had returned

63.27 Medicus doctor explicāvit explained quōmodo how salūs health ex from simplicibus simple herbīs herbs venīre to come posset could sī if rēctē correctly adhibērentur they were applied

63.28 Monuit he warned etiam also ut that aeger sick man statim immediately venīret should come sī if dolor pain rediisset had returned

63.29 Grātiās thanks ēgit gave aeger sick man prōmīsitque and promised sē himself ventūrum about to come esse to be ad to medicum doctor sī if opus need esset should be

63.30 Ita thus salūs health vēnit came ad to eum him quī who anteā before graviter seriously aegrōtāverat had been ill per through sapientiam wisdom medicī of doctor et and vim power herbārum of herbs

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Part B (Complete Natural Sentences)

63.16 Aeger quīdam vēnit ad medicum cum magnō dolōre ventris. A certain sick man came to the doctor with great stomach pain.

63.17 Iam trēs diēs dolor acūtus veniēbat et recēdēbat sine causā manifestā. For three days already, sharp pain had been coming and going without clear cause.

63.18 Medicus rogāvit num febris quoque vēnisset cum dolōre. The doctor asked whether fever had also come with the pain.

63.19 Respondit aeger febrem levem vespere venīre sed māne discēdere. The sick man replied that a light fever came in the evening but departed in the morning.

63.20 Tunc medicus iussit ut pharmacopōla venīret cum decoctō absinthiī. Then the doctor ordered that the pharmacist should come with a decoction of wormwood.

63.21 Vēnit pharmacopōla ferēns nōn sōlum absinthium sed etiam alia remedia stomachica. The pharmacist came carrying not only wormwood but also other stomach remedies.

63.22 Post hōram ūnam, cum vēnisset tempus medicāmentī sumendī, aeger bibit potionem amāram. After one hour, when the time for taking medicine had come, the sick man drank the bitter potion.

63.23 Medicīna per ōs vēnit, deinde per stomachum ad intestīna dēscendit. The medicine came through the mouth, then descended through the stomach to the intestines.

63.24 Brevī tempore levāmen vēnit et dolor minuī coepit. In a short time relief came and the pain began to diminish.

63.25 Alterō diē cum medicus vēnisset vīsitandī causā, aeger iam melius sē habēbat. On the next day, when the doctor had come to visit, the sick man was already feeling better.

63.26 Nūlla symptōmata mala vēnerant nocte nec febris redierat. No bad symptoms had come during the night, nor had the fever returned.

63.27 Medicus explicāvit quōmodo salūs ex simplicibus herbīs venīre posset sī rēctē adhibērentur. The doctor explained how health could come from simple herbs if they were correctly applied.

63.28 Monuit etiam ut aeger statim venīret sī dolor rediisset. He also warned that the sick man should come immediately if the pain returned.

63.29 Grātiās ēgit aeger prōmīsitque sē ventūrum esse ad medicum sī opus esset. The sick man gave thanks and promised that he would come to the doctor if there was need.

63.30 Ita salūs vēnit ad eum quī anteā graviter aegrōtāverat per sapientiam medicī et vim herbārum. Thus health came to him who had previously been seriously ill, through the wisdom of the doctor and the power of herbs.

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Part C (Latin Text Only)

63.16 Aeger quīdam vēnit ad medicum cum magnō dolōre ventris.

63.17 Iam trēs diēs dolor acūtus veniēbat et recēdēbat sine causā manifestā.

63.18 Medicus rogāvit num febris quoque vēnisset cum dolōre.

63.19 Respondit aeger febrem levem vespere venīre sed māne discēdere.

63.20 Tunc medicus iussit ut pharmacopōla venīret cum decoctō absinthiī.

63.21 Vēnit pharmacopōla ferēns nōn sōlum absinthium sed etiam alia remedia stomachica.

63.22 Post hōram ūnam, cum vēnisset tempus medicāmentī sumendī, aeger bibit potionem amāram.

63.23 Medicīna per ōs vēnit, deinde per stomachum ad intestīna dēscendit.

63.24 Brevī tempore levāmen vēnit et dolor minuī coepit.

63.25 Alterō diē cum medicus vēnisset vīsitandī causā, aeger iam melius sē habēbat.

63.26 Nūlla symptōmata mala vēnerant nocte nec febris redierat.

63.27 Medicus explicāvit quōmodo salūs ex simplicibus herbīs venīre posset sī rēctē adhibērentur.

63.28 Monuit etiam ut aeger statim venīret sī dolor rediisset.

63.29 Grātiās ēgit aeger prōmīsitque sē ventūrum esse ad medicum sī opus esset.

63.30 Ita salūs vēnit ad eum quī anteā graviter aegrōtāverat per sapientiam medicī et vim herbārum.

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Part D (Grammar Explanation for Medical Case History)

