Aggredi

Aggredi is a Latin verb meaning to move toward someone or something, often with the sense of attacking or approaching in order to engage. It is a deponent verb, so its forms are passive in form but active in meaning.

Etymology and principal parts: Aggredi is formed with the stem grad- (to go or step) and the prefix ad- (toward). The common principal parts are aggredior, aggredi, aggressus sum, reflecting its deponent conjugation. The present infinitive is aggredi. As a deponent, it uses passive morphology for its tenses while conveying an active sense, for example with a subject that performs the action.

Morphology and usage: In classical Latin, aggredi is used to describe moving to attack or to advance against an opponent. The perfect passive participle aggressus (with sum) appears in phrases such as hostem aggressus est, “he attacked the enemy.” Related forms include adgredi, a closely connected verb with a similar sense of approaching or attacking, often with nuance of moving toward a target to confront it.

Semantics and nuance: Aggredi typically emphasizes the act of coming forward to engage, rather than merely approaching. The prefix ad- may intensify the sense of reaching out toward an opponent or obstacle. The verb appears in narrative and rhetorical contexts to depict military or confrontational action.

See also: adgredior, aggressus, aggressor (English cognates). In Latin dictionaries, aggredi is treated alongside related compounds to express attack or approach with a forward movement.

Note: The form aggredi specifically refers to the infinitive; other tenses and persons are formed from aggredior, aggredi, aggressus sum according to deponent conjugation.