Incarnare

Incarnare is a Latin verb of the first conjugation meaning to incarnate, to take on flesh, or to embody a form or quality. In literal sense it can describe changing into flesh, while figuratively it can mean to personify or to embody an abstract attribute.

Etymology and related forms: incarnare derives from caro, carnis, “flesh,” with the thematic suffix -āre. The noun related to this concept is incarnatio, “incarnation,” and the participle incarnatus, “incarnated.” The verb is used in classical and late Latin texts, though in theological contexts the noun incarnation is more common than a frequent use of the verb itself.

Conjugation and usage: incarnare is a regular first-conjugation verb. Present active indicative forms include incarnō, incarnās, incarnat, incarnāmus, incarnātis, incarnant. The imperfect is incarnābam, incarnābās, incarnābat, incarnābāmus, incarnābātis, incarnābant. The perfect active uses the typical forms such as incarnāvī, incarnāvistī, incarnāvit, incarnāvimus, incarnāvistis, incarnāvērunt. The participle is incarnatus, used in compounds like Deus incarnatus est (“God became flesh”) in theological Latin.

In usage: in classical Latin incarnare can appear in literal contexts of “to clothe with flesh” or in metaphorical senses such as embodying a trait. In Christian Latin it underpins discussions of the incarnation, though speakers more often employ incarnatio and related phrases. In modern Romance languages, descendants include Italian incarnare and Portuguese incarnar; Spanish generally uses encarnar, reflecting a separate historical development.

See also incarnatio, incarnatus, carne.