facilis

Facilis is a Latin adjective meaning "easy" or "simple." It describes a task, condition, or quality that is readily accomplished or understood, and it agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. In standard Latin, the masculine and feminine nominative singular form is facilis, while the neuter nominative singular form is facile; like other Latin adjectives of its type, it shifts through other cases and numbers to match its noun.

Origin and form: Facilis comes from the verb facere, "to do," with the adjectival suffix -ilis, producing a word that conveys "able to be done" or "easy to perform." It is a common feature in classical prose and poetry, used to compare difficulty across varied contexts.

Notable usage: The phrase "Facilis descensus Averno"—often cited from Virgil—illustrates its predicative use, meaning "the descent to Avernus is easy." In Latin literature, facilis appears in descriptions of tasks, circumstances, or understandings that pose little difficulty, serving to highlight ease or lack of obstacle in the action described.

Modern usage: In contemporary language, facilis appears mainly within Latin sayings, linguistic or classical studies, and as a proper name or brand inspiration rooted in Latin vocabulary. It is not a commonly used English word outside scholarly or educational contexts, but it remains a recognizable form for those studying Latin grammar and literature.