Percontari

Percontari is a Latin deponent verb of the first conjugation meaning to inquire, to question, or to investigate. The form percontor, percontari, percontatus sum is the principal paradigm in classical Latin; as a deponent verb it uses passive endings with active meaning. The present infinitive is percontari, the perfect participle is percontatus, and the participial adjective is percontatus. The derived noun percontatio, meaning an act of inquiry or questioning, is associated with the verb.

Usage and nuance: In classical texts, percontari conveys a careful, sometimes persistent probing into facts, motives, or plans. It appears in political, legal, and philosophical discourse as a way of eliciting information through discussion rather than force, and it can indicate methodical investigation through dialogue.

Syntax and scope: As with other deponent verbs, percontari takes its non-finite and finite forms with standard Latin conventions, and its constructions can vary by author and period. It is typically used with direct objects or with prepositional phrases specifying the topic of inquiry; the precise grammar is described in Latin grammars and dictionaries.

Legacy: The verb is of interest to Latinists for its deponent behavior and its nuance of thorough questioning. The related noun percontatio denotes the act of inquiry, while related verbs such as quaero or interrogo express broader or more direct asking.