Special Uses of veniō in Medical Narratives

1. Iterative Imperfect Example 63.17: "veniēbat et recēdēbat" (was coming and going)

• Shows repeated action in the past

• Common in describing recurring symptoms

• Often paired with other verbs to show alternating states

2. Pluperfect Subjunctive in Indirect Questions Example 63.18: "num febris vēnisset" (whether fever had come)

• Used after verbs of asking (rogāvit)

• Shows completed action before the main verb

• Essential for medical history-taking

3. Infinitive in Indirect Statement Example 63.19: "febrem venīre" (that fever comes)

• After verbs of saying/responding

• Accusative subject (febrem) + infinitive construction

• Present infinitive shows contemporaneous action

4. Subjunctive in Purpose Clauses Example 63.20: "ut pharmacopōla venīret" (that the pharmacist should come)

• After iussit (ordered), showing purpose/command

• Imperfect subjunctive for secondary sequence

• Common in medical instructions

5. Temporal cum Clauses Example 63.22: "cum vēnisset tempus" (when the time had come)

• Pluperfect subjunctive showing completed time

• Example 63.25: "cum medicus vēnisset" (when the doctor had come)

• Shows sequence of medical events

6. Future Participle with esse Example 63.29: "ventūrum esse" (that he would come)

• Future infinitive in indirect statement

• Shows future intention

• Common in patient promises/appointments

7. Conditional Clauses Example 63.27: "venīre posset sī adhibērentur" (could come if they were applied)

• Present subjunctive in both clauses (contrary to fact)

• Example 63.28: "venīret sī rediisset" (should come if it had returned)

• Mixed condition (present + pluperfect)

8. Medical Prepositions with veniō

• per + accusative: route of administration (63.23)

• ad + accusative: destination/patient (63.16, 63.30)

• ex + ablative: source of healing (63.27)

• cum + ablative: accompanying symptoms (63.16)

Key Medical Narrative Patterns:

• Past tense for patient history (vēnit, veniēbat)

• Subjunctive for reported symptoms (vēnisset, venīret)

• Future forms for prognosis (ventūrus)

• Imperatives/jussive subjunctive for instructions (venīret)

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About This Course

This Latin course is specifically designed for medical professionals, pharmacists, and herbalists who wish to understand Latin terminology in their fields. Created by the Latinum Institute, these lessons follow the innovative method developed at latinum.substack.com and latinum.org.uk.

The course employs a unique construed text approach that breaks down Latin sentences into their smallest meaningful units, allowing autodidacts to see the direct correspondence between Latin and English. This granular method, as demonstrated in Part A of each lesson, enables learners to build vocabulary and understand sentence structure simultaneously.

Each lesson focuses on a single high-frequency Latin word, presenting it in 15 main examples plus 15 genre-specific examples that demonstrate authentic usage in medical, pharmaceutical, and herbal contexts. The progressive structure moves from interleaved translation (Part A) through complete sentences (Part B) to Latin-only text (Part C), building confidence at each stage.

The course curator, Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), has been creating online language learning materials since 2006. Under his direction, the Latinum Institute has developed comprehensive resources for Latin learners worldwide, with particular attention to professional applications of the language.

Method Benefits for Autodidacts:

• Self-paced learning with complete, ready-to-use lessons

• No prior Latin knowledge required - each concept is fully explained

• Professional focus ensures relevance to medical/pharmaceutical practice

• Authentic texts from classical medical authors provide historical context

• Progressive difficulty builds competence systematically

Course Structure:

• Introduction with key takeaways and learning objectives

• Interleaved translation for vocabulary building

• Natural Latin sentences showing authentic word order

• Comprehensive grammar explanations with medical examples

• Cultural context linking ancient and modern practice

• Literary citations from medical texts

• Genre sections demonstrating specialized usage

For more information about the Latinum Institute's methods and additional resources, visit:

• latinum.substack.com

• latinum.org.uk

Citations and reviews of Evan der Millner's work in Latin pedagogy can be found through academic search engines and language learning forums where the Latinum Institute's innovative approaches to classical language instruction are discussed.

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