Praecipivi

Praecipivi is a Latin verb form functioning as the first-person singular perfect indicative active of the verb praecipio, praecipere, meaning “to take beforehand,” with extensions such as “to anticipate,” “to order,” or “to instruct.” The form is attested in classical Latin and is often considered a variant of the more common praecipui in the 3rd principal part.

Morphology and principal parts: The underlying verb is praecipio, whose principal parts are praecipio, praecipere, praecipui (or praecipivi), praecipitum. Praecipivi (or praecipui) yields the perfect active tense in the first person singular, “I instructed” or “I commanded.” The spelling praecipivi reflects the -ivi ending typical of some perfect forms of -io verbs; praecipui is an alternate form found in other authors or manuscripts.

Usage and syntax: Praecipivi ordinarily conveys completed instruction or command in the past. It can appear with a direct object in the accusative or with a dative of the person affected, and it may be complemented by ut + subjunctive to express what was instructed or commanded. In practice, the sense is close to “I instructed,” “I ordered,” or “I advised,” depending on context and connotation.

Etymology: The verb arises from praecipio, a compound of prae- “before” and capere “to take,” yielding a core sense of taking something beforehand or foreseeing it. This root acquired meanings related to giving orders or providing instructions in advance.

See also: praecipio, praecipere, praecipitur, Latin verb forms of -io with similar semantic range.