THE VERB PREFIXES PRO - AND PRAE - IN LATE LATIN

Abstract

In the article, the structure, semantics and valency peculiarities of verba composita with the prefixes pro- and prae- in Late Latin are discussed. The prefixes pro- and prae- were used to denote the «before» position. Attaching prefixes to stems of simple verbs was quite usual in Late Latin. Preserving of original prepositional meaning was most characteristic of verbs of motion. In the Late Latin texts, verba composita with prae- preserve the meaning of position before an object. The prefix prae- denotes the outermost or the highest part of an object. prae- also denotes superiority and is used in comparison. It has temporal meaning of previous action as well. The prefix pro- denotes the position before an object as well as displacement or substitution. Simple verbs with the prefixes pro- and prae- in Late Latin did not only get new semantics, but also were used in figurative meaning. In such cases the primary meaning of prefixes became weaker or was completely lost. The late authors often used prefixes just to provide more expressive and elevated language. The only meaning of the prefixes pro- and prae- in such cases is that of intensity or specifying. Attached to stems of intransitive verbs, the prefixes make them morphologically and syntactically transitive; attached to stems of transitive verbs, the prefixes do not change verb properties, but influence its valency. The prefix prae- can be attached both to the verbs of motion and of stance. It is attached to the verbs of physical action or process of speaking. Also, it has tendency to be used with the verbs of mental process. The prefix pro- is used both with the verbs of motion and of stance.