Re: [tied] Meaning of Optative, Subjunctive; *-si in infinitives an

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, "P&G" <G&P@...> wrote:

> The supine is a verbal noun, a survival of old -to- stems from
> PIE. It is the form which is quoted in dictionaries etc for the
> fourth stem of the verb in Latin, from which the passive past
> participle comes. It has a very restricted range of uses:
> (a) in the accusative (therefore ending -um) it indicates purpose
> after a verb of motion.
> Ovid Ars Amatoria: spectatum veniunt, veniunt spectentur ut
> ipsae.
> They come to see: they come to be seen.
> (b) in the ablative, usually with adjectives:
> facile dictu: easy to say
> mirabile visu: wonderful to see

Actually, the supine is a tu-stem, evidenced by the ablative in -u:.
Also cf. the Sanskrit infinitve in -tum < supine accusative.

- Rob