Paratae

Paratae is a Latin term formed as the feminine plural nominative of the adjective paratus, meaning prepared or ready. Paratus is a second-declension adjective and also a perfect passive participle derived from the verb parare, to prepare. As a feminine plural, paratae agrees with feminine plural nouns and can also function as a substantive, meaning “the prepared ones.”

In use, paratae typically appears in military or logistical contexts to denote readiness or organization. A common construction is paratae copiae, meaning the prepared forces. The phrase paratis armis (with prepared weapons) shows paratus used as a participle in the dative/ablative plural. When paratae is used substantively, it can translate as “the ready ones” or “the prepared people,” depending on the surrounding nouns.

Morphology and related forms: the form paratae is the feminine plural nominative. Related forms include paratas (feminine plural accusative), parata (feminine singular nominative), paratum (neuter singular nominative), and paratis (dative/ablative plural for all genders). The masculine plural nominative is parati. These forms illustrate standard agreement patterns of the 1st/2nd declension adjective family to which paratus belongs.

Origin and usage: paratae reflects the broader Latin practice of using participial adjectives to describe military readiness or state of preparation. It appears in classical and later Latin texts where the notion of preparedness is relevant, especially in discussions of troops, equipment, or plans.

See also: paratus, parata, Latin grammar, Latin participles